Herbs: Gourds
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Topical Encyclopedia
Gourds, a term used to describe a variety of plants within the Cucurbitaceae family, are mentioned in the Bible in contexts that highlight their agricultural and symbolic significance. These plants, which include species such as pumpkins, squash, and melons, were cultivated in ancient times for their nutritional and practical uses.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Kings 4:38-41: One of the most notable references to gourds in the Bible is found in the account of Elisha and the "wild gourds." During a time of famine, the sons of the prophets were gathered with Elisha at Gilgal. One of them went out to gather herbs and found a wild vine, from which he collected wild gourds. Unaware of their nature, he sliced them into the pot of stew. When the men began to eat, they cried out, "There is death in the pot, O man of God!" Elisha then instructed them to bring flour, which he threw into the pot, rendering the stew harmless. This passage illustrates the potential danger of unfamiliar plants and the miraculous intervention of God through His prophet. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Elisha said, 'Get some flour.' He put it into the pot and said, 'Serve it to the people to eat.' And there was nothing harmful in the pot."

2. Jonah 4:6-7: Although not explicitly called a gourd in some translations, the plant that God provided to give Jonah shade is often associated with the gourd family. The BSB describes it as a "plant" that God caused to grow over Jonah to ease his discomfort. The next day, God appointed a worm to attack the plant, causing it to wither. This event served as a lesson to Jonah about compassion and divine providence. The BSB reads: "Then the LORD God appointed a plant, and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant."

Cultural and Symbolic Significance:

In biblical times, gourds were valued for their versatility. They could be used as food, containers, or utensils once dried and hollowed out. The account of Elisha and the wild gourds underscores the importance of discernment and the reliance on divine wisdom in daily life. The incident with Jonah highlights themes of God's provision and the transient nature of earthly comforts.

Agricultural Context:

Gourds thrive in warm climates and were likely a common sight in the agricultural landscape of ancient Israel. Their ability to grow rapidly and provide substantial yields made them a practical choice for sustenance. The cultivation of gourds would have been an integral part of the agrarian lifestyle, reflecting the broader biblical theme of God's provision through the land.

In summary, gourds in the Bible serve as a reminder of God's care and the need for human discernment. They illustrate the intersection of the natural world with divine intervention, offering lessons in faith and reliance on God's wisdom.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Kings 4:39
And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Prophet of Peace
... And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered
thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 19 a prophet of.htm

Epistle Lxiii. Limenius, Bishop of Vercell??, Having Died, the See ...
... spend their time as it were in solitary life; many too live on simple herbs, and
will ... O foolish Elisha, for feeding the prophets with wild and bitter gourds! ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle lxiii limenius bishop of.htm

Acts i. 6
... into vegetable substances less attached to the earth by roots, such as gourds, etc ...
of his substance; which part, they say, if it be in fruits or in herbs, as in ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily ii acts i 6.htm

Resources
What is the Haggadah / Aggadah? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about smudging? | GotQuestions.org

How do the elements of the Passover Seder point to Christ? | GotQuestions.org

Herbs: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Herbs

Herbs of the Wicked

Herbs were Sometimes Used Instead of Animal Food by Weak Saints

Herbs: (Dew On) of Grace Given to Saints

Herbs: Aloe

Herbs: Anise

Herbs: Barley

Herbs: Beans

Herbs: Bitter, Used at Passover

Herbs: Bulrushes

Herbs: Calamus

Herbs: Called the Green Herbs

Herbs: Cucumber

Herbs: Cultivated for Food

Herbs: Cultivated in Gardens

Herbs: Cummin

Herbs: Destroyed by Drought

Herbs: Destroyed by Hail and Lightning

Herbs: Destroyed by Locusts

Herbs: Destroyed by Tithable Among the Jews

Herbs: Each Kind of, Contains Its own Seed

Herbs: Fitches

Herbs: Flag

Herbs: Flax

Herbs: Found in The Deserts

Herbs: Found in The Fields

Herbs: Found in The Marshes

Herbs: Found in The Mountains

Herbs: Garlic

Herbs: Given As Food to Man

Herbs: Given for Food

Herbs: God: Causes to Grow

Herbs: God: Created

Herbs: Gourds

Herbs: Grass

Herbs: Heath

Herbs: Hyssop

Herbs: Leeks

Herbs: Lentiles

Herbs: Mallows

Herbs: Mandrakes

Herbs: Melon

Herbs: Millet

Herbs: Mint

Herbs: Mode of Watering, Alluded To

Herbs: Myrrh

Herbs: Onions

Herbs: Poisonous, not Fit for Man's Use

Herbs: Reeds

Herbs: Require Rain Dew

Herbs: Rushes

Herbs: Rye

Herbs: Saffron

Herbs: Spikenard

Herbs: Tares or Darnel

Herbs: Wheat

Related Terms

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Pulse (3 Occurrences)

Garden (68 Occurrences)

Bitter (203 Occurrences)

Thereof (845 Occurrences)

Yielding (19 Occurrences)

Vegetable (3 Occurrences)

Nests (9 Occurrences)

Lodge (64 Occurrences)

Leek

Grows (46 Occurrences)

Greatest (45 Occurrences)

Greater (219 Occurrences)

Roost (4 Occurrences)

Perch (2 Occurrences)

Provender (10 Occurrences)

Produces (27 Occurrences)

Perfumer (4 Occurrences)

Perfume (202 Occurrences)

Bean

Becometh (82 Occurrences)

Branches (103 Occurrences)

Becomes (138 Occurrences)

Shrubs (4 Occurrences)

Air (74 Occurrences)

Nest (22 Occurrences)

Food (2953 Occurrences)

Trees (179 Occurrences)

Passover (81 Occurrences)

Unleavened (51 Occurrences)

Grass (92 Occurrences)

Wherein (208 Occurrences)

Herbs (24 Occurrences)

Herb (46 Occurrences)

Herbage (10 Occurrences)

Green (72 Occurrences)

Dew (35 Occurrences)

Bearing (150 Occurrences)

Yeast (48 Occurrences)

Vegetables (5 Occurrences)

Naboth (18 Occurrences)

Nation (192 Occurrences)

Nostrils (22 Occurrences)

Less (93 Occurrences)

Largest (2 Occurrences)

Least (76 Occurrences)

Larger (23 Occurrences)

Groweth (29 Occurrences)

Gourds (4 Occurrences)

Gardens (14 Occurrences)

Grown (77 Occurrences)

Wormwood (10 Occurrences)

Wateredst (1 Occurrence)

Watered (28 Occurrences)

Whenever (123 Occurrences)

Irrigation

Islands (32 Occurrences)

Irrigated (1 Occurrence)

Indeed (628 Occurrences)

Isles (32 Occurrences)

Fruit-tree (4 Occurrences)

Fattened (19 Occurrences)

Flowers (42 Occurrences)

Fruit-trees (5 Occurrences)

Fourteenth (25 Occurrences)

Fatted (17 Occurrences)

Fuel (13 Occurrences)

Fowls (61 Occurrences)

Forms (24 Occurrences)

Tare (4 Occurrences)

Trumpets (52 Occurrences)

Twilight (25 Occurrences)

Receiveth (48 Occurrences)

Roots (31 Occurrences)

Roast (8 Occurrences)

Roasted (13 Occurrences)

Enterest (3 Occurrences)

Evenings (15 Occurrences)

Eateth (81 Occurrences)

Herbs: God: Created
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