Lexical Summary eshkol: Cluster Original Word: אֶשְׁכּוֹל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cluster of grapes Or meshkol {esh-kole'}; probably prolonged from 'eshek; a bunch of grapes or other fruit -- cluster (of grapes). see HEBREW 'eshek NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a cluster NASB Translation cluster (5), clusters (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֶשְׁכּוֺל (אֶשְׁכֹּל Cant 7:8) noun masculineNumbers 13:23 cluster (Ethiopic  , Arabic  , Aramaic אִיתְכְּלָא; etymology dubious; Thes MV below √ שׁכל, but no suitable meaning proven; Sta§ 258; 300 derives from √ אשׁך with afformative ל) — ׳א absolute Numbers 13:24 +; construct Numbers 13:23 +; plural אַשְׁכֹּלוֺת Cant 7:8; construct אַשְׁכְּלֹת Deuteronomy 32:32, אֶשְׁכְּלוֺת Cant 7:9; suffix אַשְׁכְּלֹתֶיהָ Genesis 40:10; — 1 cluster of grapes, עֲנָבִים ׳א Numbers 13:23 compare Numbers 13:24; see also Genesis 40:10 הִבְשִׁילוּ עֲנָבִים ׳א its clusters ripened grapes; hence figurative of deeds of enemies of Israel, clusters of gall have they Deuteronomy 32:32 ("" עִנְבֵי רוֺשׁ); figurative of Israel Isaiah 65:8 ׳יִמָּצֵא הַתִּירוֺשׁ בְּא; Micah 7:1 אֵין אֶשְׁכּוֺל לֶאֱכוֺל figurative of desolation of Israel under Yahweh's judgment; Cant 7:9 in simile שָׁדַיִךְ כְּאֶשְׁכְּלוֺת הַגֶּפֶן compare Songs 7:8 (where Thes MV think of clusters of dates, see תָּמָר palm-tree, ib.) 2 cluster of henna-flowers, הַכֹּפֶר ׳א (see כפר), metaphor of the beloved one Songs 1:14. (compare GrünwaldIsrael. Letterbode, Amst., xi. 148 f.) Topical Lexicon Agricultural Setting Eshkol denotes a “cluster,” especially of grapes, the most recognizable unit of produce in Israel’s vineyards. Because grapes were harvested in bunches rather than singly, the term came to express abundance, unity, and ripeness. A cluster holds potential wine, oil (from pressed seeds), and seed for future harvests, making it an emblem of both present enjoyment and future promise. Joseph’s Dreamscape (Genesis 40:10) In the cupbearer’s dream, “its blossoms opened and its clusters ripened into grapes” (Genesis 40:10). The imagery links clustering with rapid maturation—God’s timing that would restore the cupbearer in just “three days” (Genesis 40:13). The cluster quietly underscores divine sovereignty: one night, one dream, one bunch of grapes, and the course of Egyptian history bends toward Joseph’s ascension. Exploration of Canaan and the Valley of Eshcol (Numbers 13:23-24) The spies “cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes, which two of the men carried on a pole” (Numbers 13:23). The oversized eshkol validated the goodness of the land, while the name “Valley of Eshcol” memorialized that testimony. Yet the same cluster became a point of unbelief when most spies magnified the giants over the grapes. A tangible pledge of God’s generosity was muted by fear, illustrating how the evidences of grace can be overshadowed by a faithless outlook. Clusters of Corruption (Deuteronomy 32:32) Moses contrasts the Lord’s vine with Israel’s rebellious strain: “Their grapes are poison; their clusters are bitter.” Abundance divorced from covenant loyalty produces lethal fruit. The verse warns that spiritual descent may still bear clusters, but their content becomes toxic. Song of Songs: Intimacy and Delight (1:14; 7:7-8) “My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En-gedi” (Song of Songs 1:14). Here eshkol shifts from grapes to aromatic henna, suggesting beauty and fragrance gathered together. Later, the bride’s breasts are praised as “clusters of fruit” (7:7-8), conveying fecundity, satisfaction, and the mutual enjoyment intended for marital love. The Lover’s desire to “take hold of its fruit” celebrates covenant intimacy, an echo of the Lord’s rejoicing over His people (Isaiah 62:5). Isaiah’s Remnant Hope (Isaiah 65:8) “As the juice is found in a cluster of grapes… ‘Do not destroy it, for there is still a blessing in it,’ so I will do for the sake of My servants.” Even when the vineyard seems spent, a single cluster containing “blessing” restrains judgment. The remnant principle rests on God’s character, not human merit; one small eshkol can preserve an entire vine. Micah’s Lament (Micah 7:1) Micah mourns, “There is no cluster of grapes to eat.” The absence of eshkol measures national moral famine. Where Isaiah finds one cluster worth saving, Micah finds none, intensifying the prophet’s grief and the urgency of divine intervention. Theological Themes 1. Evidence of Divine Promise—From the Valley of Eshcol to the Remnant cluster, God supplies visible pledges that His word is true. Ministry Applications • Encourage congregations to recognize and celebrate present “clusters” of grace—evidences of God’s work that call for gratitude and renewed faith. Forms and Transliterations אֶשְׁכֹּ֨ל אֶשְׁכּ֣וֹל אַשְׁכְּלֹ֥ת אַשְׁכְּלֹתֶ֖יהָ אשכול אשכל אשכלת אשכלתיה בָּֽאֶשְׁכּ֔וֹל באשכול הָֽאֶשְׁכּ֔וֹל האשכול וְאֶשְׁכּ֤וֹל ואשכול כְּאֶשְׁכְּל֣וֹת כאשכלות לְאַשְׁכֹּלֽוֹת׃ לאשכלות׃ ’aš·kə·lō·ṯe·hā ’aš·kə·lōṯ ’aškəlōṯ ’aškəlōṯehā ’eš·kō·wl ’eš·kōl ’eškōl ’eškōwl ashkeLot ashkeloTeiha bā’eškōwl bā·’eš·kō·wl baeshKol eshKol hā’eškōwl hā·’eš·kō·wl haeshKol kə’eškəlōwṯ kə·’eš·kə·lō·wṯ keeshkeLot lə’aškōlōwṯ lə·’aš·kō·lō·wṯ leashkoLot veeshKol wə’eškōwl wə·’eš·kō·wlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 40:10 HEB: נִצָּ֔הּ הִבְשִׁ֥ילוּ אַשְׁכְּלֹתֶ֖יהָ עֲנָבִֽים׃ NAS: came out, [and] its clusters produced ripe KJV: shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe INT: blossoms produced clusters grapes Numbers 13:23 Numbers 13:24 Deuteronomy 32:32 Songs 1:14 Songs 7:7 Songs 7:8 Isaiah 65:8 Micah 7:1 9 Occurrences |
    |