Job 9:26
Job 9:26 in Multiple Translations
They sweep by like boats of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
They are passed away as the swift ships; As the eagle that swoopeth on the prey.
They go rushing on like reed-boats, like an eagle dropping suddenly on its food.
They pass by like fast sailing ships, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
They are passed as with the most swift ships, and as the eagle that flyeth to the pray.
They have passed on with ships of reed, As an eagle darteth on food.
They have passed away as the swift ships, as the eagle that swoops on the prey.
They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
They have passed by as ships carrying fruits, as an eagle flying to the prey.
My life goes by very rapidly, like a boat made from reeds sailing swiftly, or like an eagle that swoops down to seize a small animal.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 9:26
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 9:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
חָ֭לְפוּ
עִם
אֳנִיּ֣וֹת
אֵבֶ֑ה
כְּ֝/נֶ֗שֶׁר
יָט֥וּשׂ
עֲלֵי
אֹֽכֶל
חָ֭לְפוּ
châlaph
H2498
to pass
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
עִם
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep
אֳנִיּ֣וֹת
ʼŏnîyâh
H591
fleet
N-fp
אֵבֶ֑ה
ʼêbeh
H16
papyrus
N-ms
כְּ֝/נֶ֗שֶׁר
nesher
H5404
eagle
Prep | N-ms
יָט֥וּשׂ
ṭûws
H2907
to dart
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
עֲלֵי
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
אֹֽכֶל
ʼôkel
H400
food
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 9:26
חָ֭לְפוּ
châlaph
H2498
"to pass"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew verb means to pass or change, like something sliding by quickly. It is used in the Bible to describe things like grass growing, time passing, or people moving on. It can also mean to overstep or transgress.
Definition: 1) to pass on or away, pass through, pass by, go through, grow up, change, to go on from 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass on quickly 1a2) to pass away (vanish) 1a3) to come on anew, sprout again (of grass) 1a4) to pass through 1a5) to overstep, transgress 1b) (Piel) to cause to pass, change 1c) (Hiph) 1c1) to change, substitute, alter, change for better, renew 1c2) to show newness (of tree) Aramaic equivalent: cha.laph (חֲלַף "to pass" H2499)
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: abolish, alter, change, cut off, go on forward, grow up, be over, pass (away, on, through), renew, sprout, strike through. See also: Genesis 31:7; Job 20:24; Psalms 90:5.
עִם
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
אֳנִיּ֣וֹת
ʼŏnîyâh
H591
"fleet"
N-fp
The Hebrew word for ship or fleet is used in the Bible to describe a vessel that sails on the water. It appears in Numbers 24:24 and Proverbs 30:19, often referring to the men who sail on these ships, known as seamen.
Definition: 1) ship 1a) men of ships, seamen
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: ship(-men). See also: Genesis 49:13; Proverbs 30:19; Psalms 48:8.
אֵבֶ֑ה
ʼêbeh
H16
"papyrus"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for papyrus, a type of reed, is used to describe a swift or agile thing. In the Bible, it is associated with the plant that grows near water. It is not commonly used in biblical texts.
Definition: reed, papyrus
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: swift. See also: Job 9:26.
כְּ֝/נֶ֗שֶׁר
nesher
H5404
"eagle"
Prep | N-ms
An eagle or other large bird of prey, representing strength and agility. In the Bible, eagles are often used to describe God's care and protection, as seen in Psalm 91 and Matthew 24.
Definition: eagle, vulture, griffon-vulture Aramaic equivalent: ne.shar (נְשַׁר "eagle" H5403)
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: eagle. See also: Exodus 19:4; Jeremiah 4:13; Psalms 103:5.
יָט֥וּשׂ
ṭûws
H2907
"to dart"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to move quickly, like a bird darting through the air. It is used in the Bible to describe swift motion or haste.
Definition: (Qal) to dart, flutter, rush
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: haste. See also: Job 9:26.
עֲלֵי
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
אֹֽכֶל
ʼôkel
H400
"food"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to food or a meal, including cereal, meat, and other supplies. It is used in stories about everyday life, like eating and sharing meals.
Definition: 1) food 1a) cereal 1b) meat 2) food supply 3) meal, dinner
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: eating, food, meal(-time), meat, prey, victuals. See also: Genesis 14:11; Deuteronomy 2:28; Psalms 78:18.
Study Notes — Job 9:26
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 9:26 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 9:26
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 9:26
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 9:26
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 9:26
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 9:26
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 9:26
- Cambridge Bible on Job 9:26
- Barnes' Notes on Job 9:26
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 9:26
- Sermons on Job 9:26
Context — Job: How Can I Contend with God?
24The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He blindfolds its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?
25My days are swifter than a runner; they flee without seeing good.
26They sweep by like boats of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
27If I were to say, ‘I will forget my complaint and change my expression and smile,’ 28I would still dread all my sufferings; I know that You will not acquit me.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Habakkuk 1:8 | Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour. |
| 2 | Isaiah 18:2 | which sends couriers by sea, in papyrus vessels on the waters. Go, swift messengers, to a people tall and smooth-skinned, to a people widely feared, to a powerful nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers. |
| 3 | Job 39:27–30 | Does the eagle soar at your command and make his nest on high? He dwells on a cliff and lodges there; his stronghold is on a rocky crag. From there he spies out food; his eyes see it from afar. His young ones feast on blood; and where the slain are, there he is.” |
| 4 | Lamentations 4:19 | Those who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. |
| 5 | Proverbs 23:5 | When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 4:13 | Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined! |
| 7 | 2 Samuel 1:23 | Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. |
Job 9:26 Summary
[Job 9:26 uses powerful imagery to describe how life can pass by very quickly and how troubles can come upon us suddenly, much like an eagle swooping down on its prey. This comparison helps us understand that our lives are fragile and can change in an instant, a theme also seen in Psalm 39:4-5. Just as Job struggled to make sense of his suffering, we too may face times when life seems to be moving too fast and challenges are overwhelming, but as Romans 8:28 reminds us, God works all things together for good for those who love Him.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the comparison of life to 'boats of papyrus' mean in Job 9:26?
This comparison highlights the fleeting and fragile nature of human life, much like the ephemeral and lightweight boats made of papyrus, as seen in other passages like Psalm 90:9-10 where our days are described as passing swiftly.
How does the image of an eagle swooping down on its prey relate to Job's situation?
The eagle swooping down represents the sudden and powerful way that troubles or hardships can overtake us, much like the way God's judgments are described in Jeremiah 48:40, emphasizing the idea that our lives can change rapidly.
Is Job 9:26 suggesting that God is the one causing these swift and powerful troubles?
While Job 9:26 does not directly state that God is the cause, the context of Job's speech and the book as a whole, such as in Job 9:24, suggests that Job is grappling with the idea that God may be behind the scenes, even if it does not seem just to him, a theme also explored in Isaiah 45:7.
How does this verse fit into the larger narrative of Job's complaints?
Job 9:26 is part of Job's lament about the swiftness and seeming meaninglessness of his suffering, as expressed in verses like Job 9:25, where he mentions his days fleeing without seeing good, underscoring his deep emotional and spiritual pain, similar to the expressions found in Lamentations 3:1-20.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which you have experienced life 'sweeping by' like the boats of papyrus, and how did you respond to those moments?
- How do you think Job felt when he compared his life to an eagle's prey, and what emotions does this evoke in you as you reflect on your own life challenges?
- In what ways can you relate to Job's sense of life passing swiftly without seeing the good you had hoped for, and how can you find comfort in the midst of such feelings?
- Consider a time when your circumstances changed rapidly, like an eagle swooping down; what did you learn from that experience, and how can you apply those lessons to your current situation?
Gill's Exposition on Job 9:26
They are passed away as the swift ships,.... Those that are lightest built, and run swiftest.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 9:26
They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 9:26
Swift ships, Heb. ships of desire; which make great haste, as if they longed for their desired haven, as it is called, . Or, ships of pleasure; which sail more swiftly than ships of great burden. As the eagle; which generally flies most swiftly, , especially when its own hunger and the sight of its prey quickens its motion.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 9:26
Job 9:26 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle [that] hasteth to the prey.Ver. 26. They are passed away as the swift ships] Heb. They are changed (gliding away insensibly) as the ships of desire (so called, because they seem willing to be at the haven as soon as may be), or as the ships of Ebeh, a very swift river in Arabia, saith Rabbi Solomon; or as the pirate’ s ships, so Broughton, such as are your nimble frigates, fly-boats, and catches, &c. Labitur uncta vadis abies (Virg.). Let our souls be like a ship which is made little and narrow downward; but more wide and broad upward. Let them be ships of desire, hastening heavenward; and then let our days pass away as they can, we shall but be the sooner at home; mortality shall appear to be no small mercy. As the eagle that hasteth to the prey] When hunger addeth swiftness to her wings, and maketh her pour or souse down upon the prey like a thunderbolt; so transitory is our time: redeem it, therefore. It is reported of Ignatius, that when he heard a clock strike, he would say, Here is one hour more now past that I have to answer for.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 9:26
(26) Swift ships.—What is meant by the swift ships, or ships of Desire, no one knows. Literally, ships of Eveh, probably a proper name, and perhaps referring to a particular kind of boat in use on the Nile; if so, this is one instance out of many of Job’s acquaintance with Egypt. The Vulgate has, naves poma portantes. Job is a problem to himself; he is confident of his innocence, and yet he is confident that that very innocence will avail him nothing before God, he is sure that he must be condemned. Now, it is impossible to deny that this is the very attitude of the Gospel; it is, therefore, if we bear in mind the vast antiquity of the confession, both a witness to the truth of the Gospel and an anticipation of it that God alone could give. Indeed, it is hopelessly impossible to enter into the position of Job unless we are ourselves enlightened with the teaching of the Gospel, and able to look at it from the Gospel standpoint. While, therefore, admitting this fact, we are the better able to appreciate the wonderful confession Job is about to make in Job 9:32-33.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 9:26
Verse 26. As the swift ships] אניות אבה oniyoth ebeh. Ships of desire, or ships of Ebeh, says our margin; perhaps more correctly, inflated ships, the sails bellying out with a fair brisk wind, tide favourable, and the vessels themselves lightly freighted. The Vulgate has, Like ships freighted with apples. Ships laden with the best fruits. - TARGUM. Ships well adapted for sailing. - ARABIC. Shipes that be good under sale. - COVERDALE. Probably this relates to the light fast-sailing ships on the Nile, which were made of reeds or papyrus. Perhaps the idea to be seized is not so much the swiftness of the passage, as their leaving no trace or track behind them. But instead of אבה ebeh, איבה eybah, hostile ships or the ships of enemies, is the reading of forty-seven of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS., and of the Syriac version.
If this be the true reading what is its sense? My days are gone off like the light vessels of the pirates, having stripped me of my property, and carried all irrecoverably away, under the strongest press of sail, that they may effect their escape, and secure their booty. The next words, As the eagle that hasteth to the prey, seem at least to countenance, if not confirm, the above reading: the idea of robbery and spoil, prompt attack and sudden retreat, is preserved in both images.
Cambridge Bible on Job 9:26
26. the swift ships] the ships of reed. These skiffs, constructed of a wooden keel and the rest of reeds, are the “vessels of bulrushes” of Isaiah 18:2. They carried but one or two persons, and being light were extremely swift. The ancients were familiar with them; Plin. xiii. 11, ex ipso quidem papyro navigia texunt; and Lucan, Phars, iv. 36, conseritur bibula Memphitis cymba papyro, (quoted in Gesenius, Com. on Is. i. p. 577). Job as usual heaps images together to picture out the brevity of his life, cf. ch. Job 7:6 seq. Here the images are new, a runner, a skiff of reed, an eagle swooping on his prey.
Barnes' Notes on Job 9:26
They are passed away as the swift ships - Margin, Ships of desire; or ships of Ebeh. Hebrew אבה אניה 'onı̂yâh 'êbeh. Vulgate, Naves poma portantes.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 9:26
26. Passed away as — Literally, Glide along with. ημτε. See note on Job 9:11.
Sermons on Job 9:26
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Mounting Up With Eagles Wings - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the power and majesty of God as depicted in Isaiah 40, particularly focusing on the promise that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength |
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Mounting With Wings by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the power of waiting on the Lord, drawing from Isaiah 40:29-31, where God promises to renew the strength of those who trust in Him. He contrasts the ma |
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The Eagle by Harriet N. Cook | Harriet N. Cook uses the majestic eagle as a symbol to illustrate God's care and protection over His people, drawing parallels between the eagle's characteristics and God's attribu |
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The Vulture by Harriet N. Cook | Harriet N. Cook uses the vulture as an illustration to teach about the nature of this bird of prey, its role in cleaning up decaying matter, and its keen eye for spotting food from |
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Motives to Love Jesus by Thomas Doolittle | Thomas Doolittle preaches about the unparalleled excellence, suitability, satisfaction, durability, and necessity of loving Jesus above all else. He emphasizes how Jesus is the mos |
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Hangmen by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the futility of worldly riches, arguing that they are deceptive and ultimately detrimental to the soul. He likens them to hangmen that obscure one's true s |
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An Antidote by James Smith | James Smith preaches on the challenging nature of divine providence, emphasizing that God's intention is to test our faith, patience, and submission to His will through trials. To |