כַּמֹּן (kam.mon)
kam.mon
cummin
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun kammon refers to the seeds of the cumin plant, widely recognized in the ancient Near East for its use as a culinary spice. In biblical times, these small, aromatic seeds were a common condiment, adding distinct flavor to everyday meals. The word appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the book of Isaiah, highlighting its familiarity to the original audience.
Its presence in Isaiah 28:27 and 65:8 serves as a concrete image of ordinary agricultural life. In these passages, the handling of kammon illustrates practical wisdom or divine remembrance, grounding spiritual truths in the tangible reality of farming and cooking. This usage reminds readers that Scripture often draws from daily routines to convey deeper messages.
While the word itself is simple, its context in Isaiah connects the mundane act of seasoning food with broader themes of justice and memory. By referencing a staple spice, the text bridges the gap between physical sustenance and spiritual reflection, showing how ordinary elements carry significant weight in biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you read about cumin in Isaiah, it might seem like a small agricultural detail, but it points to God’s care for everyday life. The farmer did not use heavy wheels on these delicate seeds; instead, he used a light rod. This shows that the Creator understands the specific needs of different things. He does not apply force where gentleness is required.
This image invites us to trust that God handles our lives with similar precision. Just as the cumin seed must be treated gently to keep its flavor, we are often guided through life’s challenges with patience rather than harshness. It is a reminder that spiritual growth, like cooking, requires attention to detail and a gentle touch.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ cumin2×
- cumin1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כַּמֹּ֖ן1×
- וְ/כַמֹּ֥ן1×
- וְ/כַמֹּ֣ן1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 28:27
For the dill isn’t threshed with a sharp instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned over the cumin; but the dill is beaten out with a stick, and the cumin with a rod.
This verse highlights the specific agricultural method used for cumin, showing that God’s wisdom applies different treatments to different needs.
-
Isaiah 28:25
When he has leveled its surface, doesn’t he plant the dill, and scatter the cumin seed, and put in the wheat in rows, the barley in the appointed place, and the spelt in its place?
Here the word appears in a list of crops, grounding the text in the reality of daily sustenance and orderly planting.