Garlic, Garlick

GARLIC, GARLICK (שׁוּמִֽים). Garlic is mentioned only once in the Bible (Num 11:5)—“the leeks, the onions and the garlic.” Though the mention of garlic refers to the bulbs grown in Egypt, there is no doubt at all that this crop subsequently was grown in the Holy Land, and was used in cooking.

This flavorsome vegetable is mentioned because the Israelites were tired of the simple manna and longed for the pleasant varieties eaten in Egypt.

The bulbous perennial garlic is Allium sativum. When planted, it produces a number of smaller surrounding bulbs, which are called cloves.

Garlic has been used medicinally as a digestive stimulant, and its juice as an antiseptic.