Lentiles
“Lentils”
Summary
A leguminous plant bearing small, lens-shaped seeds used for food; Esau sold his birthright for a lentil stew.
☩Esau's Pottage
When Esau returned from hunting, exhausted and famished, Jacob was cooking lentil stew. Esau said, 'Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage' and sold his birthright for 'bread and pottage of lentiles' (Genesis 25:29-34). The reddish-brown lentils gave Esau his nickname Edom ('red'). This despising of his birthright for momentary satisfaction is cited in Hebrews 12:16 as an example of profanity.
☩Common Food
Lentils were a staple food easily grown throughout Palestine and the Near East. They were brought to David at Mahanaim among provisions (2 Samuel 17:28). Shammah defended a field of lentils against the Philistines (2 Samuel 23:11). Ezekiel was commanded to make bread from mixed grains including lentils during his prophetic siege demonstration (Ezekiel 4:9).
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Lentiles," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Lentils," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).