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Job 1:20 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוַיָּ֤קָם אִיּוֹב֙ וַיִּקְרַ֣ע אֶת־ מְעִל֔וֹ וַיָּ֖גָז אֶת־ רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַיִּפֹּ֥ל אַ֖רְצָה וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ׃

BSAThen JobʼÎyôwb [a patriarch famous for his patience] stood upqûwm [rose to his feet, arose] toreqâraʻ [rent, ripped apart] his robemᵉʻîyl [outer garment] and shavedgazâz [sheared, cut off] his headrôʼsh [the topmost part of the body] He fellnâphal [to prostrate himself, to bow down] to the groundʼerets [land, earth] and worshipedshâchâh [to bow down, to show reverence, yishtachav]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 1
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 20 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (vai.yish.Ta.chu) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 1:20quick helps
In a sentenceJob responds to devastating news with profound grief and worship.
Who is speakingJob, a patriarch known for his patience and faith.
Where we areThis moment occurs after Job learns of his great losses.
The hard wordוַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ
Take awayIn his sorrow, Job honors God.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאִיּוֹב verbקוּם The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Job 1:20

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — Job's Response to Sufferinggenerated

19when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
20Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,
21saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
22In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing.

Job 1:20 describes Job's reaction to the tragic news of his children's deaths. In a moment of deep grief, he stands, tears his robe, shaves his head, and ultimately falls to the ground in worship. This act of worship demonstrates his faith and submission to God, despite his overwhelming loss. Job's response sets the stage for the themes of suffering and faith explored throughout the book.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 37:29–34When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes,
2Ezra 9:3When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled out some hair from my head and beard, and sat down in horror.
3Deuteronomy 9:18Then I fell down before the LORD for forty days and forty nights, as I had done the first time. I did not eat bread or drink water because of all the sin you had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD and provoking Him to anger.
42 Samuel 12:16–20David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground.
52 Chronicles 7:3When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ, vai.yish.Ta.chugenerated

The verb שָׁחָה (shachah) means to bow down or prostrate oneself, particularly in worship or reverence. It emphasizes humility and submission to a higher authority, in this case, God.

Job's act of bowing down is significant; it shows his acknowledgment of God's sovereignty even in the face of immense personal tragedy. The form used here indicates a sequential action, highlighting the immediacy of Job's worship following his loss.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main finite verb is וַיָּ֤קָם, and he arose, which governs the structure of the verse. It is followed by a series of actions Job undertakes: tearing his robe, shaving his head, falling to the ground, and worshiping.

The sequence of actions illustrates Job's immediate response to his grief, with the verb forms indicating a flow of actions that lead to his ultimate act of worship.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ as προσεκύνησεν (prosekynēsen), which means 'he worshiped'. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning but emphasizes the act of worship more explicitly than the Hebrew might suggest.

The use of προσεκύνησεν indicates a clear understanding of Job's actions as an act of reverence towards God, reinforcing the theme of worship in the midst of suffering.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 1:20 shows Job's response to the tragic news of his children's deaths. He stands up, tears his robe, shaves his head, and falls to the ground in worship. This act highlights his faith and submission to God despite his overwhelming sorrow.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job's act of tearing his robe signify?

Tearing one's robe is a traditional expression of grief and mourning in biblical culture, symbolizing deep sorrow and loss.

Why did Job shave his head?

Shaving the head was another sign of mourning in ancient times, indicating Job's profound grief over his losses.

What is the significance of Job falling to the ground?

Falling to the ground can signify humility and submission, showing that Job acknowledges God's sovereignty even in his suffering.

How does Job's response reflect his character?

Job's immediate worship in the face of tragedy illustrates his deep faith and trust in God, demonstrating that he prioritizes reverence over despair.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How can I respond to difficult situations in my life with faith like Job did?
  2. What are some ways I can express my grief while still honoring God?
  3. In what areas of my life do I need to submit to God's sovereignty?
  4. How can Job's example of worship in suffering encourage me in my own challenges?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Early church writers reference Job's response to suffering to discuss themes of faith and perseverance. Quotations from Clement of Alexandria, Ephrem the Syrian, and Basil of Caesarea illustrate their interpretations.

Clement of AlexandriaNicetas Bishop of Heraclea c. 150–215
Job’s words may be more elegantly understood of evil and sin in this way: Naked was I formed from the earth at the beginning, as if from a mother’s womb.
Early Church Fathers on Job 1 →
Ephrem the SyrianCOMMENTARY ON Job 1:21 c. 306–373
The text means that Job was not covered with crimes and evil deeds and would have returned “naked,” that is, pure and innocent to “his mother’s womb.” He was so firm in his holy frankness that you may easily imagine he had never turned…
Early Church Fathers on Job 1 →
Basil of CaesareaLETTER 5.2 c. 330–379
Be perfectly assured of this, that though the reasons for what is ordained by God are beyond us, yet always what is arranged for us by him who is wise and who loves us is to be accepted, be it ever so grievous to endure.
Early Church Fathers on Job 1 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 1:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then Job arose,.... Either from table, being at dinner, as some think, in his own house; it being the time that his children were feasting in their eldest brother's house; or from the business in

Read John Gill on Job 1 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, Job arose - not necessarily from sitting. Inward excitement is implied, and the beginning to do anything.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 1 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Then Job arose from his seat, whereon he was sitting in a disconsolate posture. Rent his mantle, to testify his deep sense of and just sorrow for the heavy hand of God upon him, and his humiliation of himself under his hand. See . Shaved his head, i.e. caused the hair of his head to be shaved or cut off, which was then a usual ceremony in mourning, of which see 22:12 41:5 . Fell down upon the ground, in way of self-abhorrency, and humiliation, and supplication unto God. And worshipped, to wit, God, who is expressed in the following verse, and who is the only object of religious worship. Instead of cursing God, which Satan said he would do, he adored him, and gave him the glory of his…

Read Matthew Poole on Job 1 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,Ver. 20. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle] He stirred not at the three first doleful tidings, but this fourth startleth him; for he was neither a Stoic nor a stock. His strength was not the strength of stones, nor his flesh of brass, Job 6:12, that he should bear blows, and never feel pain, or make moan; that he should be silent in darkness, 1 Samuel 2:9, and not cry when God bound him, Job 36:11. This Stoical apathy or indolency (condemning all affections in that their wise man, who, as Cicero very well saith, as yet was never found) Jeremiah justly complaineth of, Jeremiah…

Read John Trapp on Job 1 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) And worshipped.—Compare the conduct of David (2 Samuel 12:20) and of Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:1). Moments of intense sorrow or trial, like moments of intense joy, force us into the immediate presence of God.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 1 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 20. Rent his mantle] Tearing the garments, shaving or pulling off the hair of the head, throwing dust or ashes on the head, and fitting on the ground, were acts by which immoderate grief was expressed. Job must have felt the bitterness of anguish when he was told that, in addition to the loss of all his property, he was deprived of his ten children by a violent death. Had he not felt this most poignantly, he would have been unworthy of the name of man. Worshipped] Prostrated himself; lay all along upon the ground, with his face in the dust.

Read AdamClarke on Job 1 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

13–22. Job’s first trial; and its issue: his reverence towards God remains unshaken Between Job 1:12-13 there is an interval, an ominous stillness like that which precedes the storm. The poet has drawn aside the curtain to us and we know what is impending. Job knows nothing. His children are about him and he thinks the Almighty is yet with him, Job 29:5. The earth smiles to him as it was wont by day; and by night the Bear, Orion and the Pleiades come forth in their silent procession, and the Dragon trails his glittering folds across the heavens overhead, and he looks with wonder into the deep chambers of the South. All is glorious with a constant glory because it is an unchanging hand that…

Read Cambridge on Job 1 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Then Job arose - The phrase to arise, in the Scriptures is often used in the sense of beginning to do anything. It does not necessarily imply that the person had been previously sitting; see 2 Samuel 13:13.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 1 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Then Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground, and worshiped.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,

NETBNew English Translation2006

Then Job got up and tore his robe. He shaved his head, and then he threw himself down with his face to the ground.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped;

RVARevised Version, American1894

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped;

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell upon the ground, and worshiped,

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Then Iob arose, and rent his garment, and shaued his head, and fel downe vpon the ground, and worshipped,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And Job rose up, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground, and worshipped;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And Job riseth, and rendeth his robe, and shaveth his head, and falleth to the earth, and doth obeisance,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And Job rises, and tears his robe, and shaves his head, and falls to the earth, and pays respect,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Then arose Job, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and prostrated himself.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Then Job rose, tore his robe, shaved his head, lay facedown on the ground, and worshiped God.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Then Job rose up, and rent his garments, and having shaven his head fell down upon the ground and worshipped,

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Then Job stood up and tore his robe. Then cut off his hair and fell to the ground in worship.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Then Job got up, and after parting his clothing and cutting off his hair, he went down on his face to the earth, and gave worship, and said,

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

וַandclauseverbיָּ֤קָםhe.arosesubjectאִיּוֹב֙Jobוַandclauseverbיִּקְרַ֣עhe.torenoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseמְעִל֔robeוֹhisוַandclauseverbיָּ֖גָזhe.shavednoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseרֹאשׁ֑headוֹhisוַandclauseverbיִּפֹּ֥לhe.fellnoun phrase · prepositionalאַ֖רְצָthe.earthהtoוַandclauseverbיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּhe.bowed.down

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in the wording of this verse, with 9 of the 11 words matched. The Septuagint's word order and articles differ, but the essential actions and meanings remain consistent.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וַיָּ֤קָם אִיּוֹב֙ וַיִּקְרַ֣ע אֶת־ מְעִל֔וֹ וַיָּ֖גָז אֶת־ רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַיִּפֹּ֥ל אַ֖רְצָה וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיָּ֤קָםἀναστὰςאִיּוֹב֙ιωβוַיִּקְרַ֣עδιέρρηχενמְעִל֔וֹαὐτοῦוַיָּ֖גָזἐκείρατοרֹאשׁ֑וֹαὐτοῦוַיִּפֹּ֥לπεσὼνאַ֖רְצָהξαμαὶוַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ׃προσεκύνησεν

9 of the 11 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Job 1:20לֵבand he arosand he aroseלֵבאִיּוֹבJobJobאִיּוֹבקָרַעand he toreand he toreקָרַעאֵתthe object the object markאֵתמְעִילrobe hisrobe hisמְעִילגָּזַזand he shavand he shavedגָּזַזאֵתthe object the object markאֵתרֹאשׁhead hishead hisרֹאשׁנָפַלand he felland he fellנָפַלאֶ֫רֶץ[the] earth[the] earth towאֶ֫רֶץשָׁחָהand he boweand he bowed doשָׁחָהאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתאָיַבbe hostilebe hostileאָיַבמָעַלbe unfaithbe unfaithfulמָעַלגּוּזto cut offto cut offגּוּזפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַלמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁנֶ֫דֶרvowvowנֶ֫דֶרעֵדwitnesswitnessעֵדעוּןto dwellto dwellעוּןנֹחַNoahNoahנֹחַמְעִילroberobeמְעִילבֶּ֫גֶדtreacherytreacheryבֶּ֫גֶדשׁוּלhemhemשׁוּלעָטָהto enwrapto enwrapעָטָהבַּ֫עַלבַּ֫עַלצֹאןSheep (GatSheep (Gate)צֹאןעֲטָרָהcrowncrownעֲטָרָהנָשִׂיאleaderleaderנָשִׂיא
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Job 1:20

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and he arose Job and he tore the object marker robe his and he shaved the object marker head his and he fell [the] earth towards and he bowed down
וַיָּ֤קָםvai.Ya.kom and he arose H6965 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
628× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.
Amplified meaning
rose to his feet, arose
Tyndale gloss
(Leb)-kamai
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קוּם (qum) is a primitive root meaning 'to rise' and encompasses a range of actions such as standing, becoming powerful, and establishing. It can imply a sudden or hostile rise, as well as the act of fulfilling or confirming something. The entries also note various grammatical forms, indicating its use in different contexts, including raising up or causing to stand.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.

ref

קוּם 628 vb. arise, stand up, stand

Qal 460

arise

arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)

arise, abs., = become powerful

arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet

arise for, i.e. to become

arise for action

arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed

esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere

stand

Pi.

fulfil

confirm, ratify

confirm, establish

impose, an obligation

Pō‛l. raise up

Hithpō‛l. raise oneself, = rise up

Hiph.

146cause to arise, raise

raise, set up, stones

erect, build

fig, of setting up law

raise up = bring on the scene

raise up = rouse, stir up

instigate, build

fig, of setting up law

raise up = constitute

cause to stand

Hoph. be raised up

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6965a לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash H6965b קוּם arise, stand up, stand .. arise

. arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)

. arise, abs., = become powerful

. arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet

. arise for, i.e. to become

. . arise for action

. arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed

. esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere

. stand

. . fulfil

. . confirm, ratify

. confirm, establish

. impose, an obligation

. raise up

. raise oneself, = rise up

. . cause to arise, raise

. . raise, set up, stones

. erect, build

. fig, of setting up law

. raise up = bring on the scene

. . raise up = rouse, stir up

. instigate, build

. fig, of setting up law

. raise up = constitute

. cause to stand

. be raised up

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6965 quwm koom

a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal,

figurative, intensive and causative):--abide, accomplish, X

be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, X be dim, endure, X

enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift

up (again), make, X but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise

(up), rear (up), remain, (a-)rise (up) (again, against), rouse

up, set (up), (e-)stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up,

strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -

rising).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָמָי (qa.may) — (Leb)-kamai.

Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B)

§ -Kamai = "my adversary"

Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai

קוּם (qum) — to arise: rise.

: rise/get_going

1) to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to arise

1a2) to arise (hostile sense)

1a3) to arise, become powerful

1a4) to arise, come on the scene

1a5) to stand

1a5a) to maintain oneself

1a5b) to be established, be confirmed

1a5c) to stand, endure

1a5d) to be fixed

1a5e) to be valid

1a5f) to be proven

1a5g) to be fulfilled

1a5h) to persist

1a5i) to be set, be fixed

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to fulfil

1b2) to confirm, ratify, establish, impose

1c) (Polel) to raise up

1d) (Hithpael) to raise oneself, rise up

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to cause to arise, raise

1e2) to raise, set up, erect, build

1e3) to raise up, bring on the scene

1e4) to raise up, rouse, stir up, investigate

1e5) to raise up, constitute

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and he arose Job and he tore the object marker robe his and he shaved the object marker head his and he fell [the] earth towards and he bowed down
אִיּוֹב֙'i.yOv Job H347 Noun proper masculine
58× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Job was a patriarch famous for his patience and is the subject of the book of Job, which explores his struggles and faith in God.
Amplified meaning
a patriarch famous for his patience
Tyndale gloss
Job
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִיּוֹב (Iyowb) refers to Job, a patriarch known for his patience, as described in the book of Job. The name is associated with the meaning 'hated' or 'persecuted.' It is mentioned in the context of the Exile and Return, and its exact meaning remains uncertain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִיּוֹב n.pr.m. Job (meaning unknown)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H347 אִיּוֹב

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

347 'Iyowb ee-yobe'

from 340; hated (i.e. persecuted); Ijob, the patriarch famous

for his patience:--Job.

see HEBREW for 0340

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִיּוֹב (iy.yov) — Job.

A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Job.1.1

Also named: Iōb (Ἰώβ "Job" G2492)

§ Job = "hated"

a patriarch, the subject of the book of Job

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

job ('iyobh, meaning of name doubtful; some conjecturing "object of enmity," others "he who turns," etc., to God; both uncertain guesses; Iob): The titular hero of the Book of Job, represented as a wealthy and pious land-holder who lived in patriarchal times, or at least conditions, in the land of Uz, on the borders of Idumea. Outside of the Book of Job he is mentioned by Ezekiel (Eze 14:14,20) as one of 3 great personages whose representative righteousness would presumably avail, if that of any individuals could, to redeem the nation; the other two being Noah, an ancient patriarch, and Daniel, a contemporary of the prophet. It is difficult to determine whether Job was an actual personage or not. If known through legend, it must have been on account of some such experience as is narrated in the book, an experience unique enough to…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Job

Persecuted, an Arabian patriarch who resided in the land of Uz (q.v.). While living in the midst of great prosperity, he was suddenly overwhelmed by a series of sore trials that fell upon him. Amid all his sufferings he maintained his integrity. Once more God visited him with the rich tokens of his goodness and even greater prosperity than he had enjoyed before. He survived the period of trial for one hundred and forty years, and died in a good old age, an example to succeeding generations of integrity (Ezek. 14:14, 20) and of submissive patience under the sorest calamities (James 5:11). His history, so far as it is known, is recorded in his book.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

the patriarch, from whom one of the books of the Old Testament is named. His residence in the land of Uz marks him as belonging to a branch of the Aramean race, which had settled in the lower part of Mesopatamia (Probably to the south or southeast of Palestine, in Idumean Arabia), adjacent to the Sabeans and Chaldeans. The opinions of Job and his friends are thus peculiarly interesting as exhibiting an aspect of the patriarchal religion outside of the family of Abraham, and as yet uninfluenced by the legislation of Moses. The form of worship belongs essentially to the early patriarchal type; with little of ceremonial ritual, without a separate priesthood, it is thoroughly domestic in form and spirit. Job is represented as a chieftain of immense wealth and high rank, blameless in all the relations of life. What we know of his history is given in the book that bears his name.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A patriarch distinguished for his integrity and piety, his wealth, honors, and domestic happiness, whom God permitted, for the trial of his faith, to be deprived of friends, property, and health, and at once plunged into deep affliction. He lived in the land of Uz, lying, it is generally thought, in Eastern Edom, probably not far from Bozrah.

THE BOOK OF JOB, has originated much criticism, and on many points a considerable diversity of opinion still exists. Sceptics have denied its inspiration, and called it a mere philosophical romance; but no one who respects revelation can entertain this notion, or doubt that Job was a real person. Inspired writers testify to both. See Eze 14:14 Jas 5:11, and compare 1Co 3:19 with

and he arose Job and he tore the object marker robe his and he shaved the object marker head his and he fell [the] earth towards and he bowed down
וַיִּקְרַ֣עvai.yik.Ra' and he tore H7167 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
63× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to tear or rend something, and can be used literally or figuratively, as in the case of reviling or enlarging the eyes. In the book of the Prophet Joel, it describes the heavens being torn open. It can also describe the action of wild beasts.
Amplified meaning
rent, ripped apart
Tyndale gloss
to tear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָרַע (qara`) means to tear or rend, both literally and figuratively. It is often used in the context of tearing garments, but can also refer to tearing away sovereignty or opening the heavens. The word has various applications, including tearing in pieces, making something wide, and being rent, as seen in the usage of wild beasts and altars.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָרַע 63 vb. tear

Qal tear, rend

usu. (39 t.) of rending garment

tear away or out

tear away sovereignty (under fig. of garment)

tear, rend asunder

book

= make wide, large

rend open heavens, and descend

tear, rend, of wild beasts

Niph. be rent, of garments; be rent, split asunder, of altar

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7167 קָרַע tear .tear, rend . . usu. (39 t.) of rending garment

. tear away or out

. tear away sovereignty (under fig. of garment)

. tear, rend asunder . book

. = make wide, large

. rend open heavens, and descend

. tear, rend, of wild beasts

. be rent, of garments; be rent, split asunder, of altar

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7167 qara` kaw-rah'

a primitive root; to rend, literally or figuratively (revile,

paint the eyes, as if enlarging them):--cut out, rend, X

surely, tear.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרַע (qa.ra) — to tear.

1) to tear, tear in pieces

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to tear, rend

1a2) to tear away or out

1a3) to tear, rend asunder

1a3a) to make wide or large (of eyes)

1a3b) to rend open (of heavens)

1a4) to tear, rend (of wild beasts)

1b) (Niphal) to be rent, be split asunder

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and he arose Job and he tore the object marker robe his and he shaved the object marker head his and he fell [the] earth towards and he bowed down
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he arose Job and he tore the object marker robe his and he shaved the object marker head his and he fell [the] earth towards and he bowed down
מְעִל֔וֹme.'i.Lo robe his H4598 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
28× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A meil was a robe or outer garment worn by men of rank, including kings and high priests. It was also worn by David's daughters and is mentioned in various KJV translations as a cloak or coat.
Amplified meaning
outer garment
Tyndale gloss
robe
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְעִיל (me.il) means 'robe' and refers to an upper or outer garment. It is associated with garments worn by men of rank, long garments for David's daughters, and the high priest's attire. The word is derived from a root meaning 'covering' and encompasses various types of robes.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְעִיל n.m. robe

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4598 מְעִיל robe

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4598 m`iyl meh-eel'

from 4603 in the sense of covering; a robe (i.e. upper and

outer garment):--cloke, coat, mantle, robe.

see HEBREW for 04603

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְעִיל (me.il) — robe.

1) robe

1a) a garment worn over a tunic by men of rank

1b) a long garment worn by David's daughters

1c) a garment of the high priest

1d) (fig.) of attributes

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

and he arose Job and he tore the object marker robe his and he shaved the object marker head his and he fell [the] earth towards and he bowed down
וַיָּ֖גָזvai.Ya.goz and he shaved H1494 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to shear or cut something, like sheep or hair. It can also mean to destroy an enemy, as seen in some psalms. The KJV Bible translates it as 'cut off' or 'shear'.
Amplified meaning
sheared, cut off
Tyndale gloss
to shear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גָּזַז (gazaz) means to shear or cut off, particularly in reference to sheep. It can also imply destruction, especially in the context of enemies, as noted in the entries. The word has forms in both the Qal and Niphal stems, indicating active shearing and a passive state of being cut off.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[גָּזַז] vb. shear

Qal shear sheep

Niph. be cut off (= destroyed) of Assyrians

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1494 [גָּזַז] shear .shear sheep

. be cut off (= destroyed) of Assyrians

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1494 gazaz gaw-zaz'

a primitive root (akin to 1468); to cut off; specifically to

shear a flock or shave the hair; figuratively to destroy an

enemy:--cut off (down), poll, shave, ((sheep-)) shear(-er).

see HEBREW for 01468

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּזַז (ga.zaz) — to shear.

1) to shear, mow

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to shear

1a2) shearer (participle)

1b) (Niphal) to be cut off, be destroyed

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and he arose Job and he tore the object marker robe his and he shaved the object marker head his and he fell [the] earth towards and he bowed down
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he arose Job and he tore the object marker robe his and he shaved the object marker head his and he fell [the] earth towards and he bowed down
רֹאשׁ֑וֹro.Sho head his H7218 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
600× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Amplified meaning
the topmost part of the body
Tyndale gloss
head
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֹאשׁ (ro'sh) means 'head' and encompasses various meanings related to position and rank. It can refer to the head of a person or animal, the top of a mountain, or a chief in various contexts, such as a city or nation. The word also signifies beginnings and sums, appearing in phrases related to enumeration. Additionally, it serves as a proper noun for 'Rosh,' a title for a chief or prince.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֹאשׁ 599 n.m.

(c. 230 t.) head, of human being

head, of animals

top (88 t.)

height, of stars

head = chief (man)

= chief (city)

chief nation

= chief (place, position)

= chief priest

= head of a family

head = front, leader's place

of time, beginning, of night watch

of things, river-heads

chief, choicest, best, of spices

head = division of army, company, band

= sum, esp. in phr. take sum of, enumerate

other phr.

base

רֹאשׁ n.pr.gent. Rôsh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7218a רֹאשׁ . . (c. 230 t.) head, of human being

. head, of animals

. . top (88 t.)

. height, of stars

. . head = chief (man)

. = chief (city)

. chief nation

. = chief (place, position)

. = chief priest

. = head of a family

. . head = front, leader's place

. of time, beginning, of night watch

. of things, river-heads

. chief, choicest, best, of spices

. head = division of army, company, band

. = sum, esp. in phr. take sum of, enumerate

. other phr.

H7218b רֹאשׁ n. pr. gent. Rôsh

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7218 ro'sh roshe

from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as

most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many

applications, of place, time, rank, itc.):--band, beginning,

captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company,

end, X every (man), excellent, first, forefront, ((be-))head,

height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), X lead, X poor,

principal, ruler, sum, top.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head.

: head

1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning

1a) head (of man, animals)

1b) top, tip (of mountain)

1c) height (of stars)

1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)

1e) head, front, beginning

1f) chief, choicest, best

1g) head, division, company, band

1h) sum

רֹאשׁ (rosh) — prince.

Rosh, a tite for a chief or prince

רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head: leader.

: leader

1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning

1a) head (of man, animals)

1b) top, tip (of mountain)

1c) height (of stars)

1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)

1e) head, front, beginning

1f) chief, choicest, best

1g) head, division, company, band

1h) sum

רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head: top.

: top/best

1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning

1a) head (of man, animals)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

and he arose Job and he tore the object marker robe his and he shaved the object marker head his and he fell [the] earth towards and he bowed down
וַיִּפֹּ֥לvai.yi.Pol and he fell H5307 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
435× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Amplified meaning
to prostrate himself, to bow down
Tyndale gloss
to fall: fall
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָפַל (naphal) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to fall,' encompassing a wide range of applications, including falling by accident, experiencing violent death, or going to ruin. It can also refer to prostrating oneself, attacking, or causing someone to fall. The term appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often indicating physical or metaphorical downfall.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָפַל 433 vb. fall, lie

Qal 366

fall, by accident

Esp. of violent death

fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.

fig. = experience calamity

fall, of a city

Fall prostrate

fall = prostrate oneself before

fall upon one's neck, in embrace

Fall upon = attack

desert or fall away to, go over to

Fig., of deep sleep

Other idiomatic uses

= lie; = lie prostrate

Hiph.

cause to fall

Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction

Esp. of casting lot

Fig., let drop, cause to fail

cause deep sleep to fall

Other idioms

Hithp. throw, or prostrate oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5307 נָפַל fall, lie .. fall, by accident

. . Esp. of violent death

. fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.

. fig. = experience calamity

. fall, of a city

. . Fall prostrate

. fall = prostrate oneself before

. fall upon one's neck, in embrace

. . Fall upon = attack

. desert or fall away to, go over to

. Fig., of deep sleep

. Other idiomatic uses

. = lie; = lie prostrate

. . cause to fall

. Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction

. Esp. of casting lot

. Fig., let drop, cause to fail

. cause deep sleep to fall

. Other idioms

. throw, or prostrate oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5307 naphal naw-fal'

a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications

(intransitive or causative, literal or figurative):--be

accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide

(by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall

(away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have

(inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for 6419), lay

(along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be (X hast) lost,

lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make

to) rot, slay, smite out, X surely, throw down.

see HEBREW for 06419

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: fall.

: fall/drop/fail

1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fall

1a2) to fall (of violent death)

1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before

1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of

1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result

1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to

1a7) to lie, lie prostrate

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate

1b2) to overthrow

1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot

1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.)

1b5) to cause to fall

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon

1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself

1d) (Pilel) to fall

נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: deserting.

: deserting

1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fall

1a2) to fall (of violent death)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and he arose Job and he tore the object marker robe his and he shaved the object marker head his and he fell [the] earth towards and he bowed down
אַ֖רְצָה'Ar.tzah [the] earth towards H776 Noun common feminine singular absolute · suffix
2,504× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Amplified meaning
land, earth
Tyndale gloss
land: soil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land

earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

earth, opp. to heaven, sky

earth = inhabitants of earth

land =

country, territory

district, region

trial territory

piece of ground

specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

= inhabitants of land

used even of Shᵉʼôl

ground, surface of ground

soil, as productive

אֶרֶץ in phrases

people of the land

in measurements of distance

the country of the plain, level or plain country

land of the living

end(s) of the earth

pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

. earth, opp. to heaven, sky

. earth = inhabitants of earth

. land = . country, territory

. district, region

. trial territory

. piece of ground

. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

. = inhabitants of land

. used even of Shᵉʼôl

. . ground, surface of ground

. soil, as productive

. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land

. in measurements of distance

. the country of the plain, level or plain country

. land of the living

. end(s) of the earth

. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

776 'erets eh'-rets

from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth

(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,

field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.

: country/field

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

1b2) district, region

1b3) tribal territory

1b4) piece of ground

1b5) land of Canaan, Israel

1b6) inhabitants of land

1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world

1b8) city (-state)

1c) ground, surface of the earth

1c1) ground

1c2) soil

1d) (in phrases)

1d1) people of the land

1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)

1d3) level or plain country

1d4) land of the living

1d5) end(s) of the earth

1e) (almost wholly late in usage)

1e1) lands, countries

1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.

: soil

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular absolute · suffix
HNcfsa/Sd
and he arose Job and he tore the object marker robe his and he shaved the object marker head his and he fell [the] earth towards and he bowed down
וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ׃vai.yish.Ta.chu and he bowed down H7812 Verb pilpel · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
172× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to bow down, often as a sign of respect or worship. It is used in Genesis 24:52 to describe Abraham's servant bowing down to God. The word is about showing humility and respect to someone or something.
Amplified meaning
to bow down, to show reverence, yishtachav
Tyndale gloss
to bow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁחָה (*shachah*) is a primitive root meaning to bow down or prostrate oneself, particularly in homage to a superior or in worship before God. It can also imply a figurative sense of being depressed by anxiety. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including worship of both God and false gods.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁחָה] 172 vb. bow down

Qal bow down

Hiph. fig., anxiety depresses it

Hithpa‛lēl

bow down, prostrate oneself, before a monarch or superior, in homage, etc.

before God, in worship

before other gods

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7812 שָׁחָה bow down .bow down

. fig., anxiety depresses it

.. bow down, prostrate oneself, before a monarch or superior, in homage, etc.

. before God, in worship

. before other gods

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7812 shachah shaw-khaw'

a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially

reflexive, in homage to royalty or God):--bow (self) down,

crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance,

do reverence, make to stoop, worship.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁחָה (sha.chah) — to bow.

1) to bow down

1a) (Qal) to bow down

1b)(Hiphil) to depress (fig)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to bow down, prostrate oneself

1c1a) before superior in homage

1c1b) before God in worship

1c1c) before false gods

1c1d) before angel

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb pilpel · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vvw3ms
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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