Job 22:27 — Word Study
WLCתַּעְתִּ֣יר אֵ֭לָיו וְיִשְׁמָעֶ֑ךָּ וּנְדָרֶ֥יךָ תְשַׁלֵּֽם׃
BSAYou will prayʻâthar▸ [make supplication, offer requests] to Himʼêl and He will hear youshâmaʻ▸ [listen attentively, obey] and you will fulfillshâlam▸ [complete, pay] your vowsneder [promises, commitments to God]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| תַּעְתִּ֣יר | you will pray | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect second person masculine singular |
| אֵ֭לָיו | to him | Preposition, suffix |
| וְיִשְׁמָעֶ֑ךָּ | and he will hear you | Conjunction, verb qal third person masculine singular, suffix |
| וּנְדָרֶ֥יךָ | and vows your | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| תְשַׁלֵּֽם׃ | you will pay | Verb, Piel, imperfect second person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows. |
| KJV | Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows. |
| ASV | Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he will hear thee; And thou shalt pay thy vows. |
| YLT | Thou dost make supplication unto Him, And He doth hear thee, And thy vows thou completest. |
| WEB | You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you. You will pay your vows. |
| BBE | You will make your prayer to him, and be answered; and you will give effect to your oaths. |
The translations agree on the wording and meaning in this verse.
The sentence has a main clause followed by two subordinate clauses, illustrating a clear progression of thought.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָתַר
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 22:27
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 Prayer and Vowsgenerated
Job 22:27 emphasizes the importance of prayer and the assurance that God listens. The surrounding verses highlight a relationship where delight in God leads to prayer, which in turn results in God hearing and responding to the supplicant's vows. This theme is consistent with other biblical passages that stress the significance of prayer and the fulfillment of commitments to God.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 50:14–15 | Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High. |
| 2 | Psalm 66:17–18 | I cried out to Him with my mouth and praised Him with my tongue. |
| 3 | Psalm 91:15 | When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. |
| 4 | Psalm 116:1 | I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice— my appeal for mercy. |
| 5 | Isaiah 58:9 | Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry out, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and malicious talk, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תַּעְתִּ֣יר, ta'.Tirgenerated
The verb עָתַר (atar) means to pray or make supplication, often involving a sense of urgency or need. It is derived from a root associated with burning incense, symbolizing devotion and the act of reaching out to God in worship. The parsing indicates that it is a Hiphil imperfect verb, which shows an ongoing action — in this case, the act of praying.
This word captures the essence of intercession and supplication directed toward God, highlighting a relational aspect where the individual seeks God's attention and assistance. It is a call to engage in prayer, suggesting that such communication is vital for spiritual life.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is תַּעְתִּ֣יר, you will pray, which governs the structure of the sentence. It is followed by two clauses: one indicating God's response and the other detailing the fulfillment of vows.
The sentence structure emphasizes the sequence of actions: praying leads to being heard, which in turn leads to fulfilling commitments. This progression highlights the interconnectedness of prayer and action.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תַּעְתִּ֣יר as προσεύσῃ, meaning 'you will pray'. This choice reflects a direct and active form of prayer, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while emphasizing the act of approaching God.
The translation maintains the relational aspect of prayer, suggesting that the act of praying is both a request for attention and an expression of devotion.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 22:27 tells us that if you pray to God, He will hear you, and you will fulfill your promises. This verse emphasizes the importance of prayer and the assurance that God is attentive to those who seek Him.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To pray to God means to communicate with Him, often asking for help or expressing devotion.
God listens attentively to our prayers and responds according to His will.
Vows are promises made to God, often in the context of seeking His help or guidance.
Fulfilling vows demonstrates faithfulness and commitment to God, reflecting the seriousness of our promises.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I be more intentional in my prayer life?
- What commitments have I made to God that I need to fulfill?
- In what ways have I experienced God's responsiveness to my prayers?
- How can I encourage others to pray and seek God?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse, emphasizing the importance of sincere prayer and obedience to God's precepts.
Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He shall hear thee. For they make their prayer to God, but never obtain to be listened to, who set at nought the precepts of the Lord, when He enjoins them.Early Church Fathers on Job 22 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 22:27 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThou shalt make thy prayer unto him,.... To God, and him only; for not a creature, angels, or men, are to be prayed to; and this is to be done in a supplicating, entreating way, as the word
Read John Gill on Job 22 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 22 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHear thee, i.e. answer thy prayers, and not disregard them, and hide himself from thee, as now he doth. Thou shalt pay thy vows, i.e. thou shalt obtain those blessings for which thou didst make vows to God, and therefore, according to thy obligation, shalt pay thy vows to him. The antecedent is here supposed and understood out of the consequent.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 22 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 22:27 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.Ver. 27. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee] Yea, though thou multiply prayers, Multiplicabis verba tua (Mer.), and intercessions for thyself and others (as the word signifieth, and as afterwards Job did for Eliphaz and his fellows, or else it had gone worse with them), yet he shall hear thee in all. Thou shalt, as his favourite, have the royalty of his ear, and he shall say unto thee seriously, as Zedekiah did once to his courtiers soothingly, The king can deny you nothing. Iste vir potuit apud Deum quod voluit, said one concerning Luther, That man could have of God…
Read John Trapp on Job 22 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 27. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him] תעתיר tatir, thou shalt open or unbosom thyself. And when the heart prays, God hears; and the person, being blessed, vows fidelity, prays on, is supported, and enabled to pay his vows.
Read AdamClarke on Job 22 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges27. pay thy vows] In making requests in prayer it was customary to make a vow to sacrifice or offer unto the Lord if the prayer was granted. Job shall have cause to fulfil his vows, his prayers being heard.
Read Cambridge on Job 22 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThou shalt make thy prayer unto him - God would then hear him, for he would be righteous. This was one of the blessings which would follow reconciliation. It is, in fact, one of the blessings of a return to God.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 22 →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
You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows.
You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you. You will pay your vows.
You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows.
You will pray to him and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows to him.
Tyndale line
Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.
Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he will hear thee; And thou shalt pay thy vows.
Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee; and thou shalt pay thy vows.
Thou shalt make thy prayer to him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.
Thou shalt make thy praier vnto him, and he shall heare thee, and thou shalt render thy vowes.
Strictly literal
Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he will hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows;
Thou dost make supplication unto Him, And He doth hear thee, And thy vows thou completest.
You make supplication to Him, || And He hears you, || And you complete your vows.
Thou wilt make entreaty unto him, and he will hear thee, and thy vows wilt thou pay.
You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you; you will pay your vows to him.
From the Latin
Thou shalt pray to him, and he will hear thee, and thou shalt pay vows.
Simplified
You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will keep your promises to him.
You will make your prayer to him, and be answered; and you will give effect to your oaths.
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 reads תַּעְתִּ֣יר אֵ֭לָיו וְיִשְׁמָעֶ֑ךָּ וּנְדָרֶ֥יךָ תְשַׁלֵּֽם׃. The Septuagint matches three of the five words, indicating a degree of consistency between the two texts, though the word order and phrasing differ.
תַּעְתִּ֣יר אֵ֭לָיו וְיִשְׁמָעֶ֑ךָּ וּנְדָרֶ֥יךָ תְשַׁלֵּֽם׃
3 of the 5 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 22:27
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.
עָתַר (athar) means to pray or supplicate, specifically directed to God. It encompasses various forms of prayer, including entreating and making supplications. The word is built from a primitive root related to burning incense in worship, indicating a reciprocal relationship in prayer. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.
עָתַר pray, supplicate (always to God)
base
H6279 עָתַר pray, supplicate (always to God)
6279 `athar aw-thar'
a primitive root (rather denominative from 6281); to burn
incense in worship, i.e. intercede (reciprocally, listen to
prayer):--intreat, (make) pray(-er).
see HEBREW for 06281
עָתַר (a.tar) — to pray.
1) to pray, entreat, supplicate
1a) (Qal) to pray, entreat
1b) (Niphal) to be supplicated, be entreated
1c) (Hiphil) to make supplication, plead
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine singularHVhi2ms
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear
Qal 1052
subj. pers. hum.
י׳ (God) subj.
Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound
be heard of
be regarded, obeyed
= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.
Pi. he caused the people to hear
Hiph. 63
of man
י׳ subj.
base
H8085 שָׁמַע hear
8085 shama` shaw-mah'
a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with
implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to
tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X
carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,
declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make
to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)
obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,
regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,
understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.
: hear
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to
1a5) to understand (language)
1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)
1a7) to listen, give heed
1a7a) to consent, agree
1a7b) to grant request
1a8) to listen to, yield to
1a9) to obey, be obedient
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)
1b2) to be heard of
1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed
1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound
1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)
1d3) to make proclamation, summon
1d4) to cause to be heard
n m
2) sound
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.
: obey
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Conjunction · verb qal third person masculine singular · suffixHC/Vqu3ms/Sp2ms
נֶ֫דֶר (neder) means 'vow' and refers to a promise made to God. It can also denote a specific thing that has been promised. The word is derived from a root associated with making a promise, and it appears in contexts involving commitments or votive offerings.
נֶ֫דֶר, נֵ֫דֶר n.m. vow
base
H5088 נֶ֫דֶר, נֵ֫דֶר vow
5088 neder neh'-der
or neder {nay'-der}; from 5087; a promise (to God); also
(concretely) a thing promised:--vow((-ed)).
see HEBREW for 05087
נֶ֫דֶר (ne.der) — vow.
vow, votive offering
Conj | N-mp | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHC/Ncmpc/Sp2ms
שָׁלֵם (shalam) is a Hebrew root meaning to be complete or sound, covering a range of meanings from finishing or restoring to making peace. It can refer to being uninjured, completing a task, or making recompense. The verb also has a denominative form indicating a covenant of peace, suggesting relationships of harmony and safety.
[שָׁלֵם] 103 vb. be complete, sound
Qal
be complete, finished, ended
be sound, uninjured
Pi.
complete, finish, temple
make safe
make whole or good, restore
make good, i.e. pay, vows
requite, recompense, reward
Pu.
be performed, of vow
be repaid, requited
Hiph.
complete, perform
make an end of
base
[שָׁלַם] vb. denom. be in covenant of peace
Qal be at peace
Pu. Pt. one in covt. of peace
Hiph.
make peace with
cause to be at peace
Hoph. live at peace with
base
H7999a שָׁלֵם be complete, sound .. be complete, finished, ended
. be sound, uninjured
. . complete, finish, temple
. make safe
. make whole or good, restore
. make good, i.e. pay, vows
. requite, recompense, reward
. . be performed, of vow
. be repaid, requited
. . complete, perform
. make an end of
H7999b [שָׁלַם] vb. denom. be in covenant of peace .be at peace
. Pt. one in covt. of peace
. . make peace with
. cause to be at peace
. live at peace with
7999 shalam shaw-lam'
a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate);
figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by
implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in
various applications):--make amends, (make an) end, finish,
full, give again, make good, (re-)pay (again), (make) (to) (be
at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make)
prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution,
restore, reward, X surely.
שָׁלֵם (sa.lem) — to complete.
1) to be complete, be sound
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be complete, be finished, be ended
1a2) to be sound, be uninjured
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to complete, finish
1b2) to make safe
1b3) to make whole or good, restore, make compensation
1b4) to make good, pay
1b5) to requite, recompense, reward
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be performed
1c2) to be repaid, be requited
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to complete, perform
1d2) to make an end of
Aramaic equivalent: she.lam (שְׁלֵם "be complete" H8000)
שָׁלַם (sha.lam) — to ally.
1) to be in a covenant of peace, be at peace
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be at peace
1a2) peaceful one (participle)
1b) (Pual) one in covenant of peace (participle)
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make peace with
1c2) to cause to be at peace
1d) (Hophal) to live in peace
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect second person masculine singularHVpi2ms