Dictionaries :: Cockle

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Cockle:

occurs only in Job 31:40 (marg., "noisome weeds"), where it is the rendering of a Hebrew word (b'oshah) which means "offensive," "having a bad smell," referring to some weed perhaps which has an unpleasant odour. Or it may be regarded as simply any noisome weed, such as the "tares" or darnel of Matt. 13:30. In Isa 5:2, 4 the plural form is rendered "wild grapes."

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Cockle:

kok'-'-l (King James Version margin "stinking weeds," the Revised Version, margin "noisome weeds"; bo'shah, from Hebrew root ba'ash, "to stink"; batos): "Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley" (Job 31:40). On account of the meaning of the Hebrew root we should expect that the reference was rather to repulsive, offensive weeds than to the pretty corn cockle. It is very possible that no particular plant is here intended, though the common Palestinian "stinking" arums have been suggested by Hooker.

King James Dictionary

Cockle: A Weed Resembling Wheat.

If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: let thistles grow instead of wheat, and COCKLE instead of barley. The words of Job are ended. (Job 31:39-40)

Nave's Topical Bible

Cockle: A General Term for Obnoxious Plants

Job 31:40

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Cockle:

probably signifies bad weeds or fruit (Job 31:40).