דְּבֵלָה
a cake of pressed figs
Definition
The Hebrew noun דְּבֵלָה (dᵉbêlâh) refers specifically to a cake or lump of pressed figs. This was a common form of preserved food in the ancient Near East, made by mashing and compressing dried figs into a solid, portable cake. In its biblical usage, it consistently denotes this food item, often used as a provision for travel (1 Samuel 25:18) or as a restorative food for the sick and weary (1 Samuel 30:12). In one notable instance, it is used as a medicinal poultice applied to a boil (2 Kings 20:7, Isaiah 38:21).
Biblical Usage
This word is used five times in the Old Testament, primarily in historical narratives. It appears as a valuable foodstuff included in generous gift packages (1 Samuel 25:18, 1 Chronicles 12:40). It also serves as emergency sustenance for a starving man (1 Samuel 30:12) and, most famously, as part of a prescribed medical treatment for King Hezekiah's illness (2 Kings 20:7, Isaiah 38:21). Its usage is consistent, always referring to this specific, practical food item.
Etymology
The word דְּבֵלָה (dᵉbêlâh) likely derives from an unused root meaning 'to press together' or 'to heap up,' related to the idea of compaction. This root sense is fitting for a food made by pressing dried fruit. It is considered akin to the Hebrew root זָבַל (zāḇal, H2082), which carries connotations of bearing or carrying, possibly relating to how these dense cakes were transported.
Semantic Range
Fig cakes were a staple, non-perishable food in ancient Israel, prized for their sweetness, nutritional density, and portability. They were a practical solution for preservation and travel in an era without modern packaging. Their use in 2 Kings 20:7 as a poultice reflects ancient medicinal practices, where natural substances were applied topically. This differs from a modern understanding, where we might not consider a food item as a standard medical treatment.
תְּאֵנָה (tᵉʾēnâ, H8384) — This is the general word for a 'fig' (the fresh fruit), whereas דְּבֵלָה is the processed, pressed cake made from them.
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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