Topical Encyclopedia Barley is one of the earliest cultivated grains and holds significant importance in biblical times, both as a staple food and as a symbol in various religious and cultural contexts. It is frequently mentioned in the Bible, reflecting its prominence in the diet and economy of ancient Israel and surrounding regions.Biblical References: 1. Provision and Sustenance: Barley is often associated with sustenance and provision. In the Book of Ruth, barley plays a central role in the narrative of Ruth and Naomi. After returning to Bethlehem, Ruth gleans barley in the fields of Boaz, which eventually leads to her marriage to him. This account highlights the importance of barley as a means of survival and God's provision for His people. Ruth 2:23 states, "So Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law." 2. Miracles and Offerings: Barley is also associated with miracles and offerings. In the account of Elisha, a miracle involving barley loaves is recorded. In 2 Kings 4:42-44 , a man brings Elisha twenty loaves of barley bread, and through God's power, Elisha feeds a hundred men with it, with some left over. This prefigures the New Testament miracle of the feeding of the five thousand by Jesus, where barley loaves are again used. John 6:9 mentions, "Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish, but what difference will these make among so many?" 3. Symbol of Humility and Judgment: Barley is sometimes contrasted with wheat, symbolizing humility or lesser value. In Ezekiel 4:9 , God instructs Ezekiel to make bread using barley, among other grains, as a sign of the coming judgment and the scarcity that will accompany it: "Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a single vessel and make them into bread for yourself." 4. Agricultural Significance: Barley was a critical crop in the agricultural calendar of ancient Israel. It was the first grain to be harvested in the spring, marking the beginning of the harvest season. The Feast of Firstfruits, which is part of the Passover festival, involved offering the first sheaf of barley to the Lord as a sign of gratitude and trust in God's provision. Leviticus 23:10 instructs, "Speak to the Israelites and say, 'When you enter the land I am giving you and reap its harvest, you are to bring to the priest a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest.'" Cultural and Economic Role: Barley was a versatile grain used for making bread, porridge, and even beer. It was a staple food for the common people, often considered less prestigious than wheat. However, its hardiness and ability to grow in less fertile soil made it an essential crop for survival. Barley was also used as a form of currency and in trade, reflecting its economic importance. Spiritual Lessons: In the biblical narrative, barley serves as a reminder of God's provision and care for His people. It symbolizes humility and the sufficiency of God's blessings, even when they appear modest. The use of barley in miraculous events underscores the theme that God can multiply and bless what is offered to Him, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 9:31And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was in bloom. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 14:30 Library I Therefore Bent My Steps Toward the Hut which I had Beheld from a ... The Famine which Oppressed Them. The Life of S. Hilarion. How a Great Many of the People Earnestly Endeavored to Desert to ... The Fourth Miracle in John's Gospel The Passover visit The World's Bread If that which it Has Pleased us to Know is Within Reach... Power of Water. On the Words of the Gospel, John vi. 9, Where the Miracle of the ... Resources What is the Haggadah / Aggadah? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about smudging? | GotQuestions.org How do the elements of the Passover Seder point to Christ? | GotQuestions.org Herbs: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Herbs were Sometimes Used Instead of Animal Food by Weak Saints Herbs: (Dew On) of Grace Given to Saints Herbs: Bitter, Used at Passover Herbs: Destroyed by Hail and Lightning Herbs: Destroyed by Tithable Among the Jews Herbs: Each Kind of, Contains Its own Seed Herbs: Mode of Watering, Alluded To Herbs: Poisonous, not Fit for Man's Use Related Terms |
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