Bible Dictionary
Cockle
Cockle refers to offensive or stinking weeds in Job 31:40. The word probably describes noisome weeds generally rather than one particular plant.
Definition
Cockle refers to offensive, repulsive, or noisome weeds. The word in Job probably does not designate one particular plant but describes weeds or growth with an unpleasant character or smell.
Biblical Usage
Cockle is set opposite wheat and barley in Job’s imprecation concerning the land. The word is also associated in the supplied material with “wild grapes” in another passage.
Historical Background
The Hebrew term derives from a root meaning to stink. Stinking arums have been suggested, but the identification remains uncertain.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary
probably signifies bad weeds or fruit. (Job 31:40)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>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.</p>