Biblical Food and Herbs Series Part 2: Cumin

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. – Matthew 23:23

Cumin is an herb that is known for its strong aromatic odor and hot taste.  Although the stems have their usage, it’s mainly the seeds that are used especially as a key component of curry powder in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine.

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Cumin seeds are a very good source of iron and a good source of manganese. You will find Cumin in many “most powerful herbs” lists and is very diverse in its purported uses including: antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, bronchitis, digestive aid and hypertension

Cumin is mentioned in the book of Isaiah when the prophet was referring to operating in Godly wisdom. He taught that when harvesting delicate herbs like dill (called “fitches” in KJV) and cumin, farmers know that you don’t thresh them around like you would wheat or some other milled grain because God “instructs him in right judgment, His God teaches him.”  (Isaiah 28:25-27).
 
Yet, the key biblical reference concerning Cumin is in our text verse above. Yahshua (Jesus) called the Pharisees out on the fact that while they meticulously and religiously tithed down to the herbs that they grew in terms of outward show, internally, they were empty, bankrupt, and void of spiritual substance. This spirit has not passed away and is one of the key flaws of religion today. Religion seeks to be right with God based on our inept outward displays of holy works, hoping that because we’ve tried “our best” we should be accepted; Yet the true relationship with God puts faith in the worth and work of a savior to impute the righteousness (to pass to another's account) which frees us from the guilt and shame of being inept and then empowers us to do holy works (Phil. 2:13). Thank you Lord Yahshua (Jesus).