husks Summary and Overview

This word in #Lu 16:16| describes really the fruit of a particular kind of tree, viz. the carob or Ceratonia siliqua of botanists. It belongs to the locust family. This tree is very commonly met with in Syria and Egypt, it produces pods, shaped like a horn, varying in length from six to ten inches, and about a finger's breadth, or rather more; it is dark-brown, glossy, filled with seeds and has a sweetish taste. It is used much for food by the poor, and for the feeding of swine.

HUSKS , Luke 15:16. Undoubtedly the fruit of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), which is common in Palestine, and is used for food by the poor, and for the fattening of cattle or swine. When ripe it is like a crooked bean-pod, 6 to 10 inches in length, brown, glossy, and filled with seeds. Miss M. E, Rogers says: "I found it when new rather too sweet to suit my taste. Children seem to enjoy it, and they thrive on it, eating Husks. Fruit of the Carob Tree. (Ceratonia siliqua.) the shell as well as the seeds. The carob tree belongs to the same family as the American "locust," and is often called by that name by English authors. Some suppose that it was upon these "locusts" that John the Baptist subsisted. Hence this fruit is often called "St. John's bread." But the better critics reject this opinion.

Greek keratia ("horns"), the horn-like pods of the carob tree, abounding in Syria and Egypt, Ceratonia siliqua (Luke 15:16). The sweet pithy pulp affords food for pigs, and also for very poor men. Tradition makes it the Baptist's food in the wilderness; from whence it is called also John's bread. It has been exported to England for feeding cattle.