melons Summary and Overview

only in Num. 11:5, the translation of the Hebrew abattihim, the LXX. and Vulgate pepones, Arabic britikh. Of this plant there are various kinds, the Egyptian melon, the Cucumus chate, which has been called "the queen of cucumbers;" the water melon, the Cucurbita citrullus; and the common or flesh melon, the Cucumus melo. "A traveller in the East who recollects the intense gratitude which a gift of a slice of melon inspired while journeying over the hot and dry plains, will readily comprehend the regret with which the Hebrews in the Arabian desert looked back upon the melons of Egypt" (Kitto).

(Heb. abattichim) are mentioned only in #Nu 11:5| By the Hebrew word we are probably to understand both the melon (Cumcumis melo) and the watermelon (Cucurbita citrullus). The watermelon, which is now extensively cultivated in all hot countries, is a fruit not unlike the common melon, but the leaves are deeply lobed and gashed; the flesh is pink or white, and contains a large quantity of cold watery juice with out much flavor; the seeds are black.

MEL'ONS . Num 11:5. Melons of all kinds have ever been largely cultivated in Egypt, and during the heat of summer often form the chief food and drink of the lower classes. The muskmelon was grown there at the time of the Exodus, and perhaps the watermelon, which came from Persia. "A traveller in the East who recollects the intense gratitude which a gift of a slice of melon inspired while journeying over the hot and dry plains will readily comprehend the regret with which the Hebrews in the Arabian desert looked back upon the melons of Egypt." -- Kitto.