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אָשִׁישׁ

𐤀𐤔𐤉𐤔

ʼâshîysh

H808 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אָשׁ to press, compress

Definition

A pressed cake, typically of dried fruit such as raisins or figs; in some contexts, a compacted mass or loaf used as food; usage in the Hebrew Bible associates it with festive or ritual contexts, particularly as a celebratory or valued food item. The term does not denote a 'foundation' but refers specifically to a type of food product.

Semantic Range

pressed cake, raisin cake, fig cake, compacted fruit loaf, ceremonial or festive food item

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root אָשׁ (ʾāsh), possibly referring to 'pressing' or 'compressing.' While Strong's suggests a connection with roots meaning 'press' or 'firm foundation,' the actual attested meaning is a compacted or pressed cake, usually of fruit. There is no evidence supporting its use as 'foundation.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

אָשִׁישׁ appears in poetic and narrative contexts (e.g., 2 Samuel 6:19; Song of Songs 2:5; Hosea 3:1). In these passages, it refers to a food item—raisin or fig cake—offered on festive or cultic occasions. Its distribution in the Hebrew Bible suggests a valued, possibly luxurious or ceremonial treat, closely associated with moments of communal celebration. The rendering as 'foundation' is not supported in biblical usage; such a gloss likely arises from misunderstanding the root or from later lexicographic confusion with unrelated terms. Modern translations sometimes render it as 'raisin cakes,' which accurately captures the referenced food product. The term is distinct from other Hebrew words for loaves or cakes, such as עֻגָה (ʿugah) or קִקָּרוֹת (qikkarot), which denote different forms of baked goods or cakes.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as אֵשׁ (in the sense of pressing down firmly; compare אֲשׁוּיָה); a (ruined) foundation; foundation.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אשׁ (ʾ-š) — pressing, compressing

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H784 אֵשׁ in the fire
H785 אֵשׁ fire
H787 אֹשׁ the foundations
H800 אֶשָּׁה from their altar-fire
H801 אִשָּׁה the fire-offering

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H808-01 לַ/אֲשִׁישֵׁ֧י laashishey HR/Ncmpc for the raisin cakes of pressed fruit-cakes of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H808-01 Isaiah 16:7 לַ/אֲשִׁישֵׁ֧י laashishey HR/Ncmpc for the raisin cakes of pressed fruit-cakes of
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