אִשָּׁה
properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice
Definition
The Hebrew word אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh) primarily denotes a 'burnt offering,' a specific type of sacrifice wholly consumed by fire on the altar as an offering to God (Leviticus 1:9). While this is its dominant meaning, the term can also be used more broadly to refer to other offerings made by fire, such as portions of the grain offering (Leviticus 2:2) or the fat of the peace offering (Leviticus 3:3-5). In a few instances, it appears in a general sense for 'offering' or 'sacrifice,' as seen in Exodus 30:20, where priests must wash before approaching the altar to present an ʼishshâh.
Biblical Usage
This word is used almost exclusively in the ritual texts of the Pentateuch, particularly in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, detailing the sacrificial system. Its usage is tightly bound to priestly instructions for proper worship. A clear pattern is its association with the phrase 'an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD' (e.g., Leviticus 1:9, 1:13). It specifies the mode of the offering—consumption by fire—which distinguishes it from other types of sacrifices that were only partially burned.
Etymology
The noun אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H801) is derived from the root אֵשׁ (ʼēsh, H784), meaning 'fire.' It is essentially the same word as H800 (אֶשָּׁה), also meaning 'fire,' but H801 developed a specialized, liturgical sense for a 'fire-offering' or 'burnt offering.' This derivation highlights the central action of the sacrifice: being transformed by fire on the altar as an act of devotion.
Semantic Range
This word is central to understanding the Old Testament sacrificial system, which prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The burnt offering (ʼishshâh) symbolized complete surrender and atonement, as the entire animal was given to God (Leviticus 1:4). Its description as a 'pleasing aroma' (Leviticus 1:9) points to God's acceptance of a worshiper's devotion. Understanding this term enriches reading by clarifying the specific, costly nature of worship under the Mosaic covenant and its fulfillment in Christ's offering of Himself (Ephesians 5:2).
In ancient Israelite culture, the ʼishshâh was a tangible and costly act of worship. Unlike some sacrifices where parts were eaten by the priests or the offerer, the burnt offering was wholly given to God, signifying total dedication. The use of fire was not merely practical but symbolic, representing purification, divine acceptance, and the transformation of the offering. This differs from a modern understanding of 'offering,' which is often financial and non-literal.
עֹלָה (ʻōlâh, H5930) — The most specific term for 'burnt offering,' often used interchangeably with ʼishshâh but emphasizing the offering's ascent in smoke. זֶבַח (zeḇaḥ, H2077) — A general term for 'sacrifice,' often for peace offerings where parts are eaten, not wholly burned. קָרְבָּן (qorbān, H7133) — A broad term for 'offering' or 'gift' brought near to God, encompassing all types.
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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