### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʻâbash**, represented by `{{H5685}}`, is a primitive root meaning **to dry up; be rotten**. Its rarity in scripture is notable, as it appears only **1 time** across **1 unique verse**. The term vividly describes a state of decay and corruption at the very source, signifying a complete failure of potential.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole use of `{{H5685}}` occurs in the book of Joel, within a passage describing catastrophic agricultural judgment. The verse states, "The seed is **rotten** under their clods" [[Joel 1:17]]. Here, the word powerfully illustrates a fundamental breakdown in the natural order. It is not merely that the harvest has failed, but that the very seed—the promise of a future crop—has decayed in the ground, rendering future growth impossible and highlighting the severity of the desolation.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words in the surrounding text of [[Joel 1:17]] help to frame the meaning of **ʻâbash**:
* `{{H6507}}` **pᵉrudâh** (seed): Defined as "something separated, i.e. a kernel," this is the very object that is described as being rotten. This direct relationship shows that the corruption is happening to the foundational element of the harvest [[Joel 1:17]].
* `{{H8074}}` **shâmêm** (desolate): This word, meaning to "devastate or (figuratively) stupefy," describes the consequence of the rotten seed. The "garners are laid **desolate**," linking the internal decay of the seed to the external reality of empty storehouses [[Joel 1:17]].
* `{{H3001}}` **yâbêsh** (wither): Meaning to "dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)," this word appears in parallel to the rottenness. As a result of the failed seed, "the corn is **withered**," completing the picture of total agricultural collapse [[Joel 1:17]].
### Theological Significance
Despite its single appearance, the theological weight of `{{H5685}}` is significant. It illustrates several key concepts of judgment and failure:
* **Corruption at the Source:** The word's use to describe rotten seed signifies a failure that is not superficial but fundamental. It points to a problem at the very origin, where the potential for life and fruitfulness has been destroyed.
* **Hopeless Desolation:** By indicating the seed itself is lost, the term conveys a sense of finality and hopelessness. This is not a temporary setback but a condition where the means for future provision has been eliminated.
* **Tangible Consequence of Sin:** Within the context of Joel, this agricultural ruin is a direct result of the nation's spiritual state. The rottenness of the seed serves as a physical metaphor for the internal decay that has led to divine judgment.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5685}}` is a concise and potent term. While extremely rare, its single usage in [[Joel 1:17]] provides a powerful and unforgettable image of total ruin. It illustrates how decay at the foundational level—the seed itself—leads to widespread desolation and withering, serving as a stark biblical symbol for what happens when the very source of hope and life is corrupted.
TRV