גּוּשׁ (gush)
gush
clod
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun gush denotes a solid mass or clod, specifically referring to a lump of earth or clay. In the biblical text, it appears only once, in Job 7:5, where it describes the physical state of the sufferer’s skin.
Job uses this concrete image to illustrate his extreme degradation. He compares his body to ground that has hardened into clods, emphasizing how his flesh is broken down by worms and dust. The word captures a sense of dryness and rigidity, contrasting sharply with healthy, pliable skin.
This rare usage highlights the visceral nature of Job’s complaint. By invoking gush, the text portrays a condition where the body has lost its vitality and become as hard and lifeless as baked earth. It serves as a stark metaphor for the total breakdown of human flesh in suffering.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gush describes a hard clod of earth or clay. In Job 7:5, it paints a stark picture of physical decay. Job’s skin has become dry and rigid, like baked ground that has cracked under the sun. This image captures the total loss of vitality in his suffering body.
When you feel broken down by pain or illness, this verse reminds you that your feelings are seen. God does not ignore the harsh reality of physical decline. Even in the deepest despair, Job’s raw honesty is recorded for us. It shows that we can bring our most fragile selves to Him.
Your worth is not tied to how strong your body feels today. The Creator who formed the earth also knows the weight of your burden. You are held by a love that remains steady even when your flesh fails. Find comfort in knowing He sees every detail of your struggle.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ clod[s] of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/ג֣וּשׁ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 7:5
My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust. My skin closes up, and breaks out afresh.
This is the only biblical occurrence, where Job uses 'clods' to describe his skin's hardened, decaying state caused by worms and dust.