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עָשַׁן

𐤏𐤔𐤍

ʻâshan

H6225 verb

SILEX Entry

Root עשן to smoke, to emit smoke, to become smoky

Definition

To produce smoke, to emit smoke, or to be enveloped in smoke; by extension, to be filled with smoke or to become smoky. Figuratively, can describe a state of agitation or intense emotion, especially anger, drawing on the visual metaphor of smoke rising from a fire. In some contexts, the verb references the ritual action of creating aromatic smoke through burning incense or sacrifices.

Semantic Range

to produce smoke, to cause to smoke, to be filled with smoke, to envelop in smoke (literal usage), to be in a state of visible smoking (as an altar or mountain); fig., to be agitated, to burn with anger, to display intense emotion (as when smoke rises from heat or fire); to generate aromatic smoke in cultic activity (offerings/incense)

Root / Etymology

From the root עָשַׁן (ʿ-š-n), which conveys the idea of emitting or being enveloped by smoke. This root appears only in the denominative and derivative forms related to smoke. The root itself is basic in form, with no clear evidence of further breakdown.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, עָשַׁן is most commonly used in literal contexts to describe the action of smoke rising from burning objects, such as incense on the altar (Exod 19:18; Isa 6:4). The metaphorical usage, describing intense anger (as in 'to smoke with anger'), is based on the visual similarity of anger to the visible and powerful effusion of smoke and may be paralleled in some Near Eastern idioms but is less common and context-dependent. In liturgical or cultic contexts, ʻâshan often denotes the ritual generation of smoke as an offering, rather than simply an unwanted byproduct. The use of this verb in describing divine manifestations (theophanies) emphasizes awe-inspiring visual effects (Exod 19:18, God’s descent on Sinai). Later Hebrew does not generally employ this verb for 'anger' outside literary or poetic passages. English translations may use 'smoke', 'smoking', or convey the emotional metaphor with phrases like 'rage' or 'anger burned', but these do not always capture the layered visual and ritual associations present in the original.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to smoke, whether literal or figurative; be angry (be on a) smoke.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עשן (ʿ-š-n) — smoke, emitting smoke, becoming smoky

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3565 כּוֹר עָשָׁן smoke
H6226 עָשֵׁן smoke-filled
H6227 עָשָׁן smoke
H6228 עָשָׁן smoke

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6225-03 וְֽ/יֶעֱשָֽׁנוּ veyeeshanu HC/Vqi3mp and they smoke they emit smoke 2
H6225-04 יֶעְשַׁ֨ן yeeshan HVqi3ms smoke he will smoke 2
H6225-02 עָ֝שַׁ֗נְתָּ ashaneta HVqp2ms will you be angry you smoked 1
H6225-01 עָשַׁ֣ן ashan HVqp3ms was smoking smoke 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6225-01 Exodus 19:18 עָשַׁ֣ן ashan HVqp3ms was smoking smoke
H6225-04 Deuteronomy 29:19 יֶעְשַׁ֨ן yeeshan HVqi3ms will smoke he will smoke
H6225-04 Psalms 74:1 יֶעְשַׁ֥ן yeeshan HVqi3ms smoke he will smoke
H6225-02 Psalms 80:5 עָ֝שַׁ֗נְתָּ ashaneta HVqp2ms will you be angry you smoked
H6225-03 Psalms 104:32 וְֽ/יֶעֱשָֽׁנוּ veyeeshanu HC/Vqi3mp and they smoke they emit smoke
H6225-03 Psalms 144:5 וְֽ/יֶעֱשָֽׁנוּ veyeeshanu HC/Vqi3mp that they may smoke they emit smoke
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