Lentil

A type of vegetable from a low plant with weak stems, producing small pods with single seeds, often used in soups and stews.

Red lentils
Red lentils (© Ray Pritz (UBS)) Lentils

About Lentil

The lentil plant mentioned in Genesis 25:29–34, 2 Samuel 17:27–29, 23:11, and Ezekiel 4:9 is a small, upright annual plant that looks similar to vetch (a climbing plant with purple, pink, or white flowers that belongs to the pea family). It has thin stems and leaves with tendrils (small, curling parts that help the plant climb or hold onto things).

The plant produces small white flowers with violet stripes. Its seeds grow in flat pods that look similar to pea pods. These seeds are the lentils that people eat.

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The plant itself Article

Habitat, identification, and how translators render the term across languages.

Key References

Genesis 25:34

Then Jacob gave some bread and lentil stew to Esau, who ate and drank and then got up and went away. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Ezekiel 4:9

But take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt; put them in a single container and make them into bread for yourself. This is what you are to eat during the 390 days you lie on your side.

2 Samuel 17:28

They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,

All Scripture References (4)

Genesis (1)
Genesis 25:34

Then Jacob gave some bread and lentil stew to Esau, who ate and drank and then got up and went away. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

2 Samuel (2)
2 Samuel 17:28

They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,

2 Samuel 23:11

And after him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines had banded together near a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them.

Ezekiel (1)
Ezekiel 4:9

But take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt; put them in a single container and make them into bread for yourself. This is what you are to eat during the 390 days you lie on your side.