Bible Dictionaries
Wheat

Easton's Bible Dictionary

One of the earliest cultivated grains. It bore the Hebrew name Hittah , And was extensively cultivated in Palestine. There are various species of wheat. That which Pharaoh saw in his dream was the Triticum compositum, which bears several ears upon one stalk ( Genesis 41:5 ). The "fat of the kidneys of wheat" (Deuteronomy 32:14 ), and the "finest of the wheat" (Psalm 81:16; 147:14 ), denote the best of the kind. It was exported from Palestine in great quantities (1 Kings 5:11; Ezekiel 27:17; Acts 12:20 ).

Parched grains of wheat were used for food in Palestine (Ruth 2:14; 1 Samuel 17:17; 2 Samuel 17:28 ). The disciples, under the sanction of the Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 23:25 ), plucked ears of corn, and rubbing them in their hands, ate the grain unroasted (Matthew 12:1; Mark 2:23; Luke 6:1 ). Before any of the wheat-harvest, however, could be eaten, the first-fruits had to be presented before the Lord (Leviticus 23:14 ).