### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **bâshaç**, represented by `{{H1318}}`, is a primitive root meaning to **trample down** or **tread**. It is a rare term, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible. Its singular use provides a potent image of oppression and injustice against the vulnerable.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H1318}}` is used by the prophet Amos to condemn the Israelites for their social sins. The word appears in a passage denouncing the exploitation of the poor by the wealthy, stating, "Forasmuch therefore as your **treading** is upon the poor" [[Amos 5:11]]. In this context, the word portrays the contemptuous and crushing treatment of the needy, who are being trampled underfoot by the powerful.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words in its only context illuminate the nature of this oppressive act:
* `{{H3282}}` **yaʻan** (because that, forasmuch): This word introduces the charge, framing the "treading" as the reason for God's impending judgment.
* `{{H1800}}` **dal** (weak or thin; lean, needy, poor man, weaker): This term identifies the victim of the trampling, emphasizing their vulnerability and low state.
* `{{H3947}}` **lâqach** (to take): This describes the concurrent action of seizing from the poor, which accompanies the act of treading upon them.
* `{{H4864}}` **masʼêth** (a present, mess, or tribute; figuratively, a reproach as a burden): This specifies what is being taken—heavy tributes or "burdens" of wheat—further highlighting the exploitative nature of the sin.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H1318}}` is concentrated in its sole appearance, where it underscores key principles of divine justice.
* **Act of Oppression:** The word is not a neutral term for walking but is specifically used to depict the crushing mistreatment of the powerless, transforming a physical action into a symbol of severe injustice.
* **Social Injustice:** The use of **bâshaç** in connection with the **poor** `{{H1800}}` places it at the center of a divine critique against exploiting the needy, a major theme in the prophetic writings.
* **Cause for Judgment:** The act of "treading" is explicitly cited as a reason for divine punishment, as the verse connects this sin directly to the consequence of building houses and planting vineyards that the oppressors will never enjoy [[Amos 5:11]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1318}}` **bâshaç** offers a powerful and concise depiction of social injustice. Though it appears only once, its meaning, "to trample down," is amplified by its context in [[Amos 5:11]]. It serves as a stark illustration of the oppressive actions against the poor that provoke divine judgment, capturing a specific facet of sin condemned within the scriptures.
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