Overview
Raisins were dried grapes that provided essential nutrition and long shelf life in ancient Israel. They served as portable provisions for travelers and soldiers, and were often given as gifts or tribute to demonstrate respect and provision. The references to raisins throughout Scripture highlight their practical importance in daily life and their symbolic value in acts of kindness.
Key Scriptures
"She took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of roasted grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs" (1 Samuel 25:18, ESV).
"And Ziba said, 'The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who faint in the wilderness to drink'" (2 Samuel 16:1, ESV).
Application
Consider how God provides practical sustenance for our needs, and follow the example of generous giving seen when raisins were offered as gifts to those in need.