H6245a H6245a
to be smooth, shiny, sleek (possibly from fatness; textually uncertain)
Jeremiah 5:28 condemns the wicked: 'They have grown fat, they are sleek,' using this verb of uncertain meaning. The traditional interpretation is 'smooth' or 'shiny,' perhaps describing skin that gleams from excess fat and luxury. However, the word is disputed—some propose emending to 'they have grown rich,' which would parallel 'they have grown fat' (v. 27). Spanish uses 'se pusieron lustrosos' (they became glossy/shiny), supporting the smoothness/shininess reading. The context is moral indictment: the wicked prosper materially while oppressing the poor, and their physical appearance reflects their self-indulgence. Whether smooth, shiny, or rich, the image is of comfortable wickedness.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Jeremiah 5:28 says the wicked 'have grown fat, they are sleek,' using this verb whose meaning is debated. The traditional sense is 'smooth' or 'shiny'—perhaps their well-fed skin gleams. Some scholars prefer emending to 'rich,' which would better parallel 'fat' (v. 27). Spanish 'lustrosos' (glossy, shiny) supports the transmitted text. The prophet is decrying social injustice: the wicked live in ease and luxury, their prosperity visible in their sleek appearance, while they oppress orphans and the poor. The verb, whatever its precise nuance, paints a picture of self-satisfied affluence built on injustice. 1×
AR["لَمِعُوا"]·ben["চকচকে-হয়েছে"]·DE["[עשתו]"]·EN["they-are-sleek"]·FR["[עשתו]"]·heb["עשתו"]·HI["वे-चमकते-हैं"]·ID["mereka-berkilau"]·IT["[עשתו]"]·jav["piyambakipun-sami-mengkilap"]·KO["빛난다"]·PT["tornaram-se-brilhantes"]·RU["лоснятся"]·ES["se-pusieron-lustrosos"]·SW["wameng'aa"]·TR["parladılar"]·urd["چمکتے-ہیں"]
Related Senses
H4325 1. water, waters (582×)H6965b 1. Qal: to rise, arise, get up (432×)H2091 1. gold (the metal) (389×)H0068 1. stone, rock (material/object) (267×)H5178a 1. bronze/copper as metal (131×)H6083 1. dust, dry earth, soil (108×)H8313 1. burn, set fire to (94×)H2734 1. anger was kindled (82×)G5204 1. water (80×)H2822 1. darkness, absence of light (80×)G5457 1. light (illumination) (71×)G0450 1. rise, stand up (physical) (69×)H6965b 2. Qal: to stand firm, endure, be valid (50×)H6999a 2. burn sacrifice on altar (Hifil) (45×)H5553 1. rock, cliff (physical feature) (43×)H6965b 4. Hifil: to establish, confirm (covenant/kingdom/word) (40×)H1197a 1. burn, be on fire (39×)H4306 1. rain, showers (38×)H1653 1. rain, precipitation (34×)G4655 1. darkness (30×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† I. [עָשַׁת] vb. be smooth or shiny (?), si vera l. (cf. עֶשֶׁת);—only Qal Pf. 3 pl. שָֽׁמְנוּ עָֽשְׁתוּ Je 5:28 (fig.) they have grown fat, they are smooth (or shine, from fat); doubtful word, Thes conj. עָֽשְׁרוּ have grown rich (cf. 𝔊 𝔖 𝔗), so Gie (but וַיַּעֲשִׁירוּ precedes, v 27).