Qur'anic Root AYN D S
The well-known edible grain called lentil, one of the products of the earth.
1. Short Introduction to the Root
The root ع د س in Qur'anic usage points to a specific and well-known food, namely lentils.
Unlike some other names of foods in the Qur'an, this word is not the subject of serious disagreement in meaning. It points directly to an edible grain from the products of the earth, one that had a role in human nourishment.
The semantic core of the root can be stated as follows:
ع د س denotes the well-known edible grain called lentil.
2. Important Forms and Derivatives of the Root
عَدَس
An edible grain from the products of the earth, consumed directly or used in foods.
عَدَسِهَا
The lentils of that land or earth; a specific product among agricultural products.
3. Reference Cards for Qur'anic Derivatives
4. The Semantic Core of the Root
The core of this root rests on several points:
pointing to one specific edible grain;
being well-known among the first audience;
being placed beside other agricultural products.
Unlike some ambiguous words, this root points to a clear and identifiable referent.
5. The Material Image of the Root
The material image of this root is a small edible grain that grows from the earth and is used in human nourishment.
This grain:
is one of the agricultural products;
is consumed directly or in combination with other food materials;
was part of everyday food in agricultural societies.
6. Use of the Root in Arabic
In Arabic, عدس is used as the name of a well-known edible grain, and there is no disagreement over its meaning.
The word points directly to the same plant and grain that is consumed as food in many cultures.
7. Qur'anic Use of the Root
وَإِذْ قُلْتُمْ يَا مُوسَىٰ لَنْ نَصْبِرَ عَلَىٰ طَعَامٍ وَاحِدٍ فَادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُخْرِجْ لَنَا مِمَّا تُنْبِتُ الْأَرْضُ مِنْ بَقْلِهَا وَقِثَّائِهَا وَفُومِهَا وَعَدَسِهَا وَبَصَلِهَا
And when you said: O Moses, we will not be patient with one kind of food; so call upon your Lord for us, that He may bring out for us from what the earth grows: its greens, its cucumbers, its garlic or wheat, its lentils, and its onions.
In this verse, عَدَسِهَا appears beside other products of the earth. This companionship shows that lentils were one of the known and common foods among agricultural products.
Its placement beside بقل, قثاء, فوم, and بصل shows that we are dealing with an everyday food substance that can be consumed.
8. Semantic Notes
Lentil points to one specific edible grain;
there is no disagreement over its meaning;
in Qur'anic usage, it appears beside other food materials and shows part of the variety of foods;
the word points to a clear and well-known referent.
9. Conclusion
The root ع د س in the Qur'an points to the well-known edible grain called lentil, which is one of the products of the earth and is used in human nourishment.
The final definition of the root is:
ع د س denotes the well-known edible grain called lentil.