How widespread its use was can be traced through the Bible record, which shows that by about the year 1513 B.C.E., the people of Israel longed for the onions they had eaten while in Egyptian servitude. ​ — Numbers 11: 5.
Selle laialdasele kasutusele viitab näiteks Piibli jutustus sellest, kuidas umbes aastal 1513 e.m.a väljendasid iisraellased oma igatsust sibulate järele, mida nad Egiptuses orjuses olles olid söönud.