Cucumbers are mentioned in the Bible as part of the diet in the ancient Near East, reflecting their cultivation and consumption in biblical times. The Hebrew word for cucumber is "קִשֻּׁאִים" (qishu'im), and it appears in the context of the Israelites' experiences and desires during their wilderness journey.

Biblical References:

The primary biblical reference to cucumbers is found in the Book of Numbers, where the Israelites express their longing for the foods they enjoyed in Egypt. Numbers 11:5 states, "We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic." This verse highlights cucumbers as part of the variety of foods that the Israelites missed after leaving Egypt, indicating their significance in the Egyptian diet and their appeal to the Israelites.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Cucumbers were a common and valued food in ancient Egypt, known for their refreshing and hydrating qualities, especially in the hot climate. They were likely cultivated in the fertile Nile Delta, where the conditions were ideal for growing a variety of fruits and vegetables. The mention of cucumbers alongside other produce such as melons and leeks suggests their role in a diverse and flavorful diet.

In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, cucumbers were appreciated not only for their taste but also for their nutritional benefits. They provided hydration and essential nutrients, making them a practical and desirable food for people living in arid regions.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

From a theological perspective, the Israelites' longing for cucumbers and other foods from Egypt can be seen as a symbol of their struggle with contentment and faith. Despite the hardships of slavery, the Israelites remembered the abundance of food in Egypt, which led to complaints against Moses and a lack of trust in God's provision. This narrative serves as a reminder of the human tendency to romanticize the past and overlook present blessings.

The mention of cucumbers in the Bible, though brief, offers insight into the daily life and dietary practices of ancient peoples. It also provides a backdrop for understanding the spiritual lessons conveyed through the Israelites' journey and their relationship with God.

Agricultural Practices:

Cucumbers in biblical times were likely similar to the varieties known today, though they may have differed in size and flavor. They were typically grown in gardens or fields, requiring careful cultivation and irrigation. The agricultural practices of the time would have included planting seeds in well-prepared soil, ensuring adequate water supply, and protecting the plants from pests.

The cultivation of cucumbers and other crops was an integral part of life in the ancient Near East, reflecting the agrarian society in which the biblical narratives are set. The ability to grow and harvest such produce was a sign of prosperity and God's blessing on the land.

In summary, cucumbers in the Bible are more than just a food item; they represent a connection to the past, a challenge of faith, and a testament to the agricultural practices of ancient civilizations.Cucumbers

(Heb. kishshuim). This word occurs in (Numbers 11:5) as one of the good things of Egypt produces excellent cucumbers, melons, etc., the Cucumis chate being the best of its tribe yet known. Besides the Cucumis chate , the common cucumber (C. sativus), of which the Arabs distinguish a number of varieties, is common in Egypt. "Both Cucumis chate and C. sativus ," says Mr. Tristram, "are now grown in great quantities in Palestine. On visiting the Arab school in Jerusalem (1858) I observed that the dinner which the children brought with them to school consisted, without exception, of a piece of barley cake and a raw cucumber, which they ate rind and all." The "lodge in a garden of cucumbers," (Isaiah 1:8) is a rude temporary shelter erected int eh open grounds where vines, cucumbers, gourds, etc., are grown, in which some lonely man or boy is set to watch, either to guard the plants from robbers or to scare away the foxes and jackals from the vines.

(Hebrews plur. kishshuim; i.e., "hard, " "difficult" of digestion, only in Numbers 11:5). This vegetable is extensively cultivated in the East at the present day, as it appears to have been in earlier times among the Hebrews. It belongs to the gourd family of plants. In the East its cooling pulp and juice are most refreshing. "We need not altogether wonder that the Israelites, wearily marching through the arid solitudes of the Sinaitic peninsula, thought more of the cucumbers and watermelons of which they had had no lack in Egypt, rather than of the cruel bondage which was the price of these luxuries." Groser's Scripture Natural History.

Isaiah speaks of a "lodge" (1:8; Hebrews sukkah), i.e., a shed or edifice more solid than a booth, for the protection throughout the season from spring to autumn of the watchers in a "garden of cucumbers."

4750. miqshah -- field of cucumbers
... 4749, 4750. miqshah. 4751 . field of cucumbers. Transliteration: miqshah Phonetic
Spelling: (mik-shaw') Short Definition: field. ... garden of cucumbers. ...
/hebrew/4750.htm - 6k

7180. qishshuah -- a cucumber
... 7179, 7180. qishshuah. 7181 . a cucumber. Transliteration: qishshuah
Phonetic Spelling: (kish-shoo') Short Definition: cucumbers. ...
/hebrew/7180.htm - 5k

The Right to the Ordinary Safeguards of Good Health
... Suddenly an idea struck her. "Oh," she said, "I know something much better!
Daughter, just run to the garden and pick some cucumbers! ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 3 the right to.htm

Acts i. 6
... For if our soul be of the substance of God, but the process of its transmigration
into new bodies brings it at last into cucumbers, and melons, and onions, why ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily ii acts i 6.htm

A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as He Sows.
... If I should tell you that I sowed ten acres of wheat last year and that watermelons
came up, or that I sowed cucumbers and gathered turnips, you wouldn't ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter iv a man expects.htm

Proceeding to the History of Israel, Tertullian Shows that ...
... here have come into our mind the fish which in Egypt we were wont to eat freely,
and the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the ...
/.../chapter v proceeding to the history.htm

Egypt.
... up most beautiful grass, and fine crops of corn with seven or nine ears to one stalk;
grand fruits of all kinds, melons, pumpkins, and cucumbers, flax for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson iii egypt.htm

Isaiah's Discourse
... strangers. And the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard, as
a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city. Except ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iii isaiahs discourse.htm

The Great Suit: Jehovah Versus Judah
... and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.8. And the daughter of Zion is left
as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the great suit jehovah versus.htm

Where, Then, Ye Friends of Christ, Shall I Begin? and with what ...
... your land, strangers devour it in your presence: the daughter of Zion shall be left
as a cottage in a vineyard, and as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/piece iii where then ye.htm

The Divorce of Israel.
... 6195] and their house was taken away from it, and "the daughter of Zion was left
as a booth in a vineyard, and as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, and as a ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/19 the divorce of israel.htm

Some of God's Laws Defended as Good, which the Marcionites ...
... for encouraging continence, and recognise in it a bridle imposed on that appetite
which, while eating angels' food, craved after the cucumbers and melons of ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xviii some of gods laws.htm

Cucumbers (3 Occurrences)
... not altogether wonder that the Israelites, wearily marching through the arid solitudes
of the Sinaitic peninsula, thought more of the cucumbers and watermelons ...
/c/cucumbers.htm - 8k

Cucumber (2 Occurrences)
... ber (qishshu'im; sikuos): One of the articles of food for which Israel in the
wilderness looked back with longing to Egypt (Numbers 11:5). Cucumbers are great ...
/c/cucumber.htm - 8k

Food (2953 Occurrences)
... The children of Israel, when in the wilderness, are said to have looked back wistfully
on the "cucumbers. ...Cucumbers (qishshu'im) were then, as now, much used. ...
/f/food.htm - 36k

Melons (2 Occurrences)
... Of this plant there are various kinds, the Egyptian melon, the Cucumus chate, which
has been called "the queen of cucumbers;" the water melon, the Cucurbita ...
/m/melons.htm - 8k

Cud (9 Occurrences)

/c/cud.htm - 11k

Lodge (64 Occurrences)
... In Isaiah 1:8, "a lodge (melunah) in a garden of cucumbers," the meaning is "hut,"
"cottage." "Evil thoughts" are said to "lodge" in the wicked (Jeremiah 4:14 ...
/l/lodge.htm - 29k

Onions (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 11:5 We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers,
and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic; (WEB KJV ...
/o/onions.htm - 7k

Leeks (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 11:5 We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers,
and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic; (WEB KJV ...
/l/leeks.htm - 7k

Garlic (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 11:5 We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers,
and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic; (WEB KJV ...
/g/garlic.htm - 8k

Garlick (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 11:5 We have remembered the fish which we do eat in Egypt for nought, the
cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick ...
/g/garlick.htm - 6k

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