Lexical Summary ashish: Cake, raisin cake Original Word: אָשִׁישׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance foundation From the same as 'esh (in the sense of pressing down firmly; compare 'ashuwyah); a (ruined) foundation -- foundation. see HEBREW 'esh see HEBREW 'ashuwyah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee ashishah. Topical Lexicon Definition and Symbolic Imagery אָשִׁישׁ (ashish) denotes a “pressed cake,” most naturally of raisins. The product is compact, sweet, shelf-stable, and energy-dense—qualities that made it a staple for travelers, shepherds, and armies in the Ancient Near East. The idea of something “pressed together” also supplies an evocative image of compressed joy or concentrated goodness. Scripture occasionally extends this culinary item into a metaphor for festive celebration, covenant generosity, and, in Isaiah 16:7, lament over lost abundance. Singular Occurrence Isaiah 16:7 contains the only canonical instance of the specific form ashish: “Therefore the people of Moab will wail; they will wail together for Moab. They will mourn for the raisin cakes of Kir-hareseth.”. The prophecy pictures Moab’s economic collapse: even the luxury items that once characterized its markets and religious feasts disappear, prompting national grief. The raisin cake thus becomes a barometer of prosperity removed under divine judgment. Cultural and Historical Background 1. Everyday Provision. Dried-fruit cakes supplied quick nourishment before widespread grain milling or refined sugar. Their durability made them valuable provisions for herdsmen and traders crossing arid terrain. Theological Significance 1. Judgment Proportionate to Privilege. The luxury of raisin cakes signals a people enjoying God’s common grace. Moab’s downfall shows how privilege neglected becomes grounds for sharper discipline (Isaiah 16:6-7). Ministry Applications • Preaching on Isaiah 16 may highlight how modern luxuries—technology, entertainment, gourmet foods—parallel Moab’s raisin cakes. They are good gifts but poor saviors. Connections to Christ and the Gospel Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life (John 6:35), offers a sustenance surpassing any earthly delicacy. Where Moab mourned the loss of ashish, believers possess “an inheritance that is imperishable” (1 Peter 1:4). The raisin cake’s compression of sweetness foreshadows the concentrated grace of the cross: one act, once for all, preserving life eternally (Hebrews 7:27). Devotional Reflection Believers may pray: “Lord, teach me to enjoy Your gifts without idolizing them. Should You remove lesser sweets, keep my heart satisfied in Christ alone.” Forms and Transliterations לַאֲשִׁישֵׁ֧י לאשישי la’ăšîšê la·’ă·šî·šê laashiSheiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 16:7 HEB: כֻּלֹּ֣ה יְיֵלִ֑יל לַאֲשִׁישֵׁ֧י קִיר־ חֲרֶ֛שֶׂת KJV: every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth INT: everyone will wail the foundations of Kir-hareseth will moan 1 Occurrence |
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