Millet
NatureWhat is the meaning of Millet in the Bible?
Millet denotes annual grasses with small seeds, primarily Panicum miliaceum (common millet) and Setaria italica (foxtail millet), which were cultivated in ancient Egypt and the Near East for human consumption and animal feed.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding millet as a drought-resistant crop clarifies its role as a staple food for the poor and a reliable sustenance source in arid regions, providing context for biblical references to grain and famine.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Millet were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Millet in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Millet clarify?
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
"Millet." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/millet/