Raisin-cakes are mentioned in several passages of the Bible, often associated with celebrations, offerings, and idolatrous practices. These cakes, made from dried grapes, were a popular delicacy in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel. They are referenced in both positive and negative contexts within the biblical narrative.

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." This passage describes King David's distribution of food, including raisin-cakes, to the people of Israel as part of the celebration of bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The inclusion of raisin-cakes highlights their role in festive and religious occasions.

2. 1 Chronicles 16:3 : "Then he distributed to every man and woman of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake." This verse parallels the account in 2 Samuel, underscoring the significance of raisin-cakes in communal celebrations and religious observances.

3. Song of Solomon 2:5 : "Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love." In this poetic and romantic context, raisin-cakes are associated with love and desire, symbolizing sustenance and delight.

4. 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.'" Here, raisin-cakes are linked to idolatrous practices, indicating that they were used in pagan worship. This association serves as a metaphor for Israel's unfaithfulness to God, as they pursued other deities and the pleasures associated with them.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

Raisin-cakes were a common food item in ancient Israel, made by compressing dried grapes into a cake form. They were nutritious and could be easily stored and transported, making them a practical choice for travelers and soldiers. In religious contexts, they were often part of offerings and celebrations, symbolizing abundance and joy.

However, the mention of raisin-cakes in Hosea highlights a darker aspect of their use. The Israelites' consumption of raisin-cakes in the context of idol worship reflects their spiritual adultery and departure from the worship of Yahweh. This duality in the use of raisin-cakes illustrates the broader biblical theme of the tension between true worship and idolatry.

Theological Implications:

The presence of raisin-cakes in both celebratory and idolatrous contexts serves as a reminder of the importance of intention and devotion in worship. While they can be part of legitimate religious festivities, their misuse in idolatrous practices warns against the dangers of syncretism and the temptation to blend true worship with pagan customs. The biblical narrative calls believers to discernment and fidelity in their worship practices, ensuring that their actions align with the covenantal relationship with God.RAISIN-CAKES

ra'-z'-n-kaks: the Revised Version (British and American) gives this rendering for the King James Version "foundations" in Isaiah 16:7 (Hebrew 'ashishah from 'ashash, "to found," "make firm," "press"). The trade in these would cease through the desolation of the vineyards. For the King James Version "flagons of wine" in Hosea 3:1, the Revised Version (British and American) gives "cakes of raisins," such as were offered to the gods of the land, the givers of the grape (compare Songs 2:5). See next article.

809. ashishah -- a raisin cake
... Word Origin from ashash Definition a raisin cake NASB Word Usage cakes (1), raisin
cake (1), raisin cakes (2), raisin* (1), raisins (1). flagon. ...
/hebrew/809.htm - 6kRaisincakes
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia RAISIN-CAKES. ra'-z'-n-kaks: the Revised
Version (British and American) gives this rendering for ...
/r/raisincakes.htm - 7k

Raisin-cakes (7 Occurrences)
Raisin-cakes. Raisincakes, Raisin-cakes. Raising . Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia RAISIN-CAKES. ... (DBY). Raisincakes, Raisin-cakes. Raising . Reference ...
/r/raisin-cakes.htm - 9k

Fig-cakes (2 Occurrences)
... and took two hundred loaves, and two skin-bottles of wine, and five sheep ready
dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and a hundred raisin-cakes, and two ...
/f/fig-cakes.htm - 7k

Raising (29 Occurrences)

/r/raising.htm - 15k

Cakes (65 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 30:12 and gave him a piece of fig-cake and two raisin-cakes, and he ate,
and his spirit came again to him; for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any ...
/c/cakes.htm - 26k

Kir-hareseth (3 Occurrences)
... (ASV BBE JPS NAS). Isaiah 16:7 Therefore shall Moab wail for Moab, every one shall
wail: for the raisin-cakes of Kir-hareseth shall ye mourn, utterly stricken. ...
/k/kir-hareseth.htm - 8k

Wail (50 Occurrences)
... Moab. Everyone will wail. You will mourn for the raisincakes of Kir Hareseth,
utterly stricken. (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV). Isaiah ...
/w/wail.htm - 21k

Fig-cake (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Samuel 30:12 and gave him a piece of fig-cake and two raisin-cakes, and he ate,
and his spirit came again to him; for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any ...
/f/fig-cake.htm - 6k

Flask (15 Occurrences)
... behold, Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and
upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred raisin-cakes, and a ...
/f/flask.htm - 11k

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