Wheat

A cereal widely cultivated for use as food. One of the main agricultural crops in biblical times, it is referred to throughout the Scriptures and features several times in Jesus Christ's teaching.

The cultivation of wheat

Sowing wheat

Isaiah 28:24–25 See also Jeremiah 12:13; 1 Corinthians 15:37–38

Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil? When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, and rye within its border.

The growth of the plant

Exodus 9:31–32 See also John 12:24

(Now the flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley was ripe and the flax was in bloom; but the wheat and spelt were not destroyed, because they are late crops.)

The wheat harvest

1 Samuel 6:13 See also Genesis 30:14; Judges 15:1; Ruth 2:23; 1 Samuel 12:16–18; Joel 1:8–11

Now the people of Beth-shemesh were harvesting wheat in the valley, and when they looked up and saw the ark, they were overjoyed at the sight.

Threshing wheat

Judges 6:11 See also 1 Chronicles 21:18–28

Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites.

The parable of the wheat and the weeds

Matthew 13:24–30, Matthew 13:36–43

Wheat as food

Psalm 81:13–16 See also Deuteronomy 8:7–8, Deuteronomy 32:13–14; 2 Samuel 17:27–29; Psalm 147:12–14; Jeremiah 41:4–8; Ezekiel 4:9–13

If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways, how soon I would subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes! Those who hate the LORD would feign obedience, and their doom would last forever. But I would feed you the finest wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Offerings of wheat

Exodus 34:22 See also Exodus 29:2–3; Ezra 6:9, Ezra 7:21–23; Ezekiel 45:13

And you are to celebrate the Feast of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year.

Trade in wheat

Ezekiel 27:17 See also Amos 8:4–6; Revelation 18:11–13

Judah and the land of Israel traded with you; they exchanged wheat from Minnith, cakes and honey, oil and balm for your merchandise.

Wheat as payment or tribute

2 Chronicles 2:8–10 parallel 1 Kings 5:11 See also 2 Chronicles 2:15–16, 2 Chronicles 27:5; Luke 16:1–7; Revelation 6:6

Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum logs from Lebanon, for I know that your servants have skill to cut timber there. And indeed, my servants will work with yours to prepare for me timber in abundance, because the temple I am building will be great and wonderful. I will pay your servants, the woodcutters, 20,000 cors of ground wheat, 20,000 cors of barley, 20,000 baths of wine, and 20,000 baths of olive oil.”

Metaphorical references to wheat

Matthew 3:11–12 parallel Luke 3:16–17 See also Song of Solomon 7:2; Luke 22:31–32

I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”