אֲבַטִּחִים (a.vat.ti.ach)
a.vat.ti.ach
melon
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun aḇattîḥim refers specifically to melons, with sources identifying them as watermelons or similar Egyptian fruits. This term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, located in Numbers 11:5.
Its single occurrence is part of the Israelites’ complaints in the wilderness, where they long for the foods of Egypt. By naming this specific fruit, the text highlights a desire for the varied produce available in the Nile Valley, contrasting it with the manna provided by God. The word serves as a concrete detail in a narrative about memory and dissatisfaction.
Because it is so rare, the word offers no broader semantic range to explore. It stands as a unique lexical marker for this particular agricultural item in ancient Israelite vocabulary, preserved here solely within this historical account of wilderness wandering.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word aḇattîḥim appears only once in Scripture, nestled in the Israelites' complaint in Numbers 11:5. They longed for the melons and fish of Egypt, forgetting the daily provision of manna. This rare term reminds us how easily memory can shift from gratitude to dissatisfaction when circumstances change.
When we face uncertainty, it is natural to recall past comforts. Yet this single mention warns against fixating on what was left behind. The text invites reflection on how we view our current struggles compared to previous seasons. It challenges us to find contentment in the present provision rather than idealizing the past.
May this reminder help you trust God's daily care, even when it differs from what you remember or desire. His provision is sufficient for every season of life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ watermelons1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָֽ/אֲבַטִּחִ֔ים1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 11:5
We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic;
This verse lists melons among other Egyptian foods to highlight the Israelites' specific longing for variety and comfort in contrast to manna.