Lexical Summary qashash: To gather, collect, or assemble Original Word: קָשַׁשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gather selves together A primitive root; to become sapless through drought; used only as denominative from qash; to forage for straw, stubble or wood; figuratively, to assemble -- gather (selves) (together). see HEBREW qash Brown-Driver-Briggs [קָשַׁשׁ] verb denominative Po`el gather stubble; — Perfect3plural consecutive וְקשְׁשׁוּ Exodus 5:7; Infinitive construct לְקשֵׁשׁ Exodus 5:12; Participle מְקשֵׁשׁ Numbers 15:32,33, feminine מְקשֶׁשֶׁת 1 Kings 17:10,12; — gather stubble, with accusative of congnate meaning with verb קַשׁ Exodus 5:12 (לַתֶּבֶן); also with accusative תֶּבֶן Exodus 5:7 (both J); with accusative עֵצִים as firewood Numbers 15:32,33 (P) 1 Kings 17:10,12. II. [קָשַׁשׁ] doubtful verb, only Qal Imperative + Hithpo`el Imperative, הִתְקוֺשְׁשׁוּ וָקוֺשּׁוּ Zephaniah 2:1; AV RV gather yourselves together, yea gather together, from foregoing (compare Vrss), but this only denominative in specific meaning gather stubble, sticks, etc.; read probably with Gr BuSK 1893, 396 and others הִתְבּוֺשְׁשׁוּ. Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Hebrew 7197 portrays a simple physical act—“to gather stubble, sticks, or people”—yet in Scripture this verb consistently exposes matters of oppression, obedience, faith, and urgent repentance. Gathering Straw under Bondage (Exodus 5) Pharaoh’s decree, “You shall no longer supply the people with straw for making bricks. They must go and gather their own straw” (Exodus 5:7), intensifies Israel’s slavery. The same chapter notes that the people “scattered throughout the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw” (5:12). Here qāshash evokes exhausting labor imposed by a tyrant and highlights the distinction between a cruel master and the compassionate LORD who soon rescues His people. Sabbath Violation in the Wilderness (Numbers 15) “While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day” (Numbers 15:32). The community brings him before Moses, Aaron, and “all the congregation” (15:33). The action is minor in human eyes yet viewed as willful defiance of the divine rest. The account underscores the holiness of God’s commandment and the seriousness of deliberate sin. It also frames Sabbath rest as a gift to be guarded, anticipating the fuller rest provided in Messiah. Faith on the Brink of Despair (1 Kings 17) When Elijah comes to Zarephath, he “called to her and said, ‘Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.’ But she replied, ‘As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a couple of sticks so that I may go in and prepare it… that we may eat and die’” (1 Kings 17:11-12). The widow’s meager gathering frames a crisis of faith; her obedience births a miracle of unending provision. Here qāshash is linked to humble trust and divine supply. Urgent Call to National Repentance (Zephaniah 2) “Gather yourselves, gather together, O shameful nation, before the decree takes effect” (Zephaniah 2:1-2). The doubled verb intensifies the summons. Israel must unite in humility before judgment falls. The image shifts from collecting fuel to collecting hearts, stressing corporate contrition and foreshadowing the New Testament call for believers to assemble “all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Key Themes • Oppression versus Deliverance The same verb that pictures enforced toil in Egypt also sets the stage for miraculous provision in Zarephath, revealing God’s power to overturn circumstances. • Obedience and Holiness Numbers 15 shows that even an apparently trivial breach—gathering sticks—can constitute high-handed rebellion when God’s explicit word is ignored. • Impermanence of Earthly Resources Straw and stubble burn easily; they symbolize works of no eternal value (compare 1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Qāshash therefore invites reflection on investing in what endures. • Corporate Repentance Zephaniah’s command envisions community revival. True gathering is not merely spatial but spiritual, aligning hearts with the LORD before the Day of His wrath. • Faith in Scarcity The widow’s tiny bundle of sticks teaches that surrendering limited resources to God opens the door to abundant grace. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Encourage corporate gatherings marked by repentance and humility, confident that God relents when His people seek Him together. Christological Perspective Qāshash ultimately directs attention to Christ. He gathers a people for Himself (John 11:52), provides the true Sabbath rest (Matthew 11:28-29), supplies bread that does not run out (John 6:35), and will separate combustible works from that which withstands His purifying gaze. Thus, the humble act of gathering—whether straw, sticks, or souls—finds its fullest meaning in Him who “will gather His wheat into the barn” (Matthew 3:12). Forms and Transliterations הִֽתְקוֹשְׁשׁ֖וּ התקוששו וְקֹשְׁשׁ֥וּ וָק֑וֹשּׁוּ וקושו וקששו לְקֹשֵׁ֥שׁ לקשש מְקֹשֵׁ֣שׁ מְקֹשֵׁ֥שׁ מְקֹשֶׁ֜שֶׁת מְקֹשֶׁ֣שֶׁת מקשש מקששת hiṯ·qō·wō·šə·šū hitkosheShu hiṯqōwōšəšū lə·qō·šêš lekoShesh ləqōšêš mə·qō·še·šeṯ mə·qō·šêš mekoShesh mekoSheshet məqōšêš məqōšešeṯ vaKooshshu vekosheShu wā·qō·wōš·šū wāqōwōššū wə·qō·šə·šū wəqōšəšūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 5:7 HEB: הֵ֚ם יֵֽלְכ֔וּ וְקֹשְׁשׁ֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם תֶּֽבֶן׃ NAS: let them go and gather straw KJV: let them go and gather straw INT: themselves go and gather straw Exodus 5:12 Numbers 15:32 Numbers 15:33 1 Kings 17:10 1 Kings 17:12 Zephaniah 2:1 Zephaniah 2:1 8 Occurrences |
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