from דָּשֵׁן; fat; figuratively, rich, fertile; fat.
Transliteration:dâshên
Pronunciation:daw-shane'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word דָּשֵׁן (dâshên, H1879) is an adjective derived from the root דָּשֵׁן (dâshên, H1878), meaning "to be fat" or "to prosper." Its core meaning encompasses physical "fatness" or "richness," particularly in the context of fertile land or abundant produce. Figuratively, it extends to denote prosperity, abundance, and spiritual flourishing. The related noun דֶּשֶׁן (deshen, H1880) refers to "fatness," "richness," or "ashes," specifically the ashes of sacrificial fat. Thus, the semantic range of H1879 moves from literal corporeal and agricultural richness to the metaphorical richness of life, blessing, and the soul's well-being.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While the adjective H1879 appears in a limited number of instances, its meaning is consistently tied to abundance and prosperity. The verb form H1878 and noun form H1880 are more frequent and illuminate the full semantic scope.
* **[[Proverbs 11:25]]**: "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Here, נֶפֶשׁ דָּשֵׁן (nephesh dâshên) is translated as "a generous soul" or "a well-watered soul," conveying the idea of a soul that is spiritually and materially prosperous due to its generosity. This verse directly applies H1879 to the state of a person's inner being.
* **[[Isaiah 30:23]]**: "He will give you rain for the seeds you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful." In this prophetic promise of restoration and blessing, the produce of the land is described as דָשֵׁן וְשָׁמֵן (dâshên veshâmên), "fat and rich." This usage clearly refers to agricultural fertility and abundance, a direct result of divine favor.
* While not directly using H1879, the related verb H1878 in passages like [[Proverbs 13:4]] ("The soul of the diligent is made fat") and [[Proverbs 28:25]] ("those who trust in the LORD will prosper") reinforces the concept of prosperity and flourishing as outcomes of diligence and trust in God. Similarly, [[Psalm 36:8]] uses the verb to describe those who "feast on the abundance" of God's house. Even in a negative context, [[Isaiah 34:6]] uses the verb H1878 to describe the sword of the Lord being "gorged with fatness" from judgment, illustrating the concept of abundance even in destruction.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **H1878 (דָּשֵׁן - dâshên):** The verbal root, meaning "to be fat," "to prosper," "to make fat," or "to remove ashes." The adjective H1879 is directly derived from this verb.
* **H1880 (דֶּשֶׁן - deshen):** The noun form, meaning "fatness," "richness," or "ashes" (specifically the ashes of burnt offerings, which contained the rendered fat). This term is crucial for understanding the ritual context of fat in sacrifices, where it represented the best part offered to God.
* **H8082 (שָׁמֵן - shamen):** Another adjective meaning "fat," "rich," or "prosperous," often appearing in parallel with H1879, as seen in [[Isaiah 30:23]], reinforcing the core meaning.
* **H7225 (רָוָה - ravah):** Meaning "to be saturated" or "to drink deeply," often conveying a sense of abundance and refreshment, as in [[Proverbs 11:25]] where the generous soul is also "made rich" or "well-watered."
* **Antonyms:** Concepts such as leanness, scarcity, or spiritual barrenness stand in stark contrast to dâshên, often signifying divine displeasure or the consequences of disobedience.
### Theological Significance
The concept embodied by דָּשֵׁן (dâshên, H1879) carries profound theological weight, primarily linking to divine blessing and the nature of prosperity.
* **Divine Blessing and Abundance:** When the land or an individual is described as dâshên, it signifies God's generous provision and favor. This is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where obedience to God's covenant often leads to agricultural fertility and overall prosperity ([[Deuteronomy 28:1-14]]). [[Isaiah 30:23]] is a prime example, portraying dâshên as a sign of God's restoration and blessing upon His people.
* **Spiritual Flourishing and Generosity:** Beyond material wealth, dâshên speaks to the flourishing of the soul. [[Proverbs 11:25]] teaches that a generous spirit leads to a "prosperous" or "fat" soul, indicating spiritual vitality, contentment, and inner richness. This highlights that true prosperity is not merely external but deeply connected to one's character and relationship with God. The diligent soul, too, is promised to be "made fat" (H1878 in [[Proverbs 13:4]]), emphasizing that God blesses effort and faithfulness.
* **Sacrificial Consecration:** The related noun H1880 (deshen) for the ashes of fat sacrifices underscores the importance of fat in the sacrificial system. Fat was considered the choicest part, wholly dedicated to God ([[Leviticus 3:16]]). The ritual removal of the deshen was a sacred act, symbolizing the completion of the offering and the purification associated with atonement. This connects the idea of "fatness" to holiness, covenant fidelity, and the proper worship of God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word דָּשֵׁן (dâshên, H1879) denotes "fatness" or "richness," extending from literal agricultural abundance to the figurative prosperity and flourishing of the soul. While its direct occurrences as an adjective are few, its meaning is amplified by its verbal (H1878) and nominal (H1880) forms, which frequently appear in the biblical text. Dâshên consistently conveys the idea of being well-nourished, abundant, and prosperous, often as a direct result of divine blessing. Theologically, it signifies God's generous provision, the spiritual vitality that flows from generosity and diligence, and the sacredness of the choicest offerings in worship. It stands as a powerful symbol of the holistic well-being and abundant life that God desires for His people, contrasting sharply with spiritual or material leanness.