Menu

Job 21:15 — Word Study

Depth

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]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 21
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 15 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 (bo) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 21:15quick helps
In a sentenceJob questions the value of serving God and what benefit there is in prayer.
Who is speakingJob, expressing a challenge to the understanding of God's role.
Where we areIn a discourse on the fate of the wicked and the apparent prosperity of the ungodly.
The hard wordשַׁדַּ֥י
Take awayJob's inquiry reveals a struggle with faith in the face of suffering.
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 ›
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 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

14Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways.
15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’
16Still, their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked.
17How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come upon them? Does God, in His anger, apportion destruction?

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

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Exodus 5:2But 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.”
2Psalm 12:4They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?”
3Proverbs 30:9Otherwise, 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.
4Hosea 13:6When they had pasture, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud, and as a result they forgot Me.
5Job 34:9For 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

What does Job mean by questioning the Almighty?

Job is expressing his struggle with understanding God's role in human suffering and questioning the value of serving Him.

Why does Job ask about the profit of prayer?

Job is reflecting on the apparent lack of benefit from serving God in light of the prosperity of the wicked.

What does the term 'Almighty' signify?

The term 'Almighty' emphasizes God's supreme power and authority over all creation.

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Job?

This verse encapsulates Job's deep questioning of faith and justice in the face of suffering, a central theme throughout the book.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I question God's role in my life during difficult times?
  2. How can I reconcile my doubts about faith with the teachings of scripture?
  3. What does it mean to serve God in my daily life, and how do I perceive its value?
  4. 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.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XV c. 540–604
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 Bible

What [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 Commentary

What 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 Bible

What 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 Testaments

Job 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 Bible

Verse 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 Colleges

7–21. 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 Bible

What 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 Bible

15. 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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’

WEBWorld English Bible2000

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?’

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’

NETBNew English Translation2006

Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain if we were to pray to him?’

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

RVARevised Version, American1894

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

NWBWebster's Bible1833

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray to him?

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Who is the Almightie, that we should serue him? and what profit should we haue, if we should pray vnto him?

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

What is the Almighty that we should serve him? and what are we profited if we pray unto him?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

What [is] the Mighty One that we serve Him? And what do we profit when we meet with Him?'

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

What [is] the Mighty One that we serve Him? And what do we profit when we meet with Him?

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit shall we have, if we entreat him urgently?”

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

What is the Almighty, that we should worship him? What advantage would we get if we prayed to him?'

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what doth it profit us if we pray to him?

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

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?’

BBEBible in Basic English1949

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.

clauseclausepredicateמַהwhat?subjectשַׁדַּ֥י[is.the].Almightyclauseכִּֽי(cmp)clauseverbנַֽעַבְדֶ֑weobjectנּוּwill.serve.himוּandclauseclauseobjectמַהwhat?verbנּ֝וֹעִ֗ילwill.we.gainclauseכִּ֣י(cmp)clauseverbנִפְגַּעwe.will.entreatprepositional phrase · prepositionalבּֽ(in)וֹhim

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.

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

מַה־ שַׁדַּ֥י כִּֽי־ נַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ וּמַה־ נּ֝וֹעִ֗יל כִּ֣י נִפְגַּע־ בּֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
מַה־τίשַׁדַּ֥יἱκανόςכִּֽי־ὅτιנַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּαὐτῷוּמַה־τίςנּ֝וֹעִ֗ילὠφέλειαכִּ֣יὅτιנִפְגַּע־ἀπαντήσομενבּֽוֹ׃αὐτῷ

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.

Job 21:15מָהwhat?what?מָהשַׁדַּי[is the] Al[is the] Almighשַׁדַּיכִּיthatthatכִּיעָבַדwe will serwe will serve hעָבַדמָהand what?and what?מָהיָעַלwill we gaiwill we gainיָעַלכִּיthatthatכִּיפָּגַעwe will entwe will entreatפָּגַעוֹhimhimוֹשָׁדַדto ruinto ruinשָׁדַדכָּ֫כָהthusthusכָּ֫כָהפָּעַלto workto workפָּעַליָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעעָוַתto pervertto pervertעָוַתאֵלgodgodאֵלבַּ֫עַלBaalBaalבַּ֫עַלעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהתֹּ֫הוּformlessneformlessnessתֹּ֫הוּיְהוֹיָדָעJehoiadaJehoiadaיְהוֹיָדָעאָשֵׁרAsherAsherאָשֵׁר
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 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.

what? [is the] Almighty that we will serve him and what? will we gain that we will entreat him
מַה־mah- what? H4100 Pronoun
753× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Tyndale gloss
what?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught

interrog. what?

Used adverbially

Indef. pron.

With preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?

. Used adverbially

. Indef. pron.

. With preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Pronoun
HPi
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
what? [is the] Almighty that we will serve him and what? will we gain that we will entreat him
שַׁדַּ֥יsha.Dai [is the] Almighty H7706 Noun proper
48× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Shadday means Almighty, referring to God's great power. It is another name for the Lord, emphasizing His strength and might. This name is used in the Bible to describe God's power and authority.
Amplified meaning
Shadday, the all-powerful One
Tyndale gloss
Almighty
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שַׁדַּי 48 n.m.dei (etym. dub. (1) (self-)sufficient. (2) = Almighty)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7706 שַׁדַּי (etym. dub. (1) (self-)sufficient. (2) = Almighty)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7706 Shadday shad-dah'-ee

from 7703; the Almighty:--Almighty.

see HEBREW for 07703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׁדַּי (shad.day) — Almighty.

Shaddai, the Almighty (God)

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

This name means almighty, most powerful

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

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.

what? [is the] Almighty that we will serve him and what? will we gain that we will entreat him
כִּֽי־ki- that H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
what? [is the] Almighty that we will serve him and what? will we gain that we will entreat him
נַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּna.'av.De.nu we will serve him H5647 Verb qal imperfect first person common plural · suffix
288× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Amplified meaning
as slaves, worship
Tyndale gloss
to serve
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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,

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp | Suff — Verb qal imperfect first person common plural · suffix
HVqi1cp/Sp3ms
what? [is the] Almighty that we will serve him and what? will we gain that we will entreat him
וּמַה־u.mah- and what? H4100 Conjunction · pronoun
753× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Amplified meaning
profit, benefit
Tyndale gloss
what?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught

interrog. what?

Used adverbially

Indef. pron.

With preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?

. Used adverbially

. Indef. pron.

. With preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · pronoun
HC/Pi
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
what? [is the] Almighty that we will serve him and what? will we gain that we will entreat him
נּ֝וֹעִ֗ילno.'Il will we gain H3276 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect first person common plural
23× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to gain or ascend, and can also mean to be valuable or beneficial. It is used in various forms in the Bible to convey the idea of profit or advantage.
Amplified meaning
acquire, obtain
Tyndale gloss
to gain
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָעַל] vb. only Hiph. profit, avail, benefit

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3276 יָעַל only Hiph. profit, avail, benefit

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָעַל (ya.al) — to gain.

(Hiphil) to gain, profit, benefit, avail

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cp — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect first person common plural
HVhi1cp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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…

what? [is the] Almighty that we will serve him and what? will we gain that we will entreat him
כִּ֣יki that H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
what? [is the] Almighty that we will serve him and what? will we gain that we will entreat him
נִפְגַּע־nif.ga'- we will entreat H6293 Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common plural
46× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To meet or encounter, either by chance or intention, as seen in the story of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 33:1-17. It can also mean to make a request or intercede on behalf of someone. In Exodus 32:1-14, Moses intercedes for the Israelites.
Amplified meaning
meet with, encounter
Tyndale gloss
to fall on
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp — Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common plural
HVqi1cp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

en-tret'.

See INTREAT.

what? [is the] Almighty that we will serve him and what? will we gain that we will entreat him
בּֽוֹ׃bo him H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate