Job 30:6 — Word Study
WLCבַּעֲר֣וּץ נְחָלִ֣ים לִשְׁכֹּ֑ן חֹרֵ֖י עָפָ֣ר וְכֵפִֽים׃
BSAso that they livedshâkan [to dwell, reside] on the slopesʻârûwts△ [in the clifts, frightful places] of the wadisnachal [brooks, valleys, rivers] among the rockskêph [hollow rocks, places of shelter] and in holeschôwr [caves, frightful valleys] in the groundʻâphâr [earth, dust, dry earth]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בַּעֲר֣וּץ | on [the] slope of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| נְחָלִ֣ים | wadis | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| לִשְׁכֹּ֑ן | to dwell | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| חֹרֵ֖י | holes of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| עָפָ֣ר | [the] ground | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְכֵפִֽים׃ | and rocks | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | so that they lived on the slopes of the wadis, among the rocks and in holes in the ground. |
| KJV | To dwell in the clifts of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks. |
| ASV | So that they dwell in frightful valleys, In holes of the earth and of the rocks. |
| YLT | In a frightful place of valleys to dwell, Holes of earth and clefts. |
| WEB | so that they live in frightful valleys, and in holes of the earth and of the rocks. |
| BBE | They have to get a resting-place in the hollows of the valleys, in holes of the earth and rocks. |
The translations agree on the imagery and meaning of the verse, emphasizing the harsh living conditions of the outcasts.
The main clause is supported by several prepositional phrases that detail the living conditions of the outcasts.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
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 30:6
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 Lament on His Former Peersgenerated
Job 30:6 paints a stark picture of outcasts who have been driven from society. They find themselves living in treacherous and inhospitable places, such as the slopes of wadis, among rocks, and in holes in the ground. This imagery highlights their desperation and the harshness of their existence, reflecting Job's own feelings of rejection and loss.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 6:2 | and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 22:1–2 | So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. |
| 3 | Isaiah 2:19 | Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. |
| 4 | Revelation 6:15 | Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עָרוּץ, ba.'a.Rutzgenerated
The Hebrew word עָרוּץ (*'aruwts*) is derived from a root meaning to fear, and it describes something dreadful, particularly a horrible place or chasm, such as cliffs or steep slopes. It conveys a sense of terror associated with the landscape, emphasizing the danger and hostility of the terrain where these outcasts reside.
In this verse, it signifies not just a physical location but also the emotional state of those who dwell there, as they live in constant fear and isolation. The use of this word underscores the severity of their plight.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the rendering of the verse, emphasizing the desolate and fearful nature of the locations where the outcasts live.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb in this verse is שְׁכֹּ֑ן, to dwell, governing the whole structure. The sentence describes the conditions of existence for the outcasts, with various phrases providing details about their living situations.
The prepositional phrases specify the locations — slopes of wadis, among rocks, and in holes — painting a vivid picture of their harsh environment and the precariousness of their lives.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates the phrase with the Greek word ὧν, which indicates possession or relation, suggesting that the places described are inherently linked to the outcasts' existence. This choice may emphasize their connection to the desolate landscape.
The translation reflects a similar sentiment to the Hebrew, though the Greek structure may suggest a slightly different nuance in the relationship between the outcasts and their surroundings.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 30:6 describes how outcasts live in harsh and frightening places, like the slopes of valleys, among rocks, and in holes in the ground. This reflects their desperate situation after being rejected by society.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies living in a dangerous and inhospitable environment, highlighting the fear and isolation experienced by the outcasts.
The language emphasizes their degradation and the severity of their circumstances, portraying their existence as one of suffering and abandonment.
Job uses vivid imagery of steep slopes, rocks, and holes to illustrate the treacherous and fearful places where these individuals reside.
It parallels Job's feelings of rejection and suffering, as he too has been cast out from society and left in a state of despair.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn about the experiences of marginalized individuals from this verse?
- How does the imagery of fear and desolation resonate with our understanding of suffering?
- In what ways can we offer support to those who find themselves in similar situations today?
- How does Job's lament reflect the broader theme of suffering in the book of Job?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse, discussing the living conditions of the outcasts and the natural landscapes they inhabit.
They shall dwell in the desert places of the torrents, and in the caves of the earth, or upon the ground. We give the name of 'torrents' to the brooks, that are gathered by the winter rains, which likewise at certain seasons are dried up.Early Church Fathers on Job 30 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 30:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTo dwell in the cliffs of the valleys,.... Or "brooks" (l), in such hollow places as were made by floods and streams of waters: [in] caves of the earth, and [in] the rocks; where they betook
Read John Gill on Job 30 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryTo dwell in the cliffs of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks. To dwell in the cliffs of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 30 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAs unworthy of human society, and for their beggary and dishonesty suspected and avoided of all men.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 30 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 30:6 To dwell in the clifts of the valleys, [in] caves of the earth, and [in] the rocks.Ver. 6. To dwell in the cliffs of the valleys] Like wild beasts and serpents; which these idle persons will rather choose to do, and suffer any hardship, than labour for their livings, and do good in their places; earning it before they eat, and contributing something to the public welfare, as bees bring their honey to the common hive; this, those that will not do, are worthily cast out, and made to dwell in the cliffs, &c. In the time of Cato Censorius, when any one would be a citizen of Rome, they took his hand between theirs; and if it felt smooth and soft, they presently, as an idle vagabond…
Read John Trapp on Job 30 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 6. To dwell in the cliffs of the valleys] They were obliged to take shelter in the most dangerous, out-of-the-way, and unfrequented places. This is the meaning.
Read AdamClarke on Job 30 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges3–8. Description of this wretched class of outcasts. The tenses should all be put in the present. The race of people referred to appears to be the same as that in ch. 24.
Read Cambridge on Job 30 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleTo dwell in the cliffs of the valleys - The word here rendered “cliffs” (ערוץ ‛ârûts) denotes rather “horror,” or something “horrid,” and the sense here is, that they dwelt in “the horrer of
Read Albert Barnes on Job 30 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible6. Clefts of the valleys — Literally, Horror of the gorges. Dwelling in valleys, Umbreit says, is in the East a mark of poverty and wretchedness.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 30 →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
so that they lived on the slopes of the wadis, among the rocks and in holes in the ground.
so that they live in frightful valleys, and in holes of the earth and of the rocks.
so that they lived on the slopes of the wadis, among the rocks and in holes in the ground.
so that they had to live in the dry stream beds, in the holes of the ground, and among the rocks.
Tyndale line
To dwell in the clifts of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.
So that they dwell in frightful valleys, In holes of the earth and of the rocks.
In the clefts of the valleys must they dwell, in holes of the earth and of the rocks.
To dwell in the clefts of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.
Therfore they dwelt in the clefts of riuers, in the holes of the earth and rockes.
Strictly literal
To dwell in gloomy gorges, in caves of the earth and the rocks:
In a frightful place of valleys to dwell, Holes of earth and clefts.
To dwell in a frightful place of valleys, || Holes of earth and clefts.
To dwell in the caverns of the valleys, in holes of the earth, and on naked cliffs.
So they had to live in river valleys, in holes of the earth and of the rocks.
From the Latin
They dwelt in the desert places of torrents, and in caves of earth, or upon the gravel.
Simplified
People shouted after them as if they were thieves. They have to live in dangerous ravines, in caves and among the rocks.
They have to get a resting-place in the hollows of the valleys, in holes of the earth and rocks.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint show partial agreement, with three of the six words matched in the LXX. The differences in word order and structure in the Septuagint do not alter the essential meaning conveyed in the Hebrew text.
בַּעֲר֣וּץ נְחָלִ֣ים לִשְׁכֹּ֑ן חֹרֵ֖י עָפָ֣ר וְכֵפִֽים׃
3 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 30:6
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.
The Hebrew word עָרוּץ (*'aruwts*) is derived from the root meaning to fear, and it describes something dreadful, particularly a horrible place or chasm, such as cliffs or steep slopes. It appears in Job 30:6, where it conveys a sense of terror associated with the landscape.
[עָרוּץ] adj. dreadful (prop. Pt. pass.) cstr. Jb 30:6
ref
H6178 עָרוּץ
6178 `aruwts aw-roots'
passive participle of 6206; feared, i.e. (concretely) a
horrible place or chasm:--cliffs.
see HEBREW for 06206
עָרוּץ (a.ruts) — dreadful.
1) dreadful
2) (CLBL) chasm, ravine, steep slope
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
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…
נַ֫חַל (*nachal*) primarily refers to a torrent or stream, often associated with a valley or wadi where water flows, particularly in winter. It can also denote a shaft of a mine. Additionally, the term may relate to palm trees in certain contexts. The word appears in various forms in the Old Testament, including references in Psalms and Ezekiel.
נַ֫חַל n.m. torrent, torrent-valley, wady
base
[נַ֫חַל] n.[m.] perh. palm-tree;—only pl. abs., Nu 24:6
ref
H5158a נַ֫חַל torrent, torrent-valley, wady H5158b נַ֫חַל perh. palm-tree
5158 nachal nakh'-al
or (feminine) nachlah (Psalm 124:4) {nakh'-law}; or nachalah
(Ezekiel 47:19; 48:28) {nakh-al-aw'}; from 5157 in its
original sense; a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by
implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a
shaft (of a mine):--brook, flood, river, stream, valley.
see HEBREW for 05157
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — torrent: river.
: river/bed
1) torrent, valley, wadi, torrent-valley
1a) torrent
1b) torrent-valley, wadi (as stream bed)
1c) shaft (of mine)
Also means: na.chal (נַ֫חַל ": valley" H5158N)
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — palm-tree.
palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — (Eshcol) Valley.
Combined with esh.kol (אֶשְׁכֹּל " of Eshcol" H0812H)
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — (Shittim) Valley.
Combined with shit.tim (שִׁטִּים " of Shittim" H7851H)
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — (Sorek) Valley.
Combined with s.vo.req (שֹׂרֵק " of Sorek" H7796)
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.
palm-tree
Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.
palm-tree
Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
שָׁכַן (shakan) is a Hebrew verb meaning to settle down, abide, or dwell. It encompasses various forms of residing, both literally and figuratively, and includes nuances of establishing or causing to dwell. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, which express actions related to dwelling and establishing habitation.
שָׁכַן, שָׁכֵ֑ן 129 vb. settle down, abide, dwell
Qal
settle down to abide
abide, dwell
Pi.
make settle down, establish
make to dwell
Hiph.
lay
cause birds to settle
cause to dwell
base
H7931 שָׁכַן, שָׁכֵ֑ן settle down, abide, dwell
7931 shakan shaw-kan'
a primitive root (apparently akin (by transmission) to 7901
through the idea of lodging; compare 5531, 7925); to reside or
permanently stay (literally or figuratively):--abide,
continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-er), have habitation,
inhabit, lay, place, (cause to) remain, rest, set (up).
see HEBREW for 05531
see HEBREW for 07925
שָׁכַן (sha.khan) — to dwell.
1) to settle down, abide, dwell, tabernacle, reside
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to settle down to abide
1a2) to abide, dwell, reside
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make settle down, establish
1b2) to make or cause to dwell
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to lay, place, set, establish, settle, fix
1c2) to cause to dwell or abide
Aramaic equivalent: she.khan (שְׁכֵן "to dwell" H7932)
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
dwel:
(1) In the Old Testament "dwell" is a translation of 9 words, of which by far the most frequent is yashabh, "to sit down," translated "dwell" over 400 times (Ge 4:20; Jos 20:4; 1Ch 17:1,4,5, etc.); also very frequently "sit," and sometimes "abide," "inhabit," "remain." Another word often rendered "dwell" is shakhan or shakhen ("to settle down"), from which is derived the rabbinic word shekhinah (literally, "that which dwells"), the light on the mercy-seat which symbolized the Divine presence (Ex 25:8, etc.). In order to avoid appearing to localize the Divine Being, wherever God is said to "dwell" in a place, the Targum renders that He "causes His Shekinah to dwell"…
Dwell
Tents were in primitive times the common dwellings of men. Houses were afterwards built, the walls of which were frequently of mud (Job 24:16; Matt. 6:19, 20) or of sun-dried bricks.
God “dwells in light” (1 Tim. 6:16; 1 John 1:7), in heaven (Ps. 123:1), in his church (Ps. 9:11; 1 John 4:12). Christ dwelt on earth in the days of his humiliation (John 1:14). He now dwells in the hearts of his people (Eph.…
חֹר (chor) means 'hole' or 'cave.' It is described as a cavity or socket, with references to a den or cave. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning related to openings or hollows.
חֹר, חוֹר n.[m.] hole
base
H2356 חֹר, חוֹר hole
2356 chowr khore
or (shortened) chor {khore}; the same as 2352; a cavity,
socket, den:--cave, hole.
see HEBREW for 02352
חֹר (chor) — hole.
hole, cave
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
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…
עָפָר (aphar) refers to dry earth or dust, encompassing meanings such as powder, ashes, and rubbish. It is derived from a root meaning to be dry and is used in various contexts, including clay and mortar. The entries consistently highlight its association with loose earth and debris.
עָפָר n.m. dry earth, dust
base
H6083 עָפָר dry earth, dust
6083 `aphar aw-fawr'
from 6080; dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth,
mud:--ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish.
see HEBREW for 06080
עָפָר (a.phar) — dust.
1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish
1a) dry or loose earth
1b) debris
1c) mortar
1d) ore
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
כֵּף (keph) refers to a rock, specifically a hollow rock. It is derived from another Hebrew word, כָּפַף (kaphaf), which relates to the concept of hollowness. The entries consistently describe it as a type of rock without significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[כֵּף] n.[m.] rock
base
H3710 כֵּף
3710 keph kafe
from 3721; a hollow rock:--rock.
see HEBREW for 03721
כֵּף (keph) — rock.
rock, hollow of a rock
Conj | N-mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural absoluteHC/Ncmpa