דָּשֵׁן

dâshên /daw-shane'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningalso 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)
KJV usageaccept, anoint, take away the (receive) ashes (from), make (wax) fat.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word dâshên, represented by H1878, carries a diverse range of meanings related to fatness, satisfaction, and ritual action. It appears 12 times across 11 unique verses in the Bible. Its applications extend from the literal act of anointing and the figurative state of prosperity to the specific priestly duty of removing ashes from the altar.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H1878 is used in several key contexts. Figuratively, it describes the prosperity that comes from righteous character, such as when the soul of the diligent is "made fat" Proverbs 13:4 or when a person who trusts in the LORD "shall be made fat" Proverbs 28:25. Conversely, it can serve as a warning, as in Deuteronomy when the people "waxen fat" from abundance and are tempted to turn from God Deuteronomy 31:20. The word also signifies divine favor, as when David proclaims, "thou anointest my head with oil" Psalms 23:5. In a ritual sense, it refers to the priestly duty to "take away the ashes" from the altar Numbers 4:13 and to God's favorable reception of a "burnt sacrifice" Psalms 20:3.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concepts of abundance, ritual, and moral character:

  • H2459 cheleb (fat, fatness): This word is a direct noun counterpart, often appearing alongside H1878 to describe the results of judgment, where a sword is "made fat H1878 with fatness H2459" Isaiah 34:6. It represents the richest or choice part.
  • H1293 Bᵉrâkâh (blessing, liberal): This term highlights the moral quality that leads to the prosperity signified by H1878. The "liberal H1293 soul shall be made fat H1878" Proverbs 11:25.
  • H2742 chărûwts (diligent): This contrasts with the sluggard, showing that the state of being "made fat" H1878 is a reward for effort and character. The soul of the diligent H2742 shall be made fat Proverbs 13:4.
  • H4196 mizbêach (altar): This word provides the context for the priestly duty associated with H1878, as the priests were commanded to "take away the ashes H1878 from the altar H4196" Numbers 4:13.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H1878 is significant and multifaceted:

  • Prosperity and Character: The word frequently links material and spiritual well-being (being made fat) to moral virtues such as generosity, diligence, and trust in God (Proverbs 11:25, Proverbs 13:4, Proverbs 28:25). It is presented as a result of right living.
  • The Danger of Abundance: Scripture uses the image of "waxen fat" H1878 as a warning. The prosperity God gives can become a spiritual snare, leading people to forget Him and break His covenant Deuteronomy 31:20.
  • Divine Favor and Anointing: To be anointed H1878 with oil is a sign of God's special favor, provision, and blessing, demonstrating immense hospitality and care Psalms 23:5.
  • Sacrificial System: The word plays a dual role in worship. It describes the cleansing of the altar ("take away the ashes," Numbers 4:13) and God's favorable reception of an offering ("accept thy burnt sacrifice," Psalms 20:3), connecting a physical act with divine approval.

Summary

In summary, H1878 is far more than a simple descriptor of fatness. It is a complex term that encompasses the results of virtue, the dangers of pride, the process of worship, and the intimacy of God's favor. It illustrates how a single term can describe the physical representation of God's blessing, the spiritual state of a person, and the holy responsibilities of worship.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 11 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms.

  • Pual Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 2×
  • Pual Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hothpaal Perfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Piel Perfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Pual
The passive of the intensive (Piel) stem.
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 11 verses across 6 books. Most frequent in Proverbs (4 verses).

1
Exodus
1
Numbers
1
Deuteronomy
2
Psalms
4
Proverbs
2
Isaiah

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