אֲשִׁישָׁה

# Ashishá (אֲשִׁישָׁה): Raisin Bun The Hebrew word *ashishá* refers specifically to a raisin bun—a baked good made with dried grapes. This straightforward culinary term appears five times in the biblical text, indicating it was a recognized food item in ancient Israelite culture. The word's narrowness of meaning (confined to a particular type of bread product) suggests it was distinctive enough in form or preparation to warrant its own designation rather than being grouped under generic bread terminology. The limited but consistent presence of this word in the Bible (five occurrences) implies that raisin buns held some cultural significance, whether as a food for everyday consumption, special occasions, or ritual purposes. Without access to the specific verses in which it appears, the frequency alone indicates the term was established enough in biblical Hebrew to be used when referring to this particular item, distinguishing it from ordinary bread. The survival of this culinary vocabulary in the biblical text provides a modest window into the material life and food culture of ancient Israel.