דָּשֵׁן
to be fat; transitively, to fatten (or regard as fat); specifically to anoint; figuratively
Definition
The verb דָּשֵׁן (dâshên) primarily means 'to be or become fat,' describing physical prosperity and abundance. In a transitive sense, it means 'to fatten' or 'to make fat,' as seen in Deuteronomy 31:20, where Israel, after eating and being satisfied, will grow fat and turn to other gods. A significant ritual sense is 'to remove the fatty ashes' from the altar (Exodus 27:3, Numbers 4:13), a key priestly duty. Figuratively, it extends to the concept of anointing or enriching, most beautifully in Psalm 23:5, where God anoints the psalmist's head with oil, symbolizing blessing and honor. It also carries the sense of satisfying or prospering someone, as in Proverbs 11:25 and 13:4.
Biblical Usage
דָּשֵׁן is used 11 times across the Torah, Psalms, and Wisdom literature. Its usage divides into three main contexts: 1) Ritual: describing the removal of ashes from the altar (Exodus 27:3, Numbers 4:13). 2) Physical/Agricultural: describing nations or individuals becoming physically fat and prosperous, often with a negative moral consequence (Deuteronomy 31:20). 3) Metaphorical/Positive: depicting divine blessing, anointing, and satisfaction, especially in the Psalms and Proverbs (Psalm 23:5, Proverbs 11:25, 13:4, 15:30). Psalm 20:3 uses it in a prayer for God to 'accept' or 'regard as fat' (i.e., favorably receive) an offering.
Etymology
The word is a primitive root. It is also used as a denominative verb derived from the related noun דֶּשֶׁן (deshen, H1880), which means 'fatness,' 'ashes,' or 'fertile place.' This dual connection to both 'fatness' and 'ashes' explains the verb's range of meanings, from becoming fat to the specific cultic act of removing the fat-laden ashes from sacrifices.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects physical abundance, ritual purity, and spiritual blessing. It warns that material prosperity (Deuteronomy 31:20) can lead to spiritual apostasy. Conversely, in the context of worship, it points to the maintenance of a holy place (removing ashes). Its richest theological use is in Psalm 23:5, where God's anointing (dâshên) symbolizes His personal favor, protection, and abundant provision for the believer, prefiguring the Messiah, 'the Anointed One.' It teaches that true prosperity and satisfaction are gifts from God.
In ancient Israelite culture, fatness was not primarily negative but a direct sign of agricultural success, health, and divine blessing in a subsistence economy. The ritual act of removing ashes was a vital, repeated task to keep the altar of sacrifice functional and holy. The act of anointing with oil was a cultural practice for hospitality, healing, and consecration for office, investing the metaphorical use in Psalm 23:5 with deep tangible meaning for the original audience.
סָמַךְ (sāmakh, H5564) — to lean, lay, or support; used for ordination/anointing by hand-laying, not with oil. מָשַׁח (māshach, H4886) — to smear or anoint (with oil); the standard verb for anointing people or objects, especially kings and priests. שָׁמֵן (shāmēn, H8080) — to be or become fat, grease; overlaps in the physical sense but lacks the ritual and metaphorical breadth of dâshên.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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