Job 4:6 — Word Study
WLCהֲלֹ֣א יִ֭רְאָתְךָ כִּסְלָתֶ֑ךָ תִּ֝קְוָתְךָ֗ וְתֹ֣ם דְּרָכֶֽיךָ׃
BSAIs your reverenceyirʼâh [fear of God, deep respect] notlôʼ your confidencekiçlâh [trust, assurance] and the uprightnesstôm [integrity, moral purity] of your waysderek [path, journey] your hopetiqvâh [expectancy, cord of attachment]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הֲלֹ֣א | ¿ not | Particle, particle |
| יִ֭רְאָתְךָ | [is] fear your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| כִּסְלָתֶ֑ךָ | confidence your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| תִּ֝קְוָתְךָ֗ | hope your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| וְתֹ֣ם | and [the] integrity of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| דְּרָכֶֽיךָ׃ | ways your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Is your reverence not your confidence, and the uprightness of your ways your hope? |
| KJV | Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways? |
| ASV | Is not thy fear of God thy confidence, And the integrity of thy ways thy hope? |
| YLT | Is not thy reverence thy confidence? Thy hope — the perfection of thy ways? |
| WEB | Isn’t your piety your confidence? Isn’t the integrity of your ways your hope? |
| BBE | Is not your fear of God your support, and your upright way of life your hope? |
Where they part company is in the interpretation of יִרְאָתְךָ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence structure presents a main question followed by two clauses that elaborate on the relationship between reverence, integrity, and hope.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
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 4:6
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job's Dialogue with His Friendsgenerated
Job 4:6 presents Eliphaz questioning Job's state of mind in light of his suffering. He suggests that Job's reverence for God should be a source of confidence and that his moral integrity should provide hope. This verse reflects the broader themes of the book, where Job's friends seek to understand his afflictions through the lens of righteousness and divine justice.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 1:1–9 | There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil. |
| 2 | 2 Kings 20:3 | “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. |
| 3 | Job 13:15 | Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face. |
| 4 | Proverbs 3:26 | for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare. |
| 5 | Proverbs 14:26 | He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יִרְאָתְךָ, Yir.'a.te.khagenerated
The word יִרְאָה (yir'ah) is a feminine noun meaning 'fear' or 'terror,' particularly in relation to God. It encompasses both the emotional response of fear and the concept of reverence, indicating a deep respect for divine authority.
In this verse, Eliphaz implies that Job's fear of God should bolster his confidence, suggesting that a genuine reverence is foundational to a person's trust and assurance in difficult 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 verse comprises a main clause followed by a series of noun phrases and predicates, with the finite verb implied in the structure. The arrangement emphasizes the relationship between Job's reverence and his confidence.
The syntax indicates that Eliphaz is drawing a parallel between Job's fear of God and his overall state of assurance and hope, presenting them as interconnected.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יִרְאָתְךָ as σού, which carries the meaning of 'your fear.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew, maintaining the emphasis on reverence.
The translation reflects a consistent understanding of the concept of fear in relation to God, underscoring its importance in the context of confidence and hope.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 4:6 asks if Job's fear of God is not the source of his confidence, and whether his moral integrity should be his hope. Eliphaz is suggesting that Job's reverence should provide assurance during his suffering.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Eliphaz refers to a deep respect and fear of God, which is expected to provide confidence in times of trouble.
Eliphaz is implying that Job's current troubles may be linked to a lack of faithfulness or integrity, questioning the strength of his reverence.
Uprightness refers to moral integrity, suggesting that Job's way of life should give him hope amidst his suffering.
This verse suggests that a genuine fear of God can lead to a strong sense of assurance, especially in challenging times.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does it mean to have a healthy fear of God in my life?
- In what ways can my moral integrity serve as a source of hope?
- How do I respond to challenges in my life? Do I rely on my reverence for God?
- What lessons can I learn from Job's experience about maintaining confidence during suffering?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators have reflected on this verse, interpreting it in light of Job's circumstances and the nature of faith amidst suffering.
While Scripture’s spirit witnesses on behalf of Job that he has not committed any folly against God, Eliphaz incorrectly understands the reason behind what has been imposed upon Job.Early Church Fathers on Job 4 →
“Is not your fear based on folly, as is your hope, and your mischievous ways?” That is to say, was there not a foolish intention behind your actions? Eliphaz means, “Either you have not done these things, or your life is full of evil.Early Church Fathers on Job 4 →
Where is thy fear, thy strength, thy patience, and the perfectness of thy ways? All which same he makes to succeed that sentence which he set before, saying, But now a stroke is come upon thee, and thou faintest;Early Church Fathers on Job 4 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 4:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible[Is] not [this] thy fear,.... The fear of God, that which is of him, comes from him, is a grace of his implanted in the hearts of his people at conversion, and is increased and encouraged, and drawn
Read John Gill on Job 4 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryIs not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways? Is not this thy fear, thy confidence ... - Does thy fear, thy confidence, etc., come to nothing? Does it come only to this, that thou faintest now?
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 4 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleSo the sense is, We now plainly see what was the nature and complexion of thy fear of God, thy confidence in him, the uprightness of thy ways, and thy hope in God’ s mercy, which thou didst make show and boast of, and for which thou wast become so famous. Thy present carriage discovereth to thyself and others that it was but mere talk and appearance, and there was nothing sound and sincere in it. In thy prosperity it was easy to make a splendid profession of religion; but men are best known by affliction, and this now showeth of what metal thou art made; for now thou dost cast off thy fear of God, and all thy confidence and hope in him, and hast let go that integrity of thy ways which…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 4 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 4:6 [Is] not [this] thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?Ver. 6. ls not this thy fear, thy confidence, &c.] Or thy folly: q.d. Is not thy religion a mere foolery? and hath not thou rather acted religion, played devotion and the fear of God, than been serious therein? This was a most bitter scoff, a cruel shake, and came near his heart. Like as nothing vexed David more than when they laid his religion in his dish, asking, Where is now thy God? So he. By this alteration that affliction hath wrought in thee, thou mayest easily see what thou art, viz. a very painted hypocrite: hard weather shows what health; empty vessels set near the fire, crack quickly. At…
Read John Trapp on Job 4 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) Is not this thy fear, thy confidence . . .?—The meaning seems to be, “Should not thy fear or piety be thy confidence, and the uprightness of thy ways thy hope? Should not the piety thou wast so ready to commend to others supply a sufficient ground of hope for thyself?” Or we may understand, “Is not thy reverence, thy confidence, thy hope, and thy integrity shown to be worthless if thou faintest as soon as adversity toucheth thee?” The drift of the speaker is virtually the same in either case.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 4 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 6. Is not this thy fear] I think Coverdale hits the true meaning: Where is now thy feare of God, thy stedfastnesse, thy pacience, and the perfectnesse of thy life? If these be genuine, surely there is no cause for all this complaint, vexation, and despair. That this is the meaning, the next words show.
Read AdamClarke on Job 4 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. Is not this thy fear?] This verse should read, Is not thy fear of God thy confidence? And thy hope, is it not the perfection of thy ways? When Job comforted others he no doubt would refer to their god-fearing life as a ground of hope that God would give them a happy issue out of their afflictions. Eliphaz desires that Job should apply the same medicine to himself. He assumes that Job is a god-fearing man.
Read Cambridge on Job 4 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleIs not this thy fear, thy confidence? - There has been considerable variety in the interpretation of this verse. Dr. Good renders it, Is thy piety then nothing? thy hope Thy contidence? or the uprightness of thy ways?
Read Albert Barnes 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
Is your reverence not your confidence, and the uprightness of your ways your hope?
Isn’t your piety your confidence? Isn’t the integrity of your ways your hope?
Is your reverence not your confidence, and the uprightness of your ways your hope?
Is not your piety your confidence, and your blameless ways your hope?
Tyndale line
Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
Is not thy fear of God thy confidence, And the integrity of thy ways thy hope?
Is not thy fear of God thy confidence, and thy hope the integrity of thy ways?
Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
Is not this thy feare, thy confidence, thy pacience, and the vprightnesse of thy wayes?
Strictly literal
Hath not thy piety been thy confidence, and the perfection of thy ways thy hope?
Is not thy reverence thy confidence? Thy hope — the perfection of thy ways?
Is your reverence not your confidence? Your hope—the perfection of your ways?
Is not then thy fear of God still thy confidence, thy hope equal to the integrity of thy ways?
Is not your fear your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?
From the Latin
Where is thy fear, thy fortitude, thy patience, and the perfection of thy ways?
Simplified
Wasn't it your reverence for God that gave you confidence and your integrity that gave you hope?
Is not your fear of God your support, and your upright way of life your hope?
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 in their wording for this verse, with no significant variations. The Septuagint provides a direct correspondence to the Hebrew text, affirming the integrity of the translation.
הֲלֹ֣א יִ֭רְאָתְךָ כִּסְלָתֶ֑ךָ תִּ֝קְוָתְךָ֗ וְתֹ֣ם דְּרָכֶֽיךָ׃
6 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 4:6
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
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.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
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.
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)
Part | Part — Particle · particleHTi/Tn
יִרְאָה (yir'ah) is a feminine noun meaning 'fear' or 'terror,' encompassing both the emotion and the concept of reverence, particularly in relation to God. It can denote an object that causes fear or the respect and piety associated with divine authority. The entries highlight its moral and emotional dimensions without significant disagreement.
יִרְאָה n.f. fear
fear, terror
a terror = obj. of terror
fear of God, reverence, piety
the fear of י׳ the law as revered.
base
H3374 יִרְאָה fear
3374 yir'ah yir-aw'
feminine of 3373; fear (also used as infinitive); morally,
reverence:--X dreadful, X exceedingly, fear(-fulness).
see HEBREW for 03373
יִרְאָה (yir.ah) — fear.
1) fear, terror, fearing
1a) fear, terror
1b) awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)
1c) fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety
1d) revered
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
כִּסְלָה (kislah) is a feminine noun derived from כְּסִלָה (kesilah, H3689). It encompasses meanings of both confidence and folly, indicating a range from positive trust to negative silliness. The entries consistently highlight these dual aspects without significant disagreement.
כִּסְלָה n.f.
stupidity
confidence
base
H3690 כִּסְלָה, כְּסִלָה
3690 kiclah kis-law'
feminine of 3689; in a good sense, trust; in a bad one,
silliness:--confidence, folly.
see HEBREW for 03689
כִּסְלָה (kis.lah) — confidence.
1) confidence
2) folly, stupidity
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
תִּקְוָה (tiqvah) means both 'cord' and 'hope.' It is derived from a root meaning to attach or bind, reflecting a sense of expectancy or longing. The term encompasses concepts of hope, expectation, and the outcomes of what is hoped for, as noted in various lexicons.
[תִּקְוָה] n.f. cord
base
תִּקְוָה 34 n.f. hope
hope
= ground of hope
things hoped for, outcome
base
H8615a תִּקְוָה cord H8615b תִּקְוָה hope . hope
. = ground of hope
. things hoped for, outcome
8615 tiqvah tik-vaw'
from 6960; literally, a cord (as an attachment (compare
6961)); figuratively, expectancy:--expectation ((-ted)),
hope, live, thing that I long for.
see HEBREW for 06960
see HEBREW for 06961
תִּקְוָה (tiq.vah) — cord.
cord
תִּקְוָה (tiq.vah) — hope.
1) hope, expectation
1a) hope
1b) ground of hope
1c) things hoped for, outcome
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
תֹּם (tom) refers to completeness or integrity, encompassing notions of fullness, innocence, and simplicity. It is derived from a root meaning to be complete or perfect. The word appears in contexts related to moral uprightness and wholeness, though the specific verses are not detailed in the entries.
תֹּם n.[m.] completeness, integrity
completeness, fulness
innocence, simplicity
integrity
תֻּמִּים
base
H8537 תֹּם completeness, integrity
8537 tom tome
from 8552; completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually
(morally) innocence:--full, integrity, perfect(-ion),
simplicity, upright(-ly, -ness), at a venture. See 8550.
see HEBREW for 08552
see HEBREW for 08550
תֹּם (tom) — integrity.
1) integrity, completeness
1a) completeness, fulness
1b) innocence, simplicity
1c) integrity
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.
דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner
way, road, path
journey
of direction, almost or quite = toward
way, manner
fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
of moral action and character
of duty
specif.: in good sense
oftener in bad sense
way of י׳
base
H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path
. journey
. of direction, almost or quite = toward
. way, manner
. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
. . of moral action and character
. of duty
. specif.: in good sense
. oftener in bad sense
. way of י׳
1870 derek deh'-rek
from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of
life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because
of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,
passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),
whither(-soever).
see HEBREW for 01869
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.
: conduct/lifestyle
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.
This name means way, road
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.
This name means way, road
Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.
: direction
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.
: road/route
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.
: journey
N-cp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2ms