Cucumbers

[KR McKay]

This may or may not belong in the "Bible Study Q & A" section. I think that it might, though, but welcome the admins to move it if they feel it's necessary.

Anyway, the question is: If I recall correctly, aside from "wine" and the generic "bread," it seems to me that cucumbers are the most mentioned food item in the Bible. I know that I once read that they were a particularly prized vegetable by the ancient Israelites.

I'm just wondering if, 1) Anyone can confirm or disprove that they were such a treasured part of ancient Israel's diet, and, if they were, 2) Anyone can tell me WHY. I realize it could simply be a "cultural preference," or something like that, or, perhaps that they just grew well in that climate, but was just curious about this. (We have four great cucumber vines growing right now, and wondered if there is something about the "cukes" that ancient Israel knew that we -- I -- don't)! Of course, am curious about Biblical references, but also curious for those who are students of ancient Israel who might have something on the subject to contribute.

Thanks, and God Bless!

[notdecieved]

Hi MR McKay

I had fun doing a search and found a couple of verses for you from the bible about cucumbers.

Num 11:5
We remember the fish we used to eat freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic.

Isaiah
1:8 - And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

Jer 10:5
Such idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field. They cannot talk. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them because they cannot hurt you. And they do not have any power to help you.”