עָשׁוּקִים (a.shuq)
a.shuq
oppression
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew term a.shuq describes the act of oppressing or extorting others, appearing in just three verses across Ecclesiastes, Job, and Amos. It refers to the unjust seizure of property or rights through force or deceit. The word captures a specific kind of violence where power is used to strip away what belongs to another.
Its usage highlights the vulnerability of those without legal protection. In Amos, it illustrates how the wealthy exploit the poor for gain. In Job and Ecclesiastes, it reflects the systemic injustice that causes suffering among the marginalized. The term emphasizes the active nature of the wrong, not just passive neglect.
This word underscores the biblical concern for justice. It calls attention to the harm caused by those in power who take advantage of others. The text presents this behavior as a serious moral failure, one that God opposes and seeks to correct through righteous leadership and fair treatment for all.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for oppression describes a specific kind of harm where those with power take what belongs to others through force or deceit. It is not merely neglect but an active seizing of rights and property, leaving the vulnerable without comfort or recourse. This reality has existed as long as human societies have had inequalities.
Scripture does not ignore this pain. The biblical writers record the cries of those who are crushed by systems that favor the strong over the weak. God sees these tears and the injustice they represent. He is concerned with how we treat our neighbors, especially those who cannot defend themselves.
When we encounter stories of oppression in the Bible, we are invited to see the world through God’s eyes. He opposes the abuse of power and cares deeply for the marginalized. This calls us to recognize injustice when we see it and to stand with those who have no voice, reflecting His heart for fairness and dignity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ oppression<s>1×
- the/ oppressed1×
- oppression<s>1×
- and/ oppression<s>1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֲשׁוּקִ֣ים1×
- וַ/עֲשׁוּקִ֖ים1×
- הָ֣/עֲשֻׁקִ֔ים1×
- הָ/עֲשֻׁקִ֗ים1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 4:1
Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
This verse captures the isolation of the oppressed by noting they had no comforter while their oppressors held all the power.
-
Amos 3:9
Proclaim in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, “Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria, and see what unrest is in her, and what oppression is among them.”
Here the word highlights public unrest and injustice within Samaria, showing that oppression creates visible chaos in society.
-
Job 35:9
“By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.
The text shows that oppression drives people to cry out for help, yet they often feel helpless against the arm of the mighty.