H6229 H6229
to contend, quarrel, engage in dispute (Hithpael reflexive/reciprocal)
Genesis 26:20 recounts the herdsmen of Gerar quarreling with Isaac's herdsmen over a well, saying 'The water is ours,' and Isaac named the well Esek, 'because they contended with him.' This Hithpael verb conveys reciprocal or reflexive action—contending, quarreling, engaging in conflict. The root may be related to 'clinging' in strife (cf. Arabic 'cling with love,' Syriac 'be difficult, hostile'), or to being occupied/busy (hence contention as intense engagement). Spanish 'disputaron' and the idea of contention both capture the verbal and perhaps physical struggle over water rights in the arid Negev.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Genesis 26:20 uses this Hithpael verb to describe the conflict between Isaac's and Gerar's herdsmen: 'they contended with him' over a well. The verb suggests mutual strife, a back-and-forth quarrel. Some link the root to Arabic 'cling' (as in strife, one clings to one's claim) or to Aramaic/Hebrew 'be busy, occupied,' implying intense engagement in dispute. Spanish 'disputaron' rightly conveys quarreling. Water in the semi-arid Negev was precious, and wells were flashpoints for conflict. Isaac names the well Esek ('Contention'), memorializing the strife—a pattern repeated at Sitnah ('Enmity') before peace at Rehoboth. 1×
AR["تَنازَعوا"]·ben["বিরোধ-করেছিল"]·DE["sie-stritten-sich"]·EN["they-contended"]·FR["ils-contended"]·heb["התעשקו"]·HI["झगड़े"]·ID["mereka-bertengkar"]·IT["essi-contended"]·jav["piyambakipun-pasulayan"]·KO["다투었다"]·PT["contenderam"]·RU["спорили"]·ES["disputaron"]·SW["walishindana"]·TR["kavga-ettiler"]·urd["جھگڑے-تھے"]
Related Senses
H4941 1. justice, righteousness (134×)H4941 2. judgment, judicial decision (119×)H4941 3. ordinances, statutes (plural) (110×)H8199 1. to judge, adjudicate (98×)G2919 1. judge, pass judgment (76×)H8199 2. judge (person, office-holder) (61×)G2920 1. judgment / condemnation (48×)H7378 1. Qal: quarrel, contend, strive (42×)H4941 4. prescribed ordinance, regulation (34×)G1832 1. it is lawful, it is permitted (32×)G2917 1. judgment, condemnation (27×)G2919 2. be judged, stand trial (27×)H5360 1. vengeance, retribution (27×)H7378 2. Qal: plead, defend, litigate (22×)G2723 1. accuse, bring charges against (20×)G2923 1. judge (one who judges/decides) (19×)G2632 1. condemn, pass judgment against (18×)H1777 1. judge, adjudicate (18×)H1576 1. recompense, retribution (17×)H5359 1. vengeance, retribution (17×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† [עָשַׂק] vb. Hithp. contend (perhaps orig. cling to (in strife), cf. Arabic عَشِقَ cling with love (LagBN 143); Syriac ܥܣܰܩ, Ethpa. be difficult (i.e. indignant, hostile); NH עָסַק, 𝔗 עֲסַק, busy oneself, NH עֵסֶק business, occupation);—Pf. 3 pl. הִתְעַשְּׂקוּ עִמּוֹ Gn 26:20 they contended with him.