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עָשׁוֹק

𐤏𐤔𐤅𐤒

ʻâshôwq

H6216 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עשק to oppress, to extort, to exploit, to wrong

Definition

A person who extorts, exploits, or uses force or authority to deprive others of their rights or property; one who acts wrongfully toward others, particularly through exploitation or oppression. The term primarily designates an individual who is an active agent of oppression or injustice.

Semantic Range

oppressor, exploiter, extortioner, one who acts unjustly toward others, perpetrator of legal or social injustice, tyrant (in the sense of one who exploits others)

Root / Etymology

From the root ע-ש-ק (עָשַׁק), meaning 'to oppress, exploit, extort, treat violently or unjustly'. עָשׁוֹק (ʻāshōq) is a noun form derived from this verbal root, indicating one characterized by or performing acts of oppression.

Historical & Contextual Notes

עָשׁוֹק appears primarily in late biblical and post-exilic texts (such as Ezekiel and Malachi) to designate perpetrators of social or economic injustice, especially in legal or prophetic condemnations. While often translated as 'oppressor' in English, the word connotes an individual committing acts of exploitation, specifically through extortion or deprivation of legal rights—distinct from other Hebrew terms for a powerful or violent person (e.g., עָרִיץ, עָרִיץ: 'violent one'). In prophetic literature, עָשׁוֹק often appears alongside legalistic condemnations targeting social elites or authorities violating covenantal norms and the rights of vulnerable groups (e.g., the poor, widows, sojourners). English translations such as 'oppressor' may not fully capture the term's specific emphasis on material or legal exploitation rather than generalized tyranny. There is no semantic overlap with religious or supernatural oppression. The term has no direct ethnic, geographic, or religious connotation; it refers strictly to one's actions. In later translation traditions (LXX, Vulgate), varying terms (such as 'violentus' or 'iniquus' in Latin) are used, sometimes broadening the semantic scope.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עָשַׁק; oppressive (as noun, a tyrant); oppressor.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עשק (ʿ-š-q) — to oppress, to extort, to exploit, to wrong

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4642 מַעֲשַׁקָּה acts of exploitation
H6217 עָשׁוּק oppressed ones
H6229 עָשַׂק they oppressed one another
H6230 עֵשֶׂק Contention
H6231 עָשַׁק he oppressed

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6216-01 עָשׁ֑וֹק ashoq HNcmsa the oppressor oppressor 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6216-01 Jeremiah 22:3 עָשׁ֑וֹק ashoq HNcmsa the oppressor oppressor
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