CUCUMBER

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.

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