אֶשְׁכּוֹל (H811) — Hebrew Lexicon

אֶשְׁכּוֹל

𐤀𐤔𐤊𐤅𐤋

ʼeshkôwl

H811 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אׁשך to cluster, to bunch, to gather closely

Definition

A cluster or bunch, particularly of grapes or other fruit, often as a unit still attached to a stalk. The term designates the natural grouping of small fruits such as grapes, generally signifying fertility, abundance, or a physical yield, but also used more generally for any analogous gathering or cluster (e.g., clusters of blossoms).

Semantic Range

cluster of grapes, cluster of fruit, cluster of blossoms, bunch (as a grouped unit attached to a stalk); figurative or symbolic for abundance or fertility

Root / Etymology

From the root אשׁך (possibly related to 'to clump together'), though the exact derivation is uncertain. The lexical form אֶשְׁכּוֹל (ʼeshkōl) is a noun referring to a cluster; the root אשׁך, if valid, conveys the general idea of gathering or bunching. Etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The word אֶשְׁכּוֹל occurs in both literal and symbolic contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible. Most frequently, it describes a cluster of grapes (e.g., Num 13:23–24, describing the enormous cluster brought from the Valley of Eshkol by the scouts). The term is also used for clusters of other fruits or flowers (Song 1:14). It functions as a direct descriptor of agricultural abundance or blessing, particularly in passages concerned with produce or fertility. In a few instances, the proper place-name ʾĒshkōl (Valley of Eshkol; Num 13:24; 32:9; Deut 1:24) takes its name from these clusters, likely in reference to local fertility or grape production. The root is not widely used outside of these contexts, and the word has no direct relation to tribal or ethnic terms. In English translations, the rendering 'cluster' is generally accurate but can obscure the culturally loaded image of fruitfulness or yield central in ancient Israelite (and broader Levantine) agrarian symbolism.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or אֶשְׁכֹּל; probably prolonged from אֶשֶׁךְ; a bunch of grapes or other fruit; cluster (of grapes).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אשך (ʾ-š-k) — to cluster, to bunch, to gather closely

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H810	אֶשֶׁךְ	testicle

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`H811-04`	אֶשְׁכּ֣וֹל	eshekol	`HNcmsa`	a cluster	Cluster	2
`H811-06`	כְּ/אֶשְׁכְּל֣וֹת	keeshekelot	`HR/Ncmpc`	like-clusters	like clusters of	1
`H811-07`	לְ/אַשְׁכֹּלֽוֹת	leashekolot	`HR/Ncmpa`	to clusters	to clusters	1
`H811-01`	אַשְׁכְּלֹ֥ת	ashekelot	`HNcmpc`	their clusters	clusters of	1
`H811-05`	הָֽ/אֶשְׁכּ֔וֹל	haeshekol	`HTd/Ncmsa`	the cluster	the fruit-cluster	1
`H811-03`	בָּֽ/אֶשְׁכּ֔וֹל	baeshekol	`HRd/Ncmsa`	in the cluster	in a cluster	1
`H811-02`	אַשְׁכְּלֹתֶ֖י/הָ	ashekeloteyha	`HNcmpc/Sp3fs`	the clusters of	her clusters	1
`H811-08`	וְ/אֶשְׁכּ֤וֹל	veeshekol	`HC/Ncmsc`	with a cluster	cluster of	1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`H811-02`	Genesis 40:10	אַשְׁכְּלֹתֶ֖י/הָ	ashekeloteyha	`HNcmpc/Sp3fs`	the clusters of	her clusters
`H811-08`	Numbers 13:23	וְ/אֶשְׁכּ֤וֹל	veeshekol	`HC/Ncmsc`	with a cluster	cluster of
`H811-05`	Numbers 13:24	הָֽ/אֶשְׁכּ֔וֹל	haeshekol	`HTd/Ncmsa`	the cluster	the fruit-cluster
`H811-01`	Deuteronomy 32:32	אַשְׁכְּלֹ֥ת	ashekelot	`HNcmpc`	their clusters	clusters of
`H811-03`	Isaiah 65:8	בָּֽ/אֶשְׁכּ֔וֹל	baeshekol	`HRd/Ncmsa`	in the cluster	in a cluster
`H811-04`	Micah 7:1	אֶשְׁכּ֣וֹל	eshekol	`HNcmsa`	cluster	Cluster
`H811-04`	Song of Songs 1:14	אֶשְׁכֹּ֨ל	eshekol	`HNcmsc`	a cluster	Cluster
`H811-07`	Song of Songs 7:8	לְ/אַשְׁכֹּלֽוֹת	leashekolot	`HR/Ncmpa`	to clusters	to clusters
`H811-06`	Song of Songs 7:9	כְּ/אֶשְׁכְּל֣וֹת	keeshekelot	`HR/Ncmpc`	like-clusters	like clusters of

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