Plants for weaving and building

Genesis 1:11 Genesis 1:12 gives us a good introduction to the problem of generic and specific vocabulary in Hebrew. God’s speech in verse 11 begins literally “Let the earth sprout [tadshe’ ] sprouts [deshe’ ], plants [‘esev ] bearing seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit … .” Scholars continue to debate about the Hebrew word deshe’. Is it a generic word introducing the two categories that follow, or is it the first of three categories: grass, seed plants, and fruit trees? (See the Discussion and Translation under 5.1.2 Grass for more detail.).

Another generic Hebrew expression is found in Genesis 1:30, where God gives yereq ‘esev (“green plants”) to the animals for food. Interestingly, in Genesis 9:3 the same yereq ‘esev is to serve as food for Noah in the ark along with the meat of animals.

The generic Hebrew word siach also needs to be mentioned. This word usually means “complaint,” “musing,” “meditation,” or “chatter.” In a few places it refers to “bushes” or “shrubs.” It occurs with the latter meaning in Genesis 2:5 Genesis 21:15 Job 30:4 Job 30:7.