a primitive root; probably to shrink, i.e. fail; be consumed.
Transliteration:ʻâshêsh
Pronunciation:aw-shaysh'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H6244 (עָשֵׁשׁ, ʻâshêsh) is a primitive root whose core meaning conveys the idea of shrinking, failing, or being consumed. It denotes a process of diminishment, decay, or deterioration, often implying a loss of substance, strength, or vitality. The nuance suggests a progressive wasting away, leading to a state of being worn out or utterly depleted. It can describe both a passive state of decay and an active process of being caused to decay or be consumed.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root H6244 (עָשֵׁשׁ, ʻâshêsh) is remarkably rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing only once in the Masoretic Text.
* **[[Job 16:8]]**: "You have shriveled me up, which is a witness against me; my leanness rises up against me, it testifies to my face." (ESV)
* In this sole occurrence, the verb appears in the Piel perfect, second person masculine singular ("וַתְּקַמְּטֵנִי֙ עָשֵׁשׁ"), directly attributed to God's action. Job, in his lament, accuses God of causing his physical deterioration. The term עָשֵׁשׁ here vividly describes the process by which Job's body has been made to waste away, to shrink, or to become emaciated. It speaks to a profound physical decay and loss of substance, directly linking his suffering to a divine hand. The context is one of intense personal affliction and a feeling of being consumed by an overwhelming force, leading to a visible and undeniable physical decline.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of H6244 (עָשֵׁשׁ) connects it to other Hebrew terms that describe decay, destruction, or diminishment.
* `{{H1086}}` (bālāh): To wear out, decay, grow old. This often refers to garments or physical objects wearing out over time, similar to the idea of being consumed.
* `{{H5414}}` (nābal): To fade, wither, droop, fall off. Often used for leaves, flowers, or people losing vitality and dying.
* `{{H4743}}` (māqāq): To rot, decay, dissolve. This term specifically emphasizes putrefaction and decomposition.
* `{{H3615}}` (kālāh): To complete, finish, consume, perish, bring to an end. This is a broader term that can encompass the idea of being utterly consumed or brought to naught.
* `{{H7225}}` (rā'ab): To be hungry, to starve. While not directly related in meaning, the *result* of starvation (wasting away, shrinking) aligns with the physical outcome described by H6244.
These related words collectively paint a picture of the transient and vulnerable nature of creation, especially human life, which is subject to processes of decay and eventual return to dust.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of H6244 in [[Job 16:8]] carries significant theological weight within the book's discourse on suffering and divine sovereignty.
* **Divine Agency in Suffering**: Job attributes his physical decay directly to God's action ("You have shriveled me up"). This highlights a theological tension where God is perceived not only as the life-giver but also as the one who can bring about decay and death. It underscores the absolute power of God over all aspects of creation, including the physical well-being of humanity.
* **Human Frailty and Transience**: The word vividly portrays the physical vulnerability of humanity. The body, though wonderfully made, is susceptible to decay, disease, and ultimate death. This serves as a stark reminder of the transient nature of human existence and the ephemeral quality of earthly life, contrasting with the eternal and unchanging nature of God.
* **Consequences of Affliction**: In Job's context, ʻâshêsh speaks to the devastating effects of severe affliction, where the body itself becomes a testament to one's suffering. It becomes a visible sign of an internal or divinely imposed breakdown.
* **Hope and Restoration**: While ʻâshêsh emphasizes decay, the broader biblical narrative often contrasts this with God's power to restore, renew, and ultimately triumph over decay through resurrection and new creation. The very lament of Job implicitly longs for a state of wholeness that is currently absent.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H6244 (עָשֵׁשׁ, ʻâshêsh) is a rare but potent term meaning "to shrink, fail, or be consumed." Its single occurrence in [[Job 16:8]] powerfully describes Job's physical decay, which he attributes directly to God's action. This usage underscores themes of divine sovereignty in affliction, the profound frailty and transience of human life, and the visible manifestation of suffering. Though infrequent, ʻâshêsh contributes to the biblical understanding of decay and consumption as processes that can be divinely orchestrated, contrasting the temporary nature of creation with the enduring power and presence of the Almighty.
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