קִשֻּׁאָה (qish.shu.ah)

qish.shu.ah

cucumber

H7180 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 1 verses

H:N-F

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 1 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: H:N-F

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun qishshu’ah refers specifically to a cucumber, appearing only once in the Old Testament within Numbers 11:5. In this verse, it is listed among other foods from Egypt that the Israelites fondly remember while wandering in the wilderness.

This single occurrence highlights how even mundane agricultural products can carry emotional weight in biblical narratives. The word itself does not appear elsewhere in Scripture, making its context in Numbers 11 particularly significant for understanding the desires of the people during their journey.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

When the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, their longing was not just for spiritual manna but for the familiar tastes of Egypt. The word qishshu’ah, meaning cucumber, appears only once in Scripture within Numbers 11:5. It stands alongside melons, leeks, and garlic as a simple vegetable they missed.

This single mention reminds us that faith does not exist in a vacuum from human needs. Even small comforts matter to the heart. God understands our desire for stability and the familiar things that bring us comfort during uncertain times.

While we may not crave cucumbers today, the principle remains. We can bring our honest longings to God, trusting He cares about both our spiritual journey and our daily needs. His provision meets us where we are, guiding us toward greater dependence on Him.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

the/ cucumbers1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

הַ/קִּשֻּׁאִ֗ים1×

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 uniquely identifies the cucumber among other Egyptian foods that fueled the Israelites' discontent and memory of slavery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does qishshu’ah mean?

Qishshu’ah (H7180) is a Hebrew noun that translates directly to cucumber. It refers specifically to this vegetable and appears only once in the Old Testament.

Where does this word appear in the Bible?

It occurs exclusively in Numbers 11:5. The Israelites list it among other foods like melons and garlic that they remembered from their time in Egypt.

Why is this word significant if it only appears once?

Its rarity highlights the specific cultural context of the Israelites' complaint. It shows how mundane agricultural products carried emotional weight during their wilderness journey, illustrating their deep longing for familiarity over divine provision.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Numbers 1 verse

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,…