אַשְׁמָה (ash.mah)
ash.mah
guiltiness
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun ashmah refers to the state of being guilty for a specific wrong, often carrying the weight of legal or ritual liability. In the Hebrew Bible, it is not merely an internal feeling of shame but a concrete status that requires resolution. The word appears most frequently in Leviticus and the historical books like Chronicles and Ezra, where it describes offenses against God’s holiness or community standards.
A key distinction lies in its practical application: ashmah often denotes the tangible consequence of sin, specifically the requirement to make restitution. It is closely tied to the "guilt offering" (asham), meaning the word bridges the gap between moral failure and material repair. For instance, when someone steals or deceives, they must restore what was taken plus a penalty, addressing both the act and its aftermath.
This focus on restoration sets it apart from words that emphasize only the emotional burden of sin. The sources highlight its use in contexts where justice is served through compensation, as seen in Leviticus 5:16 or Ezra 10:19. It underscores a theological view where wrongdoing creates a debt that must be paid to restore right relationship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ashmah points to a concrete reality: wrongdoing creates a debt that must be settled. It is not just an internal feeling of shame but a legal or ritual status requiring repair. In ancient Israel, this meant making restitution—returning what was taken and adding a penalty—to restore right relationships with God and community.
This concept offers comfort today because it shows that sin is not an endless void. There is a path to resolution through accountability and sacrifice. When we face the consequences of our actions, ashmah reminds us that justice can lead to restoration rather than just punishment. It invites us to acknowledge our failures honestly and seek the peace that comes from being made whole again.
Even in moments of deep corporate failure, as seen in Ezra’s prayer, this word highlights God’s patience. He allows a remnant to stand before Him despite their guiltiness, offering hope that reconciliation is always possible when we turn back to Him with humility.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- guilt3×
- to/ [the] guilt of2×
- in/ guilt/ their1×
- in/ guilt/ our1×
- guilt/ their1×
- guilt/ our1×
- by/ [the] guilt of1×
- and/ guilt/ our1×
- and/ by/ guilt/ our1×
- [the] guilt of1×
- [have been] in/ guilt1×
- [are] guilt<s>1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/אַשְׁמָ֖ה1×
- לְ/אַשְׁמַ֨ת1×
- לְ/אַשְׁמַ֣ת1×
- וּ/בְ/אַשְׁמָתֵ֖/נוּ1×
- וְ/אַשְׁמָתֵ֥/נוּ1×
- בְּ/אַשְׁמָתָ֖/ם1×
- בְּ/אַשְׁמָתֵ֔י/נוּ1×
- בְּ/אַשְׁמָ֣ה1×
- בְּ/אַשְׁמַ֣ת1×
- אַשְׁמָתָֽ/ם\׃\ \ס1×
- אַשְׁמָתֵ֑י/נוּ1×
- אַשְׁמָה֙1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 4:3
if the anointed priest sins so as to bring guilt on the people, then let him offer for his sin which he has sinned a young bull without defect to Yahweh for a sin offering.
This verse establishes ashmah as a tangible liability brought upon the people by the priest's sin, requiring a specific sacrificial remedy.
-
Ezra 9:6
and I said, “My God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have increased over our head, and our guiltiness has grown up to the heavens.
Ezra uses ashmah to describe the overwhelming weight of national iniquity that has grown 'up to the heavens,' illustrating its severity.
-
Ezra 10:19
They gave their hand that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt.
Here, the guilty party offers a ram for their ashmah, showing the word's direct link to the tangible act of restitution and atonement.