ash.mah denotes culpability incurred through wrongdoing, often viewed as a burden upon a person or community.

The occurrences portray culpability arising from wrongful action and borne by individuals or communities: it can be brought upon Israel, increased by unfaithfulness, confessed as a great collective condition, and associated with punishment or anger.

1. Culpability borne through wrongdoing · dominant

   In Leviticus 4:3, the singular construct form occurs in the clause where a priest's sin brings liability upon the people; the APB renders the result as bringing “guilt on the people.” In Ezra 9:6 and Ezra 9:7, construct and absolute forms occur with the community's iniquities and their resulting humiliation, captivity, and shame; the APB renders the community's condition as “our guilt” and “great guilt.” In 2 Chronicles 28:13, three construct forms occur as the speakers warn that receiving captives would add to sins and culpability, while 2 Chronicles 24:18 connects Judah and Jerusalem's abandonment of the LORD's house with wrath because of their culpability.

   Leviticus 4:3Ezra 9:6Ezra 9:72 Chronicles 28:132 Chronicles 24:18Ezra 10:10

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across most occurrences, the APB presents the surrounding clauses with “guilt,” including guilt brought on a people, increased through unfaithfulness, or standing before God. In Psalm 69:6, however, the plural construct form occurs in a plea that others not be shamed because of the speaker, so the translation does not isolate its contribution with the same wording.