Job 4:4 — Word Study
WLCכּ֭וֹשֵׁל יְקִימ֣וּן מִלֶּ֑יךָ וּבִרְכַּ֖יִם כֹּרְע֣וֹת תְּאַמֵּֽץ׃
BSAYour wordsmillâh [of wisdom and encouragement] have steadiedqûwm▸ [upheld and supported] those who stumbledkâshal [were falling, losing their balance] you have bracedʼâmats▸ [strengthened and made firm] the kneesberek that were bucklingkâraʻ [bowing, becoming feeble]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כּ֭וֹשֵׁל | [the] stumbling | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| יְקִימ֣וּן | they raised ! | Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine plural, suffix |
| מִלֶּ֑יךָ | words your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| וּבִרְכַּ֖יִם | and knees | Conjunction, noun common feminine dual absolute |
| כֹּרְע֣וֹת | bending | Verb, Qal, participle (active) feminine plural |
| תְּאַמֵּֽץ׃ | you strengthened | Verb, Piel, imperfect second person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Your words have steadied those who stumbled; you have braced the knees that were buckling. |
| KJV | Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. |
| ASV | Thy words have upholden him that was falling, And thou hast made firm the feeble knees. |
| YLT | The stumbling one do thy words raise up, And bowing knees thou dost strengthen. |
| WEB | Your words have supported him who was falling, you have made the feeble knees firm. |
| BBE | He who was near to falling has been lifted up by your words, and you have given strength to bent knees. |
Where they part company is in the choice of verbs used for יְקִימ֣וּן — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a participial phrase and a verb phrase, clearly outlining the actions and their effects.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbכָּשַׁל
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 4:4
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job's Reflection on His Wordsgenerated
Job 4:4 reflects on how Job's words have been a source of strength and support for others who were struggling. He recalls how he has helped those who stumbled and provided encouragement to the weak, emphasizing the importance of wise and uplifting speech in times of difficulty. This theme of support resonates throughout the book of Job, particularly as Job himself faces suffering and seeks understanding.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 145:14 | The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. |
| 2 | Proverbs 12:18 | Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. |
| 3 | Proverbs 16:23–24 | The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. |
| 4 | 2 Corinthians 2:7 | So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. |
| 5 | 2 Corinthians 7:6 | But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — כּ֭וֹשֵׁל, Ko.o.shelgenerated
The word כָּשַׁל (kashal) is a participle meaning 'to stumble' or 'to totter', often due to weakness. It can refer to both physical stumbling and metaphorical failure, indicating a loss of balance or stability. In this verse, it describes those who are struggling and in need of support.
Job acknowledges the impact of his words, suggesting that they have the power to uphold and steady those who are faltering. This highlights the significance of communication and encouragement in the lives of others, particularly during challenging times.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is תְּאַמֵּֽץ, you strengthened, which governs the action of the sentence. The subject is implied as Job, and the object is כּ֭וֹשֵׁל, [the] stumbling, indicating who is being helped.
The structure is straightforward, with a clear subject-verb-object arrangement. The participial phrase כּ֭וֹשֵׁל serves as the object of the verb, highlighting the focus on those who are struggling.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יְקִימ֣וּן as ἐχανέστησας, which implies a sense of raising up or restoring. This choice reflects a similar meaning to the Hebrew, emphasizing the act of providing support and stability.
The use of ἐχανέστησας suggests a broader interpretation that encompasses not just physical support but also spiritual restoration, aligning with the themes of encouragement found in Job.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 4:4 tells us that Job's words have helped those who were struggling and have provided strength to those who were weak. He recalls how he has supported others in their times of need, emphasizing the importance of wise and encouraging speech.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that Job's encouragement and wisdom provided support to those who were struggling or losing their balance, helping them regain their strength.
Words can uplift and encourage, providing comfort and strength to those who are feeling weak or discouraged, just as Job did for others.
The knees represent a physical manifestation of weakness or fear, and Job's ability to brace them signifies his role in providing strength and support.
This verse highlights the contrast between Job's past role as a supporter of others and his current suffering, emphasizing the theme of friendship and encouragement in times of trouble.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can my words provide support to those around me who are struggling?
- How can I be more aware of the impact my speech has on others?
- What are some examples from my life where encouragement made a difference?
- How can I apply Job's example of strengthening others in my own relationships?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 4:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThy words have up, holden him that was falling,.... Or "stumbling" (m); that was stumbling at the providence of God in suffering good men to be afflicted, and wicked men to prosper; which has been
Read John Gill on Job 4 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 4 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHim that was falling; ready to sink under their pressures, or to fall from God, or into sin, (as that word is used, , and elsewhere,) through despondency and distrust of God’ s providence and promise, or through impatience. The feeble knees; such as were weak-hearted, and fainting under their trials. See .
Read Matthew Poole on Job 4 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 4:4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.Ver. 4. Thy words have upholden him that was falling] So forcible are right words, well timed and fitted to the present necessity, they shore up the tottering, they catch him before be comes to ground, and prevent his fall. This made Latimer bless God that ever he came acquainted with that fellow prisoner of his, that angel of God (as he called him), John Bradford he and Ridley, so long as they lived, upheld Cranmer by their words and letters; who soon after fell, to the grief of the godly party, but rose again by repentance (Mr Clark in his Life). The story is told of Urbanus Regius, a famous…
Read John Trapp on Job 4 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4. the feeble knees] lit. as margin, the bowing, or tottering, knees; the figure being that of one tottering under a heavy load, which he is ready to sink beneath. See Isaiah 35:3-4; Hebrews 12:12.
Read Cambridge on Job 4 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThy words have upholden him that was falling - That is, either falling into sin, or sinking under calamity and trial.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 4 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible4. Feeble knees — Literally, sinking knees. Schultens sees in these verses a beautiful image drawn from the palestra, and the contests of wrestlers.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 4 →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
Your words have steadied those who stumbled; you have braced the knees that were buckling.
Your words have supported him who was falling, you have made the feeble knees firm.
Your words have steadied those who stumbled; you have braced the knees that were buckling.
Your words have supported those who stumbled, and you have strengthened the knees that gave way.
Tyndale line
Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
Thy words have upholden him that was falling, And thou hast made firm the feeble knees.
Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast confirmed the feeble knees.
Thy words have upheld him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
Thy wordes haue confirmed him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the weake knees.
Strictly literal
Thy words have upholden him that was stumbling, and thou hast braced up the bending knees:
The stumbling one do thy words raise up, And bowing knees thou dost strengthen.
Your words raise up the stumbling one, || And you strengthen bowing knees.
Him that stumbled thy words used to uphold, and to sinking knees thou gavest vigor.
Your words have supported him who was falling; you have made feeble knees firm.
From the Latin
Thy words have confirmed them that were staggering, and thou hast strengthened the trembling knees:
Simplified
Your advice has helped those who are stumbling not to fall, and you have strengthened those whose knees are weak.
He who was near to falling has been lifted up by your words, and you have given strength to bent knees.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Job 4:4 states, "כּ֭וֹשֵׁל יְקִימ֣וּן מִלֶּ֑יךָ וּבִרְכַּ֖יִם כֹּרְע֣וֹת תְּאַמֵּֽץ׃" which translates to, "Your words have steadied those who stumbled; you have braced the knees that were buckling." The Septuagint, while not providing a direct translation here, has a word-by-word correspondence that aligns with the Masoretic Text in four out of six words, indicating a level of agreement in the concepts expressed. However, the specific wording and structure differ, reflecting the unique style of the Greek translation. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variants for this verse, confirming the consistency of the Masoretic Text in this instance.
כּ֭וֹשֵׁל יְקִימ֣וּן מִלֶּ֑יךָ וּבִרְכַּ֖יִם כֹּרְע֣וֹת תְּאַמֵּֽץ׃
4 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 4:4
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.
כָּשַׁל (kashal) means to stumble or totter, often due to weakness. It can refer to physical stumbling, as well as metaphorical weakness or failure. The verb has various forms, including causing others to stumble or making them weak. The entries suggest a range of meanings from literal stumbling to broader implications of ruin and weakness.
כָּשַׁל vb. stumble, stagger, totter
Qal
stumble at, over, something (lit. by means of)
totter
Niph.
stumble
be tottering, feeble
Pi. only apparent
Hiph.
cause to stumble
make feeble, weak
Hoph. either and let them be ones who have stumbled before thee, i.e. regard them as such, or and let them be ones overthrown before thee
base
H3782 כָּשַׁל stumble, stagger, totter .. stumble at, over, something (lit. by means of)
. totter
. . stumble
. be tottering, feeble
. only apparent
. . cause to stumble
. make feeble, weak
. either and let them be ones who have stumbled before thee, i.e. regard them as such, or and let them be ones overthrown before thee
3782 kashal kaw-shal'
a primitive root; to totter or waver (through weakness of the
legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter,
stumble, faint or fall:--bereave (from the margin), cast down,
be decayed, (cause to) fail, (cause, make to) fall
(down, -ing), feeble, be (the) ruin(-ed, of), (be) overthrown,
(cause to) stumble, X utterly, be weak.
כָּשַׁל (ka.shal) — to stumble.
1) to stumble, stagger, totter
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to stumble
1a2) to totter
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to stumble
1b2) to be tottering, be feeble
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to stumble, bring injury or ruin to, overthrow
1c2) to make feeble, make weak
1d) (Hophal) to be made to stumble
1e) (Piel) bereave
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
The Hebrew word קוּם (qum) is a primitive root meaning 'to rise' and encompasses a range of actions such as standing, becoming powerful, and establishing. It can imply a sudden or hostile rise, as well as the act of fulfilling or confirming something. The entries also note various grammatical forms, indicating its use in different contexts, including raising up or causing to stand.
לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.
ref
קוּם 628 vb. arise, stand up, stand
Qal 460
arise
arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)
arise, abs., = become powerful
arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet
arise for, i.e. to become
arise for action
arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed
esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere
stand
Pi.
fulfil
confirm, ratify
confirm, establish
impose, an obligation
Pō‛l. raise up
Hithpō‛l. raise oneself, = rise up
Hiph.
146cause to arise, raise
raise, set up, stones
erect, build
fig, of setting up law
raise up = bring on the scene
raise up = rouse, stir up
instigate, build
fig, of setting up law
raise up = constitute
cause to stand
Hoph. be raised up
base
H6965a לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash H6965b קוּם arise, stand up, stand .. arise
. arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)
. arise, abs., = become powerful
. arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet
. arise for, i.e. to become
. . arise for action
. arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed
. esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere
. stand
. . fulfil
. . confirm, ratify
. confirm, establish
. impose, an obligation
. raise up
. raise oneself, = rise up
. . cause to arise, raise
. . raise, set up, stones
. erect, build
. fig, of setting up law
. raise up = bring on the scene
. . raise up = rouse, stir up
. instigate, build
. fig, of setting up law
. raise up = constitute
. cause to stand
. be raised up
6965 quwm koom
a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal,
figurative, intensive and causative):--abide, accomplish, X
be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, X be dim, endure, X
enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift
up (again), make, X but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise
(up), rear (up), remain, (a-)rise (up) (again, against), rouse
up, set (up), (e-)stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up,
strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -
rising).
קָמָי (qa.may) — (Leb)-kamai.
Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B)
§ -Kamai = "my adversary"
Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
קוּם (qum) — to arise: rise.
: rise/get_going
1) to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to arise
1a2) to arise (hostile sense)
1a3) to arise, become powerful
1a4) to arise, come on the scene
1a5) to stand
1a5a) to maintain oneself
1a5b) to be established, be confirmed
1a5c) to stand, endure
1a5d) to be fixed
1a5e) to be valid
1a5f) to be proven
1a5g) to be fulfilled
1a5h) to persist
1a5i) to be set, be fixed
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to fulfil
1b2) to confirm, ratify, establish, impose
1c) (Polel) to raise up
1d) (Hithpael) to raise oneself, rise up
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to cause to arise, raise
1e2) to raise, set up, erect, build
1e3) to raise up, bring on the scene
1e4) to raise up, rouse, stir up, investigate
1e5) to raise up, constitute
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine plural · suffixHVhi3mp/Sn
מִלָּה (millah) means 'word' or 'speech' and can refer to a discourse or topic. It is derived from a root that suggests collective speech or utterance. The term encompasses various forms of communication, including answers and by-words. The Aramaic equivalent is also מִלָּה.
מִלָּה n.f. word, speech, utterance
base
H4405 מִלָּה
4405 millah mil-law'
from 4448 (plural masculine as if from milleh {mil-leh'}; a
word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic:--+
answer, by-word, matter, any thing (what) to say, to
speak(-ing), speak, talking, word.
see HEBREW for 04448
מִלָּה (mil.lah) — speech.
word, speech, utterance
Aramaic equivalent: mil.lah (מִלָּה "word" H4406)
N-fp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2ms
בֶ֫רךְ (berek) means 'knee' in Hebrew, derived from the root for bending. It can also figuratively describe someone who is weak from fear. The Aramaic equivalent is בְּרַךְ (berakh), meaning 'knee' as well.
בֶ֫רךְ n.f. knee
base
H1290 בֶ֫רךְ knee
1290 berek beh'-rek
from 1288; a knee:--knee.
see HEBREW for 01288
בֶּ֫רֶךְ (be.rekh) — knee.
1) knee
2) weak from fear (fig.)
Aramaic equivalent: be.rekh (בְּרַךְ "knee" H1291)
Conj | N-fd — Conjunction · noun common feminine dual absoluteHC/Ncfda
כָּרַע (kara`) means to bow down or bend the knee. It encompasses actions like kneeling in reverence, crouching, or sinking down, and can also imply causing someone or something to bow. The term appears in various contexts, including expressions of grief and submission.
כָּרַע bow down
Qal
bow
bow down, of the crouching lion
bow down over (in order to lie with) a woman
bow down, of a woman in childbirth
Hiph.
cause to bow in grief
cause to bow down in death
base
H3766 כָּרַע bow down
3766 kara` kaw-rah'
a primitive root; to bend the knee; by implication, to sink,
to prostrate:--bow (down, self), bring down (low), cast down,
couch, fall, feeble, kneeling, sink, smite (stoop) down,
subdue, X very.
כָּרַע (ka.ra) — to bow.
1) to bend, kneel, bow, bow down, sink down to one's knees, kneel down to rest (of animals), kneel in reverence
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to bow
1a2) to bow down, crouch
1a3) to bow down over
1a4) to tilt, lean
1b) (Hiphil) to cause to bow
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) feminine pluralHVqrfpa
אָמֵץ (amats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be strong, bold, or alert. It encompasses a range of actions such as strengthening oneself, being determined, and exhibiting courage. The word can also imply making firm or obstinate. Various forms of the verb express different nuances, including the Qal (to be strong), Piel (to strengthen), and Hithpael (to make oneself alert).
[אָמֵץ] vb. be stout, strong, bold, alert
Qal
be strong
Imv. be bold
Pi.
make firm, strengthen
assure, secure for oneself
harden, make obstinate
Hithp.
strengthen oneself
confirm oneself in a purpose, be determined
make oneself alert, make haste
Hiph. exhibit strength, be strong
base
H553 אָמֵץ be stout, strong, bold, alert .. be strong
. Imv. be bold
. . make firm, strengthen
. assure, secure for oneself
. harden, make obstinate
. . strengthen oneself
. confirm oneself in a purpose, be determined
. make oneself alert, make haste
. exhibit strength, be strong
553 'amats aw-mats'
a primitive root; to be alert, physically (on foot) or
mentally (in courage):--confirm, be courageous (of good
courage, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger), establish,
fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen (self), make
strong (obstinate, speed).
אָמֵץ (a.mats) — to strengthen.
1) to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard
1a) (Qal) to be strong, brave, bold
1b) (Piel) to strengthen, secure (for oneself), harden (heart), make firm, make obstinate, assure
1c) (Hithpael) to be determined, to make oneself alert, strengthen oneself, confirm oneself, persist in, prove superior to
1d) (Hiphil) to exhibit strength, be strong, feel strong
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect second person masculine singularHVpi2ms