a primitive root; also denominatively (from דֶּשֶׁן); to be fat; transitively, to fatten (or regard as fat); specifically to anoint; figuratively, to satisfy; to remove (fat) ashes (of sacrifices); accept, anoint, take away the (receive) ashes (from), make (wax) fat.
Transliteration:dâshên
Pronunciation:daw-shane'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb dâshên (`{{H1878}}`) is a primitive root with a rich and multifaceted semantic range, often operating on both literal and figurative levels. At its core, the word relates to "fatness" or "richness." It is denominatively derived from deshen (`{{H1880}}`), which can mean "fatness" or "ashes" (specifically, the fatty ashes remaining from sacrifices). This dual origin immediately suggests a complex set of meanings.
The primary literal sense is "to be fat" or, transitively, "to fatten," implying abundance, health, and prosperity. From this, it extends figuratively to "to satisfy" or "to make rich/prosperous" in a broader sense, encompassing well-being and contentment.
A specific and distinct cultic meaning involves the handling of sacrificial remains: "to remove (fat) ashes." This refers to the priestly duty of clearing the altar of the fatty residue of burnt offerings, emphasizing purity and the ongoing nature of worship.
Intriguingly, the definition also includes "to anoint." While the most common Hebrew word for anointing is mashach (`{{H4886}}`), dâshên appears in this sense in poetic contexts, likely drawing on the idea of applying rich, fatty oil to impart blessing or consecration, thereby "making fat" or enriching the anointed object or person. This particular nuance suggests a connection between physical richness and spiritual endowment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The varied uses of dâshên (`{{H1878}}`) across the Old Testament illuminate its semantic depth:
1. **To be/make fat; to prosper:**
* In a positive sense, dâshên describes the flourishing of the righteous or the blessing of God. For instance, [[Proverbs 11:25]] states, "The liberal soul shall be made fat," indicating that generosity leads to spiritual and material prosperity. Similarly, [[Psalm 36:8]] speaks of being "abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house," referring to the rich spiritual sustenance provided by God.
* Conversely, "fatness" can denote spiritual complacency or even rebellion. [[Deuteronomy 32:15]] dramatically portrays Jeshurun (Israel) who "waxed fat, and kicked," signifying that prosperity led to forsaking God. This highlights a warning against the dangers of abundance without gratitude.
2. **To remove ashes:**
* This is a specific priestly function within the sacrificial system. [[Leviticus 1:16]] and [[Leviticus 4:12]] instruct the priest to "take away the ashes" (from the burnt offering and sin offering respectively) to a clean place outside the camp. This act of ritual cleansing was essential for maintaining the sanctity of the altar and the purity of worship. The "ashes" here are not merely inert dust but the remains of the consumed fat and flesh, carrying ritual significance.
3. **To anoint:**
* While less common in this specific meaning, dâshên can imply anointing, particularly in poetic or metaphorical contexts. [[Psalm 23:5]] famously declares, "Thou anointest my head with oil," where dâshên is used. Here, the anointing signifies divine favor, honor, and refreshment, making the psalmist "rich" or "flourishing" in the presence of God. This usage connects the idea of physical anointing with the spiritual enrichment and blessing it symbolizes.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of dâshên (`{{H1878}}`) is enriched by examining its relationship with other Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **deshen (`{{H1880}}`):** This noun, from which dâshên is denominatively derived, means "fatness," "richness," or "ashes." The dual meaning underscores the cyclical nature of life and death, sacrifice and renewal. The fat of the offering was the choicest part, dedicated to God, while the ashes represented the consumed remains, requiring removal for purity.
* **shemen (`{{H8081}}`):** "Oil," often derived from olives, used for anointing, food, and light. Its connection to dâshên in the sense of "anointing" (e.g., [[Psalm 23:5]]) is clear, as oil was the substance that "made fat" or enriched.
* **chelev (`{{H2459}}`):** "Fat," specifically the choicest fat of an animal, which was often reserved exclusively for Yahweh in sacrifices (e.g., [[Leviticus 3:16]]). This reinforces the idea of fatness as representing the best, the most abundant, and that which is consecrated.
* **shamen (`{{H8082}}`):** A verb meaning "to be fat," "to grow rich," or "to be prosperous." This term shares a similar semantic field with dâshên in describing physical and material abundance, often with both positive and negative connotations depending on the context (e.g., [[Isaiah 6:10]] where the heart is "made fat" or dull).
* **Concepts:** Prosperity, blessing, satisfaction, spiritual dullness, ritual purity, sacrifice, anointing, divine favor, and the cyclical nature of worship.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of dâshên (`{{H1878}}`) is profound, touching upon God's character, human responsibility, and the nature of worship:
1. **Divine Provision and Blessing:** When dâshên describes being "made fat" or "satisfied," it often points to God as the ultimate source of abundance and well-being. He provides richly for His people, not just physically but spiritually, leading to deep contentment. This underscores His covenant faithfulness and generosity.
2. **The Peril of Prosperity:** The use of dâshên in [[Deuteronomy 32:15]] serves as a stark warning. Prosperity, when unaccompanied by humility and remembrance of God, can lead to spiritual arrogance, apostasy, and a turning away from the very source of blessing. It highlights the human tendency to become self-sufficient when "fat."
3. **Purity in Worship:** The command to "take away the ashes" is crucial for understanding the meticulous nature of Old Testament worship. It signifies the need for ritual purity, the proper disposal of sacred remnants, and the continuous maintenance of the holy space. This act ensures that worship remains acceptable to God, signifying a commitment to order and reverence in His presence. The ashes, containing the residue of the fat offered to God, represent the consumed offering, and their removal completes the sacrificial act and prepares the altar for further service.
4. **Consecration and Empowerment:** The "anointing" sense of dâshên (e.g., [[Psalm 23:5]]) speaks to divine consecration and empowerment. To be "anointed" by God is to be set apart, refreshed, and enabled for a specific purpose or simply to experience His overflowing favor and presence. It symbolizes honor, joy, and the abundance of God's spirit.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb dâshên (`{{H1878}}`) is a versatile and theologically rich term, rooted in the concept of "fatness" or "richness" derived from deshen (`{{H1880}}`). Its semantic range encompasses literal physical abundance, figurative spiritual satisfaction, ritual acts of purification, and symbolic anointing.
Biblically, dâshên illustrates God's abundant provision and blessing, making His people "fat" and satisfied (e.g., [[Proverbs 11:25]], [[Psalm 36:8]]). However, it also serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating how prosperity can lead to spiritual complacency and rebellion (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 32:15]]). In the cultic sphere, its use to describe "taking away the ashes" (e.g., [[Leviticus 1:16]]) highlights the meticulous demands of ritual purity and the ongoing maintenance required for acceptable worship. Finally, its rare but significant use in the sense of "anointing" (e.g., [[Psalm 23:5]]) connects physical enrichment with divine favor, consecration, and spiritual refreshment.
In essence, dâshên encapsulates the dual nature of abundance: a sign of God's grace when received with humility and gratitude, but a potential snare when it fosters self-reliance. It also underscores the meticulousness of sacred service and the profound experience of divine anointing and satisfaction.
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