אֲשִׁישָׁה (a.shi.shah)
a.shi.shah
raisin bun
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun ašîšâ refers to a pressed cake made from dried grapes, essentially a concentrated form of raisins. In the Hebrew Bible, this food item appears in five verses, most notably within the poetic imagery of Song of Solomon and the prophetic warnings of Isaiah. It represents a simple, preserved staple that would have been familiar to ancient Israelites as a source of quick energy and sweetness.
While the word literally denotes a solid cake, its translation history reveals an interesting shift in understanding. The King James Version consistently renders it as "flagon of wine," likely interpreting the term through the lens of liquid extraction or festive consumption. However, lexical sources like Brown-Driver-Briggs and Strong’s clarify that the primary meaning is the solid raisin-cake itself, often associated with sacrificial feasts or celebratory meals rather than just the drink produced from them.
This distinction highlights how cultural context influences translation. The image of a dense, sweet cake fits the intimate, sensory language of Song of Solomon, where such foods symbolize delight and sustenance. In Isaiah 16:7, the mention of these cakes underscores the devastation of Moab’s vineyards, turning a symbol of abundance into a marker of loss. The word thus bridges the gap between agricultural reality and theological metaphor.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ašîšâ refers to a dense cake made from pressed dried grapes. In ancient Israel, this was more than just a snack; it was a concentrated source of energy and sweetness. When David distributed these cakes in II Samuel, he was sharing tangible sustenance with the people. This act reminds us that God cares about our physical needs as well as our spiritual state.
In the Song of Solomon, the imagery is intimate and sensory. The beloved asks to be strengthened with raisins, linking food with emotional refreshment. It suggests that simple pleasures can bring comfort during times of faintness or longing. We are invited to appreciate the goodness in everyday provisions.
Conversely, Isaiah uses this image to describe loss. When Moab’s vineyards fail, the absence of these cakes becomes a marker of devastation. This contrast shows how deeply rooted food was in their identity. Whether in celebration or mourning, the raisin cake connects us to the reality of our seasons and the God who provides for them.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ a raisin-cake2×
- with <the>/ raisin-cakes1×
- for/ [the] raisin-cakes of1×
- <of> cakes of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַ/אֲשִׁישֵׁ֧י1×
- וַ/אֲשִׁישָֽׁה\׃1×
- וַ/אֲשִׁישָׁ֖ה1×
- בָּֽ/אֲשִׁישׁ֔וֹת1×
- אֲשִׁישֵׁ֥י1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 6:19
He gave to all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a portion of bread, dates, and raisins. So all the people departed, each to his own house.
This verse highlights the communal aspect of provision, showing how David used these cakes to bless the entire multitude of Israel.
-
Song of Solomon 2:5
Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples; for I am faint with love.
Here the raisin cake is a symbol of personal refreshment and strength in the context of deep emotional longing.
-
Isaiah 16:7
Therefore Moab will wail for Moab. Everyone will wail. You will mourn for the raisin cakes of Kir Hareseth, utterly stricken.
The prophet uses the absence of these cakes to vividly illustrate the economic and spiritual devastation facing Moab.