לָקַשׁ
to gather the after crop
Definition
The Hebrew verb לָקַשׁ (lâqash) means to gather or glean, specifically referring to the act of harvesting the after crop or the late growth of a field. It denotes the secondary harvest gathered after the main reaping is complete, often consisting of what was left behind or what grew later. In its sole biblical occurrence in Job 24:6, it describes the desperate action of the poor who are forced to scavenge for food in another's field, highlighting a context of poverty and survival. The word carries a nuance of collecting what remains, rather than a primary, organized harvest.
Biblical Usage
לָקַשׁ is used only once in the Old Testament, in Job 24:6. In this verse, it describes how the impoverished and oppressed 'reap' or 'glean' (לָקַשׁ) another's field, specifically gathering the after crop. The context is a poetic description of the harsh realities faced by the needy, who must scavenge for sustenance from leftover produce. This singular usage places it within the wisdom literature's focus on social justice and the plight of the poor.
Etymology
לָקַשׁ is a primitive root verb in Hebrew. Its core meaning relates to gathering or collecting, particularly in an agricultural setting. Cognates in other Semitic languages, such as Arabic and Aramaic, also carry meanings related to gathering or picking. The development of its meaning is straightforward, focusing on the action of harvesting secondary growth.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, לָקַשׁ contributes to the biblical theme of God's concern for the poor and marginalized. In Job 24:6, its use underscores the injustice faced by the needy who are reduced to scavenging. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of this passage by emphasizing the desperation and vulnerability of the oppressed, aligning with broader scriptural calls for compassion and social responsibility (e.g., Leviticus 19:9-10, Ruth 2).
In ancient Israelite agriculture, harvesting was a primary economic activity. The 'after crop' (לָקַשׁ) refers to the late-spring growth that came up after the main barley and wheat harvests. This secondary growth was often left for the poor, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow to glean, as prescribed by Mosaic law (Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 24:19-21). The action in Job 24:6 likely depicts people bypassing or lacking this legal provision, forcing them to take the after crop illicitly or from fields where it was not rightfully left for them, highlighting a breakdown in social covenant.
אָסַף (ʼâṣaph, H622) — a more general term for gathering or collecting people or things. לָקַט (lâqaṭ, H3950) — specifically means to glean or gather up, often used for gathering leftover grain (as in Ruth 2). קָצַר (qâṣar, H7114) — means to reap or harvest, referring to the primary cutting of the crop.
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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