The Hebrew word shiqquv, represented by H8249, is defined as a draught; drink. Derived from the root word for drinking, this term is exceptionally rare. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, making its meaning entirely dependent on its singular, poignant context.
The sole appearance of H8249 is in Psalms 102:9, a verse of deep lament. The psalmist cries out, "For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping." In this passage, drink is not portrayed as a source of refreshment or life, but as a substance corrupted by overwhelming sorrow. It is used in parallel with eating ashes instead of bread, creating a powerful image of a life where the most basic forms of sustenance are replaced by symbols of grief and despair.
The meaning of H8249 is illuminated by the words surrounding it in its only context:
- H4537 mâçak (mingle): This root word means to mix, and is often used for preparing wine for a celebration Proverbs 9:2. Its use in Psalms 102:9 creates a stark contrast, where instead of spices, the drink is mingled with sorrow.
- H1065 Bᵉkîy (a weeping): This is what contaminates the drink. Weeping is often an expression of mourning Jeremiah 6:26 or a component of earnest prayer that the Lord hears Psalms 6:8.
- H398 ʼâkal (to eat): This verb, meaning to eat or consume, is used in parallel with the act of drinking. It is what the psalmist does with ashes, highlighting the unnatural state of his suffering Psalms 102:9.
- H665 ʼêpher (ashes): Ashes are a biblical symbol of repentance, mourning, and worthlessness Job 42:6. That the psalmist eats them instead of bread shows the depth of his affliction.
- H3899 lechem (bread): As the symbol of basic food and sustenance Deuteronomy 8:3, its replacement with ashes emphasizes the severity of the psalmist's condition.
The theological weight of H8249 is derived entirely from its powerful metaphorical use in a single verse.
- Embodiment of Grief: The word is used to illustrate a grief so profound that it infuses every aspect of life, even the necessary act of drinking. The psalmist's nourishment is literally composed of his own sorrow.
- A Portrait of Despair: By pairing the corrupted drink H8249 with the eating of ashes H665, the verse paints a complete picture of a life devoid of normal comfort and joy. It is an appeal to God from a place of utter desolation.
- The Nature of Lament: The use of shiqquv in this context demonstrates how biblical prayer can use visceral, physical imagery to express deep spiritual and emotional pain. The mingling of drink with weeping is a raw cry for divine attention and intervention Psalms 102:9.
In summary, shiqquv H8249 is a term defined not by frequent use but by the power of its single appearance. While it simply means "drink," its context in Psalms 102:9 imbues it with a heavy significance related to sorrow and lament. It stands as a stark biblical example of how language can transform a common physical necessity into a profound metaphor for a soul overwhelmed by grief.
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