Job 15:10 — Word Study
WLCגַּם־ שָׂ֣ב גַּם־ יָשִׁ֣ישׁ בָּ֑נוּ כַּבִּ֖יר מֵאָבִ֣יךָ יָמִֽים׃
BSABothgam the gray-hairedsîyb [with a long life, aged] andgam the agedyâshîysh [experienced, elderly] men much olderkabbîyr [elders, wise ones, greater in days, more advanced in years] than your fatherʼâb [ancestor, patriarch]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| גַּם־ | both | Adverb |
| שָׂ֣ב | [the] gray haired | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| גַּם־ | as well as | Adverb |
| יָשִׁ֣ישׁ | [the] aged | Adj |
| בָּ֑נוּ | [are] among us | Preposition, suffix |
| כַּבִּ֖יר | [those] old | Adj |
| מֵאָבִ֣יךָ | more than father your | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| יָמִֽים׃ | days | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Both the gray-haired and the aged are on our side— men much older than your father. |
| KJV | With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father. |
| ASV | With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men, Much elder than thy father. |
| YLT | Both the gray-headed And the very aged [are] among us — Greater than thy father [in] days. |
| WEB | With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men, much older than your father. |
| BBE | With us are men who are grey-haired and full of years, much older than your father. |
Translations agree on the portrayal of the elderly as wise and experienced, with no significant variation in the terms used.
The sentence has a main clause followed by two phrases that provide additional information about the subject and predicate.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשִׂיב
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 15:10
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 Defense Against His Friendsgenerated
Job 15:10 presents Job's assertion that he has the support of wise and experienced elders, contrasting their wisdom with the youth of his accuser. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job defends his integrity and laments the misunderstandings of his friends, who have accused him of wrongdoing. The context highlights the importance of age and experience in discerning truth, as Job seeks to validate his perspective amidst their criticisms.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 8:8–10 | Please inquire of past generations and consider the discoveries of their fathers. |
| 2 | Job 12:20 | He deprives the trusted of speech and takes away the discernment of elders. |
| 3 | Job 32:6–7 | So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 32:7 | Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will inform you. |
| 5 | Proverbs 16:31 | Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — כַּבִּ֖יר, ka.Birgenerated
The word כַּבִּ֖יר (kabir) means great or mighty, often used to describe someone who is powerful or significant due to their age and experience. It emphasizes the respect and authority that comes with being advanced in years.
In this verse, it signifies those who are not only older but also possess wisdom, suggesting that their insights are valuable in the discussion at hand.
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 clause is built around the subject גַּם־ שָׂ֣ב (gam sav), meaning 'both the gray-haired' and יָשִׁ֣ישׁ (yashiysh), meaning 'the aged,' with the predicate indicating their alignment with Job. The structure emphasizes the collective wisdom of these individuals.
The sentence flows smoothly, presenting a clear assertion about the support Job receives from the older generation, which underscores the importance of their experience.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, כַּבִּ֖יר is rendered as βαρύτερος (baryteros), meaning 'heavier' or 'greater.' This choice suggests a nuanced interpretation, emphasizing not just age but also the weight of their wisdom and authority in contrast to the younger generation.
This reflects an understanding that age brings not only experience but also a deeper insight into the matters being discussed.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 15:10 states that both the gray-haired and the aged are on Job's side, indicating that he has the support of wise individuals who are much older than the father of his accuser. This highlights the value of experience and wisdom in understanding life's challenges.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job refers to the elderly, indicating that their life experience and wisdom are on his side, contrasting with the youth of his accuser.
In the biblical context, age often correlates with experience and knowledge, making the insights of the elderly particularly valuable.
This verse emphasizes Job's integrity and the support he receives from wise elders, reinforcing his position against the accusations of his friends.
The verse teaches the importance of valuing the wisdom and experience of older generations in our understanding of life.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I seek wisdom from the older generation in my life?
- What experiences have shaped my understanding of truth and integrity?
- In what ways can I show respect for the wisdom of those who are older than me?
- How does the support of wise individuals influence my decisions and beliefs?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The verse is cited by Gregory the Dialogist in his work, arguing that the wisdom of the aged supports Job's position against his accusers.
Ver. 10. With us are both the gray headed and very aged men, much elder than thy father. That all Heretics are gone out of the Holy Church Universal, John testifies, when he says, They went out from us, but they were not of us.Early Church Fathers on Job 15 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 15:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWith us are both the grayheaded,.... The grayheaded man, or one that is so, it is in the singular number; gray hairs are a sign of old age, and an emblem of wisdom, see Job 12:12; to which words
Read John Gill on Job 15 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWith us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father. On our side, thinking with us, are the aged. Job had admitted that wisdom is with them (Job 12:12).
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 15 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWith us, i.e. among us; either, 1. Some of us, who seem to have been very ancient from . Or, 2. Some others with whom we have conversed, and who are of our opinion in this matter. And this they oppose to that passage of Job’ s, .
Read Matthew Poole on Job 15 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 15:10 With us [are] both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father.Ver. 10. With us are the grayheaded, &c.] Job had said, Job 12:12, "With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days is understanding." This, though modestly spoken, yet was very ill taken; and is here replied unto with a great deal of heat. Sed ita solent importuni homines, &c., saith Mercer here; but such is the course and custom of unreasonable men, to take everything in the worst way, and to deal rather by reproaches than by reasons; as Eccius, Sanderus, Genebrardus, the whole generation of Jesuits, of whom Aurelius, the Sorbonist, saith, and truly, that they are a sort of men, qui nihil magis…
Read John Trapp on Job 15 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 10. With us are both the gray-headed] One copy of the Chaldee Targum paraphrases the verse thus: "Truly Eliphaz the hoary-headed, and Bildad the long-lived, are among us; and Zophar, who in age surpasseth thy father." It is very likely that Eliphaz refers to himself and his friends in this verse, and not either to the old men of their tribes, or to the masters by whom they themselves were instructed. Eliphaz seems to have been the eldest of these sages; and, therefore, he takes the lead in each part of this dramatic poem.
Read AdamClarke on Job 15 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges10. This verse should probably read, Among us is one both grayheaded and very aged, One older in days than thy father. Eliphaz with a dignified indirectness in which, however, a certain personal feeling is displayed, alludes to himself. Others take the words “grayheaded” and “very aged” as collectives—among us are both the grayheaded and the very aged; in which case “among us” must mean “belonging to our tribes.” But in reproving Job’s demeanour a reference to persons absent seems out of place.
Read Cambridge on Job 15 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWith us are both the gray headed - That is, some of us who are here are much older than thy father; or we express the sentiments of such aged men.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 15 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible10. The grayheaded — He probably refers to himself. The Targum applies the term gray-haired to Eliphaz; aged, to Bildad; and older, or greater in days, to Zophar.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 15 →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
Both the gray-haired and the aged are on our side— men much older than your father.
With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men, much older than your father.
Both the gray-haired and the aged are on our side—men much older than your father.
The gray-haired and the aged are on our side, men far older than your father.
Tyndale line
With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father.
With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men, Much elder than thy father.
With us are both the grayheaded and the very aged men, much elder than thy father.
With us are both the gray headed and very aged men, much older than thy father.
With vs are both auncient and very aged men, farre older then thy father.
Strictly literal
Both the greyheaded and the aged are with us, older than thy father.
Both the gray-headed And the very aged [are] among us — Greater than thy father [in] days.
Both the gray-headed || And the very aged [are] among us—Greater than your father [in] days.
Both the grayheaded and the very aged are among us,— richer than thy father in days.
With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men who are much older than your father.
From the Latin
There are with us also aged and ancient men, much elder than thy fathers.
Simplified
We have among us old, gray-haired people much older than your father!
With us are men who are grey-haired and full of years, much older than your father.
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.
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 on the wording of this verse, with all eight words matched in the Septuagint. This consistency reinforces the message of the verse regarding the significance of the elderly in providing wisdom and counsel.
גַּם־ שָׂ֣ב גַּם־ יָשִׁ֣ישׁ בָּ֑נוּ כַּבִּ֖יר מֵאָבִ֣יךָ יָמִֽים׃
8 of the 8 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.
Lexicons — every word in Job 15:10
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.
גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.
גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
base
H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
1571 gam gam
by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,
though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,
also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,
even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,
nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.
גַּם (gam) — also.
1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea
1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)
1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)
1c) even (for stress)
1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)
1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)
1f) but, yet, though (adversative)
1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)
2) (TWOT) again, alike
DirObjM — AdverbHD
שִׂיב (siyb) is a primitive Hebrew root meaning to become aged, specifically to grow gray or hoary. The entries indicate it primarily covers the idea of graying hair, reflecting aging. Its Aramaic equivalent is also noted as שִׂיב (H7868), which shares the same meaning.
שִׂיב vb. be hoary
base
H7867 שִׂיב
7867 siyb seeb
a primitive root; properly, to become aged, i.e. (by
implication) to grow gray:--(be) grayheaded.
שִׂיב (siv) — be gray.
(Qal) to be hoary, be gray
Aramaic equivalent: siv (שִׂיב "be gray" H7868)
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.
גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
base
H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
1571 gam gam
by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,
though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,
also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,
even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,
nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.
גַּם (gam) — also.
1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea
1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)
1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)
1c) even (for stress)
1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)
1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)
1f) but, yet, though (adversative)
1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)
2) (TWOT) again, alike
DirObjM — AdverbHD
az: Conj. and adverb (usually Greek hos hosper, kathos), designating:
(1) Likeness: (a) between nouns (Ge 3:5; Jud 6:5; Php 2:8; Heb 11:27,29); (b) between verbs (Lu 6:36; Joh 5:30; 1Co 10:7); (c) between adjectives (1Co 15:48).
(2) Limitation (with respect to a particular aspect or relation) (1Pe 4:15,16).
יָשִׁישׁ (yashiysh) refers to an old or very aged man. It is derived from a root meaning 'old' and is used exclusively in the context of describing someone who is ancient or very old, as noted in the book of Job.
יָשִׁישׁ adj. aged, only Jb
base
H3453 יָשִׁישׁ
3453 yashiysh yaw-sheesh'
from 3486; an old man:--(very) aged (man), ancient, very old.
see HEBREW for 03486
יָשִׁישׁ (ya.shish) — aged.
aged, old man, aged one
Adj — AdjHAamsa
→ Gospel invitation to Mt 20:5,6
→ See OLD AGE
נוּ (nu) — us.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person plural
HR/Sp1bp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bp
US, pronoun objective case of we.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Us , pron. [OE. us, AS. s; akin to OFries. & OS. s, D. ons, G. uns, Icel. & Sw. oss, Dan. os, Goth. uns, L. nos we, us, Gr. we, Skr. nas us. . Cf. Nostrum, Our.] The persons speaking, regarded as an object; ourselves; — the objective case of we. See We. “Tell us a tale.” Chaucer.
Give us this day our daily bread. Matt. vi. 11.
Us, pron. oblique case of we
כַּבִּיר (kabbiyr) means great, mighty, or powerful, and can also refer to something vast in extent or number. It is derived from a root that conveys strength and age. The term appears in poetic contexts, emphasizing its significance in describing might or abundance.
כַּבִּיר adj. great, mighty, much, only poet.
base
H3524 כַּבִּיר great, mighty, much, only poet.
3524 kabbiyr kab-beer'
from 3527; vast, whether in extent (figuratively, of power,
mighty; of time, aged), or in number, many:--+ feeble, mighty,
most, much, strong, valiant.
see HEBREW for 03527
כַּבִּיר (kab.bir) — mighty.
mighty, great, powerful, many, much
Adj — AdjHAamsa
old.
See AGE, OLD.
אָב (av) means 'father' and encompasses various roles such as the literal father of an individual, God as the father of His people, and the head of a household or clan. It can also refer to an ancestor, originator of a profession, or a figure of respect and protection. Notably, it can imply a ruler or chief in later contexts.
אָב 1101 n.m. father
father of individual
of God as father of his people
head of household, family or clan
ancestor
originator or patron of a class, profession, or art
fig. of producer, generator
fig. of benevolence & protection
term of respect & honor
specif., ruler, chief (late)
base
H1 אָב father . father of individual
. of God as father of his people
. head of household, family or clan
. ancestor
. originator or patron of a class, profession, or art
. fig. of producer, generator
. fig. of benevolence & protection
. term of respect & honor
. specif., ruler, chief (late)
1 'ab awb
a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or
figurative and remote application):--chief,
(fore-)father(-less), X patrimony, principal. Compare names
in "Abi-".
אָב (av) — father.
1) father of an individual
2) of God as father of his people
3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan
4) ancestor
4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person
4b) of people
5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art
6) of producer, generator (fig.)
7) of benevolence and protection (fig.)
8) term of respect and honour
9) ruler or chief (spec.)
Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
אָב (av) — (Huram)-abi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.7.13; also called Huram-abi (KJV: "Huram my father's") at 2Ch.2.13; 4.16;
Combined with chi.ram (חִירָם "Hiram" H2438H)
אָב (av) — father of.
The father of Gibeon, also known as Abiel - a man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.9.1;
son of: Zeror (H6872C); married to Maacah (H4601N);
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms
יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
יוֹם 2285 n.m. day
day, opp. night
Day as division of time
יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
Pl. days of anyone
Days
יוֹם = time
Phrases
base
H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night
. Day as division of time
. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
. Pl. days of anyone
. Days
. יוֹם = time
. Phrases
3117 yowm yome
from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm
hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one
sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by
an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +
chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)
day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +
(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as
(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,
presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,
then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,
weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole
(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.
יוֹם (yom) — day.
: day/when/time/period
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: old.
: old/(full/many)[days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: year.
: year[of_days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa