corn Summary and Overview

The word so rendered (dagan) in Gen. 27:28, 37, Num. 18:27, Deut. 28:51, Lam. 2:12, is a general term representing all the commodities we usually describe by the words corn, grain, seeds, peas, beans. With this corresponds the use of the word in John 12:24. In Gen. 41:35, 49, Prov. 11:26, Joel 2:24 ("wheat"), the word thus translated (bar; i.e., "winnowed") means corn purified from chaff. With this corresponds the use of the word in the New Testament (Matt. 3:12; Luke 3:17; Acts 7:12). In Ps. 65:13 it means "growing corn." In Gen. 42:1, 2, 19, Josh. 9:14, Neh. 10:31 ("victuals"), the word (sheber; i.e., "broken," i.e., grist) denotes generally victuals, provisions, and corn as a principal article of food. From the time of Solomon, corn began to be exported from Israel (Ezek. 27:17; Amos 8:5). "Plenty of corn" was a part of Issac's blessing conferred upon Jacob (Gen. 27:28; compare Ps. 65:13).

The most common kinds were wheat, barley, spelt, Authorized Version, #Ex 9:32| and Isai 28:25 "rye;" #Eze 4:9| "fitches" and millet; oats are mentioned only by rabbinical writers. Our Indian corn was unknown in Bible times. Corn-crops are still reckoned at twentyfold what was sown, and were anciently much more. #Ge 41:22| The Jewish law permitted any one in passing through a filed of standing corn to pluck and eat. #De 23:25| see also Matt 12:1 From Solomon's time, #2Ch 2:10,15| as agriculture became developed under a settled government, Israel was a corn-exporting country, and her grain was largely taken by her commercial neighbor Tyre. #Eze 27:17| comp. Amos 8:5

CORN . Mark 4:28. This word is generally applied in the United States to maize or Indian-corn, which it never means in the Bible, for that grain, like the Western continent, was, in scriptural times, as yet undiscovered. The English Bible uses the word as the general name for all sorts of cereals, such as wheat, barley, millet, and fitches, and of such cornfields only must we think. Oats are not known in Palestine, and rye is rarely, if ever, grown. A "corn of wheat" is a kernel of wheat. The figurative use of the word "corn," usually in connection with wine and oil, is very frequent, as grain and wine and olives were the leading productions of the country. Deut 11:14; Deut 18:4; Deut 28:51; 2 Chr 32:28; Hos 2:22; Joel 2:19. It is probable that grain was commonly used in its crude state in the early ages of the world. It was sometimes done in later times, Matt 12:1; and even now it is no uncommon thing, in passing a field of wheat, to pluck an ear, and, after rubbing the husk or beard off by rolling it between the hands, to eat the grain, which is very palatable, even in that state. The Jewish law permitted standing corn to be plucked by any one passing through it, Deut 23:25; and this custom, or right, is still respected in some parts of the East. See Mills. The " parched corn" of the Bible, Lev 23:14; Ruth 2:14; 1 Sam 17:17, etc., corresponds to the kaly of the Arabs, and is obtained in the following manner: When wheat is being harvested, some of the green ears are thrown upon the coals of fire and roasted; they are but partially divested of the hull by rubbing between the hands, and are very much relished." Van Lennep.

Wheat, barley, spelt (as the Hebrew for "rye," Exodus 9:32, ought to be translated, for it was the common food of the Egyptians, called doora, as the monuments testify; also in Ezekiel 4:9 for "fitches" translated "spelt".) "Principal wheat," i.e. prime, excellent (Isaiah 28:25). "Seven ears on one stalk" (Genesis 41:22) is common still in Egypt. The sheaves in harvest used to be decorated with the lilies of the field, which illustrates Song of Solomon 7:2. "Plenty of grain" was part of Jacob's blessing (Genesis 27:28). From Solomon's time the Holy Land exported grain to Tyre (Ezekiel 27:17). See Amos 8:5. It is possible Indian grain or maize was known and used in Israel as it was at Thebes in Egypt, where grains and leaves of it have been found under mummies. The wheat root will send up many stalks, but never more than one ear upon one stalk. But seven full ears upon one maize grain stalk have often been found. Maize grain in the milky state roasted is delicious: this, if meant in Leviticus 2:14, would give zest to the offering.