A "flagon" in biblical terms refers to a container used for holding liquids, typically wine. The term appears in several passages of the Bible, and its usage provides insight into the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel. The Hebrew word often translated as "flagon" is "ashishah," which can also mean a cake of pressed raisins, indicating that the term may have had a broader application in ancient times.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Samuel 6:19 : "Then he distributed to every man and woman among the multitude of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake. Then all the people departed, each to his own home." In this context, the term "raisin cake" is sometimes translated as "flagon of wine" in other versions, suggesting a celebratory distribution of food and drink.

2. Song of Solomon 2:5 : "Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love." Here, the term "raisins" is again linked to the idea of sustenance and refreshment, which could imply a connection to the use of flagons in festive or intimate settings.

3. Hosea 3:1 : "Then the LORD said to me, 'Go, show love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.'" The mention of "sacred raisin cakes" suggests a ritualistic or idolatrous use, which may have included the use of flagons in pagan worship practices.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

In ancient Israel, wine was a staple beverage, often associated with joy, celebration, and religious rituals. The use of flagons would have been common in both domestic and religious contexts. Wine was used in offerings and feasts, and the presence of flagons in these settings underscores their importance in daily and spiritual life.

The dual meaning of "ashishah" as both a container for wine and a cake of raisins highlights the agricultural basis of Israelite society, where grapes and raisins were significant produce. This duality also reflects the symbolic use of wine and raisins in expressing abundance, blessing, and sometimes, spiritual infidelity, as seen in Hosea.

Symbolism:

In a spiritual sense, the flagon can symbolize the abundance of God's provision and the joy found in His blessings. However, as seen in Hosea, it can also represent the potential for turning away from God when His gifts are misused or when they become objects of idolatry.

The flagon, therefore, serves as a reminder of the importance of using God's gifts in accordance with His will, maintaining a focus on worship and gratitude rather than indulgence or idolatry.Hebrews ashishah, (2 Samuel 6:19; 1 Chronicles 16:3; Cant. 2:5; Hosea 3:1), meaning properly "a cake of pressed raisins." "Flagons of wine" of the Authorized Version should be, as in the Revised Version, "cakes of raisins" in all these passages. In Isaiah 22:24 it is the rendering of the Hebrew nebel, which properly means a bottle or vessel of skin. (Comp. 1 Samuel 1:24; 10:3; 25:18; 2 Samuel 16:1, where the same Hebrew word is used.) (n.) A vessel with a narrow mouth, used for holding and conveying liquors. It is generally larger than a bottle, and of leather or stoneware rather than of glass.FLAGON

flag'-un:

The translation of 'ashishah, in the King James Version in 2 Samuel 6:19 1 Chronicles 16:3 Songs 2:5 Hosea 3:1. In all, these passages the Revised Version (British and American) reads "cake of raisins" or "raisins." It was probably a pressed raisin cake. the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) read "flagons," in Isaiah 22:24 as a rendering of nebhalim, which is elsewhere (1 Samuel 1:24; 1 Samuel 10:3 2 Samuel 16:1, etc.) rendered "bottles," the Revised Version, margin "skins." These were the bags or bottles made of the whole skin of a kid, goat or other animal. the Revised Version (British and American) has "flagons" in Exodus 25:29 and 37:16 as translation of qeshawoth, a golden jug or jar used in the tabernacle from which the drink offerings were poured out. The same word is translated "cups" in Numbers 4:7.

George Rice Hovey

809. ashishah -- a raisin cake
... flagon. Feminine of 'ashiysh; something closely pressed together, ie A cake of raisins
or other comfits -- flagon. see HEBREW 'ashiysh. 808, 809. ...
/hebrew/809.htm - 6k

At the Feast of Tabernacles
... Then the priest dipped from the flowing waters of the Kedron a flagon of water,
and, lifting it on high, while the trumpets were sounding, he ascended the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 49 at the feast.htm

At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple.
... Only one flagon was discovered of that which was pure, sealed with the very
signet of the High-Priest. The supply proved just sufficient ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv at the feast.htm

Arrangement and Furniture of the Church
... not too many, a part of the wine from the cruet is poured into the chalice at the
proper time; but if a large number are to communicate, the flagon, a large ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/arrangement and furniture of the.htm

The Last Supper.
... embroidered edges. On the cloth stood a flagon of wine and several cups,
and a plate on which lay a loaf of bread. Jesus, standing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter iii the last supper.htm

The Worship of the Church
... 66 Fish . . . . . 70 Fishes, interlaced . . . . . 76 Flagon .
. . . . 39 Floriated cross . . . . . ...
//christianbookshelf.org/regester/the worship of the church/index 2.htm

Beauty for Ashes
... of the harvest would not have his laborers treated stingy, I have to regale each
of you with a portion of bread, a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/beauty for ashes.htm

Letter xxvii. To Marcella.
... 3. But "when I set the wheel rolling I began to form a wine flagon; how comes it
that a waterpot is the result?" [716] Lest Horace laugh at me I come back to ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxvii to marcella.htm

Illusive Appearance of the Moon.
... He smears, however, the luminous parts of the drum with cinnabar and gum; [267]
and having pared around the neck and bottom of a flagon [268] of glass ready ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxxvii illusive appearance of the.htm

Thou that Makest Men to Dwell of one Mind in one House...
... maiden, was bidden by her parents to draw wine out of the hogshed, holding the vessel
under the opening, before she poured the wine into the flagon, she sipped ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter viii thou that makest.htm

At the Front or the Base
... The man who gave Luther a flagon of beer when his lips were dry with speaking there
before emperor and cardinals, was included in the promise to the giver 'of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/at the front or the.htm

Flagon (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FLAGON. ... The same word is translated "cups" in Numbers
4:7. George Rice Hovey. Multi-Version Concordance Flagon (4 Occurrences). ...
/f/flagon.htm - 10k

Flagons (7 Occurrences)

/f/flagons.htm - 8k

Flag (30 Occurrences)

/f/flag.htm - 18k

Stoop (10 Occurrences)
... Hence, any porch, platform, entrance stairway, or small veranda, at a house door.
2. (n.) A vessel of liquor; a flagon. 3. (n.) A post fixed in the earth. ...
/s/stoop.htm - 10k

Piece (93 Occurrences)
... the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men,
to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine ...
/p/piece.htm - 40k

Press (57 Occurrences)
... compounds, except in Acts 2:13, where the Greek is gleukos, "sweet," English Versions
of the Bible "new wine." See also BLOOD; DRINK; FLAGON; FRUIT; HONEY. ...
/p/press.htm - 46k

Wine (282 Occurrences)
... compounds, except in Acts 2:13, where the Greek is gleukos, "sweet," English Versions
of the Bible "new wine." See also BLOOD; DRINK; FLAGON; FRUIT; HONEY. ...
/w/wine.htm - 68k

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