← H6231 H6233 →

עֵשֶׁק

𐤏𐤔𐤒

Esheq

H6232 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עשק to oppress, extort, exploit

Definition

Eshek: a personal name referring to an Israelite individual listed among the descendants of Saul. The word may derive from the concept of 'oppression, extortion, exploitation' (noun) but in this context functions as a proper name, not expressing that quality as an attribute. Its lexical sense may allude to hardship or struggle, but the exact reason for the personal name is not stated in the text. As a noun (not as a name), it refers to oppression or the act/result of oppressing others, often associated with social injustice or economic exploitation.

Semantic Range

oppression, extortion, exploitation; oppression as social injustice (in legal or economic sense); Eshek as a personal name (Israelite, Benjaminite)

Root / Etymology

Root: עָשַׁק (ʿ-š-q), meaning 'to oppress, extort, wrong.' The noun עֵשֶׁק (esheq) derives from this root, conveying the notion of oppression or exploitation. When used as a personal name, it is likely derived from the same root, but it functions as an identifier rather than a descriptor.

Historical & Contextual Notes

עֵשֶׁק as a noun primarily appears in later Hebrew texts (such as Ecclesiastes 5:7 [5:8]) to denote 'oppression' or social injustice, frequently in economic or legal contexts. The word is more common in post-exilic Hebrew, where concerns about social justice became prominent. As a personal name, Eshek occurs only in genealogical listings (1 Chronicles 8:39), referring to a Benjaminite descendant of Saul. The use of nouns signifying negative qualities as personal names is not uncommon in biblical genealogies, though the rationale is often obscure — it may reflect ancestral experience, family history, or aspirations to overcome adversity. Standard English translations may render the name simply as 'Eshek' without explanation. The translation 'Jew' or 'Jewish' is anachronistic for this period; Eshek is an Israelite of the tribe of Benjamin in the monarchic period.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עָשַׁק; oppression; Eshek, an Israelite; Eshek.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

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

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4642 מַעֲשַׁקָּה acts of exploitation
H6216 עָשׁוֹק oppressor
H6217 עָשׁוּק oppressed ones
H6229 עָשַׂק they oppressed one another
H6230 עֵשֶׂק Contention

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6232-01 עֵ֣שֶׁק esheq HNp Eshek Eshek 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6232-01 1 Chronicles 8:39 עֵ֣שֶׁק esheq HNp Eshek Eshek
← H6231 Hebrew Lexicon H6233 →