Job 16:13
Job 16:13 in Multiple Translations
His archers surround me. He pierces my kidneys without mercy and spills my gall on the ground.
His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.
His archers compass me round about; He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.
His bowmen come round about me; their arrows go through my body without mercy; my life is drained out on the earth.
His archers surround me. His arrows pierce my kidneys without mercy. He pours out my gall on the ground.
His archers compasse mee rounde about: he cutteth my reines, and doth not spare, and powreth my gall vpon the ground.
Go round against me do his archers. He splitteth my reins, and spareth not, He poureth out to the earth my gall.
His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my bile on the ground.
His archers encompass me; he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.
I that was formerly so wealthy, am all on a sudden broken to pieces: he hath taken me by my neck, he hath broken me, and hath set me up to be his mark.
people are surrounding me and shooting arrows at me. His arrows pierce my kidneys and cause the bile from my liver to spill onto the ground, and God does not pity me at all.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 16:13
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 16:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יָ֘סֹ֤בּוּ
עָלַ֨/י
רַבָּ֗י/ו
יְפַלַּ֣ח
כִּ֭לְיוֹתַ/י
וְ/לֹ֣א
יַחְמ֑וֹל
יִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ
לָ֝/אָ֗רֶץ
מְרֵרָֽתִ/י
יָ֘סֹ֤בּוּ
çâbab
H5437
to turn
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
עָלַ֨/י
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
רַבָּ֗י/ו
rab
H7228
archer
N-mp | Suff
יְפַלַּ֣ח
pâlach
H6398
to cleave
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
כִּ֭לְיוֹתַ/י
kilyâh
H3629
kidney
N-fp | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יַחְמ֑וֹל
châmal
H2550
to spare
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
יִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ
shâphak
H8210
to pour
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לָ֝/אָ֗רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Prep | N-cs
מְרֵרָֽתִ/י
mᵉrêrâh
H4845
gall
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 16:13
יָ֘סֹ֤בּוּ
çâbab
H5437
"to turn"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To turn or surround is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can be used literally or figuratively. It appears in the Bible to describe changing direction or surrounding something.
Definition: : turn/bring_around 1) to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or around, surround, encircle, change direction 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn, turn about, be brought round, change 1a2) to march or walk around, go partly around, circle about, skirt, make a round, make a circuit, go about to, surround, encompass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to turn oneself, close round, turn round 1b2) to be turned over to 1c) (Piel) to turn about, change, transform 1d) (Poel) 1d1) to encompass, surround 1d2) to come about, assemble round 1d3) to march, go about 1d4) to enclose, envelop 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to turn, cause to turn, turn back, reverse, bring over, turn into, bring round 1e2) to cause to go around, surround, encompass 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be turned 1f2) to be surrounded
Usage: Occurs in 148 OT verses. KJV: bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, [idiom] whirl, [idiom] round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset (about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to come about, [idiom] circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round), drive, environ, [idiom] on every side, beset (close, come, compass, go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back). See also: Genesis 2:11; 1 Chronicles 16:43; Psalms 7:8.
עָלַ֨/י
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
רַבָּ֗י/ו
rab
H7228
"archer"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to an archer, someone skilled with a bow and arrow. It appears in Genesis 21:20, describing Ishmael as an archer. The concept is one of skill and precision.
Definition: archer
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: archer. See also: Job 16:13; Jeremiah 50:29.
יְפַלַּ֣ח
pâlach
H6398
"to cleave"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
To cleave means to slice or break open something, like cutting through a material or piercing an object, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to cleave, slice 1a) (Qal) to cleave, plow 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to cleave open or through 1b2) to cause to cleave open 1b3) to slice, pierce
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: bring forth, cleave, cut, shred, strike through. See also: 2 Kings 4:39; Job 39:3; Psalms 141:7.
כִּ֭לְיוֹתַ/י
kilyâh
H3629
"kidney"
N-fp | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to the kidneys, which were considered essential organs, and also symbolized the mind and emotions. It appears in passages like Psalm 7:9 and Revelation 2:23. The kidneys were thought to be the seat of feelings and affections.
Definition: 1) kidneys 1a) of physical organ (lit.) 1b) of seat of emotion and affection (fig.) 1c) of sacrificial animals 2) (TWOT) reins
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: kidneys, reins. See also: Exodus 29:13; Job 19:27; Psalms 7:10.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 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)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יַחְמ֑וֹל
châmal
H2550
"to spare"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To spare or have pity is the meaning of this Hebrew verb, as seen in Genesis 43:14, where Joseph spares his brothers. It shows compassion and mercy towards others.
Definition: (Qal) to spare, pity, have compassion on
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: have compassion, (have) pity, spare. See also: Exodus 2:6; Jeremiah 21:7; Proverbs 6:34.
יִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ
shâphak
H8210
"to pour"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To pour or spill something out, like blood or a liquid. In the Bible, it can mean to shed blood or to pour out one's heart in prayer or complaint. For example, in Psalm 42:4, the writer pours out his soul to God.
Definition: : pour 1) to pour, pour out, spill 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pour, pour out 1a2) to shed (blood) 1a3) to pour out (anger or heart) (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to be poured out, be shed 1c) (Pual) to be poured out, be shed 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to be poured out 1d2) to pour out oneself
Usage: Occurs in 111 OT verses. KJV: cast (up), gush out, pour (out), shed(-der, out), slip. See also: Genesis 9:6; Jeremiah 6:6; Psalms 22:15.
לָ֝/אָ֗רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
מְרֵרָֽתִ/י
mᵉrêrâh
H4845
"gall"
N-fs | Suff
This word refers to gall, a bitter liquid produced by the body. In the Bible, it's used to describe something extremely bitter, like poison. It's often translated as 'gall'.
Definition: gall
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: gall. See also: Job 16:13.
Study Notes — Job 16:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 16:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 16:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 16:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 16:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 16:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 16:13
- Cambridge Bible on Job 16:13
- Barnes' Notes on Job 16:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 16:13
- Sermons on Job 16:13
Context — Job Decries His Comforters
11God has delivered me to unjust men; He has thrown me to the clutches of the wicked.
12I was at ease, but He shattered me; He seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has set me up as His target;
13His archers surround me. He pierces my kidneys without mercy and spills my gall on the ground.
14He breaks me with wound upon wound; He rushes me like a mighty warrior. 15I have sewn sackcloth over my skin; I have buried my horn in the dust.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 20:25 | It is drawn out of his back, the gleaming point from his liver. Terrors come over him. |
| 2 | Job 6:4 | For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. |
| 3 | Lamentations 2:11 | My eyes fail from weeping; I am churning within. My heart is poured out in grief over the destruction of the daughter of my people, because children and infants faint in the streets of the city. |
| 4 | Psalms 7:12–13 | If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow. He has prepared His deadly weapons; He ordains His arrows with fire. |
| 5 | Romans 8:32 | He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? |
| 6 | Lamentations 3:13 | He pierced my kidneys with His arrows. |
| 7 | Job 19:27 | I will see Him for myself; my eyes will behold Him, and not as a stranger. How my heart yearns within me! |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 29:20 | The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven |
| 9 | Job 6:10 | It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. |
| 10 | Ezekiel 5:11 | Therefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable idols and abominations, I Myself will withdraw My favor; I will not look upon you with pity, nor will I spare you. |
Job 16:13 Summary
In this verse, Job is describing the intense pain and suffering he feels, as if he is under attack from all sides. He uses powerful images, like archers surrounding him and his kidneys being pierced, to convey the depth of his emotional pain. Just like Job, we may feel overwhelmed and hurt at times, but we can bring those feelings to God and trust Him to be with us, even in the midst of suffering (Psalms 23:4, Romans 8:28). By being honest with God about our emotions and struggles, we can cultivate a deeper trust in Him and find comfort in His presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when Job says God's archers surround him?
This is a metaphor for the intense suffering and pressure Job feels, as if he is under attack from all sides, much like the Psalmist in Psalms 22:12-13, where he feels surrounded by bulls and lions.
Why does the Bible describe God piercing Job's kidneys without mercy?
The kidneys were considered the seat of emotions and intense feelings in biblical times, so this phrase may indicate that Job feels deeply emotional pain, similar to what the prophet Jeremiah experienced in Lamentations 3:13, where he writes of God shooting arrows into his kidneys.
What is the significance of gall being spilled on the ground?
In biblical times, the gall was associated with bitterness, so this image may symbolize the bitter suffering and anguish that Job feels, much like the bitter cup that Jesus drank in Matthew 27:34, which represented His willingness to take on the sins of the world.
How can we relate to Job's feelings of being surrounded and pierced by God?
While our experiences may not be as extreme as Job's, we can all identify with feeling overwhelmed and hurt, and Job's words can help us express our emotions to God, just as the Psalmist does in Psalms 42:1-2, where he pours out his heart to God in a time of distress.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have felt surrounded and overwhelmed, and how did I respond to those feelings?
- How can I, like Job, be honest with God about my emotions and struggles, even when I don't understand what is happening?
- What does it mean for me to trust God in the midst of suffering, and how can I cultivate that trust in my own life?
- In what ways can I identify with Job's feelings of emotional pain and bitterness, and how can I bring those feelings to God in prayer?
Gill's Exposition on Job 16:13
His archers compass me round about,.... Satan and his principalities and powers casting their fiery darts at him; or rather, his friends shooting their arrows, even bitter words, reproaches, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 16:13
His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground. His archers. The image of last verse is continued.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 16:13
His archers, i.e. his plagues or judgments, elsewhere compared to arrows, and here to archers. He cleaveth my reins asunder with his arrows, i.e. he wounds me inwardly, and mortally, and incurably; which also is noted by pouring out the gall; such wounds being deadly.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 16:13
Job 16:13 His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.Ver. 13. His archers compass me round about] i.e. His instruments of my woe, whether persons or things, but especially my grievous sores putting me through intolerable pain; these are God’ s arrows or archers, and do make my poor body not unlike that shield of Sceva, at the siege of Dyrrachium, which had two hundred and twenty darts sticking in it, when Caesar came to his rescue, Densamque ferens in pectore silvam (Luc.). He cleaveth my reins asunder] As a skilful archer, he hits the white, he cleaves the pin, as they call it, he shooteth exactly (to the very chilling and dissecting of my backbone), and so putteth me to most exquisite pain and torment, Lamentations 3:13. He poureth out my gall upon the ground] My bowels, saith the Vulgate. The gall is affixed to the liver, and when that is poured out; the man cannot live, because his wound is mortal and incurable. Job held himself so, but it proved better; the Lord chastened him sore, but he gave him not over to death, Psalms 118:18.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 16:13
Verse 13. His archers compass me] רביו rabbaiv "his great ones." The Vulgate and Septuagint translate this his spears; the Syriac, Arabic, and Chaldee, his arrows. On this and the following verse Mr. Heath observes: "The metaphor is here taken from huntsmen: first, they surround the beast; then he is shot dead; his entrails are next taken out; and then his body is broken up limb by limb."
Cambridge Bible on Job 16:13
13. The second figure—Job has been set up by God as a mark for His arrows. his archers] Rather, his arrows, cf. ch. Job 6:4. These arrows fly about him and cleave his vital parts and pour out his life to the ground. The Oriental speaks of the gall and gall-bladder where we might refer to the blood and the heart.
Barnes' Notes on Job 16:13
His archers - He does not come alone to shoot at me; he has employed a company of bowmen, who also direct “their” arrows against me.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 16:13
13. My reins — The kidneys. “The Scriptures bring the tenderest and the most inward experience of a manifold kind into association with them.” — , Bib. Psychology, pp. 317-319.
Sermons on Job 16:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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God's Work in the Darkness by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that entertainment is a substitute for true joy and that the glory of God needs to be restored. He mentions the importance of being anointed |
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The Man God Tore Apart - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing both the goodness and severity of God. He warns that America is experiencing an abundance of material blessing |
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Turn or Burn by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing that God will punish sin. He shares a story about a minister who, while walking in a forest, comes across a cle |
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Dying (Bilingual) by Jackie Pullinger | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of going out into the world to share the gospel with those who have never heard of Jesus. He highlights the poverty and desper |
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Spiritual Olympics by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of the prodigal son and relates it to the journey of a Christian. He emphasizes the importance of patience and endurance in the Chr |
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Bless Me Father by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of seeking spiritual recovery and not making false steps in life. He uses the story of Esau from the Bible as an example of s |
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Loss and Recovery of Spiritual Power by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the current state of the church and the need for repentance and revival. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God's work and not being |