Job 9:26

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

They sweep by like boats of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.

American Standard Version (1901)

They are passed away as the swift ships; As the eagle that swoopeth on the prey.

Bible in Basic English

They go rushing on like reed-boats, like an eagle dropping suddenly on its food.

Free Bible Version

They pass by like fast sailing ships, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.

King James (Authorized) Version

They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.

Translation for Translators

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.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They are as fast as papyrus reed boats, and as fast as the eagle that swoops down on its victim.

Noah Webster Bible

They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.

World English Bible

They have passed away as the swift ships, as the eagle that swoops on the prey.

Young's Literal Translation

They have passed on with ships of reed, As an eagle darteth on food.

Context

Job: How Can I Contend with God?

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,’

Summary

In this verse, Job expresses a sense of despair and hopelessness as he reflects on the brevity of life. He compares his days to swift ships that pass by quickly, emphasizing the fleeting nature of human existence. Job's contemplation serves as a reminder of the transient and fragile nature of life, prompting reflection on the significance of each moment. This verse captures the universal experience of mortality and the inevitability of death, urging readers to consider the eternal perspective in the midst of life's challenges.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

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 favorable, 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.