5906. Ayish or Ash
Lexical Summary
Ayish or Ash: Ayish, Ash

Original Word: עַיִשׁ
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: `Ayish
Pronunciation: ah-yeesh
Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-yish)
KJV: Arcturus
NASB: bear
Word Origin: [from H5789 (עוּשׁ - hasten)]

1. the constellation of the Great Bear (perhaps from its migration through the heavens)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Arcturus

Or Ash {awsh}; from uwsh; the constellation of the Great Bear (perhaps from its migration through the heavens) -- Arcturus.

see HEBREW uwsh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
(a constellation) perhaps Great Bear
NASB Translation
bear (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
עַ֫יִשׁ noun feminine a constellation, perhaps Great Bear (compare especially Di) (point perh, עִיֻּשׁ (see Bu and references), compare Syriac PS2866, Brock., name of a star); — עַלבָּֿנֶיהָ ׳וְע Job 38:22 = עָשׁ Job 9:9 (both + כִּימָה, כְּסִיל etc.).

עַיָּת

proper name, of a location see ׳עַ

Topical Lexicon
Scriptural Occurrences

Ayish appears only in Job 9:9 and Job 38:32. In both places it is rendered “the Bear” in the Berean Standard Bible:

Job 9:9 “He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.”

Job 38:32 “Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs?”

Astronomical Identification

Ancient Hebrew observers recognized a prominent northern–sky constellation that modern astronomy associates with Ursa Major (the Great Bear) and its satellite asterism, Ursa Minor. The imagery of a mother bear with cubs (“the Bear with its cubs”) captures both the visual impression of a larger group of stars followed by a smaller and the protective, ordered care God exhibits over the cosmos.

Context within the Book of Job

Job 9:9 appears in Job’s declaration of God’s unsearchable greatness; Job lists vast cosmic features to emphasize human smallness. Job 38:32 forms part of Yahweh’s response, where God questions Job about celestial phenomena to re-establish divine sovereignty. Together, the two mentions frame the debate: human suffering is set against the grandeur and precision of the heavens, which only the Creator commands.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Sovereignty: Ayish stands as evidence that God alone “tells the number of the stars” (Psalm 147:4).
2. Order in Creation: The seasonal procession hinted at in Job 38:32 echoes Genesis 1:14, showing heavenly bodies appointed “for signs and for seasons.”
3. Humility before Majesty: Contemplating the Bear’s unerring circuits calls the believer to the humility voiced in Job 40:4, “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?”

Historical and Cultural Background

In the Ancient Near East, constellations served agricultural calendars and navigation. Yet Scripture never calls for worship of these luminaries (Deuteronomy 4:19) but consistently directs awe back to their Maker. Job, likely set in the patriarchal era, demonstrates that even early post-Flood communities possessed sophisticated astronomical knowledge, already integrated into their theology.

Links to Other Biblical Passages

Amos 5:8 mentions “He who made the Pleiades and Orion,” reinforcing the Joban theme.
Psalm 19:1–4 teaches that “The heavens declare the glory of God,” providing a hermeneutical lens for interpreting Ayish.
Isaiah 40:26 invites God’s people to “Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?” supplying prophetic continuity.

Ministry and Pastoral Applications

• Counseling Suffering Hearts: Pointing sufferers to Job 38—God’s mastery over Ayish—builds trust that the One who guides the stars also governs human circumstances.
• Worship Planning: Readings that couple Job 9:9 with Psalm 8 foster adoration anchored in creation.
• Youth Discipleship: Observing Ursa Major through telescopes and reading Job promotes wonder and a biblical worldview of science.

Apologetic and Evangelistic Insights

The fixed, traceable motion of the Great Bear contradicts ancient chaos myths and resonates with modern astrophysics. Scripture’s accurate depiction of consistent celestial order supports rational belief in an intelligent Designer and opens doors for gospel conversations with scientifically minded seekers.

Summary of Key Insights

Ayish, though mentioned only twice, powerfully witnesses to God’s wisdom, sovereignty, and care. It serves as a cosmic signpost directing hearts from the stars to their Creator, calling every generation to humble trust and reverent worship.

Forms and Transliterations
וְ֝עַ֗יִשׁ ועיש עָ֭שׁ עש ‘āš ash veAyish wə‘ayiš wə·‘a·yiš
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Job 9:9
HEB: עֹֽשֶׂה־ עָ֭שׁ כְּסִ֥יל וְכִימָ֗ה
NAS: Who makes the Bear, Orion
KJV: Which maketh Arcturus, Orion,
INT: makes the Bear Orion and the Pleiades

Job 38:32
HEB: מַזָּר֣וֹת בְּעִתּ֑וֹ וְ֝עַ֗יִשׁ עַל־ בָּנֶ֥יהָ
NAS: And guide the Bear with her satellites?
KJV: or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
INT: A constellation season the Bear and afflicted

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5906
2 Occurrences


‘āš — 1 Occ.
wə·‘a·yiš — 1 Occ.

5905
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