The Hebrew word ʼâshêm, represented by H818, identifies one who is guilty or faulty. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. Derived from a root word signifying guilt, its base definition describes a state of culpability that may require presenting a sin-offering.
In its biblical occurrences, H818 highlights the recognition of wrongdoing. Joseph's brothers confess, "We are verily guilty concerning our brother," connecting their guilt to having witnessed the "anguish of his soul" and failing to act Genesis 42:21. In a different context, a woman tells King David he speaks "as one which is faulty" for not restoring his banished son, showing that guilt can arise from inaction 2 Samuel 14:13. Finally, the men of Israel who had taken foreign wives acknowledged they were "guilty," and as a result, they offered a ram for their trespass Ezra 10:19.
Several related words help clarify the meaning and consequence of being H818 guilty:
- H819 ʼashmâh (guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of asin-offering; offend, sin, (cause of) trespass(-ing, offering)): This feminine form of H818 is used in Ezra 10:19 to name the specific "trespass" for which the guilty men needed to make an offering.
- H6869 tsârâh (adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble): This word bookends the confession of guilt in Genesis 42:21, describing both the "anguish" of Joseph that his brothers ignored and the resulting "distress" that later came upon them.
- H61 ʼăbâl (but, indeed, nevertheless, verily): This term is used to intensify the admission of guilt, as when Joseph's brothers state, "We are verily guilty," conveying the deep certainty of their culpability Genesis 42:21.
The theological weight of H818 centers on the nature of sin and its remedy.
- Acknowledged Culpability: The word is used in moments of direct confession. It signifies a clear recognition of fault, as when Joseph's brothers explicitly admit their guilt regarding their brother Genesis 42:21.
- Guilt from Inaction: The state of being "faulty" is not limited to committing a wrong but can also stem from a failure to do what is right, as illustrated by the king's failure to restore his banished son 2 Samuel 14:13.
- The Need for Atonement: A direct line is drawn between being "guilty" and the requirement for a sacrifice. In Ezra, the state of guilt immediately precedes the offering of a ram for their trespass, showing that guilt necessitates a tangible act of atonement Ezra 10:19.
In summary, H818 ʼâshêm is a precise term that defines a state of recognized fault. It is not a general term for sin but rather specifies the condition of being liable for a trespass. Whether arising from a harmful act or a failure to act, the word consistently points toward the biblical pattern where a confession of guilt is linked to the need for a corresponding offering to achieve resolution.
TRV