Lexical Summary kammon: Cumin Original Word: כַּמֹּן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cummin From an unused root meaning to store up or preserve; "cummin" (from its use as a condiment) -- cummin. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition cummin (a plant grown as a condiment) NASB Translation cummin (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs כַּמֹּן noun masculine cummin, plant grown as condiment (ᵐ5 κύμινον, cuminum cyminum; Plin.NH xix. 8; German 'römischer Kümmel;' LöwNo. 152; √ dubious; Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic כַּמּוֺנָא, ![]() ![]() ![]() Topical Lexicon Kammon (Cumin) Agricultural Background in Ancient Israel Kammon refers to the common culinary spice cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), a low annual plant bearing small aromatic seeds. In the Levant it was sown after plowing and harrowing, usually broadcast by hand, then lightly covered with soil. Its delicate stalks and tiny seeds required gentle harvesting and processing. Farmers beat the dried heads with a stick or thin rod rather than driving a threshing sledge, a practice both economical and protective of the seed’s quality. Biblical Usage The word appears three times, all within Isaiah’s parable of the farmer (Isaiah 28:25; Isaiah 28:27 twice). The prophet asks: “When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow dill and cumin? He scatters wheat in rows, barley in its place, and rye within its border.” (Isaiah 28:25) “For dill is not threshed with a sledge, and a cart wheel is not rolled over cumin; but dill is beaten out with a staff, and cumin with a rod.” (Isaiah 28:27) Isaiah employs everyday agronomy to instruct Judah that the LORD’s dealings are never random or harsh. Just as a farmer varies his tools to suit each crop, so God’s judgments and disciplines are proportionate, measured, and purposeful (Isaiah 28:29). Theological and Prophetic Significance 1. Divine Wisdom in Discipline: The cumin’s need for a light rod underscores that the Almighty tailors chastening to the frailty of His people. Heavy-handed methods would destroy; measured correction refines. Connections to New Testament Teaching Jesus draws on the same spice to expose hypocritical legalism: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have neglected the weightier matters of the Law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness.” (Matthew 23:23) Thus cumin functions as a rhetorical bridge between Testaments: Isaiah highlights God’s meticulous care; Jesus warns against meticulous externals that ignore the heart of God’s will. Historical and Cultural Notes • Cumin was valued not only for flavor but for medicinal properties, including digestive aid and preservative qualities. Practical and Ministry Applications • Pastoral Care: Isaiah’s image encourages shepherds to apply discipline with discernment, avoiding methods that crush tender spirits. Key References Forms and Transliterations וְכַמֹּ֣ן וְכַמֹּ֥ן וכמן כַּמֹּ֖ן כמן kam·mōn kamMon kammōn vechamMon wə·ḵam·mōn wəḵammōnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 28:25 HEB: וְהֵפִ֥יץ קֶ֖צַח וְכַמֹּ֣ן יִזְרֹ֑ק וְשָׂ֨ם NAS: and scatter cummin And plant KJV: and scatter the cummin, and cast INT: and sow dill cummin and scatter and plant Isaiah 28:27 Isaiah 28:27 3 Occurrences |