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 unpl…

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)

, “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.

Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)

probably signifies bad weeds or fruit.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary

COCK'LE (stinking like carrion). This word may denote troublesome or offensive weeds in general. Job 31:40. But the arums, which abound in Galilee and other Eastern regions, have precisely the odor indicated by the original, and may be the plants meant. The proximity of these offensive growths is sometimes scarcely endurable.