Lexical Summary shuwm: To put, place, set, appoint Original Word: שׁוּם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance garlic From an unused root meaning to exhale; garlic (from its rank odor) -- garlic. Brown-Driver-Briggs [שׁוּם] noun [masculine] garlic; — plural שׁוּמִים Numbers 11:5 (J) (allium sativum, Linn, Thes LöwNo. 336 PostHast. DB ii. 110 TristrNHB 448 (or allium Ascalonicum, compare Buhl, after TristrFFP 430; see this and PostFlora 789 for many kinds of allium); Arabic  , Aramaic תּוּמָא,  , Assyrian šûmu). שֻׁמָתִי see שֻׁמָה infra. Topical Lexicon Occurrence and Context The noun שׁוּם (garlic) appears once, in Numbers 11:5, where the Israelites recall: “We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic” (Berean Standard Bible). The single mention comes amid the people’s complaint over the manna that God was faithfully providing in the wilderness. Agricultural and Culinary Background Garlic was a common staple in Egypt and the broader Ancient Near Eastern diet. Inscriptions and medical papyri attest to its use both as food and as a medicinal agent prized for vigor and healing properties. Its pungent flavor made it a desirable seasoning—especially in contrast to the simple fare of the desert. The Israelites, having lived in Goshen for generations, naturally came to appreciate Egypt’s agricultural abundance, of which garlic was emblematic. Historical Significance for Israel Garlic heads the final item in a lush list of foods that typified Egyptian plenty. The single occurrence therefore serves as a historical flashpoint: Theological and Spiritual Insights 1. Discontent with God’s Provision. Manna was heaven-sent (Exodus 16:4), yet Israel craved the strong flavors of Egypt. Garlic thus stands for any earthly desire that competes with satisfaction in God (cf. 1 John 2:16). Practical Ministry Applications • Counseling Contentment. Pastors and teachers can use Numbers 11:5 to address murmuring and ingratitude, urging believers to recount God’s mercies rather than Egypt’s spices. Christological Reflections Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 6:35), supersedes every earthly staple. Unlike garlic, whose flavor quickly fades, Christ satisfies eternally (John 4:14). Where Israel failed, Christ in the wilderness refused to trade trust in His Father for immediate gratification (Matthew 4:1-11), securing righteousness for all who believe. Eschatological Hope Prophetic visions describe a renewed creation where hunger and scarcity vanish (Isaiah 25:6-9; Revelation 7:16-17). The fleeting allure of Egypt’s garlic is eclipsed by the marriage supper of the Lamb. Present contentment foreshadows future abundance. Cross References for Study Exodus 16:2-3; Deuteronomy 8:2-10; Psalm 78:17-22; 1 Corinthians 10:6-11; Philippians 4:11-13; Hebrews 3:7-19. Forms and Transliterations הַשּׁוּמִֽים׃ השומים׃ haš·šū·mîm hashshuMim haššūmîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 11:5 HEB: הַבְּצָלִ֖ים וְאֶת־ הַשּׁוּמִֽים׃ NAS: and the onions and the garlic, KJV: and the onions, and the garlick: INT: and the leeks and the onions and the garlic 1 Occurrence |
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