qa.li denotes a food item presented with bread, grain, legumes, or meals in the cited verses.

The attested uses present qa.li as a food item: it is taken to David's brothers, loaded among provisions, brought with grain and legumes, offered at a meal, and named among foods not to be eaten before an offering.

1. A food item among provisions and meals · dominant

   All occurrences use a common masculine singular absolute noun in food contexts. In 1 Samuel 17:17 the APB renders qa.li within provisions sent to David's brothers; in 1 Samuel 25:18 and 2 Samuel 17:28 it occurs in lists of food supplies, while Ruth 2:14 places it in the food Boaz offers at mealtime and Leviticus 23:14 names it among foods not to be eaten before the offering.

   1 Samuel 17:171 Samuel 25:182 Samuel 17:28Leviticus 23:14Ruth 2:14

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the cited verses, the APB presents the noun as "roasted grain," whether in provisions, a meal, or a food restriction. This rendering confirms the food context without establishing finer distinctions.