from צָמַק; a cake of dried grapes; bunch (cluster) of raisins.
Transliteration:tsammûwq
Pronunciation:tsam-mook'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H6778}}` (tsammûwq) derives from the verb `{{H6777}}` (tsâmaq), meaning "to shrink" or "to dry up." This etymological root directly informs its primary definition: a dried grape. The term encompasses both the individual dried fruit and, more commonly in biblical usage, a "cake of dried grapes" or a "bunch/cluster of raisins." It refers to a preserved food item, created by drying grapes, which would have been a common method of food preservation in the ancient Near East. The semantic range is therefore quite narrow, focusing specifically on this particular form of processed fruit, valued for its concentrated energy and portability.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H6778}}` appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within narratives concerning David, highlighting its role as a practical and valuable provision.
1. **[[1 Samuel 25:18]]**: Abigail, seeking to appease David, brings a substantial offering that includes "one hundred clusters of raisins." Here, `{{H6778}}` is part of a significant gift intended to avert David's wrath, demonstrating its value as a desirable commodity and a symbol of abundance and peace offering.
2. **[[1 Samuel 30:12]]**: An Egyptian slave, abandoned by the Amalekites, is found by David's men. He is given "a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins" (or "two cakes of raisins," depending on translation). In this context, the raisins serve as a vital restorative food, quickly reviving the exhausted and starving man. This highlights their role as a concentrated source of energy and nourishment.
3. **[[2 Samuel 16:1]]**: As David flees Jerusalem from Absalom, Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, brings provisions, including "a hundred clusters of raisins." Similar to Abigail's gift, this signifies a loyal provision for the king and his company during a time of crisis, again emphasizing their utility as travel food.
4. **[[1 Chronicles 12:40]]**: During the period when David is being established as king in Hebron, various tribes bring provisions to him. Among the many food items brought are "cakes of raisins." This collective offering underscores the broad support for David and the general abundance of the land, with raisins being a standard and valued part of the sustenance provided for a large gathering.
In all occurrences, `{{H6778}}` functions as a practical food item, often given as a gift or provision, particularly in contexts of travel, sustenance, and restoration. Its presence signifies ready energy and a valuable contribution to a food supply.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the verbal root `{{H6777}}` (tsâmaq), "to dry up" or "to wither," from which `{{H6778}}` is derived, perfectly describing the process by which grapes become raisins. Other related concepts and words include:
* **`{{H6025}}` (ʿênâb)**: The fresh "grape," the raw material for raisins.
* **`{{H1612}}` (gephen)**: The "vine" or "grapevine" from which grapes are harvested.
* **`{{H8384}}` (tᵉ'ênâ)**: "Fig" or "fig tree," often mentioned alongside raisins as another common dried fruit, as seen in [[1 Samuel 30:12]] where "cakes of figs" and "clusters of raisins" are paired.
* **`{{H1700}}` (dᵉbêlâ)**: A "cake of figs," which is the fig equivalent of a "cake of raisins," highlighting similar methods of preservation and consumption.
* **Provision and Sustenance**: `{{H6778}}` consistently appears in contexts of providing food for individuals or groups, often during journeys or times of need, illustrating the theme of divine and human provision.
* **Hospitality and Gifts**: The giving of raisins as a gift, as seen with Abigail and Ziba, reflects ancient Near Eastern customs of hospitality and demonstrating loyalty or seeking favor.
* **Abundance and Blessing**: The presence of such preserved goods in quantity often signals prosperity and the blessing of agricultural yield.
### Theological Significance
While `{{H6778}}` itself does not carry a profound theological meaning in the same way as terms like "covenant" or "holiness," its repeated appearance in contexts of provision and sustenance offers subtle theological insights.
1. **Divine Provision through Human Means**: The instances where raisins are given as gifts or provisions (e.g., by Abigail, Ziba, or the tribes to David) subtly illustrate God's providential care for His people, often mediated through human agents. Even a humble food item like a raisin cake becomes a tangible expression of God's sustaining hand in the lives of His chosen ones, particularly during times of distress or transition.
2. **Restoration and Life**: The use of raisins to revive the Egyptian slave in [[1 Samuel 30:12]] speaks to the life-giving power of nourishment. Theologically, this can be seen as a microcosm of God's broader work of restoration, bringing life and strength to the weary and broken, whether physically or spiritually.
3. **Symbol of Blessing and Fruitfulness**: In an agrarian society, the ability to harvest and preserve grapes into raisins was a sign of a fruitful land and a successful harvest, indicative of God's blessing upon the land and its people. The presence of such food items in abundance points to a state of blessing and well-being.
4. **Practical Care in God's Economy**: The inclusion of such practical, everyday items in the biblical narrative reminds us that God's care extends to the most fundamental needs of His creation. It underscores the biblical emphasis on hospitality, generosity, and the importance of meeting the physical needs of others as an act of service and love.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H6778}}` (tsammûwq) refers to a "cake of dried grapes" or "cluster of raisins," derived from the root meaning "to dry up." Its occurrences in the biblical narrative, primarily in the books of Samuel and Chronicles, consistently portray it as a valuable and practical food item. It serves as a vital provision for journeys, a restorative source of energy, and a significant component of gifts or offerings. While not carrying explicit theological weight, its usage implicitly highlights themes of divine provision and sustenance, restoration, the blessing of agricultural abundance, and the practical outworking of hospitality and care within God's economy. The humble raisin, therefore, plays a quiet yet crucial role in illustrating the tangible aspects of God's sustaining presence in the lives of His people.
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