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קָשַׁשׁ

𐤒𐤔𐤔

qâshash

H7197 verb

SILEX Entry

Root קשׁשׁ to dry out, become brittle, gather dry materials

Definition

To gather, collect, or pick up (typically sticks, straw, stubble, or dry vegetation), especially from the ground. The term can denote the literal act of foraging for fuel or fodder, but in some contexts extends metaphorically to gathering objects or even people.

Semantic Range

to gather sticks, collect straw or stubble, forage for fuel, assemble people (rare/figurative)

Root / Etymology

From the root קשׁשׁ, which relates to the idea of becoming dry or brittle. The verb is denominative, formed from the noun קַשׁ (qash), meaning 'straw' or 'stubble.' Thus, the root conveys the sense of making dry, brittle, or suitable for gathering.

Historical & Contextual Notes

קָשַׁשׁ appears primarily in narratives involving the literal gathering of dry materials for fuel (such as collecting sticks for fire in poetic or narrative contexts). The verb is typically used in non-ritual, everyday scenes, most notably in wilderness or rural settings (e.g., Exodus 5:12, Numbers 15:32). The sense of the word is practical, not ceremonial. While later translations sometimes use 'gather' more broadly, the primary nuance is an act of collection, usually from dispersed, small bits (like straw or sticks). Unlike לקט (laqat), which can refer to gleaning, especially in the context of grain, קָשַׁשׁ emphasizes the dry, brittle, often humble material gathered. The metaphorical use ('to assemble people') is rare and less prominent in biblical usage, likely influenced by its concrete sense. Usage remains consistent through the relevant periods; the term does not develop specialized religious or ritual meanings. English translations sometimes substitute 'gather' or 'collect,' but may obscure the specific reference to gathering dry, fuel-like materials.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to become sapless through drought; used only as denominative from קַשׁ; to forage for straw, stubble or wood; figuratively, to assemble; gather (selves) (together).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קשש (q-š-š) — to dry out, become brittle, gather dry materials

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7179 קַשׁ like dry stubble

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7197-03 מְקֹשֵׁ֥שׁ meqoshesh HVmrmsa gathering stick-gathering one 2
H7197-04 מְקֹשֶׁ֣שֶׁת meqosheshet HVmrfsc gathering dry-stubble-gathering woman 2
H7197-05 וָ/ק֑וֹשּׁוּ vaqoshu HC/Vqv2mp and gather gather dry stalks 1
H7197-01 הִֽתְקוֹשְׁשׁ֖וּ hiteqosheshu HVrv2mp Gather yourselves together Forage yourselves together 1
H7197-02 לְ/קֹשֵׁ֥שׁ leqoshesh HR/Vmc to gather to gather dry stubble 1
H7197-06 וְ/קֹשְׁשׁ֥וּ veqosheshu HC/Vmq3cp and gather and they gathered dry-stubble 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7197-06 Exodus 5:7 וְ/קֹשְׁשׁ֥וּ veqosheshu HC/Vmq3cp and gather and they gathered dry-stubble
H7197-02 Exodus 5:12 לְ/קֹשֵׁ֥שׁ leqoshesh HR/Vmc to gather to gather dry stubble
H7197-03 Numbers 15:32 מְקֹשֵׁ֥שׁ meqoshesh HVmrmsa gathering stick-gathering one
H7197-03 Numbers 15:33 מְקֹשֵׁ֣שׁ meqoshesh HVmrmsa gathering stick-gathering one
H7197-04 1 Kings 17:10 מְקֹשֶׁ֣שֶׁת meqosheshet HVmrfsc gathering dry-stubble-gathering woman
H7197-04 1 Kings 17:12 מְקֹשֶׁ֜שֶׁת meqosheshet HVmrfsa gathering dry-stubble-gathering woman
H7197-01 Zephaniah 2:1 הִֽתְקוֹשְׁשׁ֖וּ hiteqosheshu HVrv2mp Gather yourselves together Forage yourselves together
H7197-05 Zephaniah 2:1 וָ/ק֑וֹשּׁוּ vaqoshu HC/Vqv2mp and gather gather dry stalks
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