Psalms 81:16 — Word Study
WLCוַֽ֭יַּאֲכִילֵהוּ מֵחֵ֣לֶב חִטָּ֑ה וּ֝מִצּ֗וּר דְּבַ֣שׁ אַשְׂבִּיעֶֽךָ׃
BSAto hatesânêʼ The LordYᵉhôvâh to deceivekâchash to behâyâh timeʻêth foreverʻôwlâm
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַֽ֭יַּאֲכִילֵהוּ | and he fed him | Verb hiphil sequential imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| מֵחֵ֣לֶב | from [the] best of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| חִטָּ֑ה | [the] wheat | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וּ֝מִצּ֗וּר | and from a rock | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| דְּבַ֣שׁ | honey | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| אַשְׂבִּיעֶֽךָ׃ | I will satisfy you | Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | But I would feed you the finest wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” |
| KJV | He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee. |
| ASV | He would feed them also with the finest of the wheat; And with honey out of the rock would I satisfy thee. |
| YLT | He causeth him to eat of the fat of wheat, And [with] honey from a rock I satisfy thee! |
| WEB | But he would have also fed them with the finest of the wheat. I will satisfy you with honey out of the rock.” |
| BBE | I would give them the best grain for food; you would be full of honey from the rock. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of חִטָּה — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause presents God's promise, followed by a prepositional phrase that adds richness and a verb phrase that completes the thought.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 81:16
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Call to Israelgenerated
Psalm 81:16 is set within a call from God to His people, urging them to listen and follow His ways. The surrounding verses express God's longing to protect and provide for Israel, using rich imagery of nourishment and satisfaction. This reflects God's desire to bless His people abundantly, as seen in other passages like Deuteronomy 32:13-14.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 147:14 | He makes peace at your borders; He fills you with the finest wheat. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 32:13–14 | He made him ride on the heights of the land and fed him the produce of the field. He nourished him with honey from the rock and oil from the flinty crag, |
| 3 | Joel 2:24 | The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. |
| 4 | Judges 14:8–9 | When Samson returned later to take her, he left the road to see the lion’s carcass, and in it was a swarm of bees, along with their honey. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 14:25–26 | Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חִטָּה, chi.Tahgenerated
The word חִטָּה (chi.tah) means 'wheat', referring to both the grain and the plant. It signifies nourishment and abundance, often used in contexts of harvest and provision. The parsing indicates that it is a noun in the feminine singular form, suggesting its role as a staple food in the ancient diet.
Wheat is a fundamental element in biblical imagery, representing sustenance and God's provision. In this verse, it emphasizes the richness of what God offers, contrasting with the spiritual hunger of His people.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is יַּאֲכִילֵ (ya'achile), meaning 'I would feed', which governs the entire sentence. It is followed by a noun phrase that specifies what is being offered, and a second clause that indicates how God will satisfy His people.
The structure shows a clear intention: God expresses a desire to provide the best, with the flow emphasizing His willingness to nourish Israel abundantly.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, חִטָּה is rendered as σῖτος (sitōs), which also means 'grain' or 'food'. This choice aligns with the idea of sustenance, but the Greek word can encompass a broader range of foodstuffs.
The translation reflects a similar emphasis on nourishment, but the Greek term may suggest a wider understanding of food beyond just wheat.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 81:16 shows God expressing His desire to provide for His people, offering them the best wheat and honey from the rock. This imagery conveys abundance and satisfaction, highlighting God's longing to nourish Israel if they would only listen to Him.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
God is referring to the best provisions, symbolizing abundance and quality, which He desires to give to His people.
Honey from the rock symbolizes unexpected sweetness and richness, illustrating God's ability to provide nourishment in surprising ways.
The lack of listening signifies a rejection of God's provision and guidance, leading to missed blessings.
This verse highlights God's desire to care for and satisfy His people, showing His readiness to provide abundantly if they would turn to Him.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's provision in my life?
- How can I be more attentive to God's guidance and nourishment?
- What does it mean for me to seek the 'finest wheat' in my spiritual life?
- How can I share the sweetness of God's provision with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo cites this verse to illustrate God's provision for His people, emphasizing the richness of His offerings.
..."And He fed them of the fat of wheat, and from the rock with honey He satisfied them" [Psalms 81:16].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 81 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 81:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat,.... Or the "fat of the wheat (y)"; see Deuteronomy 32:14, with the finest flour of it: the Targum is, "with the best bread of wheat;'' with
Read John Gill on Psalms 81 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryOh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! -God still yearns over them, in spite of their perversity and its penal consequence, waiting to be gracious. Verse 13.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 81 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWith honey; either, 1. Metaphorically, with all pleasant and precious fruits, and with all delights, as all necessaries may be expressed under the name of wheat. Or rather, 2. Properly; this land of Canaan being commended for its excellent and plentiful honey; and the bees there did oft-times harbour and make their honey in the holes of rocks and such-like places, from which it flowed down upon the ground. See ,26.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 81 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 81:16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.Ver. 16. With the finest of the wheat] Heb. With the fat or marrow of wheat, with the choicest of picked nourishment. And with honey, &c.] Hyperbole incomparabilis felicitatis et foecunditatis. See Deuteronomy 32:13, shadowing out the sweetness of the word and sacraments.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 81 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) Finest of the wheat.—See margin, and comp. Psalms 147:14. The construction of this verse is matter of difficulty. Properly we should render, And he fed them with the finest of the wheat, and with honey out of the rock satisfied thee. The change of person is harsh, though perhaps it may be illustrated by Psalms 22:27, &c, but the past tense seems out of keeping with the context. The conclusions of Psalms 77, 78 are hardly analogous. The pointing should be slightly changed to give, “And I would feed them also,” &c
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 81 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. With the finest of the wheat] מחלב חטה mecheleb chittah; literally, with the fat of wheat, as in the margin. Honey out of the rock] And he fed thaim of the grese of whete: And of the hony stane he thaim filled. Old Psalter. Thus paraphrased: "He fed thaim with the body of Criste and gastely understandyng; and of hony that ran of the stane, that is, of the wisedome that is swete to the hert." Several of the fathers understand this place of Christ. ANALYSIS OF THE EIGHTY-FIRST PSALM The contents of this Psalm are the following: - I. The psalmist exhorts them to celebrate God's name in their festivals, Psalms 81:1-4. II. The reasons why they should do this: God's benefits conferred…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 81 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16. Tense and person both present serious difficulties, and it seems necessary to emend the text of the first line, and read: Yea, I would feed him with the fat of wheat, And with honey out of the rock would I satisfy thee. Him = Israel. The transition to direct address in Psalms 50:2 (‘thee’) seems harsh, but is not uncommon in Heb. The third person ‘them’ or ‘him’ in LXX, Jer., Syr., is probably only a correction to avoid it. We have here another reminiscence of Deuteronomy 32, vv13, 14. Cp. Psalms 147:14. To an obedient people God would fulfil His ancient promises of blessing. Cp. Exodus 3:8; Deuteronomy 7:12-13; Deuteronomy 8:6 ff.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 81 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe should have fed them also - He would have given them prosperity, and their land would have produced abundantly of the necessities - even of the luxuries - of life.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 81 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
But I would feed you the finest wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
But he would have also fed them with the finest of the wheat. I will satisfy you with honey out of the rock.”
But I would feed you the finest wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
“I would feed Israel the best wheat, and would satisfy your appetite with honey from the rocky cliffs.”
Tyndale line
He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.
He would feed them also with the finest of the wheat; And with honey out of the rock would I satisfy thee.
He should feed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I satisfy thee.
He would have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock I should have satisfied thee.
And God would haue fedde them with the fatte of wheat, and with honie out of the rocke would I haue sufficed thee.
Strictly literal
And he would have fed them with the finest of wheat; yea, with honey out of the rock would I have satisfied thee.
He causeth him to eat of the fat of wheat, And [with] honey from a rock I satisfy thee!
He causes him to eat of the fat of wheat, || And I satisfy you [with] honey from a rock!
(81:17) And he would feed him with the best of wheat: and out of the rock would I satisfy thee with honey.
I would feed Israel with the finest wheat; I would satisfy you with honey out of the rock.”
Simplified
But I would feed you the best wheat and satisfy you with honey from the rock.”
I would give them the best grain for food; you would be full of honey from the rock.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text (MT) of Psalms 81:16 states, "But I would feed you the finest wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you." The Septuagint (LXX) aligns closely with the MT, matching all six words in a word-by-word correspondence, although it presents them in a different order and with its own articles. The Dead Sea Scrolls (specifically Mas1e) do not contain the same text as the MT for this verse, as they include a different phrase that does not correspond to the content of Psalms 81:16, indicating a significant textual variation.
וַֽ֭יַּאֲכִילֵהוּ מֵחֵ֣לֶב חִטָּ֑ה וּ֝מִצּ֗וּר דְּבַ֣שׁ אַשְׂבִּיעֶֽךָ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
משנאי יהוה יכחשו ל׳ו [ויהי] [עת׳ם] לעולם
4 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 2 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 81:16
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָכַל (akal) means 'to eat' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including literal consumption by humans and animals, as well as figurative uses like devouring by fire or destruction. It can describe actions such as feeding or causing to eat, and it also appears in contexts of oppression and destruction. The verb has various forms, indicating different subjects and nuances.
אָכַל 806 vb. eat
Qal
eat, human subject
of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour
fig. of fire, devour, consume
of sword, devour, slay
in genl., devour, consume, destroy
fig. of oppression, devour the poor
Niph.
be eaten by man
be devoured by fire, consumed
be wasted, destroyed, of flesh
Pu. be consumed
Hiph.
cause to eat, feed with
cause to devoure, obj. sword
base
H398 אָכַל eat .. eat, human subject
. of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour
. fig. of fire, devour, consume
. of sword, devour, slay
. in genl., devour, consume, destroy
. fig. of oppression, devour the poor
. . be eaten by man
. be devoured by fire, consumed
. be wasted, destroyed, of flesh
. be consumed
. . cause to eat, feed with
. cause to devoure, obj. sword
398 'akal aw-kal'
a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively):--X at
all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up),
feed (with), food, X freely, X in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay)
meat, X quite.
אָכַל (a.khal) — to eat.
1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to eat (human subject)
1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds)
1a3) to devour, consume (of fire)
1a4) to devour, slay (of sword)
1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought)
1a6) to devour (of oppression)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be eaten (by men)
1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire)
1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh)
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to cause to eat, feed with
1c2) to cause to devour
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to feed
1d2) to cause to eat
1e) (Piel)
1e1) consume
Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Hc/Vhw3ms/Sp3ms — Verb hiphil sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vhw3ms/Sp3ms
חֵ֫לֶב (cheleb) means fat, referring to both human and animal fat, as well as the choicest parts of agricultural products. It conveys the idea of richness or abundance, highlighting the best or finest portions. The entries consistently emphasize its literal and figurative uses, but do not provide specific verse references.
חֵ֫לֶב n.m. fat
fat of human body
fat of beasts
choicest, best part of products of land
base
H2459 חֵ֫לֶב fat . fat of human body
. fat of beasts
. choicest, best part of products of land
2459 cheleb kheh'-leb
or cheleb {khay'-leb}; from an unused root meaning to be fat;
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or
choice part:--X best, fat(-ness), X finest, grease, marrow.
חֵ֫לֶב (che.lev) — fat.
1) fat
1a) fat (of humans)
1b) fat (of beasts)
1c) choicest, best part, abundance (of products of the land)
HR/Ncmsc — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
חִטָּה (chittah) means wheat, referring to both the grain and the plant. It can also denote wheat flour. The Aramaic equivalent is חִנְטָה (chintah). The word's derivation is uncertain.
חִטָּה n.f. wheat
base
H2406 חִטָּה wheat
2406 chittah khit-taw'
of uncertain derivation; wheat, whether the grain or the
plant:--wheat(-en).
חִטָּה (chit.tah) — wheat.
1) wheat
1a) wheat (plant)
1b) wheat flour
Aramaic equivalent: chin.tah (חִנְטָה "wheat" H2591)
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
hwet
((1) chiTTah, the specific word for wheat (Ge 30:14; Ex 34:22, etc.), with puros (Judith 3:3; Sirach 39:26);
(2) bar, or bar (Jer 23:28; Joe 2:24; Am 5:11; 8:6); in other passages translated "grain" or "corn";
(3) sitos (Mt 3:12; 13:25,29,30; Lu 3:17; 16:7; 22:31, etc.) (for other words translated occasionally "wheat" in the King James Version see CORN; FOOD)): Wheat, usually the bearded variety, is cultivated all over Palestine, though less so than barley. The great plain of the Hauran is a vast expanse of…
Wheat
One of the earliest cultivated grains. It bore the Hebrew name hittah, and was extensively cultivated in Palestine. There are various species of wheat. That which Pharaoh saw in his dream was the Triticum compositum, which bears several ears upon one stalk (Gen. 41:5). The “fat of the kidneys of wheat” (Deut. 32:14), and the “finest of the wheat” (Ps. 81:16; 147:14), denote the best of the kind. It was exported from Palestine in great quantities (1 Kings 5:11; Ezek. 27:17; Acts 12:20).
the well-known valuable cereal, cultivated from the earliest times, is first mentioned in ((Genesis 30:14) in the account of Jacob’s sojourn with Laban in Mesopotamia. Egypt in ancient times was celebrated for the growth of its wheat; the best quality was all bearded; and the same varieties existed in ancient as in modern times, among which may be mentioned the seven-eared quality described in Pharaoh’s dream. (Genesis 41:22) Babylonia was also noted for the excellence of its wheat and other cereals. Syria and Palestine produced wheat of fine quality and in large quantities. (Psalms 81:16; 147:14) etc. There appear to be two or three kinds of wheat at present grown in Palestine, the Triticum vulgare , the T. spelta , and…
Is the principal and most valuable kind of grain for the service of man, and is produced in almost every part of the world, Ge 30:14 De 8:8 Jud 6:11 Mt 13:25 1Co 15:37. It is often intended where the word corn is used. See CORN.
The Egyptian wheat, Triticum Compositum, has six or seven ears on one head; so that it presented its usual appearance in this respect in Pharaoh’s dream, Ge 41:5-7. The "meat-offerings" of the Mosaic service, Le 2:1-16, were all made of wheaten flour.
צוּר (tsur) means rock or cliff, often referring to a sharp rock or boulder. It can also signify a refuge or an edge, and is used in various contexts, including references to God as a rock. The word is built from the root associated with strong, compressed formations, and it appears in different forms, such as in the phrase 'rock of God.'
צוּר n.m. rock, cliff
base
H6697 צוּר rock, cliff
6697 tsuwr tsoor
or tsur {tsoor}; from 6696; properly, a cliff (or sharp rock,
as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a
refuge; also an edge (as precipitous):--edge, X (mighty) God
(one), rock, X sharp, stone, X strength, X strong. See also
1049.
see HEBREW for 06696
see HEBREW for 01049
צוּר (tsur) — Rocks (of Goats).
Combined with ya.el (יָעֵל "Wildgoats'" H3277)
This name means rock, cliff
צוּר (tsur) — rock.
1) rock, cliff
1a) rocky wall, cliff
1b) rock (with flat surface)
1c) block of stone, boulder
1d) rock (specific)
1e) rock (of God)
1f) rock (of heathen gods) n pr dei
1g) Rock
Aramaic equivalent: tur (טוּר "mountain" H2906)
HC/R/Ncmsc — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHC/R/Ncmsc
rok ((1) cela`; (2) tsur (3) challamish, "flint"; compare Arabic khalanbus, "flint"; (4) kephim (Job 30:6; Jer 4:29); compare Kephas, "Cephas" = Petros, "Peter" (Joh 1:42 the King James Version and the Revised Version margin); (5) petra):
1. Names:
Tsur and cela` are the words most often found, and there is no well-defined distinction between them. They are frequently coupled together in the parallelism which is characteristic of the Hebrew writers: e.g.
"Be thou to me a strong rock (tsur),
A house of defense to save me.
For thou art my rock (tsela) and my fortress"
(Ps 31:2,3).
"He clave rocks (tsur) in the wilderness,
And gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths.
Rock
(Heb. tsur), employed as a symbol of God in the Old Testament (1 Sam. 2:2; 2 Sam. 22:3; Isa. 17:10; Ps. 28:1; 31:2,3; 89:26; 95:1); also in the New Testament (Matt. 16:18; Rom. 9:33; 1 Cor. 10:4). In Dan. 2:45 the Chaldaic form of the Hebrew word is translated “mountain.” It ought to be translated “rock,” as in Hab. 1:12 in the Revised Version. The “rock” from which the stone is cut there signifies the…
דְּבַשׁ (dbash) means honey, derived from a root that suggests stickiness. It encompasses the substance itself and can also refer to syrup. The entries consistently identify it as honey without significant variation.
דְּבַשׁ 64 n.m. honey
base
H1706 דְּבַשׁ honey
1706 dbash deb-ash'
from an unused root meaning to be gummy; honey (from its
stickiness); by analogy, syrup:--honey((-comb)).
דְּבַשׁ (de.vash) — honey.
honey
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
hun'-i (debhash; meli): One familiar with life in Palestine will recognize in debhash the Arabic dibs, which is the usual term for a sweet syrup made by boiling down the juice of grapes, raisins, carob beans, or dates. Dibs is seldom, if ever, used as a name for honey (compare Arabic 'asal), whereas in the Old Testament debhash probably had only that meaning. The honey referred to was in most cases wild honey (De 32:13; Jud 14:8,9; 1Sa 14:25,26,29,43), although the offering of honey with the first-fruits would seem to indicate that the bees were also domesticated (2Ch 31:5). The bees constructed their honeycomb and deposited their honey in holes in the ground (
Honey
(1.) Heb. ya’ar, occurs only 1 Sam. 14:25, 27, 29; Cant. 5:1, where it denotes the honey of bees. Properly the word signifies a forest or copse, and refers to honey found in woods.
(2.) Nopheth, honey that drops (Ps. 19:10; Prov. 5:3; Cant. 4:11).
(3.) Debash denotes bee-honey (Judg. 14:8); but also frequently a vegetable honey distilled from trees (Gen. 43:11; Ezek. 27:17). In these passages it may probably mean “dibs,” or syrup of grapes, i.e., the juice…
The Hebrew debash in the first place applied to the product of the bee, to which exclusively we give the name of honey. All travellers agree in describing Palestine as a land "flowing with milk and honey," (Exodus 3:8) bees being abundant even in the remote parts of the wilderness, where they deposit their honey in the crevices of rocks or in hollow trees. In some parts of northern Arabia the hills are so well stocked with bees that no sooner are hives placed than they are occupied. In the second place the term debash applies to a decoction of the juice of the grape, which is still called dibs , and which forms an article of commerce in the East, it was this, and not ordinary bee-honey, which Jacob sent to Joseph, (Genesis 43:11) and which the Tyrians purchased from Palestine. (
Was formerly very plentiful in Palestine, and hence the frequent expressions of Scripture which import that that country was a land flowing with milk and honey, Le 20:24. Wild bee honey was often found in hollow trees and clefts in the rocks, De 32:13 Ps 81:16; and on this John the Baptist fed, Mt 3:4. Honey was highly prized, Ps 19:10 Pr 5:3 27:7. Modern travellers observe that it is still very common there, and that the inhabitants mix it in all their sauces. Forskal says the caravans of Mecca bring honey from Arabia to Cairo, and that he has often seen honey…
שָׂבֵעַ (saba`) means to be sated or satisfied, particularly in relation to food. It can also imply having one's desires fulfilled or being surfeited with excess. The verb has various forms, including Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, which cover meanings from simply being full to enriching or satisfying others. The entries indicate a focus on both literal and figurative senses of satisfaction.
[שָׂבֵעַ], שָׂבַע 96 vb. be sated, satisfied, surfeited
Qal 79
be sated (with food), esp. human subj.
more gen., be sated, have desire satisfied
have in excess, be surfeited with
Niph. Pt. sated
Pi. satisfy
Hiph.
satisfy (esp. with material blessings), subj. י׳
c. acc. of food pers., י׳ subj.
י׳ subj.
י׳ subj., c. acc. of beasts
enrich
sate, glut (with the undesired)
base
H7646 שָׂבֵעַ, שָׂבַע be sated, satisfied, surfeited .. be sated (with food), esp. human subj.
. more gen., be sated, have desire satisfied
. have in excess, be surfeited with
. Pt. sated
. satisfy
. . . satisfy (esp. with material blessings), subj. י׳
. c. acc. of food + pers., י׳ subj.
. י׳ subj.
. י׳ subj., c. acc. of beasts
. enrich
. sate, glut (with the undesired)
7646 saba` saw-bah'
or sabeay {saw-bay'-ah}; a primitive root; to sate, i.e. fill
to satisfaction (literally or figuratively):--have enough,
fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty
of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of.
שָׂבֵעַ (sa.va) — to satisfy.
1) to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be sated (with food)
1a2) to be sated, be satisfied with, be fulfilled, be filled, have one's fill of (have desire satisfied)
1a3) to have in excess, be surfeited, be surfeited with
1a3a) to be weary of (fig)
1b) (Piel) to satisfy
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to satisfy
1c2) to enrich
1c3) to sate, glut (with the undesired)
HVhi1cs/Sp2ms — Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular · suffixHVhi1cs/Sp2ms