### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H5138}}` (nâzîyd) denotes "something boiled," specifically a "pottage" or "stew." It is derived from the verbal root זוּד (zûwd), which primarily means "to boil" or "to act proudly/arrogantly." In the context of `{{H5138}}`, the emphasis is squarely on the culinary sense of "boiling," referring to a thick soup or stew, typically made from legumes like lentils. This simple, hearty fare was a common staple in ancient Near Eastern diets, providing sustenance through a readily available and easily prepared mixture of grains or pulses. The word's semantic range is narrow, consistently referring to this specific type of boiled food, often associated with a simple, perhaps even humble, meal.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H5138}}` appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance carrying significant narrative and theological weight.
1. **[[Genesis 25:29-34]]**: This is the most prominent occurrence, where Esau, famished after hunting, sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of "red pottage" (נָזִיד אָדֹם - nâzîyd âdôm), specifically identified as lentil stew. The narrative highlights Esau's impulsive nature and his contempt for his spiritual inheritance. His declaration, "Behold, I am about to die; so of what use is a birthright to me?" [[Genesis 25:32]], underscores a profound devaluation of long-term spiritual blessing in favor of immediate physical gratification. The `{{H5138}}` here serves as a tangible symbol of Esau's shortsightedness and his despising of the divine promises attached to the birthright, leading to his later designation as "Edom" (red) and a figure of one who rejects God's grace [[Hebrews 12:16]].
2. **[[2 Kings 4:38-41]]**: Here, `{{H5138}}` refers to the "pottage" prepared by the sons of the prophets for Elisha during a famine in Gilgal. One of the men gathered wild gourds, unknowingly adding poisonous wild colocynth to the stew, leading to the cry, "O man of God, there is death in the pot!" [[2 Kings 4:40]]. Elisha miraculously purifies the `{{H5138}}` by adding flour, making it edible and safe. In this context, the `{{H5138}}` represents common sustenance that becomes a source of danger, requiring divine intervention to transform it from a potential instrument of death into a means of life. It underscores God's power to sanctify and provide, even in the most mundane aspects of daily life.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary root of `{{H5138}}` is זוּד (zûwd), which, while meaning "to boil" in the context of food, also carries a significant connotation of "to act proudly," "to be presumptuous," or "to behave insolently." While `{{H5138}}` itself does not directly convey pride, the underlying root's dual meaning is noteworthy. One might subtly infer a connection in Esau's case: his "boiling" hunger and immediate desire led to a "presumptuous" despising of his sacred birthright.
Other related concepts include:
* **`{{H3899}}` (lechem)**: General term for "bread" or "food," often used in contrast to `{{H5138}}` which is a specific type of food.
* **`{{H4004}}` (ma'akal)**: "Food" or "eating."
* **`{{H1062}}` (bekorah)**: "Birthright," the spiritual and material inheritance that Esau traded for the `{{H5138}}`. This contrast is central to understanding the word's significance in Genesis 25.
* **Hunger and Appetite**: The immediate physical needs that can override spiritual discernment, as seen in Esau's choice.
### Theological Significance
The seemingly simple word `{{H5138}}` carries profound theological weight, particularly through its limited but impactful biblical appearances.
1. **The Danger of Despising Spiritual Inheritance**: The most significant theological lesson derived from `{{H5138}}` is the peril of valuing immediate gratification over eternal spiritual blessings. Esau's exchange of his birthright for a bowl of `{{H5138}}` serves as a stark warning against spiritual shortsightedness and the casual disregard for God's covenant promises. It highlights the human tendency to prioritize the temporal and material over the sacred and eternal, a theme echoed throughout biblical theology regarding faithfulness and stewardship.
2. **Divine Provision and Purification**: In the narrative of Elisha, `{{H5138}}` demonstrates God's power to intervene in ordinary circumstances, transforming danger into provision. The poisoned pottage, a symbol of potential death, becomes a means of sustenance through divine intervention. This illustrates God's sovereignty over life and death, and His ability to sanctify even common elements for His purposes, providing for His people in miraculous ways.
3. **Human Frailty and Temptation**: Both narratives underscore human vulnerability to physical needs and the temptations they present. Esau's hunger led to a catastrophic spiritual decision. The sons of the prophets faced a physical threat from contaminated food. In both cases, `{{H5138}}` becomes a focal point for exploring the human condition, our reliance on God, and the choices we make when faced with immediate desires or dangers.
### Summary
`{{H5138}}` (nâzîyd) refers to "pottage" or "stew," a simple boiled food. Though appearing only twice in the Hebrew Bible, its occurrences are profoundly significant. In [[Genesis 25:29-34]], it symbolizes Esau's despising of his spiritual birthright for immediate physical gratification, serving as a powerful cautionary tale against devaluing sacred promises. In [[2 Kings 4:38-41]], `{{H5138}}` represents common sustenance that becomes a source of danger, requiring divine intervention to purify and sustain, thereby highlighting God's power of provision and sanctification. Ultimately, `{{H5138}}` transcends its literal meaning of a simple meal, becoming a potent symbol in biblical narratives that illuminate themes of spiritual value, human frailty, and divine providence.
TRV