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אֲשִׁישָׁה

𐤀𐤔𐤉𐤔𐤄

ʼăshîyshâh

H809 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אשׁשׁ to press, compress

Definition

A pressed cake, most often of dried fruits (typically raisins or figs), prepared by tightly compressing the fruit into a dense loaf or patty form for preservation and consumption. The term denotes a tangible, usually edible object, and is used primarily to describe festive or celebratory food items distributed or consumed in ritual or communal settings. In biblical contexts, it generally refers to a portion of such food given during feasts, celebrations, or cultic events.

Semantic Range

pressed fruit-cake, cake of raisins, cake of figs, festive pressed cake

Root / Etymology

From the root אָשׁשׁ (אשׁשׁ), meaning 'to press, compress'. The noun אֲשִׁישָׁה derives from this notion of compression, and in the feminine (אֲשִׁישָׁה) refers specifically to something pressed together — typically fruit pressed into cakes.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The אֲשִׁישָׁה appears in texts describing ritual, royal, or festive generosity (e.g., distributed by David in 2 Samuel 6:19 and 1 Chronicles 16:3; mentioned in the Song of Songs 2:5 as a food associated with strength or reviving). The Septuagint sometimes renders it with terms referencing pressed cakes or raisin-cakes, while older English translations (notably KJV) sometimes used 'flagon' (i.e., 'vessel'), a rendering not supported by linguistic usage. The אֲשִׁישָׁה is distinct from צִמּוּקִים (dried grapes/raisins) and דְּבֵלָה (pressed date cake). Its common association with celebrations or cultic occasions may indicate a symbolic aspect to its use. Use across biblical periods appears limited to the monarchic and exilic mentions; there is no evidence of the term as a regular dietary staple, and it is not used as a designation for liquid offerings or vessels. Later Jewish tradition and modern Hebrew retain the sense of a fruit-cake, though the ingredients and preparation may differ.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of אָשִׁישׁ; something closely pressed together, i.e. a cake of raisins or other comfits; flagon.

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Root Family

אשׁשׁ (ʾ-š-š) — to press, compress

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H809-03 וַ/אֲשִׁישָׁ֖ה vaashishah HC/Ncfsa and a cake of raisins and a pressed fruit-cake 2
H809-01 אֲשִׁישֵׁ֥י ashishey HNcfpc cakes of pressed fruit-cakes of 1
H809-02 בָּֽ/אֲשִׁישׁ֔וֹת baashishot HRd/Ncfpa with raisin cakes pressed fruit-cakes 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H809-03 2 Samuel 6:19 וַ/אֲשִׁישָׁ֖ה vaashishah HC/Ncfsa and a raisin cake and a pressed fruit-cake
H809-01 Hosea 3:1 אֲשִׁישֵׁ֥י ashishey HNcfpc cakes of pressed fruit-cakes of
H809-02 Song of Songs 2:5 בָּֽ/אֲשִׁישׁ֔וֹת baashishot HRd/Ncfpa with raisin cakes pressed fruit-cakes
H809-03 1 Chronicles 16:3 וַ/אֲשִׁישָֽׁה vaashishah HC/Ncfsa and a cake of raisins and a pressed fruit-cake
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