CUMMIN . The seed of an umbelliferous plant, the Cuminum cyminum (syriacum) , widely cultivated in and around Palestine. It is used to flavour dishes, and, more particularly, bread; in flavour and appearance it resembles carraway; it has long been credited with medicinal properties; it certainly is a carminative. It is even now beaten out with rods ( Isaiah 28:27 ). Tithes of cummin were paid by the Jews ( Matthew 23:23 ).
E. W. G. Masterman.