Job 34:25 — Word Study
WLCלָכֵ֗ן יַ֭כִּיר מַעְבָּֽדֵיהֶ֑ם וְהָ֥פַךְ לַ֝֗יְלָה וְיִדַּכָּֽאוּ׃
BSAThereforekên [so, thus] He recognizesnâkar▸ [knows, is acquainted with] their deedsmaʻbâd△ [works, actions] He overthrows [them]hâphak■ [turns upside down, overturns] in the nightlayil [time of darkness, period of adversity] and they are crusheddâkâʼ▸ [destroyed, bruised, broken]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לָכֵ֗ן | therefore | Preposition, adverb |
| יַ֭כִּיר | he is acquainted with | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| מַעְבָּֽדֵיהֶ֑ם | deeds their | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| וְהָ֥פַךְ | and he overthrows [them] | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect third person masculine singular |
| לַ֝֗יְלָה | night | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְיִדַּכָּֽאוּ׃ | so they may be crushed | Conjunction, verb hithpael third person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. |
| KJV | Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed. |
| ASV | Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed. |
| YLT | Therefore He knoweth their works, And He hath overturned by night, And they are bruised. |
| WEB | Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed. |
| BBE | For he has knowledge of their works, overturning them in the night, so that they are crushed. |
The translations agree on the meaning of God's recognition of deeds, with no significant differences noted.
The sentence is structured around a main clause followed by two subordinate clauses that detail the consequences of God's recognition.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָכַר
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 34:25
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 — Elihu's Discourse on God's Justicegenerated
Job 34:25 presents Elihu's assertion that God is fully aware of human actions and will respond accordingly. This verse is part of a larger argument where Elihu emphasizes God's omniscience and the consequences of human wickedness, illustrating that divine judgment can come unexpectedly, especially in times of darkness, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 33:15 | He shapes the hearts of each; He considers all their works. |
| 2 | Isaiah 66:18 | “And I, knowing their deeds and thoughts, am coming to gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see My glory. |
| 3 | Hosea 7:2 | But they fail to consider in their hearts that I remember all their evil. Now their deeds are all around them; they are before My face. |
| 4 | Amos 8:7 | The LORD has sworn by the Pride of Jacob: “I will never forget any of their deeds. |
| 5 | Revelation 20:12 | And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יַ֭כִּיר, Ya.kirgenerated
The verb נָכַר (*nakar*) is in the Hiphil stem, indicating that God actively recognizes or acknowledges human deeds. This form suggests a deeper understanding and scrutiny of actions rather than mere observation.
Elihu's use of this verb implies that God's knowledge is not superficial; He is intimately acquainted with the moral quality of human actions. This recognition is crucial as it sets the stage for divine judgment, highlighting the gravity of human behavior in the eyes of God.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses recognizes for יַ֭כִּיר.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is יַ֭כִּיר, he recognizes, which governs the clause about God's awareness of deeds. This is followed by a sequential clause indicating the action of overthrowing and a final clause describing the result of being crushed.
The structure emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between God's recognition of deeds and the subsequent judgment that follows, particularly during the night, which serves as a metaphor for darkness and adversity.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הָפַךְ as στρέψει, which means 'to turn' or 'to change'. This choice reflects a similar understanding of God's action of overturning the wicked.
The Greek term used suggests a transformation or reversal, aligning with the Hebrew sense of complete change in circumstances due to divine intervention.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 34:25 shows that God knows what people do and will take action against them, especially during difficult times. Elihu emphasizes that God's judgment is certain and can come unexpectedly, leading to their downfall.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God is fully aware of human actions and will respond to them, bringing judgment as necessary.
Night symbolizes a time of darkness and adversity, indicating that God's judgment can occur during difficult times.
To be crushed refers to the consequences of God's judgment, where the wicked face destruction or severe consequences for their actions.
This verse illustrates the belief that God is just and will hold people accountable for their actions, reinforcing the theme of divine justice throughout the Book of Job.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see God's justice at work in the world around me?
- How can I ensure that my actions align with what God recognizes as good?
- What does it mean for me to face judgment during my own 'night' or difficult times?
- How can I support others who are struggling in their own times of darkness?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse, discussing the implications of God's judgment and the dual nature of being crushed in darkness.
For He knoweth their works, and therefore will He bring night on them, and they shall be crushed. It is specially to be understood, that every sinner is, in two ways, crushed in the night;Early Church Fathers on Job 34 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 34:25 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTherefore he knoweth their works,.... Being God omniscient, or rather takes notice of them, weighs and considers them, and gives to man according to them; or rather makes them known, for of his
Read John Gill on Job 34 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryTherefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed. Therefore - because He knows all things (Job 34:21), He knows their works, without a formal investigation (Job 34:24).
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 34 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Biblei.e. Hence it appears that he knows all their evil works, because he judgeth them for them. God or men are ofttimes said in Scripture to know or do a thing, when they only manifest their knowing and doing of it. Or, became, &c., as this particle is used, 61:7. So this is subjoined as the ground or reason why he punisheth them, as is related both in the foregoing and in the following words, because he sees all their wicked designs and actions. He overturneth them in the night, i.e. when they are at rest and secure; at midnight, as it is . Or, he turneth or bringeth upon them the night, to wit, of calamity and tribulation, as the next words explain it, and as the words night and darkness are…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 34 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 34:25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth [them] in the night, so that they are destroyed.Ver. 25. Therefore he knoweth their works] It appeareth by their punishment that God took notice of their wicked works, though they thought otherwise; yea, when they know not, or are not aware of it, he overthroweth them therefore. This he doth in the night, i.e. suddenly and unexpectedly. Others render it, As soon as he hath changed the night they are crushed; that is, as soon as he hath brought forth the light which revealeth all things, Ephesians 5:19, and layeth them open to public view, who before were taken for better men, they are destroyed, as public pests.
Read John Trapp on Job 34 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(25) Therefore.—We should expect because rather; but the writer, believing in God’s justice, infers that since God acts thus He knoweth the works of man, and has grounds for acting as He acts.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 34 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 25. He knoweth their works] He knows what they have done, and what they are plotting to do. He overturneth them in the night] In the revolution of a single night the plenitude of power on which the day closed is annihilated. See the cases of Belshazzar and Babylon.
Read AdamClarke on Job 34 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges20–28. God’s strict justice may be seen in His government of the peoples and their princes alike. His justice is unerring, for it is guided by omniscient insight. Punishing oppression, it avenges the cause of the poor and afflicted.
Read Cambridge on Job 34 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleTherefore he knoweth their works - Or, “Because he knoweth their works.” The word (לכן lākên) here rendered “therefore” is evidently used as denoting that since or because he was intimately
Read Albert Barnes on Job 34 →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
Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
Therefore, he knows their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
Tyndale line
Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
Therefore shall he declare their works: he shall turne the night, and they shalbe destroyed.
Strictly literal
Since he knoweth their actions; and he overthroweth [them] in the night, and they are crushed.
Therefore He knoweth their works, And He hath overturned by night, And they are bruised.
Therefore He knows their works, || And He has overturned by night, || And they are bruised.
For the reason that he knoweth their deeds: therefore he overturneth them in the night, and they are crushed.
In this way he has knowledge of their deeds; he overthrows these people in the night; they are destroyed.
From the Latin
For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed.
Simplified
Knowing what they've done he overthrows them in a night and destroys them.
For he has knowledge of their works, overturning them in the night, so that they are crushed.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads לָכֵ֗ן יַ֭כִּיר מַעְבָּֽדֵיהֶ֑ם וְהָ֥פַךְ לַ֝֗יְלָה וְיִדַּכָּֽאוּ׃, while the Septuagint matches 3 of the 6 words, indicating some consistency in the core message despite differences in word order and structure.
לָכֵ֗ן יַ֭כִּיר מַעְבָּֽדֵיהֶ֑ם וְהָ֥פַךְ לַ֝֗יְלָה וְיִדַּכָּֽאוּ׃
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 34:25
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 כֵּן (*ken*) is built from the root meaning 'set upright.' It functions as an adjective meaning 'right,' 'veritable,' or 'honest,' and as an adverb meaning 'so,' 'therefore,' or 'thus.' It appears in various contexts, often indicating manner or relation, and is used in phrases like 'forasmuch as.'
כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest
right
veritable, true
pl. concr. honest (men)
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
כֵּן adv. so
base
H3651a כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest H3651b כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as H3651c כֵּן so
3651 ken kane
from 3559; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as
adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction)
rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and
relation; often with other particles):--+ after that
(this, -ward, -wards), as ... as, + (for-)asmuch as yet, + be
(for which) cause, + following, howbeit, in (the) like
(manner, -wise), X the more, right, (even) so, state,
straightway, such (thing), surely, + there (where)-fore, this,
thus, true, well, X you.
see HEBREW for 03559
כֵּן (ken) — right.
adv
adj
1) right, just, honest, true, veritable
1a) right, just, honest
1b) correct
1c) true, veritable
[כִּי עַל] כֵּן ([ki al] ken) — as.
adv
forasmuch as, since
כֵּן (ken) — so.
adv
1) so, therefore, thus
1a) thus, so
1b) just so
1c) therefore
1d) so...as (paired with adv)
1e) then
1f) forasmuch as (in phrase)
1g) (with prep)
1g1) therefore, this being so (specific)
1g2) hitherto
1g3) therefore, on this ground (general)
1g4) afterwards
1g5) in such case
Aramaic equivalent: ken (כֵּן "thus" H3652)
Prep | Adv — Preposition · adverbHR/D
The Hebrew word נָכַר (nakar) encompasses meanings related to recognition and alienation. It can signify acknowledging, regarding, or understanding someone or something, as well as treating something as foreign or strange. The entries highlight its use in various forms, including recognizing and disguising, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
[נָכַר] vb. (not Qal) regard, recognize
Niph. they are not recognized
Pi. he regardeth not the opulent above the poor
Hiph.
regard, observe, esp. with a view to recognition
Recognize (as formerly known)
Be willing to recognize, acknowledge
Be acquianted with
Distinguish, understand
Hithp. Impf by his deeds a youth maketh himself known, whether his doing be pure, etc.
base
[נכר] vb. denom. act or treat as foreign, or strange; disguise, misconstrue
Niph. with his lips a hater disguiseth himself
Pi. and they have treated this place as foreign
Hithp. he acted as a stranger toward them
base
H5234a נָכַר (not Qal) regard, recognize . they are not recognized
. he regardeth not the opulent above the poor
. . regard, observe, esp. with a view to recognition
. Recognize (as formerly known)
. Be willing to recognize, acknowledge
. Be acquianted with
. Distinguish, understand
. Impf by his deeds a youth maketh himself known, whether his doing be pure, etc.
H5234b נכר vb. denom. act or treat as foreign, or strange; disguise, misconstrue
5234 nakar naw-kar'
a primitive root; properly, to scrutinize, i.e. look intently
at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be
acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (with suspicion
implied), to disregard, ignore, be strange toward, reject,
resign, dissimulate (as if ignorant or
disowning):--acknowledge, X could, deliver, discern,
dissemble, estrange, feign self to be another, know, take
knowledge (notice), perceive, regard, (have) respect, behave
(make) self strange(-ly).
נָכַר (na.khar) — to recognize.
1) to recognise, acknowledge, know, respect, discern, regard
1a) (Niphal) to be recognised
1b) (Piel) to regard
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to regard, observe, pay attention to, pay regard to, notice
1c2) to recognise (as formerly known), perceive
1c3) to be willing to recognise or acknowledge, acknowledge with honour
1c4) to be acquainted with
1c5) to distinguish, understand
1d) (Hithpael) to make oneself known
נָכַר (na.khar) — to alienate.
1) to act or treat as foreign or strange, disguise, misconstrue
1a) (Niphal) to disguise oneself
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to treat as foreign (profane)
1b2) to misconstrue
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to act as alien
1c2) to disguise oneself
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singularHVhi3ms
מַעְבָּד (ma`bad) means 'work' and is derived from the root word meaning to act. It appears in the context of Job 34:25, indicating its use in discussing labor or actions.
[מַעְבָּד] n.[m.] work (late form);—pl. sf. Jb 34:25.
ref
H4566 מַעְבָּד
4566 ma`bad mah-bawd'
from 5647; an act:--work.
see HEBREW for 05647
מַעְבָּד (ma.bad) — work.
work
Aramaic equivalent: ma.vad (מַעֲבַד "work" H4567)
§ 1) work
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3mp
הָפַךְ (haphak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to turn or overturn, with implications of change and transformation. It can describe actions like turning back, being reversed, or even being perverse. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, including reflexive and passive uses, indicating a wide range of applications in the Old Testament.
הָפַךְ vb. turn, overturn
Qal
trans.
turn, turn about, turn over
overturn, overthrow
turn = change, transform
intrans.
turn, turn back
turn = change, change into
Niph.
reflex. & intrans.
turn oneself, turn, turn back
turn = change (oneself)
be perverse
pass.
be turned, turn over to
be reversed
be turned, changed
be overturned, overthrown
be upturned, of subterran. work of miners
Hithp.
turn this way & that, every way
transform oneself
Hoph. there have been turned upon me terrors
base
H2015 הָפַךְ turn, overturn .. trans. . turn, turn about, turn over
. overturn, overthrow
. turn = change, transform
. intrans. . turn, turn back
. turn = change, change into
. . reflex. & intrans. . turn oneself, turn, turn back
. turn = change (oneself)
. be perverse
. pass. . be turned, turn over to
. be reversed
. be turned, changed
. be overturned, overthrown
. be upturned, of subterran. work of miners
. . turn this way & that, every way
. transform oneself
. there have been turned upon me terrors
2015 haphak haw-fak'
a primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to
change, overturn, return, pervert:--X become, change, come, be
converted, give, make (a bed), overthrow (-turn), perverse,
retire, tumble, turn (again, aside, back, to the contrary,
every way).
הָפַךְ (ha.phakh) — to overturn.
1) to turn, overthrow, overturn
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to overturn, overthrow
1a2) to turn, turn about, turn over, turn around
1a3) to change, transform
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to turn oneself, turn, turn back
1b2) to change oneself
1b3) to be perverse
1b4) to be turned, be turned over, be changed, be turned against
1b5) to be reversed
1b6) to be overturned, be overthrown
1b7) to be upturned
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to transform oneself
1c2) to turn this way and that, turn every way
1d) (Hophal) to turn on someone
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqq3ms
לַ֫יְלָה (layil) means 'night' and is derived from a root that suggests a twist away from light. It encompasses the literal sense of night as opposed to day, as well as figurative uses related to gloom or adversity. The term appears in contexts like Isaiah 21:11.
לַ֫יְלָה, לַ֫יִל 242 n.m. night
base
H3915 לַ֫יְלָה, לַ֫יִל night
3915 layil lah'-yil
or (Isa. 21:11) leyl {lale}; also laylah {lah'- yel-aw}; from
the same as 3883; properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e.
night; figuratively, adversity:--((mid-))night (season).
see HEBREW for 03883
לַ֫יְלָה (lay.lah) — night.
1) night
1a) night (as opposed to day)
1b) of gloom, protective shadow (fig.)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
nit.
See DAY AND NIGHT for the natural usage and the various terms.
1. In the Old Testament:
Figurative uses: The word "night" (laylah or layil is sometimes used figuratively in the Old Testament. Thus, Moses compares the brevity of time, the lapse of a thousand years, to "a watch in the night" (Ps 90:4). Adversity is depicted by it in such places as Job 35:10; compare Isa 8:20; Jer 15:9. Disappointment and despair are apparently depicted by it in the "burden of Dumah" (Isa 21:11,12); and spiritual blindness, coming upon the false prophets (Mic 3:6); again sudden and…
[DAY]
The ancient Hebrews began their artificial day at evening, and ended it the next evening, so that the night proceeded the day. This usage may probably be traced to the terms employed in describing the creation, Ge 1:5,8,13, etc., "The evening and the morning were the first day." The Hebrews allowed twelve to the day; but these hours were not equal, except at the equinox. At other times, when the hours of the night were long, those of the day were short, as in winter; and when the hours of night were short, as at midsummer, the hours of the day were long in proportion. See HOURS.
The nights are sometimes extremely cold in Syria, when the days are very hot; and travelers in the deserts and among the mountains near Palestine refer to their own sufferings from these opposite extremes, in illustration of Jacob’s words in
דָּכָא (daka') is a Hebrew verb meaning to crush or be crushed. It encompasses various forms, indicating actions like bruising, breaking, and being contrite. The entries highlight its use in different grammatical aspects, such as the Niphal (to be crushed) and Piel (to crush). The word conveys both literal and figurative senses of destruction and humility.
[דָּכָא] vb. crush, poet.
not in Qal;Niph. crushed, fig. = contrite ones
Pi. crush
Pu. crushed, broken in pieces, shattered
Hithp. crushed
base
H1792 דָּכָא crush poet. . crushed, fig. = contrite ones
. crush
. crushed, broken in pieces, shattered
. crushed
1792 daka' daw-kaw'
a primitive root (compare 1794); to crumble; transitively, to
bruise (literally or figuratively):--beat to pieces, break (in
pieces), bruise, contrite, crush, destroy, humble, oppress,
smite.
see HEBREW for 01794
דָּכָא (da.kah) — to crush.
1) to crush, be crushed, be contrite, be broken
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be crushed
1a2) to be contrite (fig.)
1b) (Piel) to crush
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be crushed, be shattered
1c2) to be made contrite
1d) (Hithpael) to allow oneself to be crushed
Conj | V-Hithpael-Imperf-3mp — Conjunction · verb hithpael third person masculine pluralHC/Vtu3mp
