Rye
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Topical Encyclopedia
Rye is a cereal grain that is mentioned in the context of ancient agriculture and diet in the Bible. It is often associated with wheat and barley, forming a staple part of the diet in biblical times. The grain is known for its hardiness and ability to grow in poor soils and cold climates, making it a valuable crop in various regions of the ancient Near East.

Biblical References:

Rye is specifically mentioned in the book of Exodus, where it is listed among the crops affected by the plagues in Egypt. In Exodus 9:32 , it states, "But the wheat and the rye were not destroyed, because they ripen later." This verse highlights the timing of the plagues and the agricultural cycle, indicating that rye, like wheat, was a significant crop that was spared during the earlier plagues due to its later harvest time.

Agricultural Significance:

In biblical times, rye was cultivated alongside other grains such as wheat and barley. Its ability to thrive in less fertile soil made it an important crop for sustaining populations, especially in regions where other grains might not flourish as well. Rye's resilience to harsh conditions is a testament to God's provision, allowing His people to cultivate and harvest food even in challenging environments.

Symbolism and Usage:

While rye is not as frequently mentioned as wheat or barley, its inclusion in the biblical narrative underscores the diversity of God's creation and His provision for humanity's needs. The grain's ability to withstand adverse conditions can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual resilience and faithfulness, themes that are prevalent throughout Scripture.

Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near East, grains like rye were essential for daily sustenance. They were used to make bread, a staple food that held significant cultural and religious importance. Bread is often used symbolically in the Bible to represent life and sustenance, as seen in the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus teaches His disciples to pray for their "daily bread" (Matthew 6:11).

Conclusion:

Rye, though not as prominently featured as other grains, plays a role in the biblical narrative that reflects the agricultural practices and dietary customs of the time. Its mention in Scripture serves as a reminder of God's provision and the importance of resilience and faith in the face of adversity.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Rye

(Heb. cussemeth) occurs in (Exodus 9:32; Isaiah 28:25) in the latter the margin reads "spelt." In (Ezekiel 4:9) the text has "fitches" and the margin "rie." It is probable that by cussemeth "spelt" is intended. Spelt (Triticum spelta) is grown in some parts of the south of Germany; it differs but slightly from our common wheat (T. vulgare).

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Rie, (Hebrews kussemeth), found in Exodus 9:32; Isaiah 28:25, in all of which the margins of the Authorized and of the Revised Versions have "spelt." This Hebrew
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A grain yielded by a hardy cereal grass (Secale cereale), closely allied to wheat; also, the plant itself. Rye constitutes a large portion of the breadstuff used by man.

2. (n.) A disease in a hawk.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RYE

ri.

See SPELT.

Strong's Hebrew
3698. kussemeth -- spelt (a kind of wheat)
... Definition: spelt. Word Origin from kasam Definition spelt (a kind of wheat)
NASB Word Usage rye (1), spelt (2). fitches, rie. From ...
/hebrew/3698.htm - 6k
Library

Wesley in Winchester Cathedral
... Wednesday, 30."l walked over to Winchelsea from Rye, said to have been once a large
city with abundance of trade and of inhabitants, the sea washing the foot ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley in winchester cathedral.htm

The Life of Mr. James Renwick.
... A sea storm compelled them to put in to Rye harbour in England, about the time when
there was so much noise of the Rye-house plot, which created him no small ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr james 6.htm

Fragment v. --That up to the Time of the Destruction of Jerusalem ...
... after it, as it happened in the very beginning of the giving of the law, before
the Passover, according as it is written, "But the wheat and the rye were not ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/fragment v that up to the.htm

Spiritual Appetite
... Even so late as the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the mass of the poor seldom tasted
wheaten bread but fed on rye or barley cakes, and often had to be content with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/spiritual appetite.htm

A New Forest Ballad
... behind.'. Her true love shot a mighty hart Among the standing rye, When on
him leapt that keeper old From the fern where he did lie. ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/a new forest ballad.htm

The Ugly Princess
... They little know how I could love, How I could plan and toil, To swell
those drudges' scanty gains, Their mites of rye and oil. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the ugly princess.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... opposite slope (slopes are, you must remember, here as steep as house-roofs, the
last spurs of true mountains) is covered with a grass like tall rye-grass, but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

The Work of God's Spirit
... When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the vetches, and
cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rye in their ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon iv the work of.htm

"The Heritage of the Heathen"
... "How many men there are who are hard at work in the cornfields, and in the vineyards
of noble wine, but who are living on rye-bread and cold water, and who ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xvii the heritage of.htm

How to Tell a Story
... wheat." Then another paper would answer: "Such puns are barley tolerable, they amaize
us, they arouse our righteous corn, and they turn the public taste a-rye ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/how to tell a story.htm

Thesaurus
Rye (2 Occurrences)
...Rye constitutes a large portion of the breadstuff used by man. 2. (n.) A disease
in a hawk. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RYE. ri. See SPELT. ...
/r/rye.htm - 7k

Corn (107 Occurrences)
... It is usually painful and troublesome. 2. (n.) A single seed of certain
plants, as wheat, rye, barley, and maize; a grain. 3. (n ...
/c/corn.htm - 41k

Grain (413 Occurrences)
... The Hebrews sowed only wheat, barley, and spelt; rye and oats are not mentioned
in Scripture. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (v. & n.) See Groan. ...
/g/grain.htm - 39k

Darnel (9 Occurrences)
... Other species, as Lolium perenne (rye grass or ray grass), and its variety L. Italicum
(Italian rye grass), are highly esteemed for pasture and for making hay. ...
/d/darnel.htm - 9k

Spelt (3 Occurrences)
... spelt (kuccemeth; olura, zea (Exodus 9:32, the King James Version "rye"; Isaiah
18:25, the King James Version "rye," margin "spelt"; Ezekiel 4:9, the King ...
/s/spelt.htm - 8k

Straw (21 Occurrences)
... See Strow. 2. (n.) A stalk or stem of certain species of grain, pulse, etc., especially
of wheat, rye, oats, barley, more rarely of buckwheat, beans, and peas. ...
/s/straw.htm - 15k

Shock (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A pile or assemblage of sheaves of grain, as wheat, rye, or the like, set
up in a field, the sheaves varying in number from twelve to sixteen. ...
/s/shock.htm - 9k

Ruthlessly (8 Occurrences)

/r/ruthlessly.htm - 8k

Rie (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) See Rye. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RIE. ri
"Rye" (King James Version, Exodus 9:32 Isaiah 28:25). See SPELT. ...
/r/rie.htm - 7k

Sabachtha

/s/sabachtha.htm - 8k

Resources
What was the meaning and purpose of the ten plagues of Egypt? | GotQuestions.org

Rye: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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