עׇשְׁקָה (osh.qah)
osh.qah
oppression
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun osh.qah refers to oppression, specifically the act of abusing or distressing someone through unjust treatment. In the Hebrew Bible, it describes a violation of rights where the powerful exploit the vulnerable, creating a state of suffering and injustice.
This term appears only once in Scripture, in Isaiah 53:9, where it is used to describe the unjust treatment of the Servant. The context highlights how, despite his innocence, he was assigned a grave with the wicked and a tomb with the rich, illustrating the depth of his suffering through this specific kind of abuse.
Translators often render osh.qah as "oppression" or "abuse," capturing the sense of wrongful harm inflicted upon another. The word emphasizes the active nature of the injustice, pointing to the deliberate actions that cause distress rather than passive misfortune.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word osh.qah describes a heavy burden of injustice, where power is used to crush the vulnerable. In Isaiah 53:9, it points to the suffering of the Servant who faced this abuse despite his innocence. This reminds us that God sees when people are treated unfairly and does not ignore such pain.
When you face hardship or feel wronged by others, this word offers comfort. It shows that your suffering is seen and valued by God. You are never alone in your struggles, as He walks with you through every trial.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- oppression1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עָֽשְׁקָה\־1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 38:14
I chattered like a swallow or a crane. I moaned like a dove. My eyes weaken looking upward. Lord, I am oppressed. Be my security.”
This verse uses the word to express personal distress, showing how the term captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by unjust treatment.