Raisin-cakes are mentioned in several passages of the Bible, often associated with celebrations, offerings, and sometimes idolatrous practices. These cakes were likely made from dried grapes, pressed into a cake form, and were a popular delicacy in ancient Near Eastern cultures.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Samuel 6:19 : "Then he distributed to every man and woman in Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake. Then all the people departed, each to his own home." This passage describes King David distributing raisin-cakes to the people of Israel as part of a celebratory feast when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. The inclusion of raisin-cakes in this context highlights their role in festive and religious occasions.

2. 1 Chronicles 16:3 : "Then he distributed to every man and woman of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake." This verse parallels the account in 2 Samuel, again emphasizing the use of raisin-cakes in communal celebrations and religious ceremonies.

3. Hosea 3:1 : "Then the LORD said to me, 'Go, show love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.'" In this passage, raisin-cakes are associated with idolatrous practices, indicating that they were sometimes used in pagan worship. The prophet Hosea uses this imagery to illustrate Israel's unfaithfulness to God, as they pursued other deities and the associated rituals.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

Raisin-cakes were a common food item in ancient Israel and surrounding regions, valued for their sweetness and nutritional content. They were often included in offerings and feasts, symbolizing abundance and joy. However, their association with idolatry in Hosea suggests that they were also used in religious practices outside of Yahweh worship, reflecting the syncretism that sometimes occurred in Israelite society.

The dual role of raisin-cakes in both legitimate and illegitimate religious contexts serves as a reminder of the tension between true worship and the temptation to adopt surrounding cultural practices. This tension is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where the Israelites are frequently admonished to remain faithful to the covenant with God and avoid the allure of foreign gods and customs.

Conclusion:

Raisin-cakes in the Bible are emblematic of both celebration and caution. They represent the joy and communal fellowship found in worship and celebration, as seen in the accounts of David's distribution to the people. Conversely, they also serve as a symbol of Israel's infidelity to God when used in idolatrous contexts, as highlighted in Hosea. This duality underscores the importance of discernment in worship and the need to remain steadfast in faith.809. ashishah -- a raisin cake
... 808, 809. ashishah. 810 . a raisin cake. Transliteration: ashishah Phonetic
Spelling: (ash-ee-shaw') Short Definition: cakes. Word ...
/hebrew/809.htm - 6kRaisin-cake (2 Occurrences)
Raisin-cake. Raisin, Raisin-cake. Raisincakes . Multi-Version
Concordance Raisin-cake (2 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 6:19 ...
/r/raisin-cake.htm - 7k

Raisin (5 Occurrences)

/r/raisin.htm - 8k

Flagon (4 Occurrences)
... 2:5 Hosea 3:1. In all, these passages the Revised Version (British and American)
reads "cake of raisins" or "raisins." It was probably a pressed raisincake. ...
/f/flagon.htm - 10k

Raisincakes

/r/raisincakes.htm - 7k

Food (2953 Occurrences)
... The meaning of the word rendered "raisin-cake," the American Standard Revised Version
"a cake of raisins" (2 Samuel 6:19 and elsewhere), is uncertain. ...
/f/food.htm - 36k

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