קָשַׁח
𐤒𐤔𐤇
qâshach
H7188 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be hard, stiff, or obstinate; to become unyielding, unbending, or emotionally unresponsive. In causative stems, to make hard or make stubborn, to harden or render insensible. The verb signifies a state or process of increased rigidity or resistance, whether physically, emotionally, or morally.
Semantic Range
to become hard, be unyielding, be emotionally unresponsive, become obstinate, to make stubborn, to harden, to make inflexible, to cause to refuse persuasion
Root / Etymology
Root: קשח. The core sense of the root relates to being hard or stiff. The root occurs infrequently in Biblical Hebrew, typically in the Niphal (become hard, stubborn) and Hiphil (to make hard). It is related to other Semitic roots denoting hardness or unyielding qualities (cf. Aramaic קְשַׁח - 'to be hard' or 'to endure'). Derived nouns do not occur in Biblical Hebrew, emphasizing its verbal nature.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Usage of קָשַׁח is rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in contexts that highlight an unyielding or emotionally closed state, often with negative connotations (stubbornness, insensibility). It can describe both literal and figurative hardness, but is generally employed in figurative senses—especially stubbornness or obstinate refusal to yield. The term overlaps in certain contexts with the more common קָשָׁה (qāshāh, 'to be hard, harsh, severe'), but קָשַׁח typically implies an intensified or more resolute resistance or obduracy. English translations such as 'to harden' or 'to make stiff' generally communicate the core idea, but may not always encapsulate the emotional or moral implications. In later Hebrew, related forms continue with similar meanings, emphasizing resistance or emotional hardness. In Rabbinic usage, the notion of stubbornness or inflexibility remains prominent. There is no direct lexical connection to post-exilic or later religious meanings (e.g., 'hardness of heart' in Christian theological terms), but the image of becoming unreceptive or highly resistant is a consistent thread. The term does not directly signify cruelty or violence, but its usage can shade into those areas if the hardening is toward compassion or empathy.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) unfeeling; harden.
Bantu Hebrew
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קשח (q-š-ḥ) — hardness, stiffness, unyielding resistance
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7188-01 |
הִקְשִׁ֣יחַ | hiqeshicha | HVhp3ms |
She hardens | he hardened | 1 |
H7188-02 |
תַּקְשִׁ֥יחַ | taqeshicha | HVhi2ms |
do you harden | you cause to harden | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7188-02 |
Isaiah 63:17 | תַּקְשִׁ֥יחַ | taqeshicha | HVhi2ms |
do you harden | you cause to harden |
H7188-01 |
Job 39:16 | הִקְשִׁ֣יחַ | hiqeshicha | HVhp3ms |
She hardens | he hardened |