Original Word: בְּאְשָׁה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: bo'shah
Pronunciation: bo-shah
Phonetic Spelling: (bosh-aw')
Definition: Shame, disgrace
Meaning: stink-weed, any other noxious, useless plant

cockle

Feminine of b'osh; stink-weed or any other noxious or useless plant -- cockle.

see HEBREW b'osh

Word Origin
fem. of beosh
Definition
stinking or noxious weeds
NASB Translation
stinkweed (1).

בָּאְשָׁה noun feminine (stinking things) stinking or noxious weeds, Job 31:40 תַּחַת חִטָּה יֵצֵא חוֺחַ וְתַחַתֿ שְׂעֹרָה בָאְשָׁה instead of wheat may there spring forth bramble, and instead of barley stinking weeds (compare Assyrian bîšu Zehnpf^{BAS i. 633}).

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to stink.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The corresponding Greek entry that aligns with the concept of noxious or undesirable plants is Strong's Greek Number G942: βρῶμα (brōma), which refers to food or that which is eaten, but in certain contexts can imply something that is consumed or taken in, potentially with negative connotations if the context suggests something harmful or corrupting. While not a direct translation, the thematic connection lies in the idea of consumption and the impact of what is taken in, whether physically or spiritually.

Usage: The term בְּאְשָׁה is used in the context of describing undesirable or harmful plants, often metaphorically representing negative or destructive elements.

Context: The Hebrew word בְּאְשָׁה (be'ashah) appears in the Old Testament to denote plants that are considered undesirable or harmful, often translated as "stink-weed" or "noxious weed." This term is used metaphorically to describe elements that are spiritually or morally corrupt, drawing a parallel between the physical unpleasantness of such plants and the spiritual or moral decay they symbolize. The imagery of stink-weed is employed to convey the idea of something that is not only useless but also detrimental, much like weeds that choke out healthy plants in a garden. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, the presence of such weeds would have been a familiar and vivid illustration of the consequences of neglect or disobedience to God's commands.

The metaphorical use of בְּאְשָׁה underscores the importance of vigilance and purity in one's spiritual life, warning against the infiltration of corrupting influences. This concept is echoed in various passages throughout the Bible, where the presence of undesirable elements is likened to weeds that must be uprooted and discarded to maintain the health and integrity of the community or individual.

בָאְשָׁ֑ה באשה ḇā’əšāh ḇā·’ə·šāh vaeShahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts