The Hebrew word boʼshâh, represented by H890, refers to a noxious or useless plant, such as a stink-weed or cockle. This rare term appears only 1 time in the entire Bible, in a single verse. Its meaning is derived entirely from its context as an undesirable weed that grows in place of a valuable crop.
The sole appearance of H890 is in Job 31:40. In this passage, Job concludes his final declaration of innocence with a self-imprecatory curse. He states that if he is guilty of the sins he has denied, then his land should be cursed. He says, "Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley" Job 31:40. Here, cockle is presented as the ultimate sign of agricultural failure and judgment, a worthless plant that signifies a cursed ground.
The meaning of H890 is illuminated by the words it is contrasted with in its only scriptural appearance:
- H8184 sᵉʻôrâh (barley): As the direct counterpart to cockle in Job's oath, barley is a staple grain. It is a symbol of sustenance and is listed among the blessings of the promised land Deuteronomy 8:8.
- H2406 chiṭṭâh (wheat): Used in the parallel clause, wheat is another essential crop representing God's provision and favor Psalms 147:14. Job wishes for it to be replaced by thistles if he is unrighteous.
- H2336 chôwach (bramble, thistle, thorn): This word is the parallel curse to cockle, invoked to replace wheat. Thorns and thistles often symbolize desolation and God's judgment Isaiah 34:13.
- H3318 yâtsâʼ (to go... out, bring forth): This is the verb used to describe the growth of the thistle and cockle. It signifies something coming forth or being produced from the land, in this case as a result of a curse.
Though used only once, the conceptual weight of H890 is significant within its context.
- Symbol of a Curse: The primary role of cockle is to serve as a physical manifestation of a curse. Job invites it upon himself as a just punishment for hypothetical wrongdoing, turning a productive field into a useless one.
- Antithesis of Blessing: The word stands in direct opposition to valuable grains like barley H8184 and wheat H2406, which are consistently portrayed as signs of divine blessing and provision.
- Metaphor for Worthlessness: As a "stink-weed," it represents not just barrenness but corruption and foulness. It is the agricultural equivalent of a moral failure, where something good and life-sustaining is replaced by something foul and worthless.
In summary, H890 is a highly specific but powerful word. Its single use in Job 31:40 defines it as a symbol of divine punishment and worthlessness. While other words like thistle H2336 also represent cursed ground, boʼshâh is uniquely paired against barley, cementing its identity as the definitive opposite of a fruitful harvest and a stark metaphor for the consequences of sin.
TRV