In Second Kings, chapter four, verse thirty-nine, unlike the affluent lifestyle of the wealthy, the way of life for the “sons of the prophets” was simple, involving faithful service and self-denial. One of the sons of the prophets, probably, went out into the neighboring country and looked about for any wild fruits or vegetables that he could see anywhere. Wild herbs are extensively used by the people in the East, even those with vegetable gardens. They search these fields for mallow, asparagus, and other wild plants.
The “sons of the prophets” found a wild vine. Not a wild grapevine, the fruit of which would have been harmless, but some cucurbitaceous plant with tendrils and a growth like the vine. However, they were wild creepers, field creepers resembling vines and having gathered his lap full of wild cucumbers. Then, they brought these wild fruits or vegetables home and cut them into the vegetable pot because they did not know them.
As for the gourds, the exact kind of gourd is uncertain. The type of gourd, the egg-shaped fruit, has a bitter taste and bursts when ripe at a slight touch, squirting out sap and seeds. But the prickly fruit of this plant could hardly be thought to fit for pottage.
Today, herbs are good for medicine and maintaining overall good health. Here are some examples in the Bible. In John nineteen, verse thirty-nine, ” He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.” Other notables of herbs in the scripture are anise, mint, and cummin in Matthew twenty-three, verse twenty-three, balm and myrrh from Genesis thrity-seven, verse twenty-five, and bitter herbs mention in Exodus twelve, verse eight, respectively. Cassia and sweet cane in Ezekiel twenty-seven, verse nineteen, fragrant cinnamon and calamus in Exodus thirty, verse twenty-three, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic from Numbers fifteen, verse eleven, hyssop in Psalms fifty-one, verse seven. A little balm, honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds, as in Genesis forty-three, verse eleven, saffron and the finest spices in Song of Solomon four, verse fourteen, respectively.