Garlic

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Garlic (  Numbers 11:5 ). The familiar Allium sativum , still a very great favourite in Palestine, especially with the Jews. Originally a product of Central Asia, and once a delicacy of kings, it is only in the East that it retains its place in the affections of all classes.

E. W. G. Masterman.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

shum. The well-known vegetable much esteemed as a condiment in the East. The garlic of Egypt is the Allium sativum of the botanists, but there are different species in Palestine, where it is cultivated and prized. The Israelites longed for it when in the wilderness.   Numbers 11:5 .

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A bulbous vegetable, of pungent smell and taste, and highly prized in the East. The Jews acquired a liking for it in Egypt,  Numbers 11:5 . One variety, called the eschalot, or shallot, was introduced into Europe from Ascalon.

Holman Bible Dictionary

Plants In The Bible

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Numbers 11:5

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( שׁוּם , Shum, so called from its Odor; Sept. Σκόροδον ,Vulg. allium, A.V. "garlick") occurs only once in Scripture, and that in the plural,  Numbers 11:5; where the Israelites are described as murmuring, among other things, for the leeks, the onions, and the garlic of Egypt. There can be no doubt of its being correctly so translated, as the same Arabic word (thum) still signifies a species of garlic which is cultivated and esteemed throughout Eastern countries .(Celsii Hiesrobot. 2:53). Ancient. authors mention that garlic was cultivated in Egypt (Pliny, 19:32). Herodotus (2:125) enumerates it as one of the subnstances upon which a large sum (1600 talents) was spent for feeding laborers employed is building the Pyramids, although Hasselquist expresses a doubt whether it was cultivated in that country (Trav. page 562). The species considered to have been thus referred to is Allium Ascalonicum, which is the most common in Eastern countries, and obtains its specific name from having been brought into Europe from Ascalon (see Jac. de Vitriaco, in the Gest. Frasncor. 3:1142). It is now usually known in the kitchen garden by the name of "eschalot" or "shallot." Its ranker congener is the common garlic (Allium sativunm). See the Penny Cyclopaedia, s.v. Allisum. Rosellini, however, thinks he has discovered it upon a painting in Beni Hassan. The Talmudists frequently mention the use of this plant among the Jews, and their fondness of it (Kilaim, 1:3; 6:10; Mdaser. 5:8; Terusn. 7:7; Nedar. 8:6, etc.). It formed a favorite viand with the common people among the Greeks and Romans (Pliny, 20:23; Plautus, Mostell. 1, 1:38; Horace,  Ephesians 3:3; Suetonius, Vesp. 8). (See Botany).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Garlic occurs only once in Scripture, and that in the passage in which the Israelites are described as murmuring, among other things, for the leeks, the onions, and the garlic (shumim) of Egypt. There can be no doubt of its being correctly so translated, as the corresponding Arabic word still signifies a species of garlic, which is cultivated and esteemed throughout Eastern countries. Ancient authors mention that garlic was cultivated in Egypt and highly esteemed there. Herodotus enumerates it as one of the substances upon which a large sum (1600 talents) was spent for feeding laborers employed in building the Pyramids. The species considered to have been thus cultivated in Egypt, is Allium Ascalonicum, which is the most common in Eastern countries, and obtains its specific name from having been brought into Europe from Ascalon. It is now usually known in the kitchen garden by the name of 'eschalot' or 'shallot,' and is too common to require a fuller notice.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

gar´lik ( שׁוּם , shūm , used only in plural שׁוּמים , shūmı̄m  ; compare Arabic thûm ): One of the delights of Egypt for which the Israelites in the Wilderness longed (  Numbers 11:5 ); we know from other sources that, though originally a product of Central Asia, garlic was known to the ancient Egyptians. It is the bulb of Allium sativum , Natural Order Liliaceae , and is cultivated all over the Orient. It is eaten cooked in stews; its disagreeable penetrating odor is in evidence in the houses and on the breath of most Orientals. A bulb of garlic, hung over a bed or over the door of a house, is a powerful charm against the evil eye and other malign influences.