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Job 31:23 — Word Study

Depth

WLCכִּ֤י פַ֣חַד אֵ֭לַי אֵ֣יד אֵ֑ל וּ֝מִשְּׂאֵת֗וֹ לֹ֣א אוּכָֽל׃

BSAForkîy [because of, due to] calamityʼêyd [disaster, oppression] from Godʼêl [the Almighty, divine Judge] terrifiespachad [fills me with dread, is a terror to] meʼêl and His splendorsᵉʼêth [majestic, glorious, elevation, highness] I cannotlôʼ [am not able] overpoweryâkôl [endure, overcome]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 31
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 23 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration ('u.Khal) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 31:23quick helps
In a sentenceJob expresses his fear of calamity from God and acknowledges his inability to withstand God's splendor.
Who is speakingJob, reflecting on his relationship with God.
Where we areJob is making a personal declaration about his fears and limitations.
The hard wordאֵיד
Take awayJob feels overwhelmed by God's power and majesty.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָכֹל The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Job 31:23

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 Reflections on Fear and Trustgenerated

22then may my arm fall from my shoulder and be torn from its socket.
23For calamity from God terrifies me, and His splendor I cannot overpower.
24If I have put my trust in gold or called pure gold my security,
25if I have rejoiced in my great wealth because my hand had gained so much,

Job 31:23 captures Job's deep sense of dread regarding calamity from God, which he views as an overwhelming force. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job reflects on his integrity and relationship with God, expressing both fear and an acknowledgment of his limitations in the face of divine majesty. The surrounding verses further explore Job's thoughts on wealth and trust, emphasizing his moral stance amidst suffering.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 20:23When he has filled his stomach, God will vent His fury upon him, raining it down on him as he eats.
2Job 21:20Let his eyes see his own destruction; let him drink for himself the wrath of the Almighty.
3Genesis 39:9No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”
4Psalm 119:120My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments.
5Isaiah 13:6Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word אֵיד, 'eidgenerated

The noun אֵיד ('eid) refers to calamity or disaster, often suggesting a sense of oppression or misfortune. It is derived from a root meaning to bend down, indicating a state of distress. In this verse, Job uses it to articulate his fear of impending disaster from God, highlighting the seriousness of his emotional state.

This term encompasses various forms of misfortune and is used in contexts that describe suffering. Job's use of אֵיד reflects his understanding of God's power to bring about calamity, reinforcing the weight of his fear.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as 'For calamity from God terrifies me, and His splendor I cannot overpower.' This wording is consistent across the KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE, indicating agreement on the key concepts of fear and inability in relation to God's might.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause is governed by the finite verb פַ֣חַד, terrifies, which is supported by a prepositional phrase indicating the source of fear and a noun phrase describing what Job cannot overpower. The structure emphasizes Job's emotional response to God's presence and power.

The arrangement of the Hebrew words places the subject of fear before the action, highlighting Job's immediate emotional state in relation to God.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אֵיד as φόβος (phobos), meaning fear. This choice reflects a direct interpretation of Job's dread as a response to God's might, aligning with the overall theme of fear in the context of divine judgment.

The use of φόβος shows a narrowing of focus on the emotional aspect of Job's experience, emphasizing the terror associated with God's splendor.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 31:23 expresses Job's fear of calamity from God, which terrifies him, and he acknowledges that he cannot withstand God's glorious splendor. This verse highlights Job's emotional turmoil and recognition of God's overwhelming power.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job mean by 'calamity from God'?

Job refers to the distress and disaster that he believes can come from God's judgment, reflecting his understanding of divine power.

Why does Job feel terrified?

Job feels terrified because he recognizes the weight of God's authority and the potential for calamity that can arise from it.

What does Job mean by 'His splendor I cannot overpower'?

Job acknowledges his inability to endure or withstand the majesty and glory of God, indicating a sense of helplessness.

How does this verse relate to Job's overall message?

This verse encapsulates Job's struggle with his faith amidst suffering, highlighting his fear of divine retribution and the majesty of God.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does it mean to fear God, and how does that impact my life?
  2. In what ways do I experience feelings of dread or fear in my own circumstances?
  3. How can I find strength in acknowledging my limitations before God?
  4. What does God's splendor mean to me, and how do I respond to it?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

The early commentary from Gregory the Dialogist reflects on Job's fear of God, emphasizing the weight of divine presence and the struggle to endure it.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XXI c. 540–604
For I always feared God like waves swelling over me, and I could not endure the weight of Him. From the terror that belongs to such a likeness let us reflect what wonderful force of fear there was in the holy man.
Early Church Fathers on Job 31 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 31:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

For destruction [from] God [was] a terror to me,.... Though he feared not men, they being at his beck and command, ready to do any thing for him he should order, yet he feared God; and the dread of

Read John Gill on Job 31 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; Job affirms his freedom from unfairness toward his servants: from harshness and oppression toward the needy.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 31 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

I was so far from denying or questioning God’ s providence, wherewith you seem to charge me, that I always reverenced it; and when by reason of my great wealth, and power, and interest I had little reason to fear man, I stood in awe of God and of his judgments, and made it my care and business to please God. His highness, or excellency, or majesty, which is most glorious and terrible. I could not endure; I found myself utterly unable either to oppose his power, or to bear his wrath, and therefore I durst not provoke him by any impiety or injustice.

Read Matthew Poole on Job 31 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 31:23 For destruction [from] God [was] a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.Ver. 23. For destruction from God was a terror to me] Such an eminent and exemplary calamity or misery, as is mentioned in the former verse, frightened me from wrong dealing. I foresaw the evil event of such practices, and therefore dared not venture. We may not fear the punishment only, and not the offence (for that is a servile fear, and hath torment); neither may we fear the punishment more than the offence. But to fear the punishment with the offence, the offence being feared in the first place, and most, this is incident to saints, and commanded, Matthew 10:28. And by reason of…

Read John Trapp on Job 31 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) I could not endure.—Rather, I was unable to act thus.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 31 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 23. Destruction from God was a terror] I have ever been preserved from outward sin, through the fear of God's judgments; I knew his eye was constantly upon me, and I could "Never in my Judge's eye my Judge's anger dare."

Read AdamClarke on Job 31 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

23. highness I could not endure] Or, majesty I was powerless, lit. I was unable. The verse closes the whole passage Job 31:16-22, expressing the feeling by which Job’s conduct was regulated; his awe before the majesty of God and fear of His judicial anger restrained him, so that he was “powerless” to commit any of the wrongs to which he has just made reference.

Read Cambridge on Job 31 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For destruction from God was a terror to me - The destruction which God would bring upon one who was guilty of the crime here specified, awed and restrained me.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 31 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

For calamity from God terrifies me, and His splendor I cannot overpower.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

For calamity from God is a terror to me. Because of his majesty, I can do nothing.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For calamity from God terrifies me, and His splendor I cannot overpower.

NETBNew English Translation2006

For the calamity from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his majesty I was powerless.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

For calamity from God is a terror to me, And by reason of his majesty I can do nothing.

RVARevised Version, American1894

For calamity from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his excellency I could do nothing.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

For Gods punishment was fearefull vnto me, and I could not be deliuered from his highnes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

For calamity from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his excellency I was powerless.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

For a dread unto me [is] calamity [from] God, And because of His excellency I am not able.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

For calamity [from] God [is] a dread to me, || And because of His excellence I am not able.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

For dreaded by me was the calamitous punishment of God, and against his highness I can accomplish nothing.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

For I dreaded destruction from God; because of his majesty, I was not able to do those things.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

For I have always feared God as waves swelling over me, and his weight I was not able to bear.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Since I'm terrified of what punishment God may have in store for me, and because of his majesty, I could never do this.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For the fear of God kept me back, and because of his power I might not do such things.

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.

כִּ֤י(dm)clausepredicateפַ֣חַד[was].a.fearprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֵ֭לַtoיmenoun phrase · subjectאֵ֣יד(the).calamityאֵ֑לof.Godוּ֝andclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִfromnoun phraseשְּׂאֵת֗majestyוֹhisadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbאוּכָֽלI.am.able

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 כִּ֤י פַ֣חַד אֵ֭לַי אֵ֣יד אֵ֑ל וּ֝מִשְּׂאֵת֗וֹ לֹ֣א אוּכָֽל׃, which aligns closely with the Septuagint, where five of the eight words match. This indicates a strong consistency in the core message across these ancient texts.

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

כִּ֤י פַ֣חַד אֵ֭לַי אֵ֣יד אֵ֑ל וּ֝מִשְּׂאֵת֗וֹ לֹ֣א אוּכָֽל׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
פַ֣חַדφόβοςאֵ֑לκυρίουוּ֝מִשְּׂאֵת֗וֹαὐτοῦלֹ֣אοὐξאוּכָֽל׃ὑποίσω

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.

Job 31:23כִּיforforכִּיפַּ֫חַד[was] a fea[was] a fearפַּ֫חַדאֶלto meto meאֶלאֵידcalamity ofcalamity ofאֵידאֵלGodGodאֵלשְׂאֵתand from maand from majestשְׂאֵתלֹאnotnotלֹאיָכֹלI am ableI am ableיָכֹלפָּחַדto dreadto dreadפָּחַדאַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלנָשָׂאto lift: rto lift: raiseנָשָׂאאוּדfirebrandfirebrandאוּדיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעפַּ֫חַתpitpitפַּ֫חַתפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הפִּתְאֹםsuddenlysuddenlyפִּתְאֹםקָרֹבnearnearקָרֹבקַנָּאjealousjealousקַנָּאשַׁדַּיAlmightyAlmightyשַׁדַּיסַפַּ֫חַתscabscabסַפַּ֫חַתלָבָןwhitewhiteלָבָןיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדפָּתָהto open wito open wideפָּתָהאוּלַיperhapsperhapsאוּלַי
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Job 31:23

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.

for [was] a fear to me calamity of God and from majesty his not I am able
כִּ֤יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Amplified meaning
because of, due to
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for [was] a fear to me calamity of God and from majesty his not I am able
פַ֣חַדFa.chad [was] a fear H6343 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a feeling of terror or dread, often caused by something sudden or frightening. In the Bible, it describes the fear of God or the dread of His judgment. The prophet Isaiah used it to describe the terror of God's wrath.
Amplified meaning
fills me with dread, is a terror to
Tyndale gloss
dread
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פַּ֫חַד (pachad) refers to the concept of dread or terror, often indicating both the feeling of fear and the object that inspires it. The word is derived from a root meaning to be alarmed, and it encompasses a range of meanings related to fear and terror.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פַּ֫חַד 49 n.m. dread

dread

= object of dread

as design. dei

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6343 פַּ֫חַד dread . dread

. = object of dread

. as design. dei

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6343 pachad pakh'-ad

from 6342; a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by

implication, the feeling):--dread(-ful), fear, (thing) great

(fear, -ly feared), terror.

see HEBREW for 06342

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פַּ֫חַד (pa.chad) — dread.

1) terror, dread

1a) dread

1b) object of dread

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

fer (yir'ah, yare'; phobos, phobeo):

Terms, etc.:

"Fear" is the translation of many words in the Old Testament; the chief are: yir'ah, "fear," "terror," "reverence," "awe," most often "the fear of God," "fear of Yahweh" (Ge 20:11; 2Ch 19:9, etc.); also of "fear" generally (Job 22:4; Isa 7:25; Eze 30:13, etc.); yare', "to be afraid," "to fear," "to reverence" (Ge 15:1; Le 19:3,14; De 6:2, etc.); pachadh, "fear," "terror," "dread" (

for [was] a fear to me calamity of God and from majesty his not I am able
אֵ֭לַי'E.lai to me H413 Preposition · suffix
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
for [was] a fear to me calamity of God and from majesty his not I am able
אֵ֣יד'eid calamity of H343 Noun common · masculine singular construct
24× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means calamity or disaster, and can also mean oppression or misfortune. It's used in the Bible to describe difficult times, like in the book of Job.
Amplified meaning
disaster, oppression
Tyndale gloss
calamity
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵיד (eyd) refers to distress or calamity, encompassing various forms of misfortune such as national calamities, burdens of the righteous, and disasters affecting the wicked. It is derived from a root meaning to bend down, indicating oppression or ruin. The term appears in contexts related to suffering and disaster.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵיד n.m. distress, calamity

national calam. of Isr. (apostate)

of righteous sufferer

oft. of wicked

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H343 אֵיד distress, calamity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

343 'eyd ade

from the same as 181 (in the sense of bending down);

oppression; by implication misfortune, ruin:--calamity,

destruction.

see HEBREW for 0181

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵיד (ed) — calamity.

1) distress, burden, calamity

1a) burden (of the righteous)

1b) calamity (of nation)

1c) disaster (of wicked)

1d) day of calamity

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

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…

for [was] a fear to me calamity of God and from majesty his not I am able
אֵ֑ל'El God H410 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
241× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, 'el means strength or power, and is often used to refer to God or false gods. It describes something or someone as mighty or powerful, like the Almighty. This concept is central to understanding the Bible's view of God.
Amplified meaning
the Almighty, divine Judge
Tyndale gloss
god
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֵל (*'el*) primarily means 'god' and conveys the idea of might or strength. It can refer to the one true God of Israel, as well as to other deities, angels, and mighty men. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including nature and power, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵל n.m. god, but with various subordinate applications to express the idea of might

applied to men of might and rank

angels

gods of the nations

Ēl

as characterizing mighty things in nature

God, the one only and true God of Israel

אֵל strength, power

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H410 אֵל god, but with various subordinate applications to express the idea of might . applied to men of might and rank

. angels

. gods of the nations

. Ēl

. as characterizing mighty things in nature

. God, the one only and true God of Israel

. אֵל strength, power

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

410 'el ale

shortened from 352; strength; as adjective, mighty;

especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity):--God

(god), X goodly, X great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong.

Compare names in "-el."

see HEBREW for 0352

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵל (el) — God.

This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power

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

אֵל (el) — El (Berith).

This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power

Combined with "Berith" (berith בְּרִית H1286)

אֵל (el) — El (Elohe).

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

This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power

Combined with "God" (elohim אֱלֹהִים H0430)

אֵל (el) — El (Most High).

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

This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power

Combined with "Most High" (el.yon עֶלְיוֹן H5945B)

אֵל (el) — god.

: god

1) god, god-like one, mighty one

1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes

1b) angels

1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations)

1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah

2) mighty things in nature

3) strength, power

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA

1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought

2. Definition of the Idea

3. The Knowledge of God

4. Ethnic Ideas of God

(1) Animism

(2) Fetishism

(3) Idolatry

(4) Polytheism

(5) Henotheism

(6) Pantheism

(7) Deism

(8) Semitic Monolatry

(9) Monotheism

II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. The Course of Its Development

2. Forms of Its Manifestation

(1) The Face or Countenance of God

(2) The Voice and Word of God

(3) The Glory of God

(4) The Angel of God

(5) The Spirit of God

(6) The Name of God

(7) Occasional Forms

3. The Names of God

(1) Generic

(2) Attributive

(3) Yahweh

4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God

(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel

(a) His Early Worship

(b) Popular Religion

(c) Polytheistic Tendencies

(i) Coordination

(ii) Assimilation

(iii) Disintegration

(d) No Hebrew Goddesses

(e) Human Sacrifices

Easton's Bible Dictionary

God

(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).

The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:

(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…

for [was] a fear to me calamity of God and from majesty his not I am able
וּ֝מִשְּׂאֵת֗וֹu.mi.se.'e.To and from majesty his H7613 Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
14× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, elevation can refer to a physical rise in the land or a sense of pride and dignity. It is used to describe the exaltation of God and the dignity of kings. The word appears in books like Psalms and Proverbs.
Amplified meaning
majestic, glorious, elevation, highness
Tyndale gloss
elevation
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׂאֵת (s'eth) refers to concepts of elevation and dignity, including exaltation, swelling, and uprising. It is derived from a root meaning to rise up. The word encompasses both physical and figurative senses of elevation, such as rank or character. Notably, it can also refer to a leprous scab in a more literal context.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׂאֵת n.f. 1. exaltation, dignity. 2. swelling. 3. uprising

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7613 שְׂאֵת 1. exaltation, dignity. 2. swelling. 3. uprising

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7613 s'eth seh-ayth'

from 5375; an elevation or leprous scab; figuratively,

elation or cheerfulness; exaltation in rank or character:--

be accepted, dignity, excellency, highness, raise up self,

rising.

see HEBREW for 05375

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׂאֵת (se.et) — elevation.

1) elevation, exaltation, dignity, swelling, uprising

1a) dignity, exaltation, loftiness

1b) swelling

1c) uprising

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-fs | Suff — Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HC/R/Ncfsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

for [was] a fear to me calamity of God and from majesty his not I am able
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
am not able
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for [was] a fear to me calamity of God and from majesty his not I am able
אוּכָֽל׃'u.Khal I am able H3201 Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common singular
194× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to be able or have power, used in various contexts, such as overcoming or enduring, and is translated as 'be able' or 'have power' in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
endure, overcome
Tyndale gloss
be able
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָכֹל (yakol) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to be able' or 'to have power.' It encompasses a range of abilities, including physical, moral, and constitutional strength, as well as the capacity to endure or prevail. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָכֹל, יָכוֹל 193 vb. be able, have power, prevail, endure

Qal

be able, to do a thing,, whether ability be physical, moral, constitutional, or dependent on external authority

prevail

abs. have ability, strength, only neg.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3201 יָכֹל, יָכוֹל be able, have power, prevail, endure .. be able, to do a thing,, whether ability be physical, moral, constitutional, or dependent on external authority

. prevail

. abs. have ability, strength, only neg.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3201 yakol yaw-kole'

or (fuller) yakowl {yaw-kole'}; a primitive root; to be able,

literally (can, could) or morally (may, might):--be able, any

at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure,

might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָכֹל (ya.khol) — be able.

1) to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach

1a2) to prevail, prevail over or against, overcome, be victor

1a3) to have ability, have strength

Aramaic equivalent: ye.khel (יְכִל "be able" H3202)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common singular
HVqi1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a'-b'-l: The Greek dunamai, "to have power," may refer either to inherent strength, or to the absence of in external obstacles, or to what may be allowable or permitted. The Greek ischuo, as in Lu 13:24; Joh 21:6, refers always to the first of the above meanings. The use of the word as an adjective the King James Version of 2Co 3:6, is misleading, and has been properly changed in the Revised Version (British and American) into "sufficient as ministers," i.e. "hath fitted us to be ministers."

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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