from עָסַס; must or fresh grape-juice (as just trodden out); juice, new (sweet) wine.
Transliteration:ʻâçîyç
Pronunciation:aw-sees'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H6071 (עָסִיס, ʻâçîyç) originates from the root עָסַס (`{{H6070}}`), which signifies "to tread down" or "to press." This etymological connection immediately grounds עָסִיס in the physical act of extracting liquid, primarily from grapes. Its core meaning is "must" or "fresh grape-juice," specifically emphasizing that which is "just trodden out." This highlights its unfermented or newly fermented state, implying a natural sweetness and potent freshness. The semantic range extends to "new (sweet) wine," indicating that while primarily referring to the initial, unfermented juice, it can also encompass the very young, sweet wine that has just begun its fermentation process. The essence of עָסִיס lies in its immediacy from the source, its purity, and its inherent sweetness and strength.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term עָסִיס appears five times in the Hebrew Bible, each instance contributing to its nuanced understanding:
* **[[Isaiah 49:26]]**: "I will feed your oppressors with their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine (עָסִיס)." Here, עָסִיס is used metaphorically. The blood of the oppressors is likened to this potent, intoxicating "sweet wine," underscoring the completeness and severity of divine judgment. The sweetness is ironic, emphasizing the bitter and inescapable end for those who afflicted God's people.
* **[[Joel 1:5]]**: "Awake, you drunkards, and weep; and wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the new wine (עָסִיס), for it is cut off from your mouth." In this context of lament, the absence of עָסִיס signifies a severe agricultural catastrophe, likely due to drought or locust plague. The loss of this fresh, new wine represents a deprivation of joy, sustenance, and a clear sign of divine displeasure or judgment upon the land.
* **[[Joel 3:18]]** (Hebrew 4:18): "And in that day the mountains shall drip with sweet wine (עָסִיס), and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streams of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the Lord and water the Valley of Shittim." This verse presents an eschatological vision of abundant blessing and restoration. The overflowing עָסִיס from the mountains symbolizes an extraordinary, supernatural fertility and prosperity in the Messianic age, a stark contrast to the scarcity depicted in [[Joel 1:5]].
* **[[Amos 9:13]]**: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when the plowman shall overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine (עָסִיס), and all the hills shall flow with it." Similar to Joel's prophecy, Amos foresees a time of unparalleled agricultural abundance as a sign of God's restoration of Israel. The profusion of עָסִיס speaks to a reversal of the curse, an overflowing divine provision, and a superabundant harvest.
* **[[Song of Solomon 8:2]]**: "I would lead you and bring you into the house of my mother, into the chamber of her who bore me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the juice (עָסִיס) of my pomegranates." This unique usage demonstrates עָסִיס can refer to the fresh juice of fruits other than grapes, specifically pomegranates. Here, it signifies a delightful, potent, and intimate offering, associated with pleasure and deep affection within a loving relationship.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **עָסַס (`{{H6070}}`):** The verbal root from which עָסִיס is derived, meaning "to tread down" or "to press." This direct link emphasizes the immediate, freshly extracted nature of עָסִיס.
* **יַיִן (`{{H3196}}`):** The most common Hebrew word for "wine" in general. עָסִיס is a specific type of יַיִן—new, fresh, unfermented or newly fermented, and typically sweet.
* **תִּירוֹשׁ (`{{H8492}}`):** Often translated "new wine" or "must," תִּירוֹשׁ is frequently mentioned alongside grain and oil as staple agricultural produce and a sign of blessing. While both עָסִיס and תִּירוֹשׁ refer to new wine, עָסִיס specifically highlights the *freshly pressed* aspect, often implying the immediate product of the winepress, whereas תִּירוֹשׁ might refer to new wine in a broader sense, perhaps even still in the vat.
* **חֶמֶר (`{{H2561}}`):** Another term for "wine," often implying fermented, sometimes red wine.
* **שֵׁכָר (`{{H7941}}`):** "Strong drink," typically fermented from grains or other fruits, distinct from grape wine.
* **Concepts:** Abundance, fertility, divine blessing, judgment (when withheld), joy, sustenance, intoxication (both literal and metaphorical), purity, and intimacy.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of עָסִיס is multifaceted, deeply intertwined with themes of divine provision, judgment, and eschatological hope.
* **Divine Blessing and Abundance:** Most prominently, עָסִיס serves as a powerful symbol of God's overflowing blessing and supernatural abundance, particularly in prophetic visions of the Messianic age ([[Joel 3:18]], [[Amos 9:13]]). Its spontaneous flow from mountains and hills signifies a radical transformation of the land, a return to Edenic fertility, and an unparalleled era of prosperity and joy for God's restored people. It speaks of God's extravagant generosity and the reversal of the curses brought by sin.
* **Judgment and Deprivation:** Conversely, the absence or cessation of עָסִיס ([[Joel 1:5]]) functions as a potent sign of divine judgment. It represents the withdrawal of God's favor, leading to famine, scarcity, and the loss of joy and sustenance. This highlights humanity's utter dependence on God's benevolent provision for life and well-being.
* **Potency and Freshness:** The inherent "must" or "fresh juice" quality of עָסִיס conveys an idea of unadulterated potency and vitality. In the context of judgment ([[Isaiah 49:26]]), it underscores the full, intoxicating, and inescapable force of divine retribution. In the context of blessing, it suggests a fresh, vibrant, and powerful outpouring of God's favor that revitalizes and intoxicates with joy.
* **Intimacy and Delight:** The use of עָסִיס in [[Song of Solomon 8:2]] expands its theological reach to the realm of pure delight and intimate communion. It signifies a precious, sweet offering exchanged in love, reflecting the joyous and satisfying nature of deep relationship, which can be analogously applied to the communion between God and His people.
### Summary
H6071 (עָסִיס, ʻâçîyç) denotes "must" or "fresh grape-juice," specifically that which is "just trodden out" from the winepress, extending to "new (sweet) wine." Derived from עָסַס (`{{H6070}}`), it inherently carries the sense of fresh extraction and potent, natural sweetness. Biblically, עָסִיס functions as a rich symbol. Its abundant presence in prophetic visions ([[Joel 3:18]], [[Amos 9:13]]) powerfully signifies God's overflowing eschatological blessings, characterized by unprecedented fertility, prosperity, and joy for His people. Conversely, its absence ([[Joel 1:5]]) underscores divine judgment and the deprivation of basic sustenance and joy. Metaphorically, עָSִיס can represent the intoxicating and unmitigated force of divine retribution ([[Isaiah 49:26]]) or, as seen in [[Song of Solomon 8:2]], a delightful and intimate offering. Theologically, עָסִיס encapsulates themes of divine provision, judgment, the vibrant freshness of God's restorative work, and the profound joy found in His presence and blessings.
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