עָדָשׁ
𐤏𐤃𐤔
ʻâdâsh
H5742 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A species of small, round legume (Lens culinaris), commonly cultivated for its edible seeds; refers specifically to the lentil plant and its seeds as a food source in the ancient Near East. In biblical contexts, denotes lentils as a basic dietary element or as an ingredient in food.
Semantic Range
lentil plant, lentil seed, lentils as food
Root / Etymology
Root/etymology uncertain. The noun עָדָשׁ (‘ādāsh) does not have clear cognates in related Semitic languages, and its root is not attested elsewhere in Hebrew, thus its derivation is obscure. The word may be onomatopoetic or borrowed, but this is speculative.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עָדָשׁ (‘ādāsh) appears only in a few contexts in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in the narrative of Esau selling his birthright for lentil stew (Genesis 25:34) and in the listing of foods during times of famine or distress (2 Samuel 17:28, Ezekiel 4:9). In all attested instances, it unequivocally refers to the lentil, an ancient staple in the diet of Israelites and surrounding cultures. Later translations (e.g., the Septuagint) render the word as φακός (phakos, 'lentil'). Although lentils played a central role in common diet, they were not seen as luxury food, but as humble, sustaining fare for ordinary people. The term does not convey any symbolic or ritualistic meaning in its biblical occurrences, but simply denotes a foodstuff. The English tradition of translating עָדָשׁ as "lentil" is accurate and fully reflects its lexical meaning; 'lentile' is an older English form now obsolete. The etymological opacity of the word means it is not closely related to other Hebrew agricultural or botanical terms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root of uncertain meaning; a lentil; lentile.
Bantu Hebrew
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עדש (ʿ-d-š) — uncertain; denotes lentil plant and its edible seeds
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5742-02 |
וַ/עֲדָשִׁ֖ים | vaadashim | HC/Ncfpa |
and lentils | and lentils | 2 |
H5742-01 |
עֲדָשִׁ֔ים | adashim | HNcfpa |
of lentils | lentils | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5742-01 |
Genesis 25:34 | עֲדָשִׁ֔ים | adashim | HNcfpa |
of lentils | lentils |
H5742-02 |
2 Samuel 17:28 | וַ/עֲדָשִׁ֖ים | vaadashim | HC/Ncfpa |
and lentils | and lentils |
H5742-01 |
2 Samuel 23:11 | עֲדָשִׁ֔ים | adashim | HNcfpa |
of lentils | lentils |
H5742-02 |
Ezekiel 4:9 | וַ/עֲדָשִׁ֜ים | vaadashim | HC/Ncfpa |
and lentils | and lentils |