CUCUMBER
(Heb. “kisshu'”).
Cucurbitaceous plant that the Israelites consumed in Egypt and that they eagerly desired when, during the pilgrimage through the desert, they were deprived of it (Num. 11:5).
This is the “Cucumis chate”, very common in Egypt and sweeter than the ordinary cucumber, the “Cucumis sativus”. It was grown in the gardens of the land of Israel (Is. 1:8; cf. Baruch 6:69). These two species currently grow in Israel.