from an unused root of uncertain meaning; apparently juice, i.e.; (figuratively) vigor; also a sweet or fat cake; fresh, moisture.
Transliteration:lᵉshad
Pronunciation:lesh-ad'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term lᵉshad (לְשַׁד), Strong's `{{H3955}}`, derives from an unused root of uncertain meaning, which presents a challenge in precisely tracing its etymological origins. Despite this obscurity, its attested usage and scholarly analysis point to a dual semantic range. Primarily, it conveys the sense of "juice," "moisture," or "vigor," suggesting a quality of freshness, vitality, or richness akin to sap, milk, or bodily fluid. This aspect emphasizes an inherent, life-sustaining quality. Secondarily, and relatedly, it refers to a "sweet or fat cake," implying a food item characterized by richness, moistness, and perhaps a desirable flavor. The connection between these two senses likely lies in the idea of a nourishing, succulent quality, whether inherent to a living thing (vigor/moisture) or manifested in a prepared food (rich cake).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word lᵉshad (לְשַׁד) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in [[Numbers 11:8]]. This singular occurrence is crucial for understanding its contextual meaning:
* **[[Numbers 11:8]]**: "The people went about and gathered it and ground it in mills or beat it in mortars, and boiled it in pots or made cakes of it; and the taste of it was as the taste of cakes baked with fresh oil." (ESV, translating *lᵉshad ha-shamen* as "fresh oil"). Other translations render it as "rich pastry" (NIV) or "cakes baked with oil" (NASB).
In this verse, lᵉshad is used to describe the taste and quality of the manna, the miraculous bread provided by God to the Israelites in the wilderness. The phrase lᵉshad ha-shamen (לְשַׁד הַשָּׁמֶן) literally means "juice/moisture of oil" or "richness of oil." This indicates a desirable, rich, and palatable quality. Despite the manna's divine origin and its described pleasant taste, the context of Numbers 11 is one of Israel's deep discontent and longing for the diverse foods of Egypt. The description of manna's taste as having lᵉshad underscores God's faithful provision of a food that was not merely sustenance but was also pleasant and nourishing, even if the people's hearts were ungrateful.
### Related Words & Concepts
Given the singular occurrence of lᵉshad and its uncertain root, direct lexical cognates are difficult to establish. However, its contextual meaning connects it to several important biblical concepts and related terms:
* **Manna**: The divine provision itself, *man* (מָן), `{{H4478}}`, which lᵉshad describes. The manna's nature as a miraculous, daily sustenance is central to the wilderness narrative.
* **Oil/Fat**: The word shamen (שָּׁמֶן), `{{H8081}}`, meaning "oil" or "fat," appears directly alongside lᵉshad in [[Numbers 11:8]]. Oil often symbolizes richness, blessing, and anointing in the Old Testament. The combination lᵉshad ha-shamen emphasizes a rich, unctuous quality.
* **Taste/Flavor**: The concept of *ṭaʿam* (טַעַם), `{{H2940}}`, meaning "taste" or "discernment," is directly related as lᵉshad describes the *taste* of the manna.
* **Food/Provision**: Broader terms for food like *lekhem* (לֶחֶם), `{{H3899}}`, "bread," or *okhel* (אֹכֶל), `{{H4001}}`, "food," are conceptually linked, as lᵉshad characterizes a specific form of divine sustenance.
* **Richness/Abundance**: The underlying idea of lᵉshad as "vigor" or "richness" connects it to concepts of divine blessing and provision, often described with terms related to "fatness" or "abundance," such as *deshen* (דֶּשֶׁן), `{{H1880}}`, "fatness, abundance."
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of lᵉshad is intrinsically tied to its sole appearance in the narrative of the manna in [[Numbers 11]].
1. **Divine Provision and Goodness**: The description of manna as having the "taste of cakes baked with fresh oil" (or "rich pastry") highlights the goodness and pleasantness of God's provision. It was not merely adequate for survival but was also palatable and rich, demonstrating God's benevolent care for His people. Even in the wilderness, God provided a food with lᵉshad, signifying its quality and desirability.
2. **Human Ingratitude and Discontent**: Ironically, despite the manna's pleasant lᵉshad, the Israelites complained bitterly, longing for the diverse foods of Egypt. This context underscores the deep spiritual malaise and ingratitude of the people. God's provision, though perfect and good, was rejected by hearts consumed by discontent and desire for what they had left behind. The word lᵉshad therefore serves as a poignant reminder of God's abundant grace contrasted with humanity's often ungrateful response.
3. **Symbol of Sustenance and Spiritual Food**: The manna itself is a powerful type of divine sustenance, often seen as a precursor to spiritual food, culminating in Christ as the "bread of life" (cf. [[John 6:35]]). The lᵉshad of the manna, its richness and pleasantness, can be seen as a shadow of the spiritual richness and satisfaction found in God's ultimate provision.
### Summary
The Hebrew word lᵉshad (`{{H3955}}`) carries the core meaning of "juice," "moisture," or "vigor," extending to the sense of a "sweet or fat cake," emphasizing richness and pleasantness. Its singular biblical occurrence in [[Numbers 11:8]] is profoundly significant, as it describes the taste of the manna as "like the taste of cakes baked with fresh oil" or "rich pastry." This detail underscores the good and desirable quality of God's miraculous provision in the wilderness. Theologically, lᵉshad highlights God's benevolent and abundant care for His people, providing sustenance that was not only sufficient but also pleasant. Simultaneously, its context within the narrative of Israel's complaints in Numbers 11 serves as a stark reminder of human ingratitude and spiritual discontent, even in the face of divine goodness.
TRV