Job 20:24
Job 20:24 in Multiple Translations
Though he flees from an iron weapon, a bronze-tipped arrow will pierce him.
He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.
He shall flee from the iron weapon, And the bow of brass shall strike him through.
He may go in flight from the iron spear, but the arrow from the bow of brass will go through him;
As they flee to escape an iron weapon, a bronze arrow will strike them down.
He shall flee from the yron weapons, and the bow of steele shall strike him through.
He fleeth from an iron weapon, Pass through him doth a bow of brass.
He will flee from the iron weapon. The bronze arrow will strike him through.
He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.
He shall flee from weapons of iron, and shall fall upon a bow of brass.
They will try to escape from being killed by iron weapons, but arrows with bronze points will pierce them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 20:24
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 20:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יִ֭בְרַח
מִ/נֵּ֣שֶׁק
בַּרְזֶ֑ל
תַּ֝חְלְפֵ֗/הוּ
קֶ֣שֶׁת
נְחוּשָֽׁה
יִ֭בְרַח
bârach
H1272
to flee
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
מִ/נֵּ֣שֶׁק
nesheq
H5402
weapon
Prep | N-ms
בַּרְזֶ֑ל
barzel
H1270
iron
N-ms
תַּ֝חְלְפֵ֗/הוּ
châlaph
H2498
to pass
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff
קֶ֣שֶׁת
qesheth
H7198
bow
N-fs
נְחוּשָֽׁה
nᵉchûwshâh
H5154
bronze
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 20:24
יִ֭בְרַח
bârach
H1272
"to flee"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To flee means to run away quickly, as seen in the Bible when people escaped from danger or pursued others, like in the story of David and Absalom.
Definition: 1) to go through, flee, run away, chase, drive away, put to flight, reach, shoot (extend), hurry away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, pass through 1a2) to flee 1a3) to hasten, come quickly 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to pass through 1b2) to cause to flee, put to flight 1b3) to drive away
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: chase (away); drive away, fain, flee (away), put to flight, make haste, reach, run away, shoot. See also: Genesis 16:6; 1 Kings 11:17; Psalms 3:1.
מִ/נֵּ֣שֶׁק
nesheq
H5402
"weapon"
Prep | N-ms
Military equipment, including arms and armor, used for battle or defense. It refers to the weapons and tools used by armed men. In the Bible, it is often associated with war and conflict.
Definition: 1) equipment, weapons, armoury 1a) equipment, weapons 1b) armoury
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: armed men, armour(-y), battle, harness, weapon. See also: 1 Kings 10:25; Job 39:21; Psalms 140:8.
בַּרְזֶ֑ל
barzel
H1270
"iron"
N-ms
Iron refers to a strong metal used for tools and furniture, symbolizing strength or harshness, as seen in the Bible's descriptions of iron implements.
Definition: 1) iron 1a) iron 1a1) iron ore 1a2) as material of furniture, utensils, implements 2) tool of iron 3) harshness, strength, oppression (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: par.zel (פַּרְזֶל "iron" H6523)
Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: (ax) head, iron. See also: Genesis 4:22; 2 Chronicles 2:6; Psalms 2:9.
תַּ֝חְלְפֵ֗/הוּ
châlaph
H2498
"to pass"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff
This Hebrew verb means to pass or change, like something sliding by quickly. It is used in the Bible to describe things like grass growing, time passing, or people moving on. It can also mean to overstep or transgress.
Definition: 1) to pass on or away, pass through, pass by, go through, grow up, change, to go on from 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass on quickly 1a2) to pass away (vanish) 1a3) to come on anew, sprout again (of grass) 1a4) to pass through 1a5) to overstep, transgress 1b) (Piel) to cause to pass, change 1c) (Hiph) 1c1) to change, substitute, alter, change for better, renew 1c2) to show newness (of tree) Aramaic equivalent: cha.laph (חֲלַף "to pass" H2499)
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: abolish, alter, change, cut off, go on forward, grow up, be over, pass (away, on, through), renew, sprout, strike through. See also: Genesis 31:7; Job 20:24; Psalms 90:5.
קֶ֣שֶׁת
qesheth
H7198
"bow"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for bow refers to a weapon used for hunting or battle, but also symbolizes strength and is used to describe a rainbow. In the Bible, it appears in Genesis and other books. It represents power and beauty.
Definition: 1) bow 1a) bow (for hunting, battle) 1b) bowmen, archers 1c) bow (fig. of might) 1d) rainbow
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] arch(-er), [phrase] arrow, bow(-man, -shot). See also: Genesis 9:13; Psalms 44:7; Psalms 7:13.
נְחוּשָֽׁה
nᵉchûwshâh
H5154
"bronze"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for copper or bronze, a metal made from melting copper ore, is used in the Bible to describe items like the bronze serpent in Numbers 21:9. It is also translated as brass or steel in some versions. This metal was highly valued in ancient times.
Definition: 1) copper, bronze 1a) copper (made from melting copper ore) 1b) bronze (made from copper and alloy) Aramaic equivalent: ne.chash (נְחָשׁ "bronze" H5174)
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: brass, steel. Compare H5176 (נָחָשׁ). See also: Leviticus 26:19; Job 41:19; Psalms 18:35.
Study Notes — Job 20:24
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 20:24 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 20:24
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 20:24
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 20:24
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 20:24
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 20:24
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 20:24
- Cambridge Bible on Job 20:24
- Barnes' Notes on Job 20:24
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 20:24
- Sermons on Job 20:24
Context — Zophar: Destruction Awaits the Wicked
22In the midst of his plenty, he will be distressed; the full force of misery will come upon him.
23When he has filled his stomach, God will vent His fury upon him, raining it down on him as he eats.
24Though he flees from an iron weapon, a bronze-tipped arrow will pierce him.
25It is drawn out of his back, the gleaming point from his liver. Terrors come over him. 26Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. A fire unfanned will consume him and devour what is left in his tent.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 24:18 | Whoever flees the sound of panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are open, and the foundations of the earth are shaken. |
| 2 | Amos 5:19 | It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 22:35 | He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. |
| 4 | Proverbs 7:23 | until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare— not knowing it will cost him his life. |
| 5 | Amos 9:1–3 | I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Topple them on the heads of all the people, and I will kill the rest with the sword. None of those who flee will get away; none of the fugitives will escape. Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 48:43–44 | Terror and pit and snare await you, O dweller of Moab,” declares the LORD. “Whoever flees the panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For I will bring upon Moab the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD. |
| 7 | 1 Kings 20:30 | The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room. |
Job 20:24 Summary
This verse, Job 20:24, teaches us that even if someone tries to run away from the consequences of their actions, they will still face judgment. It's like trying to escape from a sword, but getting hit by an arrow instead. This shows us that God is in control and will bring about justice, as seen in (Psalm 37:1-2). We can trust that God will take care of everything, even if we don't understand what's happening, and we should seek to live in obedience to Him, knowing that our actions have consequences (Galatians 6:7-8).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'flee from an iron weapon' in Job 20:24?
In this context, fleeing from an iron weapon likely refers to attempting to escape the consequences of one's actions, but ultimately being caught by a different means, as seen in the example of the bronze-tipped arrow, illustrating the inevitability of judgment, similar to what is described in Proverbs 28:1 and Isaiah 24:18.
Is the bronze-tipped arrow a literal or figurative expression?
The bronze-tipped arrow in Job 20:24 is likely a figurative expression representing the inescapable nature of God's judgment, similar to the 'sword' in Matthew 26:52, where Jesus teaches that those who live by the sword will die by the sword.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of the book of Job?
Job 20:24 contributes to the book of Job's exploration of suffering, judgment, and the nature of God, highlighting that even the wicked cannot ultimately escape God's justice, a theme also seen in Psalms 37:1-2 and Romans 2:3.
What does this verse teach us about God's sovereignty?
This verse teaches us that God is sovereign over all aspects of life, including the circumstances of the wicked, and that He will ultimately bring about justice, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 119:75.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when I see the wicked prospering, and what does this verse teach me about God's timing and judgment?
- In what ways can I be tempted to 'flee from the iron weapon' in my own life, and how can I instead turn to God for refuge and forgiveness?
- What does this verse reveal about the nature of God's justice, and how can I trust in His sovereignty even when I don't understand the circumstances around me?
- How can I apply the lesson of Job 20:24 to my own life, recognizing that my actions have consequences, and seeking to live in obedience to God's commands?
Gill's Exposition on Job 20:24
He shall flee from the iron weapon,.... The sword, for fear of being thrust through with it; the flaming sword of justice God sometimes threatens to take, and whet, and make use of against ungodly
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 20:24
He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through. Steel - rather, 'brass' [ nªchuwshaah (H5154)].
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 20:24
From the iron weapon, i.e. from the sword or spear; and so shall think himself out of danger. The bow; an arrow shot out of a bow. A distant, place and unknown hand shall unexpectedly fall upon him; so that he shall only go from one danger to another. Of steel; which is of great strength, and therefore sendeth forth the arrow with greater force. Compare . Or, of brass, as the word properly signifies; which the ancients did so temper and harden, that their bows were commonly made of it. Shall strike him through, i.e. mortally wound him.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 20:24
Job 20:24 He shall flee from the iron weapon, [and] the bow of steel shall strike him through.Ver. 24. He shall flee from the iron weapon] i.e. While he seeks to shun one mischief he shall fall into another; and when he thinks to run from death he runs to it. God, who can do what be will with his own bare hand, is here brought in, after the manner of men with sword and bow, to show that both at home and afar off he can tame his rebels. Neither boots it any man to stand out with God, or to seek to save himself by fight or flight; since he is that "King, against whom there is no rising up," Proverbs 30:31, and if he be angry, no other helps can relieve us. Brass and iron can fence me against an arrow or a sword, but if I were to be cast into a furnace of fire, it would help to torment me, if into a pit of water, to sink me. Now our God is a consuming fire, and his breath a stream of brimstone, Isaiah 30:33. "Submit yourselves therefore to God," James 4:7. Humble yourselves therefore under his mighty hand, and ho shall lift you up in due season, 1 Peter 5:6. To run in to God is the way to escape him; as to close and get in with him that would strike you doth avoid the blow.
And the bow of steel shall strike him through] Or, shall change him; that is, kill him. Death is our great change, and to the wicked a dismal change; for they shall be killed with death, Revelation 2:23. Then Balaam and his bribes, Balthasar and his bowls, Dives and his dishes, Herod and his harlots, the usurer and his bills, the merchant and his measures, &c., shall part asunder for ever. But that is not the worst of it. The word here used signifieth excision, or cutting off, and hence that of Bathsheba, Proverbs 31:8, Beni chaloph, children of destruction, answerable to that of our Saviour, John 17:12. A son or child of perdition, that is, a man devoted to utter destruction.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 20:24
(24) He shall flee from the iron weapon, and.—That is, if he escaped one mischance, another should overtake him.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 20:24
Verse 24. He shall flee from the iron weapon] Or, "Though he should flee from the iron armour, the brazen bow should strike him through." So that yf he fle the yron weapens, he shal be shott with the stele bow. - Coverdale. That is, he shall most certainly perish: all kinds of deaths await him.
Cambridge Bible on Job 20:24
24. His inevitable destruction: seeking to escape one form of death he shall flee into another. The figure changes. The judgment of God is no more a rain from heaven, it is an attack on all hands of armed inexorable foes; cf. the same idea of inevitable destruction set forth under different figures, Amos 5:19. For bow of steel read bow of brass.
Barnes' Notes on Job 20:24
He shall flee from the iron weapon - The sword, or the spear. That is, he shall be exposed to attacks, and shall flee in cowardice and alarm.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 20:24
24. Bow of steel — Not steel, but brass or copper. As bronze tools were used for engraving or sculpturing the rocks, and even in working the quarries, the ancient Egyptian must have possessed some lost art for tempering copper.
Sermons on Job 20:24
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Lessons From the Recent Earthquake by Samuel Davies | Samuel Davies preaches about the recent earthquake, drawing lessons from the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. He emphasizes the majesty and power of God, the sinfulness of the worl |
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Haggai 2:6 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the prophetic significance of Haggai 2:6, warning of a coming universal earthquake that symbolizes God's judgment on nations for their sins and rejection of |
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Amos 9 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his 14-month journey through different nations, carrying only what he could on his back. He emphasizes the diversity of people he encountere |
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K-448 Israel's Future Expulsion by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the insignificance of our worldly accomplishments and knowledge in the eyes of God. He describes a terrifying wilderness where one is strippe |
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God's Omnipotence - Part 1 by Richard Owen Roberts | In this sermon, the preacher explores the concept of God's omnipresence and authority over all places. He emphasizes that while we are accustomed to things having their rightful pl |
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Bible Survey - Amos by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond preaches on the prophet Amos, a humble and bold shepherd who fearlessly proclaimed God's truth to the Northern tribes of Israel during a time of peace and prosperity. |