Lexical Summary ashishah: Raisin cake, pressed cake of raisins Original Word: אֲשִׁישָׁה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance flagon Feminine of 'ashiysh; something closely pressed together, i.e. A cake of raisins or other comfits -- flagon. see HEBREW 'ashiysh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ashash Definition a raisin cake NASB Translation cakes (1), raisin cake (1), raisin cakes (2), raisin* (1), raisins (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֲשִׁישָׁה noun feminine (pressed) raisin-cake — ׳א 2 Samuel 6:19; 1 Chronicles 16:3 distributed, with other viands, to people; especially as stimulating, plural אֲשִׁישׁוֺת Songs 2:5; more explicitly אֲשִׁישֵׁי עֲנָבִים Hosea 3:1 used in sacrificial feasts (compare RSOTJC Lect. xi. n. 7); אֲשִׁישֵׁי קִיר חֲרֶשֶׂת Isaiah 16:7, i.e. the raisin-cakes which were an article of trade at Qir-hareseth (taken by Thes and others = foundations, i.e. foundations exposed by ruin, from [אָשִׁישׁ] with such a meaning). אֵ֫שֶׁת see אִשָּׁה below III. אנשׁ. Topical Lexicon Culinary Description and Cultural Setting The אֲשִׁישָׁה was a compact cake made chiefly from pressed raisins, sometimes augmented with flour, honey, or spices. In the ancient Near East dried fruit preserved the harvest and provided concentrated energy, so raisin cakes became prized for journeys, military campaigns, and festive gatherings. Because vineyards were a marker of covenant blessing (Deuteronomy 8:7-10), a product derived from grapes naturally carried celebratory overtones. Role in Covenant Celebrations Both royal narratives record David’s distribution of raisin cakes when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem: “Then he gave to all the people of Israel, both men and women, a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake” (2 Samuel 6:19; see also 1 Chronicles 16:3). The gift provided immediate nourishment, but it also signified shared participation in Yahweh’s restored presence. The king’s largesse modeled how covenant fellowship unites civil and spiritual life, turning a political procession into communal worship. Symbolism of Sustenance and Love In the Song of Songs the bride pleads, “Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love” (Song of Songs 2:5). Here the raisin cake serves as a romantic metaphor: love is both delightful and depleting, requiring replenishment from nature’s richest produce. The poem elevates married love while anchoring it in God’s good creation; the אֲשִׁישָׁה becomes a tasteful emblem of covenant intimacy. Prophetic Illustration of Unfaithfulness Hosea’s marriage parable employs the same food in a sombre key. The prophet is commanded to love “a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the raisin cakes” (Hosea 3:1). Here the delicacy typifies Israel’s misdirected appetites. What was meant to honor the Lord in festival settings had degenerated into idolatrous indulgence. The contrast exposes how good gifts can become stumbling blocks when severed from obedience. Ministry Applications Today 1. Celebration with Discernment: The raisin cake reminds believers that food and festivity are appropriate responses to God’s presence, provided thanksgiving remains central. Related Scripture Themes • Vineyard imagery of blessing: Numbers 13:23-24; Psalm 104:15; Isaiah 25:6 The אֲשִׁישָׁה thus moves through Scripture from joyful worship, to conjugal refreshment, to prophetic rebuke—each occurrence reinforcing that every earthly delight is safest and sweetest when received in covenant fidelity to the Lord. Forms and Transliterations אֲשִׁישֵׁ֥י אשישי בָּֽאֲשִׁישׁ֔וֹת באשישות וַאֲשִׁישָֽׁה׃ וַאֲשִׁישָׁ֖ה ואשישה ואשישה׃ ’ă·šî·šê ’ăšîšê ashiShei bā’ăšîšōwṯ bā·’ă·šî·šō·wṯ baashiShot vaashiShah wa’ăšîšāh wa·’ă·šî·šāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 6:19 HEB: וְאֶשְׁפָּ֣ר אֶחָ֔ד וַאֲשִׁישָׁ֖ה אֶחָ֑ת וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ NAS: and one of raisins to each KJV: and a good piece [of flesh], and a flagon [of wine]. So all the people INT: of dates and one of raisins and one departed 1 Chronicles 16:3 Songs 2:5 Hosea 3:1 4 Occurrences |
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