Job 29:17 — Word Study
WLCוָֽ֭אֲשַׁבְּרָה מְתַלְּע֣וֹת עַוָּ֑ל וּ֝מִשִּׁנָּ֗יו אַשְׁלִ֥יךְ טָֽרֶף׃
BSAI shatteredshâbar▸ [broke, crushed] the fangsmᵉthallᵉʻâh [jaws, teeth] of the unjustʻavvâl [morally evil, wicked] and snatchedshâlak▸ [plucked, tore away] the preyṭereph [spoils, food] from his teethshên [mouth, jaws]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וָֽ֭אֲשַׁבְּרָה | and I broke ! | Verb piel sequential imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
| מְתַלְּע֣וֹת | [the] jaws of | Noun common, feminine plural construct |
| עַוָּ֑ל | [the] unrighteous | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וּ֝מִשִּׁנָּ֗יו | and from teeth his | Conjunction, preposition, noun common feminine dual construct |
| אַשְׁלִ֥יךְ | I threw | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect first person common singular |
| טָֽרֶף׃ | [the] prey | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth. |
| KJV | And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth. |
| ASV | And I brake the jaws of the unrighteous, And plucked the prey out of his teeth. |
| YLT | And I break the jaw-teeth of the perverse, And from his teeth I cast away prey. |
| WEB | I broke the jaws of the unrighteous and plucked the prey out of his teeth. |
| BBE | By me the great teeth of the evil-doer were broken, and I made him give up what he had violently taken away. |
The translations agree on the key actions of Job, using similar terms to convey his forceful actions against the unjust.
The structure features a main action followed by a compound action, emphasizing Job's decisive role.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁלַךְ
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 29:17
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 Justicegenerated
Job 29:17 is part of a passage where Job reflects on his past as a protector of the needy and a defender against the unjust. He recalls how he used to shatter the fangs of the wicked, emphasizing his role in delivering justice and ensuring that the innocent were not harmed. This verse highlights Job's sense of righteousness and the authority he once held in his community, contrasting it with his current suffering.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 3:7 | Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. |
| 2 | Psalm 58:8 | Like a slug that dissolves in its slime, like a woman’s stillborn child, may they never see the sun. |
| 3 | Proverbs 30:14 | there is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 17:35 | I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. |
| 5 | Psalm 124:3–6 | when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שָׁבַר, sha.bargenerated
The verb שָׁבַר (sha.bar) means to break or shatter, indicating a forceful action. It is used here to describe Job's decisive actions against the unjust, emphasizing his strength and authority in upholding justice.
The parsing as a piel verb suggests an intensive action, reinforcing the idea of breaking with great force. This word encapsulates Job's past power and his role in protecting the innocent from harm.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the key actions of Job in this verse, using terms like broke (BSB, KJV) and snatched (ASV, WEB) to convey his forceful actions against the unjust.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb שָׁבַר governs the main action of the verse, with two noun phrases following it: the object מְתַלְּע֣וֹת (the jaws) and the second action אַשְׁלִ֥יךְ (I threw). This structure highlights Job's decisive actions against the unjust.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on Job's actions, with the verb leading the sentence, showcasing the strength of his declarations.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שָׁבַר as συνέτριψα, which carries the meaning of crushing or breaking, similar to the Hebrew. This choice underscores the severity of Job's actions against the unjust.
The use of συνέτριψα reflects a strong interpretation of Job's role as a defender, aligning closely with the Hebrew's emphasis on breaking and shattering.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 29:17 describes how Job used to break the jaws of the unjust and take away the prey from their teeth. He reflects on his past strength in defending the needy and ensuring justice.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is expressing how he used to protect the innocent by forcefully breaking the power of the wicked, preventing them from harming others.
This phrase indicates Job's role in taking away the spoils or victims that the unjust had claimed, symbolizing his active defense of justice.
This verse highlights Job's strength, authority, and commitment to justice, portraying him as a defender of the vulnerable.
By recalling these actions, Job contrasts his past righteousness with his current suffering, emphasizing the injustice he now faces.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I stand up for those who are vulnerable or oppressed in my community?
- How can I use my strengths to advocate for justice like Job did?
- What does it mean to me to reflect on past strengths in light of current challenges?
- How can I ensure that I am not complicit in the actions of the unjust?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The verse has been interpreted allegorically by early commentators, such as Gregory the Dialogist, who reflects on the spiritual implications of Job's actions.
And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth. [ALLEGORICAL INTERPRETATION] Oh what a spoil did he take from the mouth of the devil, when by converting she carried off Saul himself the spoiler;Early Church Fathers on Job 29 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 29:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd I brake the jaws of the wicked,.... Their jaw teeth, or grinders, alluding to beasts of prey, who have such teeth, very large; the meaning may be, that Job confuted the arguments which wicked men
Read John Gill on Job 29 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBecause I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 29 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe jaws; or, the jaw-bones; or, the grinders, the sharpest and strongest teeth in the jaw, i.e. their power and violence wherewith they used to oppress others. It is a metaphor from wild beasts, which break their prey with their teeth. Compare 57:4 58:6. Plucked the spoil out of his teeth, i.e. forced them to restore what they had violently and unjustly taken away.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 29 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 29:17 And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.Ver. 17. And I brake the laws of the wicked] It is a mercy to have judges, saith one, modo audeant quae sentiunt, as the orator hath it ( Cic. pro Milone); so they dare do as their consciences tell them they should do. Job was such a judge, he feared not to encounter and keep under those unruly beasts and Belialists, who oppressed the poor, and then doubted not to oppose with crest and breast whatsoever stood in the way of their humours and lusts. Hic forti magnoque animo opus fuit, saith one. Here Job’ s courage was put to the proof, if ever. Is it nothing to break the jaw bones of the wicked, to take the…
Read John Trapp on Job 29 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 17. I brake the jaws of the wicked] A metaphor taken from hunting. A beast of prey had entered into the fold, and carried off a sheep. "The huntsman comes, assails the wicked beast, breaks his jaws, and delivers the spoil out of his teeth. See the case 1 Samuel 17:34-37.
Read AdamClarke on Job 29 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges17. The figure is that of a beast of prey, who has its booty already in its teeth. The verse carries on Job 29:16; even when the unjust oppressor seemed already to have triumphed and carried off his prey, it was torn from his jaws.
Read Cambridge on Job 29 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAnd I brake the jaws of the wicked - Margin, “jaw-teeth, or, grinders.” The Hebrew word מתלעה methalle‛âh, the same, with the letters transposed, as מתלעות, is from לתע, to “bite” - and means “the
Read Albert Barnes on Job 29 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible17. I brake the jaws of the wicked — Gentle and compassionate to the oppressed, he was a thunderbolt to the oppressor.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 29 →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
I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth.
I broke the jaws of the unrighteous and plucked the prey out of his teeth.
I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth.
I broke the fangs of the wicked, and made him drop his prey from his teeth.
Tyndale line
And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
And I brake the jaws of the unrighteous, And plucked the prey out of his teeth.
And I brake the jaws of the unrighteous, and plucked the prey out of his teeth.
And I broke the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
I brake also the chawes of the vnrighteous man, and pluckt the praye out of his teeth.
Strictly literal
And I broke the jaws of the unrighteous, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
And I break the jaw-teeth of the perverse, And from his teeth I cast away prey.
And I break the jaw-teeth of the perverse, || And from his teeth I cast away prey.
And I broke the cutting-teeth of the wrong-doer, and out of his teeth I cast down his prey.
I broke the jaws of the unrighteous man; I plucked the victim out from between his teeth.
From the Latin
I broke the jaws of the wicked man, and out of his teeth I took away the prey.
Simplified
I broke the jaw of the wicked and made them drop their prey from their teeth.
By me the great teeth of the evil-doer were broken, and I made him give up what he had violently taken away.
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 29:17 matches closely with the Septuagint, with five of the six words corresponding directly. This indicates a strong agreement between the two texts on the meaning and actions described.
וָֽ֭אֲשַׁבְּרָה מְתַלְּע֣וֹת עַוָּ֑ל וּ֝מִשִּׁנָּ֗יו אַשְׁלִ֥יךְ טָֽרֶף׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 29:17
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.
שָׁבַר (shabar) means to break or shatter, with various nuances including breaking in pieces, causing to break out (like bringing to birth), and being broken or crushed. It appears in different forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating active and passive meanings. The lexicons do not present any significant disagreements.
שָׁבַר 148 vb. break, break in pieces
Qal 53 break, lit.
Niph. 57 be broken
Pi. 26 shatter, break
Hiph. cause to break out, i.e. bring to the birth
Hoph. be broken, shattered (in heart)
base
H7665 שָׁבַר break, break in pieces .break, lit.
. be broken
. shatter, break
. cause to break out, i.e. bring to the birth
. be broken, shattered (in heart)
7665 shabar shaw-bar'
a primitive root; to burst (literally or
figuratively):--break (down, off, in pieces, up),
broken((-hearted)), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt,
quench, X quite, tear, view (by mistake for 7663).
see HEBREW for 07663
שָׁבַר (sha.var) — to break.
1) to break, break in pieces
1a) (Qal)
1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench
1a2) to break, rupture (fig)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked
1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig)
1c) (Piel) to shatter, break
1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth
1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered
Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff — Verb piel sequential imperfect first person common singular · suffixHc/Vpw1cs/Sh
מְתַלְּעוֹת (mthall`ah) refers to teeth, specifically in the context of jaws or fangs. It is derived from a root meaning 'to bite' and encompasses various types of teeth. The entries consistently identify it as a plural noun related to dental structures.
מְתַלְּעוֹת n.f.pl. teeth
base
H4973 מְתַלְּעוֹת, מְתַלְּעָה
4973 mthall`ah meth-al-leh-aw'
contr. from 3216; properly, a biter, i.e. a tooth:--cheek
(jaw) tooth, jaw.
see HEBREW for 03216
מְתַלְּעוֹת (me.tal.l.ah) — jaw.
teeth, fangs, incisors
Also means: mal.ta.ah (מַלְתָּעָה "tooth" H4459)
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural constructHNcfpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
עַוָּל (avval) refers to an unjust or unrighteous person. It is derived from a root meaning evil or morally wrong. The entries consistently emphasize its moral implications, describing it as perverse or wicked.
עַוָּל n.m. unjust, unrighteous one
base
H5767 עַוָּל
5767 `avval av-vawl'
intensive from 5765; evil (morally):--unjust, unrighteous,
wicked.
see HEBREW for 05765
עַוָּל (av.val) — unjust.
unjust one, perverse one, unrighteous one
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
The Hebrew word שֵׁן (shen) primarily means 'tooth' and can also refer to 'ivory.' It is derived from the root associated with sharpness, and it can figuratively denote a cliff or crag. The entries highlight various contexts, including its use in legal terms (lex talionis) and as a material in commerce.
שֵׁן n.f. tooth, ivory
base
H8127 שֵׁן tooth, ivory
8127 shen shane
from 8150; a tooth (as sharp); specifically (for 8143) ivory;
figuratively, a cliff:--crag, X forefront, ivory, X sharp,
tooth.
see HEBREW for 08150
see HEBREW for 08143
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth.
: tooth
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: ivory.
: ivory
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: crag.
: crag
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: prong.
: prong
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
Conj | Prep | N-cd | Suff — Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHC/R/Ncfdc/Sp3ms
שָׁלַךְ (shalak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to throw, cast, or fling. It can be used literally or figuratively, covering actions like throwing away or casting lots. The Hiphil form indicates an active throwing, while the Hophal form suggests being thrown or cast. The entries collectively emphasize various nuances of throwing and casting.
[שָׁלַךְ] 125 vb. Hiph. 112 throw, fling, cast
Hoph.
be thrown, cast
be cast forth, out
be cast down
metaph., be cast
base
H7993 שָׁלַךְ Hiph. throw, fling, cast
7993 shalak shaw-lak
a primitive root; to throw out, down or away (literally or
figuratively):--adventure, cast (away, down, forth, off,
out), hurl, pluck, throw.
שָׁלַךְ (sha.lakh) — to throw.
1) to throw, cast, hurl, fling
1a) (Hiphil)
1a1) to throw, cast, throw away, cast off, shed, cast down
1a2) to cast (lots) (fig)
1b) (Hophal)
1b1) to be thrown, be cast
1b2) to be cast forth or out
1b3) to be cast down
1b4) to be cast (metaph)
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect first person common singularHVhi1cs
טֶ֫רֶף (teref) refers to something that is torn, such as prey or food, and can also mean a leaf. It is derived from a root that conveys the idea of fragments. The entries consistently highlight its meanings related to prey and food, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
טֶ֫רֶף n.m. prey, food; leaf
base
H2964 טֶ֫רֶף prey, food; leaf
2964 tereph teh'-ref
from 2963; something torn, i.e. a fragment, e.g. a fresh
leaf, prey, food:--leaf, meat, prey, spoil.
see HEBREW for 02963
טֶ֫רֶף (te.reph) — prey.
1) prey, food, leaf
1a) prey
1b) food
1c) leaf
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
pra (baz, Tereph, shalal): "Prey" is frequent in the Old Testament, chiefly as the translation of baz, "spoil," "plunder" (Nu 14:3,11; De 1:39; Isa 10:6, etc.); of Tereph, "prey of wild beasts," "torn thing" (Ge 49:9; Nu 23:24; Job 4:11, etc.); of malqoah, "a taking" (Nu 31:11, etc.; Isa 49:24,25); of shalal, "spoil" or "booty" (Jud 5:30 twice; Jud…