Lexical Summary debelah: Cake of pressed figs Original Word: דְּבֵלָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cake lump of figs From an unused root (akin to zabal) probably meaning to press together; a cake of pressed figs -- cake (lump) of figs. see HEBREW zabal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a lump (of pressed figs), a pressed (fig) cake NASB Translation cake (2), cakes of figs (1), fig cake (1), fig cakes (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs דְּבֵלָה noun feminine lump of pressed figs, pressed (fig-) cake (Late Hebrew דְּבֵילָה, Aram id., ![]() ![]() Topical Lexicon Debelah – Cakes of Dried FigsAgricultural and Dietary Setting Ancient Israel’s warm, semi-arid climate allowed figs to be sun-dried, pressed into dense disks, and stored year-round. These portable “cakes” supplied concentrated sugars, minerals, and fiber, making them a strategic staple for travelers, soldiers, and households. Their durability also made them ideal tribute and gift items. Provision for the Lord’s Anointed (1 Samuel 25:18; 1 Samuel 30:12) Abigail hastened to intercept David with a peace-offering that included “a hundred cakes of pressed figs” (1 Samuel 25:18). Her discernment preserved her household and affirmed David’s future kingship. Later, when David’s men pursued the Amalekites, an abandoned Egyptian slave was revived with “a cake of pressed figs and two clusters of raisins” (1 Samuel 30:12). In both narratives the fig cake becomes a tangible means by which God sustains the life and mission of His chosen servant. The episodes illustrate the biblical pattern that the Lord often meets spiritual needs through ordinary, well-prepared generosity. Medicinal Uses and Divine Healing (2 Kings 20:7; Isaiah 38:21) When King Hezekiah lay terminally ill, Isaiah ordered, “Take a lump of pressed figs.” Applied to the inflamed boil, “they prepared it and applied it to the boil, and he recovered” (2 Kings 20:7; cf. Isaiah 38:21). While simple by modern standards, the poultice underscores three truths: 1. Healing ultimately comes from God, yet He often employs created means. Celebratory Hospitality and Covenant Unity (1 Chronicles 12:40) As David’s supporters from every tribe assembled at Hebron, the text records they brought abundant provisions, including “fig cakes” (1 Chronicles 12:40). The shared meal sealed national solidarity around God’s chosen king. In covenant culture, eating together ratified loyalty; the presence of fig cakes evokes images of settled prosperity in the land promised to Abraham. Symbolic and Theological Themes 1. Sustenance in Wilderness – Fig cakes join manna (Exodus 16) and Elijah’s hearth cakes (1 Kings 19:6) in portraying God’s faithful provision in transitional seasons. Practical Ministry Applications • Strategic Generosity: Believers can mirror Abigail’s foresight, supplying missionaries, pastors, and the vulnerable with timely, thoughtful resources. Key References 1 Samuel 25:18; 1 Samuel 30:12; 2 Kings 20:7; 1 Chronicles 12:40; Isaiah 38:21 Forms and Transliterations דְּבֵלִ֑ים דְּבֵלִ֨ים דְּבֵלָ֜ה דְּבֶ֣לֶת דבלה דבלים דבלת וְצִמּוּקִ֧ים וצמוקים də·ḇê·lāh də·ḇe·leṯ də·ḇê·lîm dəḇêlāh dəḇeleṯ dəḇêlîm deveLah deVelet deveLim vetzimmuKim wə·ṣim·mū·qîm wəṣimmūqîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 25:18 HEB: צִמֻּקִ֖ים וּמָאתַ֣יִם דְּבֵלִ֑ים וַתָּ֖שֶׂם עַל־ NAS: and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded KJV: and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid INT: clusters hundred cakes and loaded on 1 Samuel 30:12 2 Kings 20:7 1 Chronicles 12:40 1 Chronicles 12:40 Isaiah 38:21 6 Occurrences |