חָשַׁשׁ
dry grass
Definition
The Hebrew noun חָשַׁשׁ (châshash) refers to dry, withered grass or vegetation that has lost its vitality and is ready to be blown away or burned. In Isaiah 5:24, it describes the fate of the wicked, who will be consumed like chaff or dry grass that catches fire. In Isaiah 33:11, it similarly portrays something utterly insubstantial and worthless, comparing human plans or efforts to dry grass that produces only stubble. The word emphasizes fragility, transience, and worthlessness, often in contrast to what is living, solid, or enduring.
Biblical Usage
חָשַׁשׁ is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the book of Isaiah. It appears in prophetic oracles of judgment to symbolize complete destruction and futility. In Isaiah 5:24, it illustrates the consequence of rejecting God's law, where the people become like fuel for a fire. In Isaiah 33:11, it depicts the futile plans of the enemy against God's people, which will come to nothing, just as dry grass produces only stubble. The usage is consistently metaphorical, highlighting the ephemeral nature of what opposes God.
Etymology
The word חָשַׁשׁ is considered a by-form or variation of קַשׁ (qash, H7179), which also means 'chaff' or 'stubble.' This connection places it within a semantic field of dry, worthless plant matter left after threshing. The variation may reflect a dialectical or poetic form used for emphasis or assonance, particularly in Isaiah's prophecies.
Semantic Range
חָשַׁשׁ carries theological weight as a vivid metaphor for human rebellion and self-sufficiency apart from God. It underscores the biblical theme that what is opposed to God's will is ultimately insubstantial and destined for destruction (Isaiah 5:24; 33:11). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the contrast between the enduring word of God and the fleeting nature of human schemes, a key concept in prophetic literature.
In an agrarian society, dry grass or chaff (חָשַׁשׁ) was a common sight after harvest—light, useless, and often burned as waste or used as tinder. This imagery would immediately convey worthlessness and high combustibility to Isaiah's original audience. The metaphor relies on this everyday understanding to communicate spiritual truths about judgment and futility.
קַשׁ (qash, H7179) — A more common term for 'chaff' or 'stubble,' often used in similar contexts of judgment and worthlessness. תֶּבֶן (teven, H8401) — 'Straw,' used as fodder or building material, generally more substantial than chaff. מוֹץ (mots, H4671) — 'Chaff' blown away by the wind, emphasizing being scattered and removed.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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