from an unused root of uncertain meaning; a lentil; lentile.
Transliteration:ʻâdâsh
Pronunciation:aw-dawsh'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H5742 (עָדָשׁ, ʻâdâsh) refers specifically to the "lentil," a common legume (Lens culinaris) cultivated since antiquity. Its base definition indicates derivation from an unused root of uncertain meaning, signifying that its primary meaning is concrete and literal: the plant itself or its edible seeds. The semantic range of H5742 is narrow, consistently denoting this particular food item. It does not carry broader metaphorical or abstract meanings within the biblical text, serving primarily as a reference to a staple agricultural product and food source in the ancient Near East.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H5742 appears three times in the Hebrew Bible, each instance illuminating its practical significance:
1. **[[Genesis 25:34]]**: Here, Esau famously sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of "lentil stew" (נָזִיד עֲדָשִׁים - nazid 'adashim, where H5138 is "stew" or "pottage"). This passage highlights the lentil as a readily available, perhaps humble, but satisfying food. The context emphasizes Esau's immediate physical gratification over his enduring spiritual and familial inheritance, making the lentil stew a poignant symbol of his misplaced priorities.
2. **[[2 Samuel 17:28]]**: During David's flight from Absalom, loyal subjects bring provisions to sustain him and his followers. Among the items listed are "lentils," alongside wheat, barley, beans, parched grain, honey, curds, and sheep. This demonstrates the lentil's role as a durable and essential foodstuff, crucial for sustenance, especially during periods of hardship, travel, or military campaigns. It underscores its value as a reliable source of nutrition.
3. **[[2 Samuel 23:11]]**: This verse describes one of David's mighty men, Shammah, who defended a field full of "lentils" against the Philistines. This account, paralleled in [[1 Chronicles 11:13]] (though using a different Hebrew term, H6396, which is also translated as lentils in context), underscores the economic importance of lentils as a vital crop. The defense of such a field signifies the value of agricultural produce for the community's survival and livelihood, suggesting that lentils were a significant part of the dietary and economic landscape.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a common food item, H5742 is often found in conjunction with other staples and agricultural terms:
* **`{{H5138}}` (nazid)**: "Stew" or "pottage," as seen in the "lentil stew" of [[Genesis 25:34]], indicating a common method of preparation.
* **Other Grains and Legumes**: Frequently mentioned alongside wheat (`{{H2406}}`), barley (`{{H8184}}`), and beans (`{{H6518}}`), signifying its place within the broader category of essential agricultural products that formed the basis of the ancient Israelite diet.
* **Agricultural Practices**: The presence of lentils in a "field" (`{{H7704}}`) points to the agricultural economy and the labor involved in cultivation and harvesting.
* **Provision and Sustenance**: The contexts of [[2 Samuel 17:28]] and [[2 Samuel 23:11]] connect lentils to the broader concept of divine or human provision (`{{H3899}}`, `{{H4403}}`) and the means of sustenance (`{{H3899}}`).
### Theological Significance
While the lentil itself holds no intrinsic sacred meaning, its appearances in the biblical narrative imbue it with theological resonance:
* **The Value of the Mundane**: The humble lentil highlights God's provision for basic human needs. Even the most common foodstuffs are part of God's sustaining grace for His creation.
* **Human Choices and Priorities**: The narrative of Esau's birthright in [[Genesis 25:34]] is perhaps the most significant theological implication. The lentil stew becomes a powerful symbol of worldly desires and immediate gratification overshadowing spiritual inheritance and long-term covenant blessings. It serves as a cautionary tale about valuing the fleeting over the eternal, the physical over the spiritual.
* **Divine Provision in Adversity**: In [[2 Samuel 17:28]], the provision of lentils to David illustrates God's faithfulness to His anointed, even in times of profound distress and flight. It underscores the community's role in supporting God's chosen leader, reflecting a practical outworking of covenant loyalty.
* **Defense of Livelihood and God's Gift**: Shammah's valiant defense of the lentil field in [[2 Samuel 23:11]] speaks to the importance of protecting the means of sustenance. This can be seen as a reflection of the value placed on the land's produce as a divine gift, essential for the well-being and survival of God's people. It subtly links the physical provision to the covenant promise of land and prosperity.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H5742 (עָדָשׁ, ʻâdâsh) unequivocally denotes "lentil," a simple yet vital food source in ancient Israel. Its limited but impactful occurrences in the Bible reveal its significance beyond mere dietary reference. In [[Genesis 25:34]], the lentil stew serves as a stark symbol of Esau's carnal priorities, valuing immediate physical satisfaction over his spiritual birthright. In [[2 Samuel 17:28]], it represents essential provision during hardship, illustrating God's care and the faithfulness of His people. Finally, in [[2 Samuel 23:11]], its presence in a field defended by a mighty warrior underscores its economic importance and the value of agricultural produce for communal sustenance. Thus, the humble lentil, though a common food, becomes a subtle yet potent element in biblical narratives, illuminating themes of human choice, divine provision, and the practical realities of life within the covenant community.
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