(דְּבֵלָה, debelah'), a round mass of any substance pressed together, specially of dried figs (2 Kings 20:7; Isaiah 38:21; "cake," 1 Samuel 25:18; 1 Samuel 30:12; 1 Chronicles 12:40). The Greeks adopted the Heb. term in a softened form, παλάθη, which the Sept. uses. This was the usual shape in which figs were preserved for sale or use among the ancients, and is still found in the modern package called a "drum of figs." (See Celsii Hierobot. 2:377-379; J.E. Faber on Harmar's Obs. 1:389 sq.) (See FIG).
The term rendered "lump" in the New Test. is φύραμα, a kneaded mass, e.g. of potter's clay prepared for molding (Romans 9:21), or of dough (proverbially, 1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9; tropically, Romans 11:16; 1 Corinthians 5:7). (See POTTERY).