Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
BAR'LEY. Ex 9:31. A well-known species of grain used for bread, Jud 7:13; John 6:9-13, and also as food for horses and dromedaries. 1 Kgs 4:28. Barley-harvest, Ruth 1:22, usually comes in April — earlier at Jericho, later on the hills. It precedes wheat-harvest about three weeks in Palestine and a month in Egypt. " Jud 7:13. " — Thomson. The same fact adds force to Eze 13:19, and elucidates Hos 3:2 and Num 5:15.