Watermelon

A sweet, juicy fruit produced by a trailing plant. It is widely appreciated and often found in Egypt.

Watermelon
Watermelon (© Forest and Kim Starr (Wikimedia Commons)) Watermelon

About Watermelon

Most scholars believe the Hebrew word ’avattiach refers to the Common Watermelon Citrullus vulgaris /lanatus, and it should be so identified since there are other types of melons, such as the muskmelon, with which it should not be confused. In fact, until recently, some botanists thought that this word referred to the muskmelon. Watermelons probably originated in Africa (possibly in the Kalahari) and were probably domesticated in the Neolithic Period. They have been cultivated in Egypt since prehistoric times and are used for food, drink, and medicine. Even the seeds are eaten. The Arabic cognate batekh /batikh is used for both the muskmelon and the watermelon.

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Key References

Numbers 11:5

We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.

All Scripture References (1)

Numbers (1)
Numbers 11:5

We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.