Topical Encyclopedia
Raisins, the dried form of grapes, are mentioned several times in the Bible, often symbolizing sustenance, provision, and hospitality. In the ancient Near East, raisins were a common food item due to their long shelf life and nutritional value. They were often included in provisions for journeys and used in offerings.
Biblical References:1.
1 Samuel 25:18 · In the account of Abigail, the wife of Nabal, we see raisins as part of a generous offering to David. Abigail, seeking to appease David and prevent bloodshed, "took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys." This passage highlights the use of raisins as a valuable and portable food source.
2.
1 Samuel 30:12 · After David and his men found an Egyptian servant left for dead by the Amalekites, they revived him with food, including raisins: "They gave him a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins to eat, and after he had eaten, his spirit revived, for he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days and three nights." Here, raisins are depicted as a means of physical restoration and sustenance.
3.
2 Samuel 6:19 · When King David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, he distributed food to the people: "Then he distributed to every man and woman of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake." This act of giving raisin cakes signifies celebration and communal sharing in the joy of the Lord's presence.
4.
1 Chronicles 12:40 · During the time when David was recognized as king, the people of Israel brought provisions, including raisins, to support him: "Also their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen—plentiful supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, oil, cattle, and sheep, for there was joy in Israel." Raisins here are part of the abundance and joy associated with David's kingship.
5.
Song of Solomon 2:5 · In the poetic and romantic language of the Song of Solomon, raisins are mentioned as a symbol of love and sustenance: "Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love." This verse uses raisins metaphorically to express the nourishing and invigorating power of love.
Cultural and Historical Context:In biblical times, raisins were a staple in the diet of the Israelites and other ancient cultures. They were often made by drying grapes in the sun, which concentrated their sugars and preserved them for long periods. Raisins were not only consumed as food but also used in religious offerings and as gifts, reflecting their value and significance.
Raisins, along with other dried fruits, were essential for travelers and soldiers due to their portability and high energy content. They were also a symbol of prosperity and blessing, often included in feasts and celebrations.
Theological Significance:Raisins in the Bible can be seen as a representation of God's provision and care for His people. They are a reminder of the abundance that God provides and the importance of sharing that abundance with others. The use of raisins in offerings and celebrations underscores the themes of gratitude, hospitality, and community in the biblical narrative.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Raisins[VINE]
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Dried grapes; mentioned
1 Samuel 25:18;
30:12;
2 Samuel 16:1;
1 Chronicles 12:40.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RAISINSra'-z'-nz:
(1) cimmuqim; staphides, translated "dried grapes,"Numbers 6:3; mentioned in all other references as a portable food for a march or journey. Abigail supplied David with "a hundred clusters of raisins," among other things, in the wilderness of Paran (1 Samuel 25:18); David gave two clusters of raisins to a starving Egyptian slave of the Amalekites at Besor (1 Samuel 30:12); raisins formed part of the provision brought to David at Hebron for his army (1 Chronicles 12:40); Ziba supplied David, when flying from Absalom, with a hundred clusters of raisins (2 Samuel 16:1).
(2) 'ashishah, something "pressed together," hence, a "cake." InHosea 3:1, mention is made of 'ashishe 'anabhim (pemmata meta staphidos), "cakes of raisins": "Yahweh loveth the children of Israel, though they turn unto other gods, and love (margin "or them that love") cakes of raisins." These are supposed to have been cakes of dried, compressed grapes offered to false gods. Gratz considers that the Hebrew words are a corruption of 'asherim and chammanim ("sun images"). CompareIsaiah 17:8;Isaiah 27:9. In other passages "cakes" stands alone without "raisins," but the translation "cakes of raisins" is given in2 Samuel 6:191 Chronicles 16:3;Songs 2:5 (the King James Version "flagons");Isaiah 16:7 margin "foundations."
Raisins are today, as of old, prepared in considerable quantities in Palestine, especially at es-Salt, East of the Jordan. The bunches of grapes are dipped in a strong solution of potash before being dried.
E. W. G. Masterman
Strong's Hebrew
6778. tsimmuq -- bunch ofraisins... 6777, 6778. tsimmuq. 6779 . bunch of
raisins. Transliteration: tsimmuq
Phonetic Spelling: (tsam-mook') Short Definition:
raisins.
...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....
Library
Separation to God.
... berries, nor was he merely required to abstain from the wine and strong drink which
might easily become a snare; fresh grapes and driedraisins were equally...
John the Baptist
... directly he was born. They never cut his hair, and they never let him drink
wine, or eat grapes, or eatraisins. That was the way...
Rash Decisions.
... to him Ziba, a servant of Mephibosheth, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon
them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred bunches ofraisins, and an...
Caphar Hananiah. The Middle of Galilee.
... "The men of the family of Mamal, and the men of the family of Gorion, in the years
of dearth, distributed to the poor figs andraisins in Arumah....
Abigail's Sensible Advice
... Abigail quickly took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five roasted
sheep, five baskets of parched grain, a hundred bunches ofraisins, and two...
Jerusalem Made the Capital City
... of Jehovah of hosts and gave to each of the many Israelites who were there, to both
men and women, a roll of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake ofraisins....
Prolegomena.
... To Peter he used to pay a weekly visit, and records [10] how the holy man would
take him on his knees and feed him with bread andraisins....
The First Discovery of America
... Thus the first cargoes homeward from Vinland to Greenland had been of timber and
ofraisins, and of vine-stocks, which were not like to thrive. And more....
The First Discovery of America.
... Thus the first cargoes homeward from Vinland to Greenland had been of timber and
ofraisins, and of vine-stocks which were not like to thrive. And more....
Care of the Speaker's Throat
... voice. The long and amusing list includes hot milk, tea, coffee, champagne,
raw eggs, lemonade, apples,raisins,"and sardines!...
Thesaurus
Raisins (9 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
RAISINS. ra'-z'-nz: (1) cimmuqim; staphides,
translated "dried grapes," Numbers 6:3; mentioned in
...Flagon (4 Occurrences)
... 2:5; Hosea 3:1), meaning properly "a cake of pressedraisins." "Flagons of wine"
of the Authorized Version should be, as in the Revised Version, "cakes of...
Figs (27 Occurrences)
... and took two hundred loaves of bread, two bottles of wine, five sheep ready dressed,
five measures of parched grain, one hundred clusters ofraisins, and two...
Raisin (5 Occurrences)
... and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, and on camels, and on mules,
and on oxen, food of meal, cakes of figs, and clusters ofraisins, and wine...
Bunches (7 Occurrences)
... and taketh two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep, prepared,
and five measures of roasted corn, and a hundred bunches ofraisins, and two...
Clusters (12 Occurrences)
... and took two hundred loaves of bread, two bottles of wine, five sheep ready dressed,
five measures of parched grain, one hundred clusters ofraisins, and two...
Bunch (6 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) A bundle of twigs (Exodus 12:22). (2.) Bunch or
cake ofraisins (2 Samuel 16:1). (3.) The "bunch of a camel" (Isaiah 30:6)....
Cake (25 Occurrences)
... morsel of bread. (DBY YLT). 1 Samuel 30:12 They gave him a piece of a cake
of figs, and two clusters ofraisins. when he had eaten...
Loaded (21 Occurrences)
... took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed,
and five measures of parched corn, and a hundred clusters ofraisins, and two...
Wine (282 Occurrences)
... 2:5; Hosea 3:1), which, however, rather denotes a solid cake of pressed
grapes, or, as in the Revised Version, a cake ofraisins....
Resources
What is the true meaning of Rosh Hashanah? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Nazirite/Nazarite vow? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of David and Nabal? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
