from an unused root (meaning to be hard); a cucumber (from the difficulty of digestion); cucumber.
Transliteration:qishshuʼ
Pronunciation:kish-shoo'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma קִשֻּׁא (qishshuʼ, `{{H7180}}`) is derived from an unused root that conveys the meaning "to be hard." This etymological connection is thought to relate to the "hardness" or "difficulty of digestion" associated with the plant. In its biblical usage, the term has a very narrow semantic range, referring exclusively to the "cucumber." This common garden vegetable was widely cultivated in ancient Near Eastern cultures, prized for its refreshing and hydrating qualities, especially in hot climates.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word קִשֻּׁא (qishshuʼ, `{{H7180}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in [[Numbers 11:5]]. The full verse states: "We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic."
This singular occurrence is found within the narrative of the Israelites' grumbling and discontent in the wilderness. Having been miraculously delivered from Egyptian bondage and sustained by the manna provided by God, the people began to complain bitterly about their monotonous diet. Their recollection of cucumbers, alongside other Egyptian staples like fish, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic, serves to highlight their longing for the perceived abundance and variety of their former life in Egypt. The mention of these specific foods underscores the depth of their dissatisfaction with God's provision and their spiritual amnesia regarding the harsh realities of their slavery. The cucumber, a refreshing and common food, becomes a symbol of the comforts they had left behind, now viewed through a nostalgic and ungrateful lens.
### Related Words & Concepts
The word קִשֻּׁא (qishshuʼ, `{{H7180}}`) is contextually linked to several other terms in [[Numbers 11:5]], all representing the desired foods from Egypt:
* דָּגָה (dagah, `{{H1709}}`) - fish
* אֲבַטִּחַ (ʾabaṭṭiaḥ, `{{H286}}`) - melons
* חָצִיר (ḥaṣir, `{{H2682}}`) - leeks (or green vegetables)
* בָּצָל (baṣal, `{{H1211}}`) - onions
* שׁוּם (shum, `{{H7786}}`) - garlic
These terms collectively paint a picture of the rich and varied diet the Israelites remembered from Egypt, standing in stark contrast to the singular provision of מָן (man, `{{H4478}}`), or manna. The narrative of [[Numbers 11]] is deeply concerned with the concept of תַּאֲוָה (taʾawah, `{{H8378}}`), meaning "craving" or "lust." The people's desire for cucumbers and other earthly provisions is a manifestation of this deeper spiritual craving, which ultimately led to the place being named Kibroth-hattaavah, "graves of craving." This highlights a tension between physical desires and spiritual obedience.
### Theological Significance
Though קִשֻּׁא (qishshuʼ, `{{H7180}}`) refers to a simple vegetable, its appearance in [[Numbers 11:5]] carries profound theological significance.
* **Ingratitude and Discontent:** The longing for cucumbers vividly illustrates the Israelites' profound ingratitude for God's miraculous deliverance and faithful provision of manna. It signifies a deep-seated discontent with their present circumstances and a romanticized view of their past bondage.
* **Testing of Faith:** The wilderness journey was designed to test Israel's faith and dependence on God. Their complaint about food, including the desire for cucumbers, reveals a critical failure in this test, demonstrating a lack of trust in God's ability to sustain them.
* **Spiritual vs. Carnal Desires:** The passage sharply contrasts the spiritual sustenance of manna, a symbol of God's direct provision and faithfulness, with the carnal desires for the "flesh pots" of Egypt. The preference for cucumbers over manna symbolizes a prioritization of immediate physical gratification and earthly comforts over divine guidance and spiritual growth.
* **Memory and Idolatry:** The selective memory of Egypt, focusing on its desirable foods rather than its oppressive slavery, reflects a dangerous spiritual pattern. This tendency to romanticize a past that was characterized by bondage, preferring it to the demanding path of freedom with God, foreshadows Israel's later struggles with idolatry and turning away from the Lord. The cucumber, therefore, becomes a poignant symbol of humanity's propensity to cling to perceived earthly security rather than fully trust in the unseen, living God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word קִשֻּׁא (qishshuʼ, `{{H7180}}`), meaning "cucumber," appears uniquely in [[Numbers 11:5]]. Derived from a root suggesting "hardness," its singular biblical mention occurs within the Israelites' lament in the wilderness, where they express a yearning for the diverse foods of Egypt, including cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. This seemingly mundane detail carries significant theological weight, symbolizing the people's profound ingratitude and spiritual discontent with God's miraculous provision of manna. Their desire for the refreshing cucumber highlights a carnal preference for the perceived comforts of their past bondage over the challenges and blessings of their journey towards the promised land. Thus, קִשֻּׁא (qishshuʼ, `{{H7180}}`) functions as a powerful emblem of humanity's tendency to prioritize earthly desires and nostalgic memories over unwavering faith in divine sustenance and guidance.
TRV