Food, memory and cultural-religious identity in the story of the ‘desirers’ (Nm 11:4–6)

• Main Author: Abraham O. Shemesh
• Format: Article
• Language: Afrikaans
• Published: AOSIS 2020-10-01
• Series: HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
• Subjects: numbers 11:4–6; food in antiquity; ancient egyptian agriculture; ancient egyptian food; food in the bible; foods of slaves; diet and identity; diet and belonging; manna; food and migration
• Online Access: https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/6158

This article examines the nutritional and cultural meaning underlying the list of foods mentioned in the claims of the Israelites in Numbers 11:4–6. The foods eaten by the Israelites in Egypt express stability and a familiar routine, whilst the foods of Eretz Israel, although depicted as choicer, express uncertainty. The list of foods has a literary role on several spheres: (1) The foods are elements distinguishing the agricultural practices in Eretz Israel and Egypt. (2) Fish and vegetables are an indicator of the low class of the Israelites – eating fish reflects the practice of obtaining protein from small animals available to the poor. In Egypt, vegetables were more readily available and were a more prominent ingredient in the diet of the poor and slaves. (3) The food is an indicator of the Egyptian cultural identity of the Israelites – the Bible identifies the longing for the fish and vegetables characteristic of their Egyptian diet as a sign of the Israelites’ cultural and mental affiliation with Egypt. Although they left Egypt physically, they remained affiliated with Egyptian culture and identity. Contribution: This article contributes to the understanding of the biblical story of the ‘desirers’ (Nm 11:4–6) from a multidisplinary perspective. It combines the fields of ancient Egyptian agriculture, nutrition, culture and research on features of immigrants’ foods.