Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Wheat is one of the most significant grains mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing sustenance, provision, and spiritual truths. It is a staple food in the ancient Near East and holds a prominent place in biblical narratives, laws, and parables.Biblical References and Symbolism Wheat is first mentioned in Genesis 30:14, where Reuben finds mandrakes during the wheat harvest. This indicates its early cultivation and importance in the agrarian society of the patriarchs. The grain is often associated with God's provision and blessing, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:8, where the Promised Land is described as "a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey." In the sacrificial system, wheat played a crucial role. The grain offering, or "minchah," often consisted of fine wheat flour mixed with oil and frankincense (Leviticus 2:1). This offering symbolized dedication and thanksgiving to God, reflecting the people's reliance on His provision. Parables and Teachings of Jesus Wheat is prominently featured in the teachings of Jesus, particularly in His parables. In the Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30), Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a man who sows good seed in his field. While the man sleeps, an enemy sows weeds among the wheat. The wheat and weeds grow together until the harvest, symbolizing the coexistence of good and evil until the end of the age when God will separate the righteous from the wicked. Another significant teaching is found in John 12:24, where Jesus uses wheat to illustrate the principle of life through death: "Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." This metaphor speaks to the necessity of sacrifice and transformation, pointing to Jesus' own death and resurrection as the means of producing spiritual fruit. Cultural and Economic Importance Wheat was a vital crop in biblical times, essential for daily sustenance and economic stability. It was often used as a measure of wealth and trade. In 1 Kings 5:11, Solomon provides King Hiram of Tyre with "twenty thousand cors of wheat as food for his household," highlighting its value in international relations and commerce. The process of harvesting and threshing wheat is frequently mentioned in Scripture, illustrating various spiritual truths. Threshing floors, where wheat was separated from chaff, became symbolic of judgment and purification (e.g., Matthew 3:12). Spiritual Lessons Wheat serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual truths throughout the Bible. It represents the sustenance provided by God, the purity and dedication required in worship, and the transformative power of sacrifice. The imagery of wheat and its processing—from sowing to harvest—offers profound insights into the nature of God's kingdom and the believer's journey of faith. In summary, wheat in the Bible is more than just a physical grain; it is a rich symbol of God's provision, the reality of spiritual growth, and the ultimate harvest of souls at the end of the age. Smith's Bible Dictionary Wheatthe well-known valuable cereal, cultivated from the earliest times, is first mentioned in ((Genesis 30:14) in the account of Jacob's sojourn with Laban in Mesopotamia. Egypt in ancient times was celebrated for the growth of its wheat; the best quality was all bearded; and the same varieties existed in ancient as in modern times, among which may be mentioned the seven-eared quality described in Pharaoh's dream. (Genesis 41:22) Babylonia was also noted for the excellence of its wheat and other cereals. Syria and Palestine produced wheat of fine quality and in large quantities. (Psalms 81:16; 147:14) etc. There appear to be two or three kinds of wheat at present grown in Palestine, the Triticum vulgare , the T. spelta , and another variety of bearded wheat which appears to be the same as the Egyptian kind, the T. compositum . In the parable of the sower our Lord alludes to grains of wheat which in good ground produce a hundred-fold. (Matthew 13:8) The common Triticum vulgare will sometimes produce one hundred grains in the ear. Wheat is reaped to ward the end of April, in May, and in June, according to the differences of soil and position; it was sown either broadcast and then ploughed in or trampled in by cattle, (Isaiah 32:20) or in rows, if we rightly understand (Isaiah 28:25) which seems to imply that the seeds were planted apart in order to insure larger and fuller ears. The wheat was put into the ground in the winter, and some time after the barley; in the Egyptian plague of hail, consequently, the barley suffered, but the wheat had not appeared, and so escaped injury. ATS Bible Dictionary WheatIs the principal and most valuable kind of grain for the service of man, and is produced in almost every part of the world, Genesis 30:14 De 8:8 Jud 6:11 Matthew 13:25 1 1 Corinthians 15:37. It is often intended where the word corn is used. See CORN. The Egyptian wheat, Triticum Compositum, has six or seven ears on one head; so that it presented its usual appearance in this respect in Pharaoh's dream, Genesis 41:5-7. The "meat-offerings" of the Mosaic service, Le 2:1-16, were all made of wheaten flour. Easton's Bible Dictionary One of the earliest cultivated grains. It bore the Hebrew name hittah, and was extensively cultivated in Palestine. There are various species of wheat. That which Pharaoh saw in his dream was the Triticum compositum, which bears several ears upon one stalk (Genesis 41:5). The "fat of the kidneys of wheat" (Deuteronomy 32:14), and the "finest of the wheat" (Psalm 81:16; 147:14), denote the best of the kind. It was exported from Palestine in great quantities (1 Kings 5:11; Ezek. 27:17; Acts 12:20).Parched grains of wheat were used for food in Palestine (Ruth 2:14; 1 Samuel 17:17; 2 Samuel 17:28). The disciples, under the sanction of the Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 23:25), plucked ears of corn, and rubbing them in their hands, ate the grain unroasted (Matthew 12:1; Mark 2:23; Luke 6:1). Before any of the wheat-harvest, however, could be eaten, the first-fruits had to be presented before the Lord (Leviticus 23:14). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) A cereal grass (Triticum vulgare) and its grain, which furnishes a white flour for bread, and, next to rice, is the grain most largely used by the human race.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia WHEAThwet Greek 2215. zizanion -- zizanium (a kind of darnel resembling wheat) ... zizanium (a kind of darnel resembling wheat). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: zizanion Phonetic Spelling: (dziz-an'-ee-on) Short Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2215.htm - 6k 4585. semidalis -- fine wheat flour 4621. sitos -- grain 224. aleuron -- meal 2915. krithe -- barley 248. aloao -- to thresh 4005. pentekoste -- fiftieth, Pentecost, the second of the three ... 776. asitia -- abstinence from food 5528. chortos -- a feeding place, food, grass Strong's Hebrew 2406. chittah -- wheat... wheat. Transliteration: chittah Phonetic Spelling: (khit-taw') Short Definition: wheat. Word Origin from chanat Definition wheat NASB Word Usage wheat (30). ... /hebrew/2406.htm - 5k 2591. chinta' -- wheat 2591a. chintah -- wheat 5451. sibboleth -- probably an ear (of wheat, etc.) 3698. kussemeth -- spelt (a kind of wheat) 4425. melilah -- an ear (of wheat) 3734b. kor -- kor (a measure of wheat) 1250. bar -- grain, corn 7383. riphah -- perhaps grain 1715. dagan -- corn, grain (of cereals) Library The Wheat and the Tares The Corn of Wheat. How Jesus Sowed Wheat. Another Mode of Interpreting the Symbol of Wheat and Barley. May 8. "Except a Corn of Wheat Fall into the Ground and Die" (John ... The Wheat and Tares. Mt 13:37-42 The Corn was Orient and Immortal Wheat Parable of the Various Kinds of Fish in the Net. --Of the Wheat ... Thy Navel is Like a Round Goblet which Wanteth not Liquor; Thy ... Origin of Errors; a Simile Sought from the Foreskin of the ... Thesaurus Wheat (56 Occurrences)... There are various species of wheat. ... 27:17; Acts 12:20). Parched grains of wheat were used for food in Palestine (Ruth 2:14; 1 Samuel 17:17; 2 Samuel 17:28). ... /w/wheat.htm - 28k Wheat-harvest (6 Occurrences) Tares (9 Occurrences) Threshing-floor (36 Occurrences) Cors (6 Occurrences) Spelt (3 Occurrences) Barley (35 Occurrences) Weeds (14 Occurrences) Parched (37 Occurrences) Burn (206 Occurrences) Resources What is the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares? | GotQuestions.orgIf our salvation is eternally secure, why does the Bible warn so strongly against apostasy? | GotQuestions.org What was the significance of the commands against mixing different things in Deuteronomy 22:9 11? | GotQuestions.org Wheat: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Wheat (56 Occurrences)Matthew 3:12 Matthew 12:1 Matthew 13:25 Matthew 13:26 Matthew 13:29 Matthew 13:30 Mark 2:23 Luke 3:17 Luke 12:42 Luke 16:7 Luke 22:31 John 12:24 Acts 7:12 Acts 27:38 1 Corinthians 15:37 Revelation 6:6 Revelation 18:13 Genesis 30:14 Exodus 9:32 Exodus 29:2 Exodus 34:22 Numbers 18:12 Deuteronomy 8:8 Deuteronomy 32:14 Judges 6:11 Judges 15:1 Ruth 2:23 1 Samuel 6:13 1 Samuel 12:17 2 Samuel 4:6 2 Samuel 17:28 1 Kings 5:11 1 Chronicles 21:20 1 Chronicles 21:23 2 Chronicles 2:10 2 Chronicles 2:15 2 Chronicles 27:5 Ezra 6:9 Ezra 7:22 Job 31:40 Psalms 81:16 Psalms 147:14 Proverbs 27:22 Song of Songs 7:2 Isaiah 17:5 Isaiah 28:25 Jeremiah 12:13 Jeremiah 23:28 Jeremiah 41:8 Ezekiel 4:9 Ezekiel 27:17 Ezekiel 45:13 Joel 1:11 Joel 2:24 Amos 5:11 Amos 8:6 Subtopics Wheat: General Scriptures Concerning Wheat: Growth of, Figurative of Vicarious Death Wheat: Prophecy of the Sale of a Measure of, for a Penny Related Terms Threshing-floor (36 Occurrences) Threshingfloor (18 Occurrences) |
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