Lexical Summary lashad: To moisten, to anoint Original Word: לְשַׁד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fresh, moisture From an unused root of uncertain meaning; apparently juice, i.e. (figuratively) vigor; also a sweet or fat cake -- fresh, moisture. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition juice, juicy or dainty bit, a dainty NASB Translation cakes baked (1), vitality (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [לָשָׁד] noun masculine juice, juicy or dainty bit, dainty; — construct כְּטַעַן לְשַׁד הַשָּׁ֑מֶן Numbers 11:8 (J) simile of taste of manna (ᵐ5 ἐγκρίς, ᵑ9 panis oleatus), i.e. a dainty prepared with oil (compare Di); לְשַׁדִּי בְּחַרְבֹנֵי קַיִץ נֶהְמַּךְ Psalm 32:4 my juice (sap, life-moisture) is transformed, etc. לשׁך (√ of foll; meaning unknown). Topical Lexicon Overview Leshad evokes the idea of fresh sap or vital moisture—the life-giving essence that keeps a plant green and pliable. Scripture employs the term twice to illumine contrasting scenes: supernatural abundance in the wilderness and soul-draining dryness under conviction of sin. Together they draw a vivid theology of divine provision versus human depletion apart from grace. Occurrences and Immediate Contexts 1. Numbers 11:8 describes manna: “And the taste of it was like pastry baked with oil”. Here leshad qualifies “oil,” portraying the manna’s flavor as that of rich, nourishing freshness. Literal Connotations of Vital Moisture Ancient agrarian Israel knew that a tree’s inner sap enabled fruitfulness. Without it, branches grew brittle and barren. By choosing leshad, the inspired authors summon a sensory image— fragrant oil on the tongue, sap in the stem, or, conversely, its alarming absence. Numbers 11:8: Manna as Nourishment from the Lord In the Sinai narrative, leshad underscores that manna was not a thin gruel but food endowed with a satisfying, oil-rich taste. The Lord supplied more than bare calories; He gave sustenance that delighted. The term thus magnifies His covenant kindness and rebukes the people’s later craving for Egypt’s fare. New-covenant readers detect a type of Christ, the true bread from heaven whose life is “abundant” rather than meager. Psalm 32:4: The Withering of Unconfessed Sin David’s poetic confession employs leshad to depict interior drought. The king’s physical vigor mirrored his spiritual state: joyless, sapless, parched. Yet verse 5 flashes hope: confession restores vitality. The sap returns when sin’s obstruction is removed, foreshadowing the cleansing secured at the cross. Theological Themes: Covenant Provision and Divine Discipline Leshad bridges two key principles: Both passages uphold His consistency—mercy to nourish, holiness to chasten. Ministry Significance Pastors, counselors, and teachers may draw on leshad to illustrate: Christological Reflection Jesus embodies the truest leshad. His Spirit supplies “rivers of living water” (John 7:38), reversing the drought of guilt and empowering fruitful witness. Conversely, believers who “grieve the Spirit” (Ephesians 4:30) may experience a Psalm 32 dryness until restoration. Practical Application for Believers Today • Approach Scripture and prayer as daily manna, expecting not bland duty but oil-rich flavor. Thus leshad, though sparingly used, contributes a potent reminder: God alone maintains the inner sap of life; His people flourish when they receive it in faith and lose it when they resist His hand. Forms and Transliterations לְשַׁ֥ד לְשַׁדִּ֑י לשד לשדי lə·šaḏ lə·šad·dî ləšaḏ ləšaddî leShad leshadDiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 11:8 HEB: טַעְמ֔וֹ כְּטַ֖עַם לְשַׁ֥ד הַשָּֽׁמֶן׃ NAS: was as the taste of cakes baked with oil. KJV: of it was as the taste of fresh oil. INT: taste was as the taste of cakes oil Psalm 32:4 2 Occurrences |
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