Lexical Summary ashuqim: Oppressions, acts of oppression Original Word: עָשׁוּק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance oppressedion Or mashuq {aw-shook'}; passive participle of ashaq; used in plural masculine as abstractly, tyranny -- oppressed(-ion). (Doubtful.) see HEBREW ashaq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ashaq Definition oppression, extortion NASB Translation acts of oppression (1), oppressions (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲשׁוּקִים noun plural abstract oppression, extortion; — ׳ע Amos 3:9; Job 35:9, עֲשֻׁקִים Ecclesiastes 4:1. Topical Lexicon Definition And Conceptual Scope עָשׁוּק portrays persons or communities wrongfully pressed down, violated, or defrauded by those wielding social, economic, or political power. The word highlights not merely suffering, but suffering produced by injustice. Occurrences And Immediate Contexts • Job 35:9 – “Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; they shout for help because of the arm of the mighty.” Suffering is tied to human tyranny and used by Elihu to show mankind’s instinct to seek divine intervention. Historical Background In the monarchic period the growing stratification between elites and commoners fostered land-grabs, judicial bribery, and slave-labor abuses (1 Kings 21:1-16; Micah 2:1-2). Northern Israel’s prosperity under Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14:23-25) masked structural sins that Amos exposes. In eighth-century Judah, Assyrian pressure and internal misrule produced the social misery Isaiah decries (Isaiah 1:23). By the post-exilic era, Nehemiah must again confront nobles who “were exacting usury” from their brethren (Nehemiah 5:7). עָשׁוּק thus threads through Israel’s account whenever covenant ideals of neighbor-love (Leviticus 19:18) are eclipsed by self-interest. Theological Significance 1. Divine Hearing – Scripture repeatedly affirms that “the LORD hears the cry of the oppressed” (Psalm 10:17). Job 35:9 implies that even imperfect petitions ascend to God’s throne. Interplay With Covenant Ethics The Mosaic Law bans oppression of laborers (Deuteronomy 24:14-15), aliens (Exodus 22:21), widows, and orphans (Exodus 22:22-24). These statutes are not merely philanthropic; they mirror God’s historical self-disclosure: “for you were slaves in Egypt” (Deuteronomy 24:18). Violation therefore insults God’s redemptive memory. Prophetic Implications Prophets leverage עָשׁוּק to shame Israel before surrounding nations (Amos 3:9) and to warn that unchecked injustice invites exile (Jeremiah 7:6-15). Yet they also envision a messianic future where oppression ceases (Isaiah 9:4-7; Zechariah 9:8-10). Christological Fulfillment Jesus announces His mission “to proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18) and embodies the Servant who “will not crush the bruised reed” (Isaiah 42:3). Though Himself unjustly oppressed (Acts 8:32-33), His resurrection guarantees ultimate vindication and sets the pattern for kingdom ethics (Matthew 20:25-28). Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching – Highlight God’s intolerance of structural sin and His compassion toward victims, fostering both conviction and comfort. Key Principles For Today 1. Oppression is never a mere sociological problem; it is a spiritual violation addressed by Scripture. Forms and Transliterations הָ֣עֲשֻׁקִ֔ים הָעֲשֻׁקִ֗ים העשקים וַעֲשׁוּקִ֖ים ועשוקים עֲשׁוּקִ֣ים עָשׁ֥וּק עשוק עשוקים ‘ă·šū·qîm ‘ā·šūq ‘āšūq ‘ăšūqîm aShuk ashuKim hā‘ăšuqîm hā·‘ă·šu·qîm haashuKim vaashuKim wa‘ăšūqîm wa·‘ă·šū·qîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 35:9 HEB: מֵ֭רֹב עֲשׁוּקִ֣ים יַזְעִ֑יקוּ יְשַׁוְּע֖וּ NAS: of the multitude of oppressions they cry KJV: By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make [the oppressed] to cry: INT: of the multitude of oppressions cry cry Ecclesiastes 4:1 Ecclesiastes 4:1 Hosea 5:11 Amos 3:9 5 Occurrences |
    |