from כָּסַם; spelt (from its bristliness as if just shorn); fitches, rie.
Transliteration:kuççemeth
Pronunciation:koos-seh'-meth
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term kuççemeth (`{{H3698}}`) identifies a specific type of grain, primarily understood as "spelt" (Triticum spelta or Triticum dicoccum, emmer wheat). The base definition suggests its derivation from the root kāsam, which implies a cutting or shearing action, perhaps alluding to the bristly nature of the grain's awns or its appearance after harvesting. While sometimes translated as "fitches" or "rye" in older versions, the predominant scholarly consensus identifies it as spelt, an ancient hulled wheat. Its semantic range is thus narrow, focusing on this particular cereal crop, which was a significant part of the ancient Near Eastern diet and agricultural economy.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word kuççemeth (`{{H3698}}`) appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance providing insight into its significance:
1. **[[Exodus 9:32]]**: During the seventh plague upon Egypt, the text states, "The wheat and the spelt were not struck down, for they are late crops." This passage distinguishes spelt from barley and flax, which were destroyed by the hail. The context highlights spelt as a vital agricultural commodity in ancient Egypt, notable for its later ripening season compared to other grains. Its preservation underscores God's selective judgment and His provision, ensuring a continued food supply even amidst devastation.
2. **[[Isaiah 28:25]]**: This verse is part of a larger passage (Isaiah 28:23-29) that uses agricultural analogies to illustrate God's wisdom and orderly governance. The prophet asks, "Does he not level its surface and sow dill and scatter cumin and plant wheat in rows, and barley in its appointed place, and spelt in its border?" Here, spelt is listed alongside other cultivated crops (wheat, barley, dill, cumin), demonstrating its integral role in Israelite farming practices. The phrase "in its border" or "its designated place" suggests specific cultivation methods or preferred growing conditions for spelt, reinforcing the idea of a meticulous and ordered agricultural system guided by divine wisdom.
In both contexts, kuççemeth is consistently presented as a cultivated grain, essential for human sustenance and a testament to the orderliness of both agricultural practice and divine provision.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic connection for kuççemeth (`{{H3698}}`) is its root, kāsam (כָּסַם). While kāsam can mean "to shear" or "to cut off" (e.g., in the context of hair or wool), it also carries the sense of "to practice divination" (e.g., `{{H7080}}`). The connection to the grain likely pertains to its physical characteristics, such as its bristly awns or the process of threshing.
The word is also closely associated with other staple grains mentioned in the Bible:
* ḥiṭṭāh (חִטָּה - wheat, `{{H2406}}`)
* śəʿōrāh (שְׂעֹרָה - barley, `{{H8184}}`)
* qemaḥ (קֶמַח - flour, `{{H7058}}`)
These terms collectively paint a picture of the agricultural landscape of ancient Israel and Egypt, where grain cultivation was foundational to life. The biblical texts often group these grains to describe agricultural cycles, dietary staples, and offerings. Concepts related to kuççemeth thus extend to agricultural labor, divine blessing on crops, and the provision of daily bread.
### Theological Significance
The presence of kuççemeth (`{{H3698}}`) in the biblical narrative carries several theological implications:
1. **Divine Provision and Sustenance**: As a staple grain, spelt embodies God's faithful provision for humanity's basic needs. Its mention in [[Exodus 9:32]] highlights God's mercy and foresight, preserving essential crops even amidst judgment to ensure the continuation of life. This theme resonates with the broader biblical emphasis on God as the ultimate provider of "daily bread."
2. **Order and Wisdom in Creation**: [[Isaiah 28:25]] employs the cultivation of spelt and other grains as an analogy for God's profound wisdom and orderly governance of the world and His people. Just as a farmer precisely knows how to sow different seeds in their appropriate places, so God meticulously orchestrates events and guides His creation. The specific mention of spelt "in its border" or "designated place" underscores divine order and purpose in all things.
3. **The Goodness of Creation**: The inclusion of specific agricultural details, such as the cultivation of spelt, affirms the goodness and intricate design of God's creation. It invites reflection on the natural processes that sustain life and the wisdom embedded within them, all of which point back to the Creator.
### Summary
The Hebrew word kuççemeth (`{{H3698}}`) refers to "spelt," an ancient cereal grain crucial to the agricultural economies of the biblical world. Its two occurrences in [[Exodus 9:32]] and [[Isaiah 28:25]] consistently portray it as a cultivated crop, often alongside wheat and barley. The context in Exodus highlights God's selective preservation and provision, while in Isaiah, it serves as an illustration of divine wisdom and order in creation and human affairs. Derived from a root suggesting cutting or bristliness, kuççemeth is intrinsically linked to the physical characteristics of the grain and the processes of its cultivation. Theologically, its presence underscores themes of divine sustenance, the meticulous order of God's creation, and His faithful provision for humanity's needs.
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