אָשַׁם
To be guilty ; by implication to be punished or perish
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What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does אָשַׁם (asham) mean in the Bible?
אָשַׁם (asham) is a Hebrew word meaning "to be guilty ; by implication to be punished or perish". to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish BDB: offend Usage: × certainly, be(-come, made) desolate, destroy, × greatly, be(-come, found, hold) guilty, offend (acknowledge offence), trespass. Repentance requires recognition of covenant guilt. This term runs through the canonical themes of Covenant.
Meaning
Guilt inherently carries culpability; the guilty party bears both moral liability and consequent punishment or destruction.
to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish BDB: offend Usage: × certainly, be(-come, made) desolate, destroy, × greatly, be(-come, found, hold) guilty, offend (acknowledge offence), trespass.
Why This Word Matters
Repentance requires recognition of covenant guilt. Hosea 5:8-15
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 18×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 1×
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Old Testament Witnesses
Showing 8 of 35 occurrences in the biblical text.