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עֵשֶׂק

𐤏𐤔𐤒

Eseq

H6230 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ע־שׂ־ק to oppress, exploit, contend

Definition

Esek is a proper noun designating a specific well dug by Isaac's servants, named to commemorate a quarrel or dispute that arose over its possession. In context, it signifies contention, dispute, or strife, especially as expressed in a conflict over resources such as water. The term reflects an occasion of physical or verbal hostility rather than an ongoing state of enmity.

Semantic Range

contention, dispute, quarrel, strife (especially over resources); name given to the well marking the event

Root / Etymology

From the root עשק, meaning 'to oppress, to exploit, to be contentious.' The noun עֵשֶׂק is derived from this root, shifting to denote the result or circumstance of contention – i.e., a quarrel or strife, especially regarding possession or rights. While the root usually relates to acts of oppression or exploitation, in this nominal form it has the more neutral or descriptive sense of 'dispute' or 'quarrel.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

עֵשֶׂק occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible (Genesis 26:20), where Isaac's herders quarrel with local shepherds over a well in the territory of Gerar (Philistine region). The naming of the well reflects the significance of naming places to mark events, especially disputes over essential resources like water. Although עֵשֶׂק is derived from the root connoting oppression, it here denotes a specific incident of quarrel, not systematic oppression. English translations vary: 'Esek,' 'contention,' 'dispute,' or 'strife.' The standard rendering 'strife' may obscure the concrete and situational context of a property dispute. In later periods, similar forms with this root can refer to economic or social exploitation, but here the focus is on interpersonal contention. The word does not refer to broader hostility between groups but to a single, localized conflict. Unlike related terms such as רִיב ('legal dispute, lawsuit') or מָדוֹן ('quarreling, discord'), עֵשֶׂק highlights aggressive contention linked to an act of taking or possessing by force or claim.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עָשַׂק; strife; Esek.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עשק (ʿ-š-q) — oppress, exploit, contend

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4642 מַעֲשַׁקָּה acts of exploitation
H6216 עָשׁוֹק oppressor
H6217 עָשׁוּק oppressed ones
H6229 עָשַׂק they oppressed one another
H6231 עָשַׁק he oppressed

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6230-01 עֵ֔שֶׂק eseq HNp Esek Contention 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6230-01 Genesis 26:20 עֵ֔שֶׂק eseq HNp Esek Contention
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