דּוּשׁ

dûwsh /doosh/ Ask about this word
Meaningor דּוֹשׁ; or דִּישׁ; a primitive root; to trample or thresh
KJV usagebreak, tear, thresh, tread out (down), at grass (Jeremiah 50:11, by mistake for דֶּשֶׁא).
Copy as

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word dûwsh, represented by H1758, is a primitive root meaning to trample or thresh. It appears 14 times in 13 verses, often carrying the variants דּוֹשׁ or דִּישׁ. While its literal meaning is tied to the agricultural process of separating grain, it is frequently used as a powerful metaphor for destruction, punishment, and divine judgment. The base definition also notes its mistaken use for a different word in Jeremiah 50:11.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H1758 encompasses both literal and figurative actions. Its agricultural context is seen when Ornan is found "threshing wheat" 1 Chronicles 21:20 and when Ephraim is described as a heifer that "loveth to tread out the corn" Hosea 10:11. More often, the term describes violent subjugation. The king of Syria is said to have "made them like the dust by threshing" 2 Kings 13:7, and Damascus is judged because "they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron" Amos 1:3. The word can also denote an act of severe punishment, as when Gideon threatens to "tear" the flesh of his enemies Judges 8:7. Figuratively, it illustrates divine power, with God promising Israel they will "thresh the mountains, and beat them small" Isaiah 41:15 and the prophet stating God did "thresh the heathen in anger" Habakkuk 3:12.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the methods and outcomes associated with threshing:

  • H1854 dâqaq: This word means to crush or beat in pieces. It is used alongside H1758 to describe the result of threshing, such as when Israel is promised they will thresh mountains and "beat them small" Isaiah 41:15 or "beat in pieces many people" Micah 4:13.
  • H2742 chărûwts: This term describes a threshing-sledge with sharp teeth. It is the specific tool mentioned in God's promise to make Israel "a new sharp threshing instrument" Isaiah 41:15 and in the accusation against Damascus for using "threshing instruments of iron" Amos 1:3.
  • H2251 châbaṭ: Meaning to knock out or beat off, this word describes a gentler form of threshing. It is contrasted with H1758 in Isaiah, where delicate spices like fitches and cummin are not "threshed" with heavy instruments but are "beaten out with a staff" Isaiah 28:27.
  • H4173 môwrag: This word also refers to a threshing sledge. It is used to describe the instrument God will provide for his people to thresh mountains Isaiah 41:15 and is offered by Ornan as wood for a sacrifice 1 Chronicles 21:23.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H1758 is primarily centered on themes of judgment and power.

  • Divine Judgment: Threshing is a vivid metaphor for God's judgment upon nations. He is depicted threshing the heathen in anger Habakkuk 3:12 and declares that "Moab shall be trodden down" Isaiah 25:10.
  • Instrument of Punishment: The action is used to describe the oppressive cruelty of one nation against another. The threshing of Gilead by Syria is a transgression that brings divine retribution Amos 1:3, and the king of Syria's destruction of Israel is described as making them "like the dust by threshing" 2 Kings 13:7.
  • Empowerment of God's People: God reverses the roles by empowering his people to act as the thresher. He promises to make Zion's "hoofs brass" to "beat in pieces many people" Micah 4:13 and to make Israel a "new sharp threshing instrument" capable of leveling mountains Isaiah 41:15.

Summary

In summary, H1758 evolves from a simple agricultural term to a complex and forceful symbol in scripture. It represents the act of violent separation, whether of grain from chaff or of a people from their power. Its usage illustrates the brutal reality of ancient warfare, the severity of divine judgment against sin, and the immense power God bestows upon His chosen instruments to overcome insurmountable opposition.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 16 occurrences, inflected in 12 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Infinitive Construct 4×
  • Qal Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hophal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Absolute 1×
  • Qal Participle Singular Feminine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
Singular
One.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Hophal
The passive of the causative (Hiphil) stem.
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 13 verses across 10 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (4 verses).

1
Judges
1
2 Kings
1
1 Chronicles
1
Job
4
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah
1
Hosea
1
Amos
1
Micah
1
Habakkuk

Verse Explorer

Select a verse to begin.