עָשַׂק (a.saq)
a.saq
to contend
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The verb a.saq appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in Genesis 26:20. In this specific context, it describes the conflict between Isaac’s shepherds and the herders of Gerar over a water source. The text uses the Hithpael stem to convey that they were contending or quarreling with one another, highlighting a dispute marked by persistent strife rather than a single isolated incident.
Because this word is so rare, its meaning is anchored entirely in this narrative of competition for resources. It captures the tension of neighbors fighting over essential livelihoods, a theme that resonates throughout the patriarchal stories. The term does not imply legal judgment but rather the raw, ongoing friction of human disagreement.
Its solitary occurrence makes it a unique marker of conflict in the Old Testament. While other words exist for general strife or war, a.saq here points to a specific, localized struggle that defines the relationship between the characters. It serves as a linguistic snapshot of the challenges faced by those seeking peace in contested lands.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word עָשַׂק appears only once in Scripture, nestled in the story of Isaac in Genesis 26:20. It describes a heated dispute over water between neighbors. This rare term captures the raw friction that arises when resources are scarce and pride is high. It reminds us that even faithful patriarchs faced moments of intense conflict.
When you encounter disagreement in your own life, this passage offers a quiet comfort. You are not alone in facing tension with others. The biblical narrative does not shy away from the messiness of human relationships. Instead, it shows how God can work through these difficult moments to bring about His purposes.
This word invites us to reflect on our own responses to conflict. Do we react with haste, or do we seek peace? Isaac’s experience teaches us that disputes are part of life, but they do not define our final outcome. We can trust God to guide us through these strained interactions with grace and wisdom.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they quarreled1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הִֽתְעַשְּׂק֖וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 26:20
The herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him.
This verse uses the Hithpael stem of עָשַׂק to describe the persistent quarreling over a well, highlighting the ongoing nature of the strife rather than a single argument.