or קָלִיא; from קָלָה; roasted ears of grain; parched corn.
Transliteration:qâlîy
Pronunciation:kaw-lee'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word qâlîy (`{{H7039}}`), also transliterated as qâlîʾ, is derived from the verbal root qâlâh (`{{H7033}}`), which means "to roast," "to parch," or "to scorch." Consequently, qâlîy specifically refers to "roasted ears of grain" or "parched corn." This denotes grain that has been subjected to dry heat, typically by holding fresh, often unripe, ears over a fire or hot coals until they are lightly cooked and edible. The process makes the kernels easily separable from the chaff and digestible. The semantic range of qâlîy is quite narrow, consistently referring to this specific form of prepared grain as a food item.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term qâlîy (`{{H7039}}`) appears a modest number of times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative and legal contexts, illuminating its significance as a common, practical food source in ancient Israel.
* **Leviticus 2:14**: In the context of the grain offering (*minchah*), qâlîy is specified as the acceptable form for an offering of firstfruits. "If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the Lord, you shall bring fresh ears of grain roasted with fire, crushed new grain for your grain offering." This demonstrates that qâlîy was not only a common food but also deemed pure and suitable for sacred worship, representing the initial bounty of the harvest. The act of parching transforms the raw grain into a ready-to-eat form, suitable for immediate offering.
* **Joshua 5:11**: This verse marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history. "And on the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain." The consumption of qâlîy here signifies the cessation of the miraculous manna and the beginning of Israel's sustenance from the agricultural abundance of Canaan, emphasizing God's faithfulness in bringing them into a land flowing with milk and honey.
* **1 Samuel 17:17**: Jesse instructs David to take provisions to his brothers on the battlefield: "Take for your brothers an ephah of parched grain and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers." This highlights qâlîy as a practical, non-perishable, and easily transportable food, ideal for soldiers or those on a journey. It provided essential sustenance in a military context.
* **1 Samuel 25:18**: Abigail, seeking to appease David, includes "parched grain" among the provisions she brings: "Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep already prepared, five seahs of parched grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys." Again, qâlîy is presented as a staple, readily available, and a valuable item in a substantial provision.
* **2 Samuel 17:28**: During Absalom's rebellion, when David and his men were in dire straits, allies brought them supplies: "brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils, and parched seeds." This further confirms qâlîy's role as a reliable and enduring food source, particularly in times of hardship or conflict, demonstrating its importance in sustaining life.
Across these contexts, qâlîy consistently appears as a basic, practical, and often portable food item, deeply integrated into the daily life, agricultural cycles, and historical events of ancient Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic connection for qâlîy is its verbal root, qâlâh (`{{H7033}}`), which denotes the action of roasting or parching. This root describes the very process by which qâlîy is created.
Other related terms and concepts include:
* **dāgān (`{{H1715}}`)**: A general term for "grain" or "corn," encompassing the raw material from which qâlîy is made.
* **lechem (`{{H3899}}`)**: "Bread," the most common staple food derived from grain, contrasting with the simpler, less processed qâlîy.
* **minchah (`{{H4503}}`)**: The "grain offering" or "tribute," a category of offering in which qâlîy could be presented, as seen in [[Leviticus 2:14]].
* **'āvîv (`{{H0024}}`)**: Refers to "ears of grain," often specifically "new" or "green" ears, which would be harvested and then parched to become qâlîy.
* **Firstfruits**: The concept of offering the first and best of the harvest to God, as exemplified by the qâlîy offering in [[Leviticus 2:14]].
* **Sustenance/Provision**: The broader theme of divine and human provision for daily needs, particularly evident in the narratives of Israel's wilderness wanderings and settlement in Canaan.
### Theological Significance
While qâlîy is a seemingly mundane food item, its appearances in the biblical text carry subtle yet profound theological implications.
* **Divine Provision and Transition**: The consumption of qâlîy in [[Joshua 5:11]] is highly symbolic. It marks the end of the miraculous manna, which had sustained Israel in the wilderness, and the commencement of their reliance on the produce of the Promised Land. This signifies God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises, transitioning His people from supernatural provision to sustenance through the natural bounty of the land He provided. It underscores that God's provision is not always miraculous but often comes through the ordinary means of creation and human labor.
* **Acceptable Offering and Consecration**: The inclusion of qâlîy in the grain offering of firstfruits (Leviticus 2:14) elevates this simple food to a sacred status. It demonstrates that even the basic, unprocessed produce of the earth, when prepared and offered as a token of the first harvest, is acceptable to Yahweh. This highlights the principle of offering the "first and best" to God, acknowledging His sovereignty over all creation and His blessing upon human labor. The act of parching may also symbolize a form of preparation or consecration, making the raw grain suitable for divine consumption.
* **Humility and Simplicity**: The frequent mention of qâlîy in contexts of travel, war, and basic provisions (1 Samuel, 2 Samuel) underscores its role as a fundamental, unpretentious food. This subtly conveys a theology of contentment with simple provisions and a trust in God's sufficiency, even amidst hardship or uncertainty. It contrasts with more elaborate meals, emphasizing the practical realities of life and God's care for daily, essential needs.
### Summary
Qâlîy (`{{H7039}}`) denotes "parched grain" or "roasted ears of grain," a simple yet essential food item derived from the root qâlâh (`{{H7033}}`), "to roast." Its biblical occurrences consistently portray it as a common, easily prepared, and transportable staple, frequently associated with journeys, military provisions, and the harvest season. Theologically, qâlîy serves as a quiet but significant symbol of God's faithful provision, marking the transition from miraculous manna to the bounty of the Promised Land. Its inclusion as an acceptable firstfruits offering underscores the sacredness of even basic agricultural produce when offered to Yahweh, reflecting principles of consecration and divine acceptance. The recurring presence of qâlîy in various narratives subtly reinforces themes of divine sustenance, the value of simple provisions, and the enduring faithfulness of God in meeting the daily needs of His people.
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