Job 21:15 — Word Study
WLCמַה־ שַׁדַּ֥י כִּֽי־ נַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ וּמַה־ נּ֝וֹעִ֗יל כִּ֣י נִפְגַּע־ בּֽוֹ׃
BSAWhomâh is the AlmightyShadday [Shadday, the all-powerful One] thatkîy we should serve Himʻâbad▸ [as slaves, worship] and whatmâh [profit, benefit] would we gainyaʻal▸ [acquire, obtain] ifkîy we praypâgaʻ▸ [meet with, encounter]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מַה־ | what? | Pronoun |
| שַׁדַּ֥י | [is the] Almighty | Noun proper |
| כִּֽי־ | that | Particle |
| נַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ | we will serve him | Verb qal imperfect first person common plural, suffix |
| וּמַה־ | and what? | Conjunction, pronoun |
| נּ֝וֹעִ֗יל | will we gain | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect first person common plural |
| כִּ֣י | that | Particle |
| נִפְגַּע־ | we will entreat | Verb, Qal, imperfect first person common plural |
| בּֽוֹ׃ | him | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’ |
| KJV | What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? |
| ASV | What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? |
| YLT | What [is] the Mighty One that we serve Him? And what do we profit when we meet with Him?' |
| WEB | What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?’ |
| BBE | What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him? |
Where they part company is in the nuances of the phrases regarding gain and prayer.
The sentence consists of a main clause and a subordinate clause, reflecting Job's inquiry and skepticism.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectשַׁדַּי
verbיָעַל
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 21:15
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 Discourse on the Wickedgenerated
Job 21:15 presents Job's challenge regarding the nature of God and the value of worship. In this passage, Job reflects on the apparent success of the wicked and questions what it means to serve the Almighty. He is grappling with the reality of suffering and the seeming indifference of God to human affairs, which leads him to question the purpose of prayer and service.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 5:2 | But Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.” |
| 2 | Psalm 12:4 | They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?” |
| 3 | Proverbs 30:9 | Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God. |
| 4 | Hosea 13:6 | When they had pasture, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud, and as a result they forgot Me. |
| 5 | Job 34:9 | For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’ |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שַׁדַּי, sha.Daigenerated
The term שַׁדַּי (Shadday) is a noun used to denote the Almighty, emphasizing God's supreme power. It is derived from a root that implies self-sufficiency, highlighting the strength and authority of God in the biblical narrative.
In this verse, Job uses the term to question the necessity of serving such a powerful being, suggesting a tension between human experience and divine expectation. The use of this name for God serves to underline Job's struggle with faith amidst his suffering.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse, with all rendering שַׁדַּ֥י as 'Almighty' and maintaining the questioning tone of Job's remarks.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two main clauses connected by the conjunction כִּי (ki), which indicates a causal relationship. The first clause questions the identity of the Almighty and the rationale for serving Him, while the second clause inquires about the profit of prayer.
The structure emphasizes Job's inquiry, with the finite verbs נַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ (we will serve) and נִפְגַּע־ (we will entreat) driving the action, revealing his doubt and challenge.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, שַׁדַּ֥י is rendered as ἱκανός (hikanós), which translates to 'sufficient' or 'capable.' This choice may reflect a broader interpretation of God's power, suggesting not just might but also adequacy in meeting human needs.
This translation choice indicates a potential widening of the concept of divine power, focusing on God's ability to provide rather than solely His might.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 21:15 asks who the Almighty is that we should serve Him and what benefit we would gain from praying to Him. Job expresses doubt about the value of worship and prayer in light of the suffering he observes.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is expressing his struggle with understanding God's role in human suffering and questioning the value of serving Him.
Job is reflecting on the apparent lack of benefit from serving God in light of the prosperity of the wicked.
The term 'Almighty' emphasizes God's supreme power and authority over all creation.
This verse encapsulates Job's deep questioning of faith and justice in the face of suffering, a central theme throughout the book.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I question God's role in my life during difficult times?
- How can I reconcile my doubts about faith with the teachings of scripture?
- What does it mean to serve God in my daily life, and how do I perceive its value?
- How can I support others who are struggling with similar questions about faith and suffering?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church father Gregory the Dialogist reflects on Job's questioning of God's role in human affairs, emphasizing the struggle of the human mind to comprehend divine purposes.
Ver. 15. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? 52. For the mind of man being miserably discharged without, is so dissipated in things corporeal, as neither to return to itself within, nor to be able to think of Him,Early Church Fathers on Job 21 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 21:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWhat [is] the Almighty, that we should serve him?.... "Who is he" (t)? as some render it; or what is there in him, in his nature, in his excellencies and perfections, that should oblige us to serve him?
Read John Gill on Job 21 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWhat is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? (Cf.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 21 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhat excellency is there in him? and what advantage have we or can we expect from him?
Read Matthew Poole on Job 21 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 21:15 What [is] the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?Ver. 15. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him?] Here the rottenness of their hearts blistereth out at the lips of these rich wretches, these fat bulls of Bashan, such as was Pharaoh, that sturdy rebel, who asked this very question in the text, What, or who, is the Almighty? &c., Exodus 5:2; and hath a large reply made him by one plague upon another, till he was compelled to answer himself, The Lord is righteous. (He seemeth to rehearse the very words of Pharaoh. Diod.) Forced he was to speak fair while held upon the rack, if nothing else, yet that he might get off. Such…
Read John Trapp on Job 21 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 15. What is the Almighty] What allegiance do we owe to him? We feel no obligation to obey him; and what profit can we derive from prayer? We are as happy as flesh and blood can make us: our kingdom is of this world; we wish for no other portion than that which we have. Those who have never prayed as they ought know nothing of the benefits of prayer.
Read AdamClarke on Job 21 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges7–21. This great mystery of the prosperity of the wicked in God’s providence Job now unfolds on both its sides: first, they and all belonging to them prosper, and they die in peace, although in conscious godlessness they bade the Almighty depart from them, Job 21:7-16; and second, negatively, examples of calamity befalling them are few, Job 21:17-21.
Read Cambridge on Job 21 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWhat is the Almighty, that we should serve him? - compare for similar expressions, Exodus 5:2; Proverbs 30:9. The meaning here is, “What claim has the Almighty, or who is he, that we should be bound to obey and worship him?
Read Albert Barnes on Job 21 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible15. What is the Almighty — The almost identical language of Pharaoh. (Exodus 5:2.) The reason for their repulse of God is threefold and comprehensive — they desire neither his knowledge, service, nor worship.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 21 →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
Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?’
Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’
Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain if we were to pray to him?’
Tyndale line
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray to him?
Who is the Almightie, that we should serue him? and what profit should we haue, if we should pray vnto him?
Strictly literal
What is the Almighty that we should serve him? and what are we profited if we pray unto him?
What [is] the Mighty One that we serve Him? And what do we profit when we meet with Him?'
What [is] the Mighty One that we serve Him? And what do we profit when we meet with Him?
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit shall we have, if we entreat him urgently?”
What is the Almighty, that we should worship him? What advantage would we get if we prayed to him?'
From the Latin
Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what doth it profit us if we pray to him?
Simplified
Who does the Almighty think he is for us to serve him as slaves? What benefit is there for us if we pray to him?’
What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him?
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 9 of the 9 words matched. This consistency suggests a stable transmission of the text through these traditions.
מַה־ שַׁדַּ֥י כִּֽי־ נַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ וּמַה־ נּ֝וֹעִ֗יל כִּ֣י נִפְגַּע־ בּֽוֹ׃
9 of the 9 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 21:15
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.
מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.
מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught
interrog. what?
Used adverbially
Indef. pron.
With preps.
base
H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?
. Used adverbially
. Indef. pron.
. With preps.
4100 mah maw
or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a
primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including
how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including
how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even
relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various
adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-
soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),
whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.
מָה (mah) — what?.
interr pron
1) what, how, of what kind
1a) (interrogative)
1a1) what?
1a2) of what kind
1a3) what? (rhetorical)
1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what
1b) (adverb)
1b1) how, how now
1b2) why
1b3) how! (exclamation)
1c) (with prep)
1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?
1c2) because of what?
1c3) the like of what?
1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?
1c3b) for how long?
1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?
1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?
indef pron
2) anything, aught, what may
Part — PronounHPi
שַׁדַּי (Shadday) is a Hebrew word meaning 'Almighty' and is often used to refer to God. It is derived from a root that suggests self-sufficiency. The entries indicate that this term emphasizes God's power and might, and it is recognized as another name for the LORD (יהוה).
שַׁדַּי 48 n.m.dei (etym. dub. (1) (self-)sufficient. (2) = Almighty)
base
H7706 שַׁדַּי (etym. dub. (1) (self-)sufficient. (2) = Almighty)
7706 Shadday shad-dah'-ee
from 7703; the Almighty:--Almighty.
see HEBREW for 07703
שַׁדַּי (shad.day) — Almighty.
Shaddai, the Almighty (God)
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
This name means almighty, most powerful
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
ol-mit'-i:
(1) (shaddai (Ge 17:1)): Found in the Old Testament forty-eight times, most of these in the Book of Job; it occurs either alone or in combination with 'el, "God"). The root meaning is uncertain.
(2) (pantokrator), the exclusive translation of this Greek word in the New Testament, found principally in Re (nine times), once besides (2Co 6:18). Its occurrence in the Apocrypha is frequent. See GOD, NAMES OF.
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
Conj — ParticleHTc
עָבַד (abad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to work or serve, encompassing a range of activities from laboring for others to serving God, including Levitical service. It can also refer to the cultivation of land or the act of enslaving. The word appears in various forms, indicating different nuances of service and labor.
עָבַד 290 vb. work, serve
Qal
labour, work, do work
work for another, serve him by labour
serve as subjects
serve God
serve י׳ with Levitical service
Niph.
be tilled, of land
dub. cultivated field
Pu. worked
Hiph.
compel to labour as slaves
make to serve as subjects
cause to serve God
Hoph. be led or enticed to serve
base
H5647 עָבַד work, serve .. labour, work, do work
. work for another, serve him by labour
. serve as subjects
. serve God
. serve י׳ with Levitical service
. . be tilled, of land
. dub. cultivated field
. worked
. . compel to labour as slaves
. make to serve as subjects
. cause to serve God
. be led or enticed to serve
5647 `abad aw-bad'
a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to
serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.:--X be, keep in
bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear,
execute, + husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass,
(cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become)
servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from
margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper,
עָבַד (a.vad) — to serve.
: serve[someone]
1) to work, serve
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to labour, work, do work
1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour
1a3) to serve as subjects
1a4) to serve (God)
1a5) to serve (with Levitical service)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land)
1b2) to make oneself a servant
1c) (Pual) to be worked
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve
1d2) to cause to serve as subjects
1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
עָבַד (a.vad) — to serve: minister.
: minister/serve[God/tabernacle/temple]/worship
1) to work, serve
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to labour, work, do work
1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour
1a3) to serve as subjects
1a4) to serve (God)
1a5) to serve (with Levitical service)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land)
1b2) to make oneself a servant
1c) (Pual) to be worked
1d) (Hiphil)
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp | Suff — Verb qal imperfect first person common plural · suffixHVqi1cp/Sp3ms
מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.
מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught
interrog. what?
Used adverbially
Indef. pron.
With preps.
base
H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?
. Used adverbially
. Indef. pron.
. With preps.
4100 mah maw
or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a
primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including
how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including
how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even
relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various
adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-
soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),
whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.
מָה (mah) — what?.
interr pron
1) what, how, of what kind
1a) (interrogative)
1a1) what?
1a2) of what kind
1a3) what? (rhetorical)
1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what
1b) (adverb)
1b1) how, how now
1b2) why
1b3) how! (exclamation)
1c) (with prep)
1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?
1c2) because of what?
1c3) the like of what?
1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?
1c3b) for how long?
1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?
1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?
indef pron
2) anything, aught, what may
Conj | Part — Conjunction · pronounHC/Pi
יָעַל (ya'al) is a Hebrew verb that primarily appears in the Hiphil form, meaning to profit, benefit, or avail. It is built from a root that suggests the idea of ascending or being valuable. The lexicons emphasize its use in contexts related to gaining or being useful.
[יָעַל] vb. only Hiph. profit, avail, benefit
base
H3276 יָעַל only Hiph. profit, avail, benefit
3276 ya`al yaw-al'
a primitive root; properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be
valuable (objectively: useful, subjectively: benefited):--X at
all, set forward, can do good, (be, have) profit, (able).
יָעַל (ya.al) — to gain.
(Hiphil) to gain, profit, benefit, avail
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cp — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect first person common pluralHVhi1cp
gan: In the Old Testament the translation of three Hebrew substantives, betsa`, "unjust gain," "any gain" (Jud 5:19; Job 22:3; Pr 1:19; 15:27; Isa 33:15; 56:11; Eze 22:13,17; Mic 4:13); mechir, "price" for which a thing is sold (Da 11:39, the only place where the Hebrew word is translated "gain" in the King James Version, though it occurs in other places translated "price"); tebhu'ah, "produce," "profits," "fruit" (Pr 3:14). It is the translation of one Hebrew…
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
Conj — ParticleHTc
פָּגַע (paga`) is a Hebrew verb meaning to meet or encounter, which can occur in various contexts such as kindness, hostility, or requests. It is built from a primitive root and includes nuances like making intercession or striking a boundary. The word appears in different forms, including Qal and Hiphil, indicating both simple and causative actions.
פָּגַע vb. meet, encounter, reach
Qal
meet, light upon
meet, with kindness
encounter with hostility, fall upon
encounter with request, entreat
strike, touch, of boundary
Hiph.
cause to light upon
cause one (acc.) to entreat
make entreaty; more gen. interpose
encounter with request, entreat
make attack
base
H6293 פָּגַע meet, encounter, reach .. meet, light upon
. meet, with kindness
. encounter with hostility, fall upon
. encounter with request, entreat
. strike, touch, of boundary
. . cause to light upon
. cause one (acc.) to entreat
. make entreaty; more gen. interpose
. encounter with request, entreat
. make attack
6293 paga` paw-gah'
a primitive root; to impinge, by accident or violence, or
(figuratively) by importunity:--come (betwixt), cause to
entreat, fall (upon), make intercession, intercessor, intreat,
lay, light (upon), meet (together), pray, reach, run.
פָּגַע (pa.ga) — to fall on.
1) to encounter, meet, reach, entreat, make intercession
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to meet, light upon, join
1a2) to meet (of kindness)
1a3) to encounter, fall upon (of hostility)
1a4) to encounter, entreat (of request)
1a5) to strike, touch (of boundary)
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to light upon
1b2) to cause to entreat
1b3) to make entreaty, interpose
1b4) to make attack
1b5) to reach the mark
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp — Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common pluralHVqi1cp
en-tret'.
See INTREAT.
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3ms
