Lexical Summary pash: To spread, to scatter Original Word: פַשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance extremity Probably from an unused root meaning to disintegrate; stupidity (as a result of grossness or of degeneracy) -- extremity. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originanother reading for pesha, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs מַּשׁ noun [masculine] Job 35:15 si vera lectio from v פשׁשׁ (compare Arabic  weak in mind or body,  very stupid); — i.e. folly; but read מֶּשַׁל (ᵐ5 Theod ᵑ6 Di BaeKau Du). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 6580, פַשׁ (pash), appears a single time in Scripture, in Job 35:15. While rare in usage, the term carries the weighty concept of a willful offense or transgression against God. Its scarcity intensifies the moment Elihu employs it, sharpening his rebuke of Job’s attitudes and illuminating the divine perspective on human sin. Literary Setting in Job 35 Elihu’s fourth speech (Job 32–37) confronts Job’s complaint that God seems distant and unresponsive. In Job 35:15 he observes, “So now, because His anger does not punish, nor does He take much notice of transgression, Job opens his mouth in vain; he multiplies words without knowledge.” (Job 35:15-16) Elihu contends that God’s apparent delay in judgment should never be misread as indifference. By using פַשׁ he labels Job’s self-justifying words as more than mere frustration; they flirt with rebellion. Relationship to Other Hebrew Terms for Sin Whereas חַטָּאָה highlights missing the mark and עָוֹן emphasizes twisted guilt, פַשׁ aligns more closely with פֶּשַׁע (transgression) in stressing open defiance or breach of covenant. Its lone appearance underscores the severity Elihu perceives in Job’s stance—an accusation of stepping over a line rather than stumbling into error. Divine Forbearance and Delayed Judgment Elihu’s theology echoes later biblical testimony that God’s slowness to act springs from mercy, not apathy. Ecclesiastes 8:11 notes that delayed justice can embolden sinners, and 2 Peter 3:9 explains the Lord’s patience as an opportunity for repentance. Job 35:15 therefore functions as an Old Testament example of this principle: God’s restraint invites humility, yet can be misinterpreted as license. Human Tendency Toward Presumptuous Sin The rarity of פַשׁ highlights how quickly the human heart may move from complaint to presumption. Psalm 19:13 pleads, “Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.” Elihu’s warning fits that plea: unchecked words born of suffering can mature into willful rebellion if they question God’s righteousness. Christological and Redemptive Trajectory The gravity attached to even one act of transgression sets the stage for the gospel. Isaiah 53:5 declares that the Suffering Servant was “pierced for our transgressions,” employing the cognate פֶּשַׁע. The cross answers the charge Elihu raises: God is neither indifferent to sin nor oppressive toward the sufferer. His justice and mercy converge in Christ, who bears the full penalty of every פַשׁ. Ministerial Applications 1. Pastoral Counseling: When believers struggle with perceived divine silence, Job 35:15 reminds them that God’s patience is purposeful, not permissive. Key Reference Job 35:15 – The only canonical occurrence of פַשׁ, underscoring the peril of mistaking God’s longsuffering for disregard of transgression. Forms and Transliterations בַּפַּ֣שׁ בפש bap·paš bappaš bapPashLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 35:15 HEB: וְלֹֽא־ יָדַ֖ע בַּפַּ֣שׁ מְאֹֽד׃ KJV: [it] not in great extremity: INT: Nor acknowledged extremity well 1 Occurrence |
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