The term "asswaged" is an archaic English word that appears in the King James Version of the Bible, primarily meaning to lessen, diminish, or relieve. In the context of Scripture, it is often used to describe the subsiding of waters or the easing of intense emotions or conditions. The Berean Standard Bible uses more contemporary language, but the concept remains significant in understanding the narrative and theological implications of the passages where it is found.

Biblical Context:

1. Genesis 8:1 : "Then God remembered Noah and all the animals and livestock that were with him in the ark, and God sent a wind over the earth, and the waters began to subside." In the King James Version, the word "asswaged" is used here to describe the diminishing of the floodwaters after the great deluge. This event marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Noah, symbolizing God's mercy and the restoration of the earth after judgment. The subsiding of the waters signifies a new beginning for humanity and creation, highlighting God's covenant faithfulness.

2. Job 16:6 : "Even if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I hold back, how will it go away?" In this verse, the concept of assuaging is related to the alleviation of Job's suffering. Job's lament reflects the deep anguish he experiences, and his struggle to find comfort or relief. The use of "asswaged" in older translations underscores the intensity of his desire for his pain to diminish, pointing to the broader theme of human suffering and the quest for divine intervention and comfort.

Theological Implications:

The notion of assuaging in the Bible often carries theological weight, as it is associated with God's intervention in human affairs. In the case of Noah, the assuaging of the floodwaters is a direct result of divine action, illustrating God's control over creation and His willingness to restore and renew. This act of mercy is a precursor to the covenant God establishes with Noah, promising never to destroy the earth with a flood again.

In the book of Job, the longing for assuagement reflects the human condition and the need for God's presence in times of distress. Job's experience invites readers to consider the nature of suffering and the hope for relief that can only be fully realized through a relationship with God. The desire for assuagement is ultimately a yearning for divine justice and restoration.

Linguistic Considerations:

The word "asswaged" is derived from the Middle English "assuagen," which in turn comes from the Old French "asouagier," meaning to soften or mitigate. While modern translations like the BSB use terms such as "subsided" or "relieved," the original term captures the essence of a process of easing or diminishing that is both physical and emotional.

In summary, the concept of asswaging in the Bible is deeply intertwined with themes of divine mercy, human suffering, and the hope for renewal. Whether it is the physical subsiding of floodwaters or the emotional relief sought by Job, the term encapsulates a profound aspect of the human experience in relation to God's sovereign and compassionate nature.

'Clear Shining after Rain'
... and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God
made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged; The fountains ...
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An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
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Asswaged (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Asswaged (1 Occurrence). Job 16:6 Though I speak, my grief
is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased? (KJV). ...
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Asswage (1 Occurrence)

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Assyria (124 Occurrences)

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