Dictionary entry

Melons

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

mel'-unz (`abhattichim; compare Arabic battikh, the "water melon"; pepones): InNu 11:5, the melon is referred to as common in Egypt, and there can be no doubt that the variety indicated is the watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) which is indigenous in tropical Africa. It has been cultivated in Egypt since the earliest times.