### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term דֹּחַן (dôchan), transliterated as *dôchan*, refers specifically to "millet." Its etymological derivation is noted as uncertain, suggesting it is likely a loanword or an ancient term whose roots are no longer clear within Semitic languages. As a noun, its semantic range is narrow, denoting a particular type of small-seeded cereal grain, *Panicum miliaceum* or similar species, that was cultivated in ancient Near Eastern agriculture. Unlike words with broader conceptual meanings, דֹּחַן points directly to a physical commodity, a staple food crop, primarily used for human consumption or animal fodder.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word דֹּחַן (dôchan) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the prophetic book of Ezekiel: [[Ezekiel 4:9]]. In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel is commanded by Yahweh to prepare a symbolic "siege bread" as a prophetic sign for the house of Israel concerning the impending siege of Jerusalem. The ingredients for this bread are meticulously specified: "Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet `{{H1764}}` and spelt; put them into one vessel and make bread of them."
The context is crucial for understanding the significance of millet's inclusion. The combination of these particular grains and legumes, some of which were considered less desirable or associated with times of scarcity (e.g., beans, lentils, millet, spelt, as opposed to pure wheat or barley), points to the extreme hardship and famine that would accompany the siege. This "mixture" bread signifies a degraded diet, a sign of severe deprivation and God's judgment upon Jerusalem. Millet, being a hardy grain that could grow in less fertile conditions and was often a food of the poor, underscores the dire circumstances. The act itself, performed by the prophet, serves as a vivid, tangible prophecy of the coming suffering and the desperation for food that would force the inhabitants to consume whatever meager provisions were available.
### Related Words & Concepts
While דֹּחַן (dôchan) stands alone in its specific mention, it is inherently related to a broader vocabulary of agricultural products and food staples in the biblical world. Its immediate lexical companions in [[Ezekiel 4:9]] are:
* **Wheat:** חִטָּה (*chittah*, `{{H2406}}`), the primary and most valued grain.
* **Barley:** שְׂעֹרָה (*se'orah*, `{{H8184}}`), a common grain, often associated with humbler fare than wheat.
* **Beans:** פּוֹל (*pol*, `{{H6518}}`).
* **Lentils:** עֲדָשָׁה (*'adashah*, `{{H5742}}`).
* **Spelt:** כֻּסֶּמֶת (*kussemet*, `{{H3700}}`), another type of grain, similar to wheat but often considered a coarser variety.
Beyond these specific grains and legumes, דֹּחַן falls under the general categories of:
* **Grain/Produce:** דָּגָן (*dagan*, `{{H1715}}`), a collective term for cereal crops.
* **Food/Bread:** לֶחֶם (*lechem*, `{{H3899}}`), which millet would contribute to, especially in times of scarcity.
* **Seed:** זֶרַע (_zera', `{{H2233}}`), referring to the broader category of planted crops.
The conceptual network surrounding דֹּחַן thus includes notions of agriculture, sustenance, scarcity, famine, and divine judgment, all of which are central themes in prophetic literature.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of דֹּחַן (dôchan) is not intrinsic to the grain itself but derives entirely from its unique contextual appearance in [[Ezekiel 4:9]]. Here, millet functions as a powerful symbol within a prophetic act of judgment.
1. **Symbol of Divine Judgment and Famine:** The inclusion of millet alongside other less desirable grains and legumes signifies the severity of God's impending judgment on Jerusalem. The mixture represents a degraded, insufficient diet, foretelling the famine and desperation that would grip the city during the Babylonian siege. It underscores the consequences of Israel's covenant unfaithfulness.
2. **Obedience of the Prophet:** Ezekiel's meticulous adherence to God's command, even in preparing and consuming such a humble and symbolic meal, highlights his unwavering obedience as a prophet. His personal experience of hardship mirrors and authenticates the message he delivers to the people.
3. **Realism of Prophecy:** The detailed nature of the command, down to the specific ingredients like millet, emphasizes the concrete and unavoidable reality of the coming judgment. God's word is not abstract but will manifest in tangible, often painful, ways in the lives of His people.
4. **Humiliation and Dependence:** The necessity of eating such a coarse bread speaks to the deep humiliation and utter dependence on God's provision, even in judgment. It forces a recognition of human vulnerability when divine favor is withdrawn.
Thus, millet, though a simple grain, becomes a poignant component in a vivid tableau of divine justice and a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience.
### Summary
The Hebrew word דֹּחַן (dôchan, `{{H1764}}`) specifically denotes "millet," a type of cereal grain. Its singular occurrence in the biblical text, found in [[Ezekiel 4:9]], is profoundly significant. In this passage, millet is one of several grains and legumes commanded by God to be mixed into a symbolic "siege bread" that the prophet Ezekiel must prepare and consume. This act serves as a vivid prophetic sign, symbolizing the severe famine, scarcity, and degradation of food that would accompany the impending Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. The inclusion of millet, a humble and often last-resort grain, underscores the dire consequences of God's judgment upon Israel for their disobedience. Thus, while simple in its core meaning, דֹּחַן plays a crucial role in conveying the theological themes of divine judgment, the reality of prophetic fulfillment, and the humbling experience of a people facing the consequences of their actions.
TRV