Grains of the Bible
Grain is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. The King James Version translators used the word “corn” instead, with its old English meaning of “grain.”
Types
The Hebrews sowed only wheat, barley, and spelt; rye and oats are not mentioned in Scripture.
Mentions of grain (partial list)
- “…the valleys are covered with grain…” —Psalm 65:13 NASB
- Vast amounts of grain grown in Egypt and stored by Joseph —Genesis 41:47-49
- Grain in Israel: “a land of grain and new wine” —Deuteronomy 33:28 NASB
- Exported to Tyre: “Judah and the land of Israel, they were your traders; with the wheat of Minnith, cakes, honey, oil and balm they paid for your merchandise.” —Ezekiel 27:17 NASB
- Roasted (parched) grain:
- “…he served her roasted grain, and she ate…” —Ruth 2:14 NASB
- “Then Jesse said to David his son, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain…” —1 Samuel 17:17 NASB
- “Abigail hurried and took… five measures of roasted grain…” —1 Sam. 25:18 NASB
- “…brought…wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils, parched seeds…” —2 Samuel 17:28 NASB
- Grain used as camouflage: “And the woman took a covering and spread it over the well’s mouth and scattered grain on it, so that nothing was known.” —2 Samuel 17:19 NASB
- Grain eaten by the Israelites: “On the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. The manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land.” —Joshua 5:11-12 NASB
- Shocks of grain burned by Samson (Judges 15:4-5)
- Heads of grain were plucked by Christ’s disciples (Matt. 12:1)
- Mosiac laws about grain (Exodus 22:6; Deuteronomy 23:25)
- Parable of the seed (Mark 4:28)
Figurative grain
Psalm 72:16; Hosea 14:7; John 12:24
Symbolic grain
Genesis 41:5
Individual seed or kernal
Grain, meaning an individual seed or kernal (Amos 9:9; John 12:24; Matthew 13:31 KJV)
More information
- agriculture
- barley
- barn
- beer—from grains
- bread—made from grain
- chaff—from grain processing
- “corn”
- strong drink—from grains
- first fruits
- flax
- flour—from grains
- gleaning
- harvest
- linen—from flax
- millet
- “rye”—in King James Version
- spelt
- straw—from grain grasses
- threshing
- tithes
- wheat
- winnow
Article Version: March 14, 2019