אָשַׁם (a.sham)
a.sham
be guilty
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 24 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The verb asham means to be guilty, specifically by failing in a duty or committing an offense that incurs liability. In the Hebrew Bible it appears most often in Leviticus and Numbers, where it describes the state of one who has trespassed against another person or against God. The core idea is not merely feeling bad about a mistake but entering a condition of culpability that demands resolution.
Its usage shifts subtly across grammatical forms. In the basic stem, it denotes the act of offending or becoming liable, as when a leader sins in error (Leviticus 4:22). In the passive form, it focuses on the consequence: suffering punishment or being held accountable. This link between guilt and its penalty is central to the word’s theological weight in the legal texts.
Translators often render asham as "trespass" or "guilty," which captures the legal dimension better than words like "sin" that emphasize moral failure alone. The associated noun for the "guilt offering" (asham) derives from this same root, highlighting that true guilt requires restitution. The word insists that wrongs are not just internal states but relational breaches that must be made right.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word asham describes a state of being held liable for a breach of duty or relationship. It moves beyond simple regret to acknowledge a concrete debt that requires resolution. In the ancient context, this meant restoring what was broken through confession and restitution, showing that faith involves tangible repair of wrongs.
For your life today, this concept offers a clear path forward when you stumble. Instead of remaining in shame or hiding mistakes, it invites honest acknowledgment and active steps to make things right. This process restores peace with others and with God, turning the weight of guilt into an opportunity for genuine reconciliation and healing.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he will be guilty6×
- they will be held guilty4×
- you will be guilty2×
- he was guilty2×
- we are guilty1×
- they will be guilty1×
- they have suffered1×
- it become guilty1×
- he will be guilty1×
- certainly <to be guilty>1×
- and/ you will be held guilty1×
- and/ they will be guilty1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/אָשֵֽׁם\׃4×
- יֶאְשָׁ֔מוּ2×
- יֶאְשַׁ֖ם2×
- וְ/אָשֵׁ֖ם2×
- תֶּאְשָֽׁמוּ\׃\ \ס1×
- תֶאְשָֽׁמוּ\׃1×
- נֶאְשָֽׁמוּ\׃1×
- נֶאְשָׁ֑ם1×
- יֶאְשָׁ֑מוּ1×
- יֶאְשְׁמוּ֙1×
- יֶאְשְׁמ֖וּ1×
- וַֽ/יֶּאְשְׁמ֖וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 5:5
It shall be, when he is guilty of one of these, he shall confess that in which he has sinned;
This verse connects the state of being guilty directly to the necessity of confession, showing that admission is the first step toward resolution.
-
Numbers 5:7
then he shall confess his sin which he has done; and he shall make restitution for his guilt in full, add to it the fifth part of it, and give it to him in respect of whom he has been guilty.
Here the word specifies that guilt requires full restitution plus a penalty, emphasizing that true repentance involves making tangible amends for harm done.
-
Leviticus 4:22
“‘When a ruler sins, and unwittingly does any one of all the things which Yahweh his God has commanded not to be done, and is guilty,
This occurrence highlights that even leaders are subject to this standard of liability when they err, demonstrating that accountability applies to everyone regardless of status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word asham mean?
How is asham different from other words for sin?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (24 verses across 11 books)
Leviticus 9 verses
“‘If the whole congregation of Israel sins, and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done…
Leviticus 4:22“‘When a ruler sins, and unwittingly does any one of all the things which Yahweh his God has commanded not to be done,…
Leviticus 4:27“‘If anyone of the common people sins unwittingly, in doing any of the things which Yahweh has commanded not to be…
Leviticus 5:2“‘Or if anyone touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean animal, or the carcass of unclean…
Leviticus 5:3“‘Or if he touches the uncleanness of man, whatever his uncleanness is with which he is unclean, and it is hidden from…
Leviticus 5:4“‘Or if anyone swears rashly with his lips to do evil or to do good—whatever it is that a man might utter rashly with…
Leviticus 5:5It shall be, when he is guilty of one of these, he shall confess that in which he has sinned;
Leviticus 5:17“If anyone sins, doing any of the things which Yahweh has commanded not to be done, though he didn’t know it, he is…
Leviticus 5:19It is a trespass offering. He is certainly guilty before Yahweh.”