Difference between revisions of "Husks"

<p> <b> HUSKS. </b> —The only mention of husks (κεράτια, so called from their shape, which resembles ‘horns’) occurs in &nbsp;Luke 15:16. [[Husks]] were the pods of the carob-tree, which is also known as the locust-tree ( <i> Ceratonia siliqua </i> ). This tree, which is common in Palestine, belongs to the order Leguminosae, and is an evergreen. It attains to a height of about 30 feet, and has a dense foliage. Its leaves are of a dark, glossy green. The pods are from 6 to 10 inches in length and 1 in breadth. They contain a thick, sweet pulp, not unpleasant to the palate, and are used as food for pigs, cattle, and horses. They are also, because of their cheapness, eaten by the very poor. </p> <p> Some have identified the pods of the carob with the ‘locusts’ (ἀκρίδες) which John the [[Baptist]] ate (&nbsp;Matthew 3:4). It is true they are sometimes called ‘St. John’s bread,’ this name having been given to them by the monks of [[Palestine]] or by ‘pious pilgrims’ (Thomson, <i> L </i> B [Note: The Land and the Book.] p. 655), but there can be little doubt that the Baptist’s food was not carob-pods, but the insect, which is still eaten by the wandering Arabs. See Locust. </p> <p> Hugh Duncan. </p>

<div> '''1: κεράτιον ''' (Strong'S #2769 — Noun Neuter — keration — ker-at'-ee-on ) </div> <p> "a little horn" (a diminutive of keras, "a horn;" see HORN), is used in the plural in &nbsp;Luke 15:16 , of carob pods, given to swine, and translated "husks." </p>

<p> '''Husks.''' This word in &nbsp;Luke 16:16, describes really the fruit of a particular kind of tree, namely, the carob or '''Ceratonia siliqua''' of botanists. It belongs to the locust family. </p> <p> 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. </p>

<p> κερατιον , &nbsp;Luke 15:16; the husks of leguminous plants, so named from their resemblance to κερας , <em> a horn; </em> but Bochart thinks that the κερατια were the <em> ceretonia, </em> the husks or fruit of the carob tree, a tree very common in the Levant. We learn from Columella, that these pods afforded food for swine; and they are mentioned as what the prodigal desired to eat, when reduced to extreme hunger. </p>

<p> '''Husks.''' This word in &nbsp;Luke 15:16 describes really the fruit of the carob. It belongs to the locust family. This tree is common 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. </p>

<p> Greek keratia ("horns"), the horn-like pods of the carob tree, abounding in Syria and Egypt, Ceratonia siliqua (&nbsp;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. </p>

<p> ''''' husks ''''' ( κεράτια , <i> ''''' kerátia ''''' </i> , i.e. "little horns," &nbsp; Luke 15:16 ): These are the pods of the carob tree (Revised Version, margin), also called the locust tree ( <i> Ceratonia siliqua </i> ). This tree flourishes all over Palestine, especially on the western mountain slopes toward the sea; by the Arabs it is called <i> '''''kharrûb''''' </i> . It is dioecious, has dense, dark, evergreen foliage, glossy leaves and long, curved pods, like small horns (hence, the name). These pods which are from 4 to 9 inches in length, have a leathery case containing a pulpy substance in which the beans are imbedded; this pulp is of a pleasant, sweetish flavor and has a characteristic odor, and is much loved by children. The pods are sold in the markets, both as cattle food and for the poor, who extract by boiling them a sweetish substance like molasses. The tradition that the "locusts" of &nbsp;Matthew 3:4; &nbsp;Mark 1:6 were carob pods is preserved in the name given to them, "St. John's bread," but it has little to be said for it. </p>