Job 36:14 — Word Study
WLCתָּמֹ֣ת בַּנֹּ֣עַר נַפְשָׁ֑ם וְ֝חַיָּתָ֗ם בַּקְּדֵשִֽׁים׃
BSATheynephesh diemûwth▸ [in the prime of life, prematurely] in their youthnôʻar [early years, from childhood to young adulthood] among the male shrine prostitutesqâdêsh [male cult prostitute, unclean, idolatrous, those who practice immorality in the name of religion]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| תָּמֹ֣ת | it dies | Verb, Qal, jussive third person feminine singular |
| בַּנֹּ֣עַר | in youth | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| נַפְשָׁ֑ם | self their | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| וְ֝חַיָּתָ֗ם | and life their | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| בַּקְּדֵשִֽׁים׃ | among the temple prostitutes | Preposition |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | They die in their youth, among the male shrine prostitutes. |
| KJV | They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean. |
| ASV | They die in youth, And their life perisheth among the unclean. |
| YLT | Their soul dieth in youth, And their life among the defiled. |
| WEB | They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean. |
| BBE | They come to their end while they are still young, their life is short like that of those who are used for sex purposes in the worship of their gods. |
The translations agree on the meaning of תָּמֹ֣ת — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause with two prepositional phrases providing additional context.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbמוּת
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 36:14
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 Divine Justicegenerated
Job 36:14 is part of Elihu's speech, where he explains that the wicked face dire consequences for their actions. He emphasizes that those who reject God and live immorally may die young, highlighting the seriousness of their choices. This theme resonates throughout the Book of Job, which explores suffering, justice, and the nature of God.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 15:32 | It will be paid in full before his time, and his branch will not flourish. |
| 2 | Job 21:23–25 | One man dies full of vigor, completely secure and at ease. |
| 3 | Job 22:16 | They were snatched away before their time, and their foundations were swept away by a flood. |
| 4 | Genesis 38:7–10 | But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; so the LORD put him to death. |
| 5 | Leviticus 10:1–2 | Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תָּמֹ֣ת, ta.Motgenerated
The verb מוּת (mūth) means 'to die' and is used in various contexts, from natural death to execution. Here, it indicates a premature death, emphasizing the tragic fate of those who live in sin.
The jussive form suggests a strong assertion about the inevitability of this death, particularly for those who engage in immoral practices, as seen in the surrounding verses.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations are consistent in conveying the meaning of תָּמֹ֣ת as 'they die.' The BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all agree on this point.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb תָּמֹ֣ת governs the main clause, stating the subject's fate. The structure is straightforward, with the subject 'they' implied in the context of the wicked.
The prepositional phrase 'among the male shrine prostitutes' provides context for the location of this death, indicating a specific group associated with idolatry.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תָּמֹ֣ת as ἀποθάνοι (apothanōi), which also means 'to die.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing the finality of death.
This translation choice reflects a similar understanding of the consequences of immoral living, as seen in the Hebrew text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 36:14 tells us that some people die young, particularly those involved in immoral practices like male shrine prostitution. This verse highlights the consequences of living a life against God's ways.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that those who engage in sinful activities may face early death as a consequence of their choices.
They are individuals who engage in cultic practices, often associated with idolatry and immorality.
It emphasizes the theme of divine justice, illustrating that wickedness leads to dire consequences.
We learn about the seriousness of sin and the potential for early death as a result of immoral choices.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some ways I see the consequences of sin in the world around me?
- How can I ensure that I am living a life aligned with God's principles?
- In what areas of my life do I need to seek forgiveness and change?
- How can I support others who may be struggling with similar issues?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators like Julian of Eclanum and Gregory the Dialogist reflect on this verse, discussing the fate of the wicked and their disregard for holiness.
“They will die in the tempest of their soul, and their life among the effeminate.” Since he had said above, “God will not be humble before the powerful,” here he has rightly said that the one who through his scorn inflames the wrath of the…Early Church Fathers on Job 36 →
Their soul shall die in a tempest. For they were seeming to live as if in calm, when they were taking care to rejoice in the credit of holiness.Early Church Fathers on Job 36 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 36:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThey die in youth,.... They, or "their soul" (u); which, though that dies not, being immaterial and immortal; yet being the principal part of man, is put for the whole person, and which being taken away, the body dies.
Read John Gill on Job 36 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBut the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them. Same sentiment as Job 36:11-12 expanded. Verse 13.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 36 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThey die in youth; they provoke God to cut them off before their time. Heb. Their soul (i.e. they themselves) shall die in youth. Their life is; or, their life shall die or be extinct; which verb is understood out of the former clause, after the manner of the Hebrews. The unclean; or, the filthy, or whoremongers, or sodomites; to whose destruction (which happened not long before this time) he may seem to allude. The sense is, they shall die by some dreadful and exemplary stroke of Divine vengeance.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 36 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 36:14 They die in youth, and their life [is] among the unclean.Ver. 14. They die in youth] They die before their time, as Solomon expresseth it; then, when it were better for them to do anything than to die, for they are killed with death, as Jezebel’ s children were, Revelation 2:20-23. Their soul dieth, as the Hebrew here hath it. Their soul perisheth among the boys, their life among the Sodomites, as Beza translateth this text, and thus paraphraseth. Therefore as accursed before God they die, and are reckoned among those impure young men whose youth, being spent in all filthiness and uncleanness, was subject to that most abominable lust which is not to be named. The sum of all is…
Read John Trapp on Job 36 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 14. They die in youth] Exactly what the psalmist says, "Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days," Psalms 55:23. Literally, the words of Elihu are, "They shall die in the youth of their soul." Their life is among the unclean.] בקדשים bakedeshim, among the whores, harlots, prostitutes, and sodomites. In this sense the word is used, though it also signifies consecrated persons; but we know that in idolatry characters of this kind were consecrated to Baal and Ashtaroth, Venus, Priapus, &c. Mr. Good translates the rabble. The Septuagint: Their life shalt be wounded by the angels.
Read AdamClarke on Job 36 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges14. They die] lit. their soul dieth. They perish in the midst of their days. is among the unclean] Or, perisheth among the unclean, i. e. like the unclean. They die prematurely or in debasement like the hierodouloi in the temples of Baal, comp. 1 Kings 14:24; 1 Kings 15:12.
Read Cambridge on Job 36 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThey die in youth - Margin, “Their soul dieth.” The word “soul” or “life” in the Hebrew is used to denote oneself. The meaning is, that they would soon be cut down, and share the lot of the openly wicked.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 36 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible14. They die — Better, as in margin, their soul dieth. (Hengstenberg, Hitzig, etc.) Soul is here in contrast with life in the second clause.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 36 →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
They die in their youth, among the male shrine prostitutes.
They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.
They die in their youth, among the male shrine prostitutes.
They die in their youth, and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes.
Tyndale line
They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
They die in youth, And their life perisheth among the unclean.
They die in youth, and their life perisheth among the unclean.
They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
Their soule dyeth in youth, and their life among the whoremongers.
Strictly literal
Their soul dieth in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
Their soul dieth in youth, And their life among the defiled.
Their soul dies in youth, || And their life among the defiled.
Their soul will die in youth, and their life, among the incestuous.
They die in their youth; their lives end among the cultic prostitutes.
From the Latin
Their soul shall die in a storm, and their life among the effeminate.
Simplified
They die in their youth; their lives end among the male temple prostitutes.
They come to their end while they are still young, their life is short like that of those who are used for sex purposes in the worship of their gods.
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 agree closely in wording, with five words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration, but the key terms align with the Masoretic Text, indicating consistency across these witnesses.
תָּמֹ֣ת בַּנֹּ֣עַר נַפְשָׁ֑ם וְ֝חַיָּתָ֗ם בַּקְּדֵשִֽׁים׃
5 of the 5 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.
[תמת] [בנער] נפש׳ם וחית׳ם [בקדשים]
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
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 36:14
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.
מוּת (mūth) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to die' or 'to kill.' It encompasses a range of meanings from dying naturally to being executed as a penalty. The word can refer to both humans and animals, and it includes various forms such as causing death or being killed. There is a distinction in usage based on the subject, whether it is a person or God inflicting death.
מוּת vb. die
Qal
die, of natural or other causes
die as a penalty = be put to death
Po‛lel. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)
Hiph.
abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man
subj. God, by inflicting penalty
of animals killing men
bring to a premature death
Hoph. be killed, put to death
base
H4191 מוּת die .. die, of natural or other causes
. die as a penalty = be put to death
. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)
. . abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man
. subj. God, by inflicting penalty
. of animals killing men
. bring to a premature death
. be killed, put to death
4191 muwth mooth
a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively);
causatively, to kill:--X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body,
man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to,
be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), X must needs,
slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in (no) wise.
מוּת (mut) — to die.
1) to die, kill, have one executed
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to die
1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death
1a3) to die, perish (of a nation)
1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct)
1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch
1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death
1d) (Hophal)
1d1) to be killed, be put to death
1d1a) to die prematurely
V-Qal-Juss-3fs — Verb · Qal · jussive third person feminine singularHVqj3fs
נֹ֫עַר (no`ar) refers to youth or boyhood, indicating a period of early life. It is derived from the root word for 'to be young' and is noted as a rare poetic term in some contexts. The entries consistently emphasize its association with childhood and youth.
נֹ֫עַר n.m. youth, early life (rare poet.)
base
H5290 נֹ֫עַר
5290 no`ar no'-ar
from 5287; (abstractly) boyhood (compare 5288):--child,
youth.
see HEBREW for 05287
see HEBREW for 05288
נֹ֫עַר (no.ar) — youth.
youth, boyhood, early life
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.
נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
The נפשׁ becomes a living being
The נפשׁ is specif.
The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
נ׳ in D
base
H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
. The נפשׁ becomes a living being
. The נפשׁ is specif.
. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
. נ׳ in D
5315 nephesh neh'-fesh
from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of
(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,
accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,
appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,
X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),
(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,
mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,
thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,
thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
see HEBREW for 05314
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
1g1) uncertain
1h) activity of the will
1h1) uncertain
1i) activity of the character
1i1) uncertain
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp3mp
The Hebrew word חַי (*chay*) means 'alive' or 'living' and covers a range of meanings related to life, including living beings, vitality, and freshness. It can refer to God, animals, vegetation, and even concepts like appetite and community. Variants include חַיָּה (*chayyah*), meaning 'living thing' or 'animal,' and חַיִּים (*chayim*), which emphasizes life and sustenance.
חַי adj. alive, living
of God, as the living one, the fountain of life
of man
of animals, alive, living
animals and man
(dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green
of water, fresh
(dub.) lively, active
reviving
base
[חַי] n.[m.] kinsfolk, pl. sf. 1 S 18:18
ref
חַיָּה n.f. living thing, animal
animal
in general
wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity
living beings, of the cherubic chariot
life, only in late poetry
appetite, activity of hunger
revival, renewal
base
חַיָּה n.f. community
base
חַיִּים n.m. pl. abstr. emph. life
life: physical
life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence
sustenance, maintenance
base
H2416a חַי alive, living . . of God, as the living one, the fountain of life
. of man
. of animals, alive, living
. animals and man
. (dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green
. of water, fresh
. (dub.) lively, active
. reviving
H2416b חַי kinsfolk H2416c חַיָּה living thing, animal . animal . in general
. wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity
. living beings, of the cherubic chariot
. life, only in late poetry
. appetite, activity of hunger
. revival, renewal
H2416d חַיָּה community H2416e חַיִּים pl. abstr. emph. life . life: physical
. life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence
. sustenance, maintenance
2416 chay khah'-ee
from 2421; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water,
year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine
singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether
literally or figuratively:--+ age, alive, appetite, (wild)
beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living
(creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be)
old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.
see HEBREW for 02421
חַי (chay) — alive.
adj
1) living, alive
1a) green (of vegetation)
1b) flowing, fresh (of water)
1c) lively, active (of man)
1d) reviving (of the springtime)
Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
חַי (chay) — kinsfolk.
kinsfolk
חַיָּה (chay.yah) — living thing.
1) living thing, animal
1a) animal
1b) life
1c) appetite
1d) revival, renewal
Aramaic equivalent: che.va (חֵיוָא "beast" H2423)
חַיָּה (chay.yah) — community.
community
חַיִּים (chay.yim) — life.
1) life (abstract emphatic)
1a) life
1b) sustenance, maintenance
HC/Ncfsc/Sp3mp — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncfsc/Sp3mp
קָדֵשׁ (qadesh) refers to a male temple prostitute associated with idolatry and licentious practices. It is derived from a root meaning 'sacred' and is used in contexts related to cultic prostitution. The feminine form is קְדֵשָׁה (qedeshah), which denotes a female counterpart. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to idolatrous worship.
קָדֵשׁ n.m. temple-prostitute (man); also f. קְדֵשָׁה (woman) = harlot
base
H6945 קָדֵשׁ temple-prostitute (man)
6945 qadesh kaw-dashe'
from 6942; a (quasi) sacred person, i.e. (technically) a
(male) devotee (by prostitution) to licentious idolatry:--
sodomite, unclean.
see HEBREW for 06942
קָדֵשׁ (qa.desh) — male cult prostitute.
male temple prostitute
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHRd/Aampa