עָשֵׁן
𐤏𐤔𐤍
ʻâshên
H6226 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Adjective describing something emitting smoke, filled with smoke, or characterized by smoke; often denotes a visual or atmospheric state marked by the presence of smoke. Used both literally for visible clouds of smoke and metaphorically to describe obscurity or disturbance.
Semantic Range
smoky in appearance, smoking (actively giving off smoke), filled with smoke, characterized by smoke, obscured or altered by smoke
Root / Etymology
From the root עָשַׁן (ʻ-š-n), meaning 'to smoke, emit smoke.' The adjective עָשֵׁן derives directly from this root, indicating the state or quality of being smoky or smoking.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עָשֵׁן appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible and is used descriptively for objects or locations filled with or emitting smoke, such as mountains or altars. Its use highlights a specific atmospheric quality, often accompanying powerful theophanic or ritual scenes (e.g., Exodus 19:18, where Sinai is described as עָשֵׁן during the theophany). In prophetic or poetic texts, the word sometimes carries connotations of danger, divine presence, or an altered physical state. While English translations typically render this as 'smoky' or 'smoking,' these may miss associated implications of awe, fear, or transformation present in the Hebrew context. The word should not be confused with later or colloquial meanings of 'smoking' as in the act of inhaling smoke. Related Hebrew terms include קִיטוֹר (qitor, 'vapor, smoke, steam'), which refers more to fine mist or steam, and חָשָׁן (not attested in the Bible), for thicker, black smoke in later Hebrew.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָשַׁן; smoky; smoking.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עשן (ʿ-š-n) — to smoke, to emit smoke, to become filled with smoke
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3565 | כּוֹר עָשָׁן | smoke |
| H6225 | עָשַׁן | smoke |
| H6227 | עָשָׁן | smoke |
| H6228 | עָשָׁן | smoke |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6226-01 |
עָשֵׁ֑ן | ashen | HAamsa |
smoking | smoke-filled | 1 |
H6226-02 |
הָ/עֲשֵׁנִ֖ים | haashenim | HTd/Aampa |
the-smoldering | the smoky ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6226-01 |
Exodus 20:18 | עָשֵׁ֑ן | ashen | HAamsa |
smoking | smoke-filled |
H6226-02 |
Isaiah 7:4 | הָ/עֲשֵׁנִ֖ים | haashenim | HTd/Aampa |
the-smoldering | the smoky ones |