Gourd
NatureWhat is the meaning of Gourd in the Bible?
Gourd refers to plants in the Cucurbitaceae family, specifically the bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), which was cultivated in the ancient Near East for its broad leaves used to provide shade.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the gourd as a fast-growing shade plant clarifies the metaphor in Jonah 4:6-8, where its rapid growth and sudden death illustrate the transient nature of human comfort and divine judgment.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Gourd were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Gourd in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Gourd clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Jonah 4:6-8
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Gourd." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/gourd/