Esther 1:5-6 mentions cotton, also called vine wool. The Hebrew word is karpas. Several species were grown for the hairs attached to the seed. These hairs are used to weave thread that is then weaved into fabric.

Cultivation: Grow in full sun where it will receive adequate moisture. Weevils are a serious pest. Cotton takes a long growing season and may not form seed heads in colder climates.

Cumin -- Cuminum cyminum

Isaiah discusses the method used to thresh cumin in Isaiah 28:23-29. Unleavened bread contained cumin seeds. Today, most chili powder contains cumin.

Cultivation: Cumin is a hardy annual plant. Start the seeds in the spring before it is warm enough to plant it outside.

Dandelions -- Taraxacum officinale

Dandelions originated in Europe. They were already being cultivated during Moses' lifetime. It is believed that dandelions were part of the bitter herbs mentioned in Exodus 12:8. Bitter herbs are part of the Passover meal. Even today, dandelion roots are used in wine and have been ground for use as a coffee substitute. Use the new spring leaves in salads.

Cultivation: Dandelions are hardy to -40° F. They will grow in any type soil and bloom from spring-to start of winter months. I strongly suggest removing dead blossoms before seed heads form. If you don't, your lawn will soon have many dandelion plants.

Dill -- Anethum graveolens

Matthew 23:23 discusses tithing herbs. Any herb that was tithed was grown as a crop plant. Unfortunately, the Hebrew word for dill was incorrectly translated as anise in English speaking Bibles. Dill has many uses. All aboveground parts of the plant are used for seasoning and in herbal medicine. In the Roman Empire, dill leaves were used in wreaths worn by athletes and other heroes.

Cultivation: Dill is an easy to grow annual. Locate in a place protected from strong winds. It needs a soil with a pH of 6.0. The soil should be fairly rich, well drained and moist. It will grow best in the full sun. The seeds should be harvested unless you want the plant to self-seed for future years.

Endive -- Cichorium endiva

Endive is related to the chicory plant. Its origins are unknown but it was indigenous to ancient Egypt where it was used as one of the bitter herbs of the Passover (Exodus 12:8, Numbers 9:11). The plant is used in salads throughout the world today.

Cultivation: Grow as you would lettuce. Use the leaves in salads.