גָּשַׁשׁ (ga.shash)
ga.shash
to grope
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ga.shash describes the physical act of feeling with the hand, often translated as "to grope" or "to stroke." It conveys a tactile search for something hidden or unseen, relying on touch rather than sight to navigate an uncertain environment. This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 59:10.
In that verse, the prophet uses ga.shash to depict the spiritual condition of God’s people. They are described as groping for a wall like blind men, or searching for the light but stumbling in darkness. The image is one of helplessness and disorientation; without divine guidance, their attempts to find truth or direction are futile and confused.
The term highlights the contrast between physical sight and spiritual perception. To grope implies that the object sought is just out of reach, emphasizing a state of waiting for illumination. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the human struggle to understand God’s ways without His revealing presence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Isaiah 59:10 paints a stark picture of spiritual disorientation. The prophet describes people groping for a wall like the blind, stumbling in what should be broad daylight. This word captures the frustration of trying to find direction when the usual guides are missing. It reminds us that human effort alone often leaves us feeling lost and unsure.
Yet this image is not meant to leave us in despair. It highlights our need for divine light. When we feel like we are stumbling in darkness, it is an invitation to look beyond our own understanding. God’s presence provides the clarity that touch alone cannot give, guiding us through uncertainty with steady grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- we grope for1×
- we grope1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נְגַשֵּׁ֑שָׁה1×
- נְגַֽשְׁשָׁ֤ה1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 59:10
We grope for the wall like the blind. Yes, we grope as those who have no eyes. We stumble at noon as if it were twilight. Among those who are strong, we are like dead men.
This verse uses the word to depict the spiritual blindness and disorientation of God’s people who lack divine guidance.