lemma פוֹל missing dagesh, corrected to פּוֹל; from an unused root meaning to be thick; a bean (as plump); beans.
Transliteration:pôwl
Pronunciation:pole
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma פּוֹל (pôwl), transliterated as *pôwl*, refers specifically to "beans" or "a bean." Its etymological root, though unused in verb form, suggests a meaning of "to be thick" or "plump." This descriptive origin aptly characterizes the physical nature of beans, particularly the fava bean (Vicia faba), which was a common and nourishing legume cultivated in the ancient Near East. The term denotes a staple food item, valued for its nutritional content and its ability to provide sustenance. Its semantic range is narrow, consistently pointing to this specific agricultural product.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term פּוֹל (pôwl) appears in two distinct biblical contexts, both illuminating its role as a fundamental foodstuff:
1. **[[2 Samuel 17:28]]**: During David's flight from Absalom, a group of loyalists brings provisions to David and his company at Mahanaim. Among the items listed are "beans" (פּוֹל), alongside wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, honey, curds, and sheep. In this context, beans are presented as part of a diverse and essential supply of food, indicating their value as a readily available and sustaining provision, crucial for survival during a time of crisis and displacement. This highlights the practical importance of beans in the daily diet and as an emergency ration.
2. **[[Ezekiel 4:9]]**: The prophet Ezekiel is commanded by God to prepare a symbolic bread, representing the severe siege and famine that Jerusalem would endure. He is instructed to mix wheat, barley, "beans" (פּוֹל), lentils, millet, and spelt to make this bread. Here, beans are part of a humble, mixed grain bread, symbolizing extreme scarcity and the breaking of the "staff of bread" (cf. [[Leviticus 26:26]]). The inclusion of beans in this meager mixture underscores their role as a survival food, indicating a diet of deprivation and hardship, where even the most basic and coarse ingredients are combined for sustenance.
In both occurrences, פּוֹל (pôwl) functions as a practical, foundational component of the diet, whether as a provision in flight or as a symbol of dire scarcity under judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The word פּוֹל (pôwl) is often found in conjunction with other agricultural products, particularly grains and other legumes, which formed the bedrock of the ancient Israelite diet. Related concepts include:
* **Grains**: Such as wheat (`{{H2406}}`), barley (`{{H8184}}`), millet (`{{H1767}}`), and spelt (`{{H3779}}`), which were frequently combined with beans in meals.
* **Legumes**: Notably lentils (`{{H5742}}`), which, like beans, provided essential protein and sustenance. The broader category of "pulses" or "seeds" (`{{H2233}}` / `{{H3246}}`) would encompass beans.
* **Food and Provision**: General terms for sustenance like *leḥem* (`{{H3899}}`, "bread" or "food") and *ʾōkhel* (`{{H400}}`, "food") are conceptually linked, as beans contributed significantly to the overall food supply.
* **Agriculture and Sustenance**: The cultivation and consumption of beans reflect the agricultural practices and dietary staples of the ancient Near East, highlighting the reliance on land for survival.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of פּוֹל (pôwl) is primarily derived from the contexts in which it appears, illustrating aspects of divine provision and judgment.
1. **Divine Provision and Sustenance**: In [[2 Samuel 17:28]], the bringing of beans and other provisions to David can be understood as an act of divine providence. Even in the midst of turmoil and flight, God ensures the sustenance of His anointed king and his followers through the hands of loyal individuals. This highlights God's faithfulness to provide for His people, even through humble means, demonstrating His care in times of vulnerability.
2. **Judgment and Scarcity**: In [[Ezekiel 4:9]], the use of beans as part of a coarse, mixed bread serves as a powerful symbol of God's impending judgment upon Jerusalem. The scarcity and unpalatability of this "siege bread" signify the severe famine and deprivation that would result from divine discipline. Here, beans, typically a source of nourishment, become part of a diet of hardship, illustrating the breaking of the "staff of bread" and the severity of God's righteous wrath against sin.
3. **Humility and Basic Needs**: The consistent depiction of beans as a common, unrefined foodstuff underscores the basic human need for sustenance. Whether in abundance or scarcity, beans represent the fundamental elements required for life, reminding humanity of its dependence on God for even the most basic provisions.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פּוֹל (pôwl) refers to "beans," likely the fava bean, a staple legume in ancient Israelite diet. Its etymological root suggests a "thick" or "plump" quality, indicative of its nourishing nature. Biblical occurrences are limited to two significant contexts: as part of a providential supply for David during his flight ([[2 Samuel 17:28]]) and as a component of a symbolic, meager bread representing famine and judgment in Ezekiel's prophecy ([[Ezekiel 4:9]]). Theologically, פּוֹל (pôwl) serves as a tangible illustration of God's faithful provision for His people, even in distress, and conversely, as a stark symbol of divine judgment leading to severe scarcity. Its presence in these narratives underscores the fundamental human reliance on God for sustenance and highlights the stark realities of abundance and deprivation in the biblical world.
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