בׇּאְשָׁה (bo.shah)
bo.shah
foul weed
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ba’shah refers to plants that are foul-smelling, poisonous, or otherwise noxious. It describes vegetation that is not merely useless, but actively harmful or repulsive, often translated as "stinking weeds" or "stinkweed." The word carries a strong sensory weight, evoking the unpleasant odor and danger associated with toxic flora.
This term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Job 31:40. There, Job uses it in a vivid metaphor to describe the consequences of his alleged sins: if he has neglected justice, let thorns instead of wheat grow, and bad weeds (ba’shah) instead of barley. The image contrasts the nourishing value of grain with the harmful nature of this weed, emphasizing that sin produces results that are not just barren, but detrimental.
The rarity of the word highlights its specific force. By choosing ba’shah rather than a generic term for weeds, Job underscores the severity of the corruption he fears. The plant is not just an unwanted guest in the field; it is a source of stench and harm, mirroring how moral failure can spoil what should be good and life-giving.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we imagine the consequences of sin, it is easy to think only of emptiness or loss. The Hebrew word ba’shah offers a sharper picture. It refers not just to useless plants, but to stinkweed—noxious vegetation that actively spoils the soil and offends the senses. In Job 31:40, he uses this vivid image to describe how moral failure can turn what should be nourishing into something harmful and repulsive.
This word reminds us that our choices have tangible effects. Sin does not merely leave a void; it can introduce corruption that affects our surroundings and relationships. Yet Job’s declaration is also an affirmation of his integrity. He trusts that God sees the heart, even when accusations arise. We are invited to examine our own lives with honesty, seeking to cultivate what is good rather than allowing bitterness or injustice to take root.
May we find peace in knowing that God desires purity and life for us. When we stumble, His grace offers a fresh start, clearing the weeds so that new growth can begin again. This hope anchors our faith, reminding us that transformation is always possible through His mercy.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- foul weed[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בָאְשָׁ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Job 31:40
let briers grow instead of wheat, and stinkweed instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.
Job uses this rare word to vividly contrast the nourishing value of barley with the harmful, stinking nature of the weed he fears will replace it if he has sinned.