Job 15:33 — Word Study
WLCיַחְמֹ֣ס כַּגֶּ֣פֶן בִּסְר֑וֹ וְיַשְׁלֵ֥ךְ כַּ֝זַּ֗יִת נִצָּתֽוֹ׃
BSAHe will be like a vinegephen stripped ofchâmaç▸ [shaken off] its unripe grapesbeçer△ [sour, immature fruit] like an olive treezayith [that sheds, casts off] that shedsshâlak▸ its blossomsnitstsâh [flowers, blossoming flowers]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יַחְמֹ֣ס | he will wrong | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| כַּגֶּ֣פֶן | like vine | Preposition, noun common both singular absolute |
| בִּסְר֑וֹ | unripe grape[s] his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְיַשְׁלֵ֥ךְ | and he will shed | Conjunction, verb hiphil jussive third person masculine singular |
| כַּ֝זַּ֗יִת | like olive tree | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| נִצָּתֽוֹ׃ | blossom his | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms. |
| KJV | He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive. |
| ASV | He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, And shall cast off his flower as the olive-tree. |
| YLT | He shaketh off as a vine his unripe fruit, And casteth off as an olive his blossom. |
| WEB | He will shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and will cast off his flower as the olive tree. |
| BBE | He is like a vine whose grapes do not come to full growth, or an olive-tree dropping its flowers. |
The translations agree on the core imagery and meaning of the verse.
The structure features a main clause followed by a simile, emphasizing the comparison between the two images.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbחָמַס
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
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 15:33
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 Reflection on the Wickedgenerated
Job 15:33 presents a vivid metaphor illustrating the fate of the wicked, comparing them to a vine stripped of its unripe grapes and an olive tree that sheds its blossoms. This imagery evokes a sense of loss and barrenness, emphasizing the consequences of their actions. The surrounding verses discuss the futility of their pursuits and the inevitable judgment they face, reinforcing the theme of divine justice throughout the chapter.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 33:9 | The land mourns and languishes; Lebanon is ashamed and decayed. Sharon is like a desert; Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves. |
| 2 | Revelation 6:13 | and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 28:39–40 | You will plant and cultivate vineyards, but will neither drink the wine nor gather the grapes, because worms will eat them. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יַחְמֹ֣ס, yach.Mosgenerated
The verb חָמַס (chamac) means to harm or injure, encompassing both physical and ethical dimensions of wrongdoing. It is often used in contexts that describe violent acts or maltreatment, indicating a serious violation of moral or social norms.
In this verse, it signifies a profound loss, suggesting that the person will be stripped of their vitality and potential, much like a vine deprived of its fruit. The use of this term underscores the severity of the consequences faced by those who act unjustly.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered similarly across translations, with all versions maintaining the imagery of a vine and an olive tree.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verbs יַחְמֹ֣ס (he will wrong) and יַשְׁלֵ֥ךְ (he will shed) govern the structure of the verse, each followed by a simile that elaborates on the consequences of wrongdoing. The sentence employs a parallel structure, linking the two metaphors to emphasize the theme of loss.
The Hebrew word order places the verbs prominently at the beginning, establishing a strong emphasis on the actions being described and their dire implications.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יַחְמֹ֣ס as ἐκπέσοι, which conveys a sense of being cast down or thrown away, aligning with the theme of loss in the verse. This choice suggests a widening of the meaning, emphasizing not just injury but also the ultimate downfall of the wicked.
The translation of יַשְׁלֵ֥ךְ as ἐκπέσοι further reinforces this sense of being cast aside, highlighting the gravity of their fate.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 15:33 compares the fate of the wicked to a vine stripped of its unripe grapes and an olive tree that sheds its blossoms. This imagery illustrates the loss and barrenness that result from wrongdoing.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This metaphor indicates a loss of potential and vitality, suggesting that the person will face dire consequences for their actions.
The olive tree symbolizes beauty and fruitfulness; its shedding of blossoms signifies a loss of promise and potential.
The imagery serves to illustrate the consequences of wrongdoing, emphasizing that those who act unjustly will ultimately face barrenness and loss.
This verse is part of Job's reflections on the fate of the wicked, highlighting themes of divine justice and the consequences of immoral actions.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life might I be experiencing barrenness due to my actions?
- How can I ensure that I am nurturing the good in my life rather than allowing it to wither?
- What lessons can I learn from the imagery of the vine and olive tree in this verse?
- How does understanding the consequences of wrongdoing shape my decisions moving forward?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators, such as Gregory the Dialogist, interpret this verse to illustrate the fate of the wicked, emphasizing the barrenness that results from their actions.
Ver. 33, 34. His cluster shall be spoilt like a vine in the first flower, and like an olive casting its flower. For the congregation of the hypocrite shall be barren.Early Church Fathers on Job 15 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 15:33 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine,.... Either the wicked man himself shall shake off or lose his substance; or God shall shake off from him all that was dear and valuable to him; or he
Read John Gill on Job 15 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive. Image of incompleteness.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 15 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe; either, 1. The wicked man, who by his sins is the author of his own ruin. Or, 2. God, who is easily understood, both from the matter and context. Shall shake off, Heb. shall take away by violence. His unripe grape, i. e. his fruit, his children, or other comforts, before their time. As the vine, i.e. as the vine either itself droppeth, or rather loseth, its tender grapes, which are plucked off by a violent hand. As the olive; which flourisheth much about the same time with the vine, and is commonly handled in the same manner.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 15 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 15:33 He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive.Ver. 33. He shall shake off his unripe grapes as the vine] Filios intelligit per batra, et pueros per florem, saith Vatablus: i.e. By unripe grapes he meaneth the wicked man’ s sons grown up; and by flowers of the olive, his little ones: and so it is the same with the former, only flourished over with two similitudes, He (that is, God) will snap off his sour grapes as the vines; so Broughton rendered it: Luctuosa foecunditas (such as was that of Laeta, in Jerome, Epist. 7, who buried many children) is a sore affliction. If the bud or flower decay, what hope can there be of fruit? Others…
Read John Trapp on Job 15 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 33. He shall shake off his unripe grape] 10. Whatever children he may have, they shall never survive him, nor come to mature age. They shall be like wind-fall grapes and blasted olive blossoms. As the vine and olive, which are among the most useful trees, affording wine and oil, so necessary for the worship of God and the comfort of man, are mentioned here, they may be intended to refer to the hopeful progeny of the oppressor; but who fell, like the untimely grape or the blasted olive flower, without having the opportunity of realizing the public expectation.
Read AdamClarke on Job 15 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges33. It is doubtful if the A. V. expresses a meaning which is true to nature; the vine does not shake off its unripe grapes. The words must rather express the meaning that the grapes are not brought to maturity. The word “shake off” means to “wrong” Proverbs 8:36, and probably the idea is that the vine fails to nourish its grapes and leaves them to dry and wither. This carries out the conception of Job 15:32. The general idea of these verses is that the wicked man is “subject to vanity,” his branch prematurely withers (Job 15:32), he puts forth grapes but cannot ripen them, he flowers but he fails of fruit. His endeavours in all directions come short.
Read Cambridge on Job 15 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine - The idea here is, that the wicked man shall be like a vine that casts off its grapes while they are yet sour and green, and brings none to
Read Albert Barnes on Job 15 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible33. Cast off his flower as the olive — “The olive is the most prodigal of all fruit-bearing trees in flowers. It literally bends under the load of them. But then not one in a hundred comes to maturity.
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
He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms.
He will shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and will cast off his flower as the olive tree.
He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms.
Like a vine he will let his sour grapes fall, and like an olive tree he will shed his blossoms.
Tyndale line
He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive.
He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, And shall cast off his flower as the olive-tree.
He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive.
He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive.
God shall destroy him as the vine her sower grape, and shall cast him off, as the oliue doeth her flowre.
Strictly literal
He shall shake off his unripe grapes as a vine, and shall cast his flower as an olive.
He shaketh off as a vine his unripe fruit, And casteth off as an olive his blossom.
He shakes off his unripe fruit as a vine, || And casts off his blossom as an olive.
He will shake off like the vine his unripe grapes, and cast off like the olive his blossoms.
He will drop his unripe grapes like a grapevine; he will cast off his flowers like the olive tree.
From the Latin
He shall be blasted as a vine when its grapes are in the first flower, and as an olive tree that casteth its flower.
Simplified
like vines that lose their unripe grapes, or olive trees that lose their flowers.
He is like a vine whose grapes do not come to full growth, or an olive-tree dropping its flowers.
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 largely agree in their wording, with four of the six words matched. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the verse's meaning across these ancient texts.
יַחְמֹ֣ס כַּגֶּ֣פֶן בִּסְר֑וֹ וְיַשְׁלֵ֥ךְ כַּ֝זַּ֗יִת נִצָּתֽוֹ׃
4 of the 6 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 15:33
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.
חָמַס (chamac) is a primitive root meaning to treat violently or wrongfully, encompassing both physical and ethical dimensions of wrongdoing. The entries indicate it can refer to acts of violence or maltreatment, as well as the experience of being wronged. Notably, the term appears in contexts discussing both physical and ethical violations.
[חָמַס] vb. treat violently, wrong
Qal treat violently, wrong
of physical wrong
of ethical wrong
both physical and ethical
Niph. thy heels suffer violence
base
H2554 [חָמַס] treat violently, wrong .treat violently, wrong . of physical wrong
. of ethical wrong
. both physical and ethical
. thy heels suffer violence
2554 chamac khaw-mas'
a primitive root; to be violent; by implication, to
maltreat:--make bare, shake off, violate, do violence, take
away violently, wrong, imagine wrongfully.
חָמַס (cha.mas) — to injure.
1) to wrong, do violence to, treat violently, do wrongly
1a) (Qal) to treat violently, do wrong
1a1) of physical wrong
1a2) of ethical wrong
1a3) of physical and ethical wrong
1b) (Niphal) to be treated violently
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
גֶּ֫פֶן (gephen) means 'vine' and is derived from a root suggesting bending, reflecting the twining nature of vines. It encompasses literal uses, such as the grapevine, as well as metaphorical applications related to prosperity and even the fading of stars at divine judgment.
גֶּ֫פֶן n.f. vine
base
H1612 גֶּ֫פֶן vine
1612 gephen gheh'-fen
from an unused root meaning to bend; a vine (as twining),
especially the grape:--vine, tree.
גֶּ֫פֶן (ge.phen) — vine.
1) vine, vine tree
1a) of Israel (fig.)
1b) of stars fading at Jehovah's judgment (metaph.)
1c) of prosperity
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common both singular absoluteHRd/Ncbsa
vin:
1. Hebrew Words:
(1) gephen, usually the cultivated grape vine. In Nu 6:4; Jud 13:14 we have gephen ha-yayin, literally, "vine of wine," translated "grape vine" (Numbers) and "vine," margin "grape vine" (Jgs); 2Ki 4:39, gephen sadheh English Versions of the Bible "wild vine"; De 32:32, gephen cedhom, "vine of Sodom."
Vine
One of the most important products of Palestine. The first mention of it is in the history of Noah (Gen. 9:20). It is afterwards frequently noticed both in the Old and New Testaments, and in the ruins of terraced vineyards there are evidences that it was extensively cultivated by the Jews. It was cultivated in Palestine before the Israelites took possession of it. The men sent out by Moses brought with them from the Valley of Eshcol a cluster of grapes so large that “they bare it between two upon a staff” (Num. 13: 23). The vineyards of En-gedi (Cant. 1:14), Heshbon, Sibmah, Jazer, Elealeh (Isa. 16:8-10; Jer. 48:32, 34), and Helbon (
the well-known valuable plant (vitis vinifera) very frequently referred to in the Old and New Testaments, and cultivated from the earliest times. The first mention of this plant occurs in (Genesis 9:20,21) That it was abundantly cultivated in Egypt is evident from the frequent representations on the monuments, as well as from the scriptural allusions. (Genesis 40:9-11; Psalms 78:47) The vines of Palestine were celebrated both for luxuriant growth and for the immense clusters of grapes which they produced, which were sometimes carried on a staff between two men, as in the case of the spies, (Numbers 13:23) and as has been done in some instances in modern times. Special…
Of this valuable and familiar plant there are several varieties, the natural products of warm climates, where also it has been cultivated from the earliest times. Hence the early and frequent mention of its products in Scripture, Ge 9:20 14:18 19:22 Job 1:18. The grape-vine grew plentifully in Palestine, De 8:8, and was particularly excellent in some of the districts. The Scriptures celebrate the vines of Sibmah and Eshcol; and profane authors mention the excellent wines of Gaza, Sarepta, Lebanon, Sharon, Ascalon, and Tyre. See SOREK.
The grapes of Egypt, Ge 40:11, being small, we may easily conceive of the surprise which was occasioned to the Israelites by witnessing the…
בֹ֫סֶר (becer) refers to unripe or sour grapes. It is derived from an unused root meaning to be sour, indicating its association with immaturity in fruit. The entries consistently highlight this meaning, with Brown-Driver-Briggs noting it as a colloquial term.
בֹ֫סֶר n.m. unripe or sour grapes coll.
base
H1154 בֹ֫סֶר, בֶּסֶר
1154 becer beh'-ser
from an unused root meaning to be sour; an immature
grape:--unripe grape.
בֶּסֶר (be.ser) — unripe grape.
unripe or sour grapes
Another spelling of bo.ser (בֹּ֫סֶר "unripe grape" H1155)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
שָׁלַךְ (shalak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to throw, cast, or fling. It can be used literally or figuratively, covering actions like throwing away or casting lots. The Hiphil form indicates an active throwing, while the Hophal form suggests being thrown or cast. The entries collectively emphasize various nuances of throwing and casting.
[שָׁלַךְ] 125 vb. Hiph. 112 throw, fling, cast
Hoph.
be thrown, cast
be cast forth, out
be cast down
metaph., be cast
base
H7993 שָׁלַךְ Hiph. throw, fling, cast
7993 shalak shaw-lak
a primitive root; to throw out, down or away (literally or
figuratively):--adventure, cast (away, down, forth, off,
out), hurl, pluck, throw.
שָׁלַךְ (sha.lakh) — to throw.
1) to throw, cast, hurl, fling
1a) (Hiphil)
1a1) to throw, cast, throw away, cast off, shed, cast down
1a2) to cast (lots) (fig)
1b) (Hophal)
1b1) to be thrown, be cast
1b2) to be cast forth or out
1b3) to be cast down
1b4) to be cast (metaph)
Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Conjunction · verb hiphil jussive third person masculine singularHC/Vhj3ms
זַ֫יִת (zayith) refers to an olive or olive tree, including its fruit. It is associated with illuminating oil and appears in place names like the Mount of Olives. The entries suggest it encompasses both the tree and its produce, with some lexicons noting its connection to specific locations.
זַ֫יִת n.m. olive-tree, olive
olive-tree
of fruit of olive-tree, olives
in designations of place
base
H2132 זַ֫יִת olive-tree, olive
2132 zayith zay'-yith
probably from an unused root (akin to 2099); an olive (as
yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the
berry:--olive (tree, -yard), Olivet.
see HEBREW for 02099
זַ֫יִת (za.yit) — (Mount of) Olives.
This name means olive, olive tree
Also named: elaiōn (ἐλαιών "Olivet" G1638)
זַ֫יִת (za.yit) — olive.
1) olive, olive tree
1a) olive tree
1b) olives
2) mountain facing Jerusalem on the east side
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
נִצָּה (nits-tsah) refers to a blossom or flower. It is a feminine form of another Hebrew word, indicating something that shines amid leaves. The entries consistently emphasize its floral meaning without significant disagreement.
נִצָּה n.f. blossom (perhaps fr. above √, blossom, flower, as shining amid leaves)
base
H5328 נִצָּה blossom (perhaps fr. above √, blossom, flower, as shining amid leaves)
5328 nitstsah nits-tsaw'
feminine of 5322; a blossom; --flower.
see HEBREW for 05322
נִצָּה (nits.tsah) — flower.
blossom
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp3ms