35. abiyyonah

Lexicon

abiyyonah: Longing, desire

Original Word: אֲבִיּוֹנָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: abiyownah
Pronunciation: ah-bee-yoh-NAH
Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ee-yo-naw')
Definition: Longing, desire
Meaning: provocative of desire, the caper berry

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

desire

From 'abah; provocative of desire; the caper berry (from its stimulative taste) -- desire.

see HEBREW 'abah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from abah
Definition
the caperberry
NASB Translation
caperberry (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אֲבִיּוֺנָה noun feminine caper-berry (as stimulating desire) Ecclesiastes 12:5 (see GFM^{JBL 1891, 55 ff.}; so ᵐ5 ᵑ9, Mishna אביונות, compare NHWB; see also ᵑ6; i.e. capparis spinosa, compare Ri^HWB; so Thes, Ew De, etc.; but Wetzst in De (German ed. 1875) proposes אֶבְיוֺנָה (as feminine of אביון) the poor soul in sense = נִשְׁמָתוֺ הָאֶבְיוֺנָה compare Symm ᵑ6, where double translation).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root אָבָה (avah), meaning "to desire" or "to wish."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct corresponding Strong's Greek entries for אֲבִיּוֹנָה, as the concept of the caper berry and its metaphorical use in Ecclesiastes is unique to the Hebrew text. However, the Greek Septuagint translation of Ecclesiastes 12:5 uses the word κάππαρις (kapparis) to refer to the caper berry, which aligns with the Hebrew אֲבִיּוֹנָה.

Usage: The term אֲבִיּוֹנָה appears in the context of its stimulating properties, often associated with its ability to provoke desire or appetite. It is specifically mentioned in the context of its effects on human vitality and desire.

Context: The Hebrew word אֲבִיּוֹנָה (aviyonah) is found in Ecclesiastes 12:5, where it is translated as "caper berry" in the Berean Standard Bible (BSB). The verse reads: "when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and the caper berry has no effect—for then man goes to his eternal home and mourners walk the streets."

In this passage, the caper berry is used metaphorically to describe the diminishing desires and vitality associated with old age. The caper berry, known for its stimulating properties, is contrasted with the decline of physical and sensual appetites as one approaches the end of life. The imagery of the caper berry "having no effect" underscores the theme of life's fleeting nature and the inevitable decline of human strength and desire.

The caper plant, Capparis spinosa, is native to the Mediterranean region and is known for its edible flower buds and berries. In ancient times, the caper berry was valued not only for its culinary uses but also for its reputed aphrodisiac qualities. This association with desire and stimulation is reflected in the biblical usage of אֲבִיּוֹנָה.

Forms and Transliterations

הָֽאֲבִיּוֹנָ֑ה האביונה hā’ăḇîyōwnāh hā·’ă·ḇî·yō·w·nāh haaviyoNah

Englishman's Concordance

Ecclesiastes 12:5
HEB: הֶֽחָגָ֔ב וְתָפֵ֖ר הָֽאֲבִיּוֹנָ֑ה כִּֽי־ הֹלֵ֤ךְ
NAS: drags himself along, and the caperberry is ineffective.
KJV: shall be a burden, and desire shall fail:
INT: the grasshopper is ineffective and the caperberry for goes

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 35
1 Occurrence

hā·’ă·ḇî·yō·w·nāh — 1 Occ.