Garlic

Garlic occurs only once in Scripture, and that in the passage (Num 11:5) in which the Israelites are described as murmuring, among other things, for the leeks, the onions, and the garlic (shumim) of Egypt. There can be no doubt of its being correctly so translated, as the corresponding Arabic word still signifies a species of garlic, which is cultivated and esteemed throughout Eastern countries. Ancient authors mention that garlic was cultivated in Egypt and highly esteemed there. Herodotus enumerates it as one of the substances upon which a large sum (1600 talents) was spent for feeding laborers employed in building the Pyramids. The species considered to have been thus cultivated in Egypt, is Allium Ascalonicum, which is the most common in Eastern countries, and obtains its specific name from having been brought into Europe from Ascalon. It is now usually known in the kitchen garden by the name of ’eschalot’ or ’shallot,’ and is too common to require a fuller notice.

A bulbous vegetable, of pungent smell and taste, and highly prized in the East. The Jews acquired a liking for it in Egypt, Num 11:5 . One variety, called the eschalot, or shallot, was introduced into Europe from Ascalon.\par

Garlic. Garlic, Num 11:5, is the Allium sativum of Linnaeus, which abounds in Egypt.

(שׁוּם, shum, so called from its odor; Sept. σκόροδον,Vulg. allium, A.V. "garlick") occurs only once in Scripture, and that in the plural, Num 11:5; where the Israelites are described as murmuring, among other things, for the leeks, the onions, and the garlic of Egypt. There can be no doubt of its being correctly so translated, as the same Arabic word (thum) still signifies a species of garlic which is cultivated and esteemed throughout Eastern countries .(Celsii Hiesrobot. 2:53). Ancient. authors mention that garlic was cultivated in Egypt (Pliny, 19:32). Herodotus (2:125) enumerates it as one of the subnstances upon which a large sum (1600 talents) was spent for feeding laborers employed is building the Pyramids, although Hasselquist expresses a doubt whether it was cultivated in that country (Trav. page 562). The species considered to have been thus referred to is Allium Ascalonicum, which is the most common in Eastern countries, and obtains its specific name from having been brought into Europe from Ascalon (see Jac. de Vitriaco, in the Gest. Frasncor. 3:1142). It is now usually known in the kitchen garden by the name of "eschalot" or "shallot." Its ranker congener is the common garlic (Allium sativunm). See the Penny Cyclopaedia, s.v. Allisum. Rosellini, however, thinks he has discovered it upon a painting in Beni Hassan. The Talmudists frequently mention the use of this plant among the Jews, and their fondness of it (Kilaim, 1:3; 6:10; Mdaser. 5:8; Terusn. 7:7; Nedar. 8:6, etc.). It formed a favorite viand with the common people among the Greeks and Romans (Pliny, 20:23; Plautus, Mostell. 1, 1:38; Horace, Eph 3:3; Suetonius, Vesp. 8). SEE BOTANY.

[Garlick]

shum. The well-known vegetable much esteemed as a condiment in the East. The garlic of Egypt is the Allium sativum of the botanists, but there are different species in Palestine, where it is cultivated and prized. The Israelites longed for it when in the wilderness. Num 11:5.

See BOTANY:

GARLIC (Num 11:5).—The familiar Allium sativum, still a very great favourite in Palestine, especially with the Jews. Originally a product of Central Asia, and once a delicacy of kings, it is only in the East that it retains its place in the affections of all classes.

E. W. G. Masterman.

gar´lik (שׁוּם, shūm, used only in plural שׁוּמים, shūmı̄m; compare Arabic thûm): One of the delights of Egypt for which the Israelites in the Wilderness longed (Num 11:5); we know from other sources that, though originally a product of Central Asia, garlic was known to the ancient Egyptians. It is the bulb of Allium sativum, Natural Order Liliaceae, and is cultivated all over the Orient. It is eaten cooked in stews; its disagreeable penetrating odor is in evidence in the houses and on the breath of most Orientals. A bulb of garlic, hung over a bed or over the door of a house, is a powerful charm against the evil eye and other malign influences.

Num 11:5 (c) This is typical of the best things which this earth supplies for the children of this world. Those who partake of the world’s goods bear the odor and the influence of them in their lives.

Garlic. A strong-flavored herb, resembling the onion. Garlic was eaten with bread and used to flavor food and is still highly favored today. Garlic was highly esteemed in Egypt and was believed to have been used as wages for the workers who built the pyramids. The Hebrews yearned for garlic after leaving Egypt ( Num 1:5).

A plant with a bulb that people grow for cooking. The Israelites remembered eating garlic in Egypt (Numbers 11:5). It has a strong flavor and smell that many people enjoy in their food. People have used garlic for thousands of years, both as food and as medicine.

The common garlic (Allium sativum) is a hardy, bulbous perennial plant that is grown in Europe, western Asia, and Egypt. The leaves are narrow, flat, and ribbon-like. Garlic is extremely popular with people who live in the Mediterranean region.

Garlic is closely related to onions (Allium cepa).

See Food and Food Preparation; Onion.

Aquifer Open Bible Dictionary © 2026 Mission Mutual, an adaptation of the Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Plants and Trees in the Bible © United Bible Societies. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.