Job 26:2 — Word Study
WLCמֶה־ עָזַ֥רְתָּ לְלֹא־ כֹ֑חַ ה֝וֹשַׁ֗עְתָּ זְר֣וֹעַ לֹא־ עֹֽז׃
BSAHowmâh you have helpedʻâzar■ [assisted, given aid to] the powerlesslôʼ [without strength, weak] [and] savedyâshaʻ■ [rescued, delivered] the armzᵉrôwaʻ [the arm as stretched out; strength, might, power] that is feeblelôʼ [lacking strength, weak, without power]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מֶה־ | how! | Pronoun |
| עָזַ֥רְתָּ | you have helped | Verb, Qal, perfect second person masculine singular |
| לְלֹא־ | not | Preposition, particle |
| כֹ֑חַ | power | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| ה֝וֹשַׁ֗עְתָּ | you have saved | Verb, Hiphil, perfect second person masculine singular |
| זְר֣וֹעַ | [the] arm | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| לֹא־ | not | Particle |
| עֹֽז׃ | strength | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | “How you have helped the powerless and saved the arm that is feeble! |
| KJV | How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength? |
| ASV | How hast thou helped him that is without power! How hast thou saved the arm that hath no strength! |
| YLT | What — thou hast helped the powerless, Saved an arm not strong! |
| WEB | “How have you helped him who is without power! How have you saved the arm that has no strength! |
| BBE | How have you given help to him who has no power! how have you been the salvation of the arm which has no strength! |
Where they part company is כֹ֑חַ — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause is followed by a verb phrase and a prepositional phrase, which together emphasize the contrast between help and weakness.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectכֹּחַ
verbעָזַר
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 26:2
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 Response to His Friendsgenerated
Job 26:2 captures Job's frustration with his friends, who claim to be wise yet fail to provide real help to those in need. Job points out their inability to assist the powerless and save the weak, contrasting their empty words with the genuine support that God offers. This moment illustrates Job's deep sense of injustice and the inadequacy of his friends' counsel, as he reflects on the true nature of strength and aid.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 12:2 | “Truly then you are the people with whom wisdom itself will die! |
| 2 | 1 Kings 18:27 | At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” |
| 3 | Job 4:3–4 | Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands. |
| 4 | Job 6:25 | How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove? |
| 5 | Job 16:4–5 | I could also speak like you if you were in my place; I could heap up words against you and shake my head at you. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עָזַרְתָּ, 'a.Zar.tagenerated
The verb עָזַר (azar) means 'to help' or 'to assist', indicating an action of providing support or aid. It is a perfect form in the second person masculine singular, addressing his friends directly and emphasizing their failure to help.
This word is often used in contexts where divine assistance is highlighted, such as in the Psalms, where trust in God's help is a recurring theme. Job's use of this term underscores the irony of his friends' claims of wisdom while neglecting the very essence of true support.
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 finite verb עָזַ֥רְתָּ, you have helped, governs the entire verse, with two subjects following: the powerless and the arm that is feeble. The structure emphasizes Job's direct address to his friends, questioning their claims of wisdom.
The sentence flows with a parallel structure, contrasting the subjects of help and salvation, which highlights the inadequacy of the friends' support.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew עָזַר is rendered as βοηθῶ (boēthō), meaning 'to help' or 'to assist'. This choice aligns with the original meaning but also emphasizes the action of providing aid.
The Greek word ἰσχὺς (ischys) for כֹ֑חַ indicates strength or might, reinforcing the idea of power and capability in the context of divine assistance.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 26:2 shows Job questioning how his friends have helped those who are weak and saved those who lack strength. He highlights their failure to provide real support, contrasting it with the help that God offers.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job refers to those who are weak and unable to defend themselves, emphasizing the need for genuine support.
Job's words highlight the irony of his friends' claims of wisdom while they fail to assist those in need.
The 'arm' symbolizes strength and capability, and Job is pointing out that even this has been neglected by his friends.
Job contrasts the lack of support from his friends with the genuine help that comes from God, reinforcing his trust in divine assistance.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen or experienced true help in my life?
- How can I better support those who are powerless or in need?
- What does it mean to me that God helps the weak?
- How can I ensure that my words and actions provide real support to others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist comments on Job's response, questioning the true nature of help offered by his friends.
But Job answered and said, Of whom art thou the helper? whether of one that is powerless? or dost thou sustain the arm of him that is not strong? Therefore because the words of his friends are concluded,Early Church Fathers on Job 26 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 26:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHow hast thou helped [him that is] without power?.... This verse and Job 26:3 either are to be understood of God, as many do, by reading the words, "who hast thou helped? God" (r)?
Read John Gill on Job 26 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHow hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength? Without power ... no strength ... no wisdom.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 26 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHow hast thou helped? thou hast helped egregiously. It is an ironical expression, implying the quite contrary, that he had not at all helped. See the like, ,10. Him that is without power; either, 1. God, who it seems is weak and unwise, and needed so powerful and eloquent an advocate as thou art to maintain his fights and plead his cause. Or, rather, 2. Job himself: I am a poor helpless creature, my strength and spirits quite broken with the pains of my body and perplexities of my mind, whom nature, and humanity, and religion should have taught thee to support and comfort with a representation of the gracious nature and promises of God, and not to terrify and overwhelm me with displaying…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 26 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 26:2 How hast thou helped [him that is] without power? [how] savest thou the arm [that hath] no strength?Ver. 2. How hast thou helped him that is without power?] q.d. Full well hast thou done it, surely. (See a like irony Mark 7:9 1 Corinthians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 4:10) Thou art a very goodly comforter, and with a great deal of wisdom thou hast framed thy discourse to my present necessity. Thou lookest upon me as a poor, forlorn, strengthless, fruitless creature. Thou shouldest therefore have set thyself to support me and shore me up, by uttering not only commoda, sed et accommoda, things true and profitable, but things fit and suitable to my distressed condition. Thou hast spoken much…
Read John Trapp on Job 26 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. How hast thou helped him] This seems a species of irony. How wonderfully hast thou counselled the unskilful and strengthened the weak! Alas for you! ye could not give what ye did not possess! In this way the Chaldee understood these verses: "Why hast thou pretended to give succour, when thou art without strength? And save, while thy arm is weak? Why hast thou given counsel, when thou art without understanding? And supposest that thou hast shown the very essence of wisdom?"
Read AdamClarke on Job 26 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2–4. Job sarcastically expresses his admiration of Bildad’s speech, and gratitude for the help it has been to him.
Read Cambridge on Job 26 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHow hast thou helped him that is without power? - It has been doubted whether this refers to Job himself, the two friends of Bildad, or to the Deity. Rosenmuller.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 26 →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
“How you have helped the powerless and saved the arm that is feeble!
“How have you helped him who is without power! How have you saved the arm that has no strength!
“How you have helped the powerless and saved the arm that is feeble!
“How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the person who has no strength!
Tyndale line
How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?
How hast thou helped him that is without power! How hast thou saved the arm that hath no strength!
How hast thou helped him that is without power! how hast thou saved the arm that hath no strength!
How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?
Whom helpest thou? him that hath no power? sauest thou the arme that hath no strength?
Strictly literal
How hast thou helped the powerless; how saved the arm that is without strength!
What — thou hast helped the powerless, Saved an arm not strong!
“How you have helped the powerless, || Saved an arm not strong!
What assistance hast thou given to the powerless? [how] hast thou helped the arm without strength?
“How you have helped one who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength!
From the Latin
Whose helper art thou? is it of him that is weak? and dost thou hold up the arm of him that has no strength?
Simplified
“How helpful you have been to this feeble man that I am. How supportive you have been to the weak.
How have you given help to him who has no power! how have you been the salvation of the arm which has no strength!
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 of Job 26:2 reads, 'How you have helped the powerless and saved the arm that is feeble!' In contrast, the Septuagint does not provide a direct translation that matches the Masoretic Text word-for-word, but it does share some of the same concepts. The exact wording and structure differ, indicating a variation in translation approach. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional evidence for this specific verse, so we cannot compare them here.
מֶה־ עָזַ֥רְתָּ לְלֹא־ כֹ֑חַ ה֝וֹשַׁ֗עְתָּ זְר֣וֹעַ לֹא־ עֹֽז׃
5 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 26:2
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
Represents various Hebrew and Greek words, interrogative, interjectional and relative. Its different uses refer to
(1) the manner or way, e.g. Ge 44:34, "How shall I go up to my father?" ('ekh); Mt 6:28, "how they grow" (pos); 1Co 15:35, "How are the dead raised?";
(2) degree, extent, frequently, "how great" (Da 4:3, mah; Mr 5:19, hosos, "how much"); "how many" (Mt 27:13, posos); "how much" (Ac 9:13, hosos); "how much more" (Mt 7:11, posos;
עָזַר (azar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to help or succour. It is built from a primitive root that conveys the idea of surrounding or protecting. The entries indicate its use in various forms: Qal (to help), Niphal (to be helped), and Hiphil (to help). The word captures the essence of providing support or aid.
[עָזַר] 82 vb. help, succour
Qal help
Niph. I am helped
Hiph. v. Qal.
base
H5826 [עָזַר] help, succour
5826 `azar aw-zar'
a primitive root; to surround, i.e. protect or aid:--help,
succour.
עָזַר (a.zar) — to help.
1) to help, succour, support
1a) (Qal) to help
1b) (Niphal) to be helped
1c) (Hiphil) to help
V-Qal-Perf-2ms — Verb · Qal · perfect second person masculine singularHVqp2ms
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Prep | Part — Preposition · particleHR/Tn
כֹּחַ (koach) refers to both a small reptile, likely a type of lizard, and the concepts of strength and power. The entries highlight its use in contexts of human and divine strength, as well as its association with wealth and capacity. Notably, it appears in Leviticus 11:30 regarding unclean animals.
כֹּחַ n.[m.] a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things Lv 11:30; chameleon
ref
כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ n.m. strength, power
base
H3581a כֹּחַ a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things; chameleon H3581b כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ strength, power
3581 koach ko'-akh
or (Dan. 11:6) kowach {ko'-akh}; from an unused root meaning
to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense)
or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its
hardiness) a large lizard: -ability, able, chameleon, force,
fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth.
כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — reptile.
1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean
1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — strength.
1) strength, power, might
1a) human strength
1b) strength (of angels)
1c) power (of God)
1d) strength (of animals)
1e) strength, produce, wealth (of soil)
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
pou'-er: This word, indicative of might, strength, force, is used in the Old Testament to render very many Hebrew terms, the translation in numerous instances being varied in the Revised Version (British and American) to words like "valor," "rule," "strength," "might," "dominion." The principal words for "power" in the New Testament are dunamis, and exousia. In the latter case the Revised Version (British and American) frequently changes to "authority" (Mr 3:15; 6:7; Eph 1:21, etc.) or "right" (Ro 9:21; 1Co 9:6; 2Th 3:9, etc.). Power is attributed preeminently to God (1Ch…
For the use of this word in 1Co 11:10, see VEIL.
יָשַׁע (yasha`) is a Hebrew root meaning to save or deliver. It encompasses various forms of salvation, including liberation from physical and moral troubles, victory in battle, and general safety. The word can appear in different grammatical forms, such as Niph. (to be saved) and Hiph. (to save).
[יָשַׁע] vb. Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass.
Niph.
be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
be saved in battle, victorious
Hiph.
deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
save from moral troubles
give victory to
base
H3467 [יָשַׁע] Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass. . . be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
. be saved in battle, victorious
. . deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
. save from moral troubles
. give victory to
3467 yasha` yaw-shah'
a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e.
(by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or
succor:--X at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help,
preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation,
save(-iour), get victory.
יָשַׁע (ya.sah) — to save.
1) to save, be saved, be delivered
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered
1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to save, deliver
1b2) to save from moral troubles
1b3) to give victory to
V-Hiphil-Perf-2ms — Verb · Hiphil · perfect second person masculine singularHVhp2ms
זְרוֹעַ (z'roa) refers to an arm or shoulder, often symbolizing strength. It can denote the physical arm, the shoulder of a sacrificed animal, or military and political forces. The word is derived from a root meaning to stretch out, indicating both physical and metaphorical strength.
זְרוֹעַ, זְרֹעַ n.f. and (rare) m. arm, shoulder, strength
arm
arm, as symbol of strength
Pl. forces, political and military
Shoulder of animal sacrificed, belonging to priest
base
H2220 זְרוֹעַ, זְרֹעַ arm, shoulder, strength . arm
. arm, as symbol of strength
. Pl. forces, political and military
. Shoulder of animal sacrificed, belonging to priest
2220 zrowa` zer-o'-ah
or (shortened) zroao {zer-o'-ah}; and (feminine) zrowpah
{zer-o-aw'}; or zrowah {zer-o-aw'}; from 2232; the arm (as
stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively,
force:--arm, + help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength.
see HEBREW for 02232
זְרוֹעַ (ze.ro.a) — arm.
1) arm, forearm, shoulder, strength
1a) arm
1b) arm (as symbol of strength)
1c) forces (political and military)
1d) shoulder (of animal sacrificed)
N-cs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
arm (zeroa`, 'ezroa`, dera`; brachion; chotsen, katheph): The usual form is zeroa` from the root zara`, "to spread." The arm may be "stretched out." 'Ezroa` is this form with prosthetic 'aleph (Job 31:22; Jer 32:21), and dera` is the Aramaic form. Chotsen is really "bosom," thus the Revised Version (British and American) (Isa 49:22); and katheph is "shoulder," thus the Revised Version (British and American) (Job 31:22). Compare cheir, also, in Ac 11:21.
Figurative: The arm denotes influence, power, means of support or conquest. The arms of Moab (Jer 48:25) and of…
Arm
Used to denote power (Ps. 10:15; Ezek. 30:21; Jer. 48:25). It is also used of the omnipotence of God (Ex. 15:16; Ps. 89:13; 98:1; 77:15; Isa. 53:1; John 12:38; Acts 13:17)
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
עֹז (oz) refers to strength or might, encompassing material, physical, personal, social, and political dimensions. It can denote boldness or impudence and is associated with the might of God. The word is built from the root related to strength and power, with various applications noted in the entries.
עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז n.m. strength, might
material and physical
personal, social, and political
might of י׳
= boldness, impudence
= stronghold
base
H5797 עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז strength, might . material and physical
. personal, social, and political
. might of י׳
. = boldness, impudence
. = stronghold
5797 `oz oze
or (fully) rowz {oze}; from 5810; strength in various
applications (force, security, majesty, praise):--boldness,
loud, might, power, strength, strong.
see HEBREW for 05810
עֹז (oz) — strength.
1) might, strength
1a) material or physical
1b) personal or social or political
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29