Pulse
Summary
Pulse refers to edible seeds or vegetables, the simple diet on which Daniel and his companions thrived in Babylon rather than eating the king's rich food.
☩The Food of Daniel
When Daniel and his three companions refused to defile themselves with the king's food and wine, they requested pulse (Hebrew zeroim) and water instead. After ten days, they appeared healthier than all the youths who ate the royal food, and they continued on this diet throughout their training. The term probably includes edible seeds in general—barley, wheat, millet, vetches—rather than just legumes as the English word 'pulse' now implies.
☩Broader Meaning
The Hebrew words literally mean 'seeds' of any kind, denoting vegetables and herbs such as are eaten in a partial fast, as opposed to flesh and more delicate food. The term likely encompasses uncooked grains of various kinds. Leguminous seeds roasted were common in the ancient Near East, and the translators added 'pulse' in italics to describe part of the provisions Barzillai brought to King David.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Pulse," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Pulse," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).