from an unused root (akin to זָבַל) probably meaning to press together; a cake of pressed figs; cake (lump) of figs.
Transliteration:dᵉbêlâh
Pronunciation:deb-ay-law'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term דְּבֵלָה (dᵉbêlâh, `{{H1690}}`) is derived from an unused root, which is understood to be akin to זָבַל (zābal), suggesting a core meaning related to "pressing together" or "heaping up." This etymological insight perfectly describes its primary definition: a "cake of pressed figs" or a "lump of figs." This is not merely loose fruit, but figs that have been dried, compressed, and shaped into a coherent, dense mass. Such a preparation would have been essential for preservation, ease of transport, and concentrated nutritional value in the ancient world. The semantic range is quite narrow, focusing specifically on this processed form of figs, emphasizing its utility as a durable and portable foodstuff.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word דְּבֵלָה appears in the Hebrew Bible in a few significant contexts:
* **[[1 Samuel 25:18]]**: Abigail, seeking to appease David, includes "two hundred cakes of figs" (דְּבֵלָה) among her generous provisions. This highlights the substantial value and quantity of such cakes, indicating their importance as a significant food item suitable for a large group or as a valuable offering in a diplomatic gesture. It underscores their role in hospitality and as a sign of wealth and provision.
* **[[1 Samuel 30:12]]**: When David's men find an Egyptian servant who is severely dehydrated and weak, they give him "a piece of a cake of figs" (דְּבֵלָה) along with bread and water. This act of sustenance proves immediately restorative, demonstrating the potent energy and rehydrating properties of the fig cake, vital for revival in a state of exhaustion. This passage powerfully illustrates its practical use as an emergency ration and a source of quick recovery.
* **[[2 Kings 20:7]] / [[Isaiah 38:21]]**: In the account of King Hezekiah's miraculous healing from a life-threatening boil, the prophet Isaiah instructs that "a cake of figs" (דְּבֵלָה) be applied to the boil. This is a unique and striking use of the fig cake, not as food, but as a poultice or medicinal application. While the primary healing power is divine, the instruction to use the דְּבֵלָה suggests an ancient understanding of its emollient or drawing properties, or perhaps its antiseptic qualities, making it a tangible element in the divinely orchestrated healing process. Its presence in both historical and prophetic books underscores the significance of this event.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Figs (תְּאֵנָה, tᵉʾēnāh, `{{H8384}}`):** The raw fruit from which דְּבֵלָה is made. The fig tree and its fruit are rich in biblical symbolism, often representing prosperity, peace, and the blessings of the land. The דְּבֵלָה is the processed, preserved form, extending the utility of the fruit beyond its harvest season.
* **Food and Provision (לֶחֶם, leḥem, `{{H3899}}`; אֹכֶל, ʾōḵel, `{{H400}}`):** דְּבֵלָה falls squarely within the category of essential foodstuffs. Its mention alongside bread and raisins (as in [[1 Samuel 25:18]] and [[1 Samuel 30:12]]) confirms its status as a staple in the ancient Israelite diet, valued for its concentrated energy and shelf life.
* **Healing and Medicine (רְפֻאָה, rᵉfūʾāh, `{{H7499}}`):** The application of דְּבֵלָה to Hezekiah's boil connects it to ancient medicinal practices. While not a magical cure, its use demonstrates a practical knowledge of natural remedies, employed under divine direction, highlighting God's ability to work through natural means.
* **Preservation and Storage:** The very nature of a "pressed cake" implies a method of food preservation, crucial for survival, travel, and managing resources in an agrarian society lacking modern refrigeration.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of דְּבֵלָה (dᵉbêlâh) in the biblical narrative carry several layers of theological significance:
* **Divine Provision and Sustenance:** The repeated depiction of דְּבֵלָה as a vital source of food and restoration (Abigail's gift, the Egyptian's revival) underscores God's meticulous care and provision for His people. It illustrates how even seemingly simple, everyday provisions are instruments of divine sustenance, ensuring life and strength in times of need. It speaks to God's faithfulness in providing for physical necessities.
* **Instrument of Miraculous Healing:** In the case of King Hezekiah, the דְּבֵלָה serves as a tangible, yet humble, instrument in a profound divine healing. This highlights a theological principle: God often chooses to work through natural means and human agency, even when performing supernatural acts. The דְּבֵלָה itself possessed no inherent magical power, but its application, specifically commanded by God through His prophet, was part of the divine plan to demonstrate His sovereignty over sickness and death. It reminds believers that God can sanctify and use the mundane for His miraculous purposes.
* **Practical Wisdom and Resourcefulness:** The knowledge of how to prepare and utilize דְּבֵלָה for both nutrition and medicinal purposes reflects a divinely-enabled practical wisdom within ancient Israelite society. This resourcefulness, often a gift from God, allowed them to thrive and manage challenges in their environment.
### Summary
The Hebrew word דְּבֵלָה (dᵉbêlâh, `{{H1690}}`) denotes a "cake of pressed figs," a staple food item in ancient Israel, characterized by its dense, preserved form. Its biblical occurrences reveal its significance as a valuable provision for sustenance, capable of reviving the weak and serving as a substantial gift. Most notably, it functions as a medicinal poultice in the miraculous healing of King Hezekiah, demonstrating its versatile utility beyond mere nutrition. Theologically, דְּבֵלָה serves as a humble yet potent symbol of divine provision and sustenance, illustrating God's care for physical needs. Furthermore, its role in Hezekiah's healing underscores the principle that God can employ natural means, even the most ordinary, as instruments for His extraordinary and sovereign acts of healing, showcasing His power and wisdom in unexpected ways.
TRV