a primitive root; to become sapless through drought; used only as denominative from קַשׁ; to forage for straw, stubble or wood; figuratively, to assemble; gather (selves) (together).
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H7197 (qâshash) presents a fascinating semantic journey, originating from a primitive root meaning "to become sapless through drought." This initial sense evokes an image of dryness, witheredness, and a lack of vitality, akin to vegetation parched by the sun. However, its primary usage in the biblical text is as a denominative verb derived from קַשׁ (qash, `{{H7179}}`), meaning "straw" or "stubble." This denominative use shifts the meaning to the active process of "foraging for straw, stubble, or wood." It describes the act of collecting dry, often discarded, plant material. Beyond this literal gathering, the word extends figuratively to mean "to assemble" or "to gather (selves) (together)," particularly in a communal or collective sense. This semantic range moves from the state of dryness, to the gathering of dry things, and finally to the gathering of people, reflecting a dynamic interplay between the material world and human society.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of H7197 illuminate its varied applications:
* **Exodus 5:7, 12**: Here, qâshash is used in the context of the Israelite slaves in Egypt, who are commanded by Pharaoh to "no longer give the people straw to make bricks as before; let them go and gather (קָשַׁשׁ) straw for themselves." This vividly portrays the arduous labor and oppressive conditions under which the Israelites were forced to forage for their own materials, highlighting the toil and scarcity inherent in the act of gathering stubble.
* **Numbers 15:32-33**: This passage records the incident of a man "gathering (קָשַׁשׁ) sticks on the Sabbath day." This use underscores the basic, everyday nature of the act of gathering wood for fuel, but places it within the profound theological context of Sabbath observance and the sanctity of divine law. The man's transgression, though seemingly minor, was a direct violation of a foundational covenant command, leading to severe consequences.
* **1 Kings 17:10**: The widow of Zarephath tells Elijah, "I am gathering (קָשַׁשׁ) a couple of sticks, that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die." This poignant use emphasizes the desperation and dire poverty of the widow, for whom gathering even a few sticks was a final act before anticipated starvation. It highlights the elemental need for fuel and the fragility of life in times of famine.
* **Zephaniah 2:1**: In a striking figurative use, the prophet declares, "Gather yourselves (קָשַׁשׁ) together, yes, gather, O nation without shame." Here, qâshash transcends the literal gathering of materials and signifies a call for the nation to assemble, likely for introspection, repentance, or to face impending judgment. This usage highlights the communal aspect, urging a collective response to God's impending actions.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical connection for H7197 is its denominative root, קַשׁ (qash, `{{H7179}}`), which refers to "straw" or "stubble." This noun is crucial for understanding the literal objects being gathered. Other related terms for "gathering" include:
* אָסַף (asaph, `{{H622}}`): A more general verb meaning "to gather, collect, or bring in," often used for harvesting crops, collecting people, or assembling for various purposes.
* לָקַט (laqat, `{{H3950}}`): "To glean" or "to gather up," specifically referring to gathering what is left after a harvest, often associated with the poor or marginalized.
Conceptually, qâshash touches upon themes of:
* **Toil and Labor**: Particularly evident in the Exodus narrative, where it signifies forced, arduous work.
* **Scarcity and Provision**: Illustrated by the widow of Zarephath, where gathering is a desperate act for survival.
* **Obedience and Disobedience**: The incident in Numbers highlights the importance of adhering to divine commands, even in seemingly mundane actions.
* **Communal Assembly and Repentance**: In Zephaniah, it shifts to a call for collective action, possibly for national repentance or to face divine reckoning.
* **Dryness and Barrenness**: The primitive root meaning subtly links to spiritual or physical desolation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H7197 is multifaceted. Its primitive sense of "becoming sapless through drought" can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual barrenness or the consequences of divine judgment. When applied to the act of gathering, qâshash often places human effort within the context of divine sovereignty and law. The forced gathering of straw in Exodus underscores the oppressive nature of human systems apart from God's liberating hand, yet also highlights God's eventual deliverance. The gathering of sticks on the Sabbath in Numbers becomes a stark reminder of the gravity of God's commands and the necessity of holiness in daily life, even in seemingly trivial acts. This incident teaches that no act, however small, is outside the purview of divine law and its implications for covenant faithfulness. The widow's desperate gathering of sticks in 1 Kings, conversely, provides a backdrop for God's miraculous provision through Elijah, demonstrating divine care in the face of human destitution. Finally, the figurative use in Zephaniah transforms a mundane physical act into a profound spiritual imperative: a call for a nation to "gather" itself, implying a corporate turning to God, a collective reckoning, or a preparation for divine intervention. Thus, qâshash moves from representing basic human labor and survival to embodying crucial lessons about obedience, dependence on God, and communal responsibility before the Almighty.
### Summary
H7197 (qâshash) is a Hebrew verb whose semantic range extends from its primitive root meaning of "to become sapless through drought" to its primary denominative use, "to forage for straw, stubble, or wood." This literal meaning, seen in contexts of arduous labor ([[Exodus 5:7]]), desperate survival ([[1 Kings 17:10]]), and the violation of divine law ([[Numbers 15:32]]), emphasizes the collection of dry, often humble, materials. Crucially, qâshash also carries a significant figurative sense of "to assemble" or "to gather (selves) (together)," as exemplified in the prophetic call for national assembly in [[Zephaniah 2:1]]. Derived directly from קַשׁ (qash, `{{H7179}}`) meaning "straw" or "stubble," the word encapsulates themes of human toil, scarcity, obedience, and communal action, reflecting how even the simplest human endeavors are interwoven with profound theological implications regarding divine law, provision, and judgment.
TRV