Description
The poultice was a lump or pressed block of dried figs.
Usage
Such a block of dried figs could be used simply as food (see Blocks of pressed dried fruit). The dried fruit would keep for a long time. On occasion it could be applied to a boil or eruption on the skin as a means of softening the skin for healing.
Translation
In the story of the healing of Hezekiah (2KI 20:7; ISA 38:21), the exact nature of the fig application is uncertain. Several models for translating the Hebrew phrase dveleth t’enim are “mashed figs” (CEV), “paste of crushed figs” (FRCL), “fig-plaster” (REB), and “paste made of figs” (GNT). Where figs are unknown, translators may say “fruit named fig” or find some local fruit that could serve both as food and medicine.
The Greek word malagma in WIS 16:12 refers to a kind of compress that was intended to soften a wound or sore on the skin. The word “ointment” in GNT and TOB is somewhat imprecise, while the word “poultice” (RSV) is obscure in English. NAB says “application,” which is a useful model. ITCL has “bandage.”