Original Word: עָשֵׁשׁ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `ashesh
Pronunciation: ah-SHESH
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-shaysh')
Definition: to shrink, fail
Meaning: The primary meaning of עָשֵׁשׁ is "to shrink" or "to fail." It conveys the idea of something deteriorating or losing its strength and vitality.

Word Origin: Derived from the root עָשַׁשׁ (ʿāšāš), which means to waste away or to become weak.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • The Greek equivalent that captures a similar concept of disturbance or agitation is Strong's Greek Number G5015: ταράσσω (tarassō), which means to disturb, agitate, or trouble. While not a direct translation, it conveys the idea of internal or external turmoil, akin to the weakening or failing described by עָשֵׁשׁ.

This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the Hebrew term עָשֵׁשׁ, highlighting its significance in biblical literature and its thematic connections to the concepts of decay and divine sovereignty.

Usage: This term is used in the context of describing physical or metaphorical decay, often implying a sense of decline or weakening.

Context: • The Hebrew word עָשֵׁשׁ appears in the context of describing the process of decay or weakening, often used metaphorically to describe the fading strength or vitality of individuals or nations. It is a vivid term that captures the gradual process of decline, whether it be physical, moral, or spiritual.
• In the Berean Standard Bible, the term is used to illustrate the concept of failing strength or the diminishing of power. For example, in Isaiah 50:9, the imagery of moth-eaten garments is used to depict the frailty and inevitable decay of human endeavors and opposition: "Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who is he who will condemn me? Indeed, they will all wear out like a garment; a moth will devour them."
• The term emphasizes the transient nature of human strength and the ultimate sovereignty of God, who alone is eternal and unchanging.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to waste away
NASB Translation
wasted away (3).

[עָשֵׁשׁ] verb waste away (compare Assyrian ašašu, moth; Arabic moth (-worm), eat (of moth; ? denominative); according to De^{Ps 6:8} and others עָשֵׁשׁ is denominative from עָשׁ, properly be moth-eaten, but improbable); **according to Jacob^{ZMG 1901, 141; ZAW 1902, 107} be dark, compare עשׁשׁא darkness, in Christian-Palestinian Aramaic. —

Qal Perfect3feminine singular עָֽשְׁשָׁה מִכַּעַם עֵינִי Psalm 6:8 my eye is wasted from grief, = Psalm 31:10 (בְּכַעַס; + נַפְשִׁי, בִּטְנִי; 3 plural עֲצָמַי עָשֵׁ֫שׁוּ Psalm 31:11.

be consumed

A primitive root; probably to shrink, i.e. Fail -- be consumed.

עָֽשְׁשָׁ֣ה עָשְׁשָׁ֖ה עָשֵֽׁשׁוּ׃ עששה עששו׃ ‘ā·šə·šāh ‘ā·šê·šū ‘āšəšāh ‘āšêšū asheShah aSheshuInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts