Lexical Summary ashtuth: Folly, foolishness Original Word: עַשְׁתּוּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance thought From ashath; cogitation -- thought. see HEBREW ashath NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ashath Definition thought NASB Translation holds (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עַשְׁתּוּת (van d. H. וֺת-) noun feminine thought; — construct שַׁאֲנָ֑ן ׳ע Job 12:5 (וֺת#NAME?עֶ֫שֶׁת ֗֗֗ ). Topical Lexicon Definition and range of meaning עַשְׁתּוּת (ashtuth) denotes a disaster, misfortune, or calamity that overtakes a person. The idea is not merely an unfortunate event but a ruinous blow that threatens to overwhelm its victim. The surrounding context portrays the word as something the prosperous observe from a distance and belittle, revealing a moral-spiritual dimension: calamity exposes attitudes of the heart. Canonical occurrence Job 12:5 – “The one at ease scorns misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping”. Literary context in Job Job 12 begins Job’s rebuttal to Zophar after the third round of speeches. Job points to the irony that the comfortable condemn sufferers even while God permits calamity. עַשְׁתּוּת serves as the lynchpin of his complaint: the secure assume disaster is proof of moral failure, yet Job knows calamity can befall the upright. The word thus sharpens the book’s central tension—why the righteous suffer. Historical and cultural background In the Ancient Near East, wellbeing was often linked to divine favor. Severe misfortune could brand someone as cursed. By using עַשְׁתּוּת, Job unmasks that cultural assumption. He highlights a social stratification where the affluent ridicule the afflicted, reinforcing shame. The verse therefore records a timeless social dynamic: those removed from tragedy may belittle it rather than empathize. Theological themes 1. Sovereignty of God in suffering. Calamity is never outside His control (Job 12:9–10). Ministry application Pastoral care must resist simplistic cause-and-effect explanations for suffering. The text exhorts believers to humility and empathy—“Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). When calamity strikes congregants, the church is called to compassionate presence rather than judgment. Related Hebrew concepts • אֵיד (eid) — calamity, distress (Proverbs 1:26). These terms overlap with עַשְׁתּוּת in depicting ruin but lack the nuance of being scorned by onlookers. Christological reflection Jesus Christ identifies with sufferers: “A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). On the cross He endured humanity’s ultimate עַשְׁתּוּת, rejected by those at ease (Matthew 27:39–40). His resurrection assures that calamity will not have the final word for those in Him. Contemporary relevance Natural disasters, economic collapse, or sudden illness can still provoke the job-like question, “Why?” The rarity of the term reminds readers that even a single occurrence in Scripture can offer profound wisdom: calamity invites the faithful to examine their response. Will we, like Job’s companions, dismiss sufferers, or will we embody Christ’s compassion? Summary עַשְׁתּוּת captures the sting of calamity despised by the comfortable. Its solitary appearance amplifies its message: true wisdom and righteousness are revealed not in times of ease but in attitudes toward those who walk the valley of misfortune. Forms and Transliterations לְעַשְׁתּ֣וּת לעשתות lə‘aštūṯ lə·‘aš·tūṯ leashTutLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 12:5 HEB: לַפִּ֣יד בּ֭וּז לְעַשְׁתּ֣וּת שַׁאֲנָ֑ן נָ֝כ֗וֹן NAS: He who is at ease holds calamity KJV: despised in the thought of him that is at ease. INT: a lamp contempt holds ease prepared 1 Occurrence |
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