Job 7:2
Job 7:2 in Multiple Translations
Like a slave he longs for shade; like a hireling he waits for his wages.
As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:
As a servant that earnestly desireth the shadow, And as a hireling that looketh for his wages:
As a servant desiring the shades of evening, and a workman looking for his payment:
Like some slave longing for a bit of shade, like a hired hand anxiously waiting for pay day,
As a seruant longeth for the shadowe, and as an hyreling looketh for the ende of his worke,
As a servant desireth the shadow, And as a hireling expecteth his wage,
As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow, as a hireling who looks for his wages,
As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as a hireling looketh for the reward of his work;
As a servant longeth for the shade, as the hireling looketh for the end of his work;
We are like [SIM] slaves who keep wanting to be in the cool shade, and we are like [SIM] workers who are waiting to be paid.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 7:2
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 7:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כְּ/עֶ֥בֶד
יִשְׁאַף
צֵ֑ל
וּ֝/כְ/שָׂכִ֗יר
יְקַוֶּ֥ה
פָעֳלֽ/וֹ
כְּ/עֶ֥בֶד
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
Prep | N-ms
יִשְׁאַף
shâʼaph
H7602
to long for
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
צֵ֑ל
tsêl
H6738
shadow
N-ms
וּ֝/כְ/שָׂכִ֗יר
sâkîyr
H7916
hired
Conj | Prep | N-ms
יְקַוֶּ֥ה
qâvâh
H6960
to await
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
פָעֳלֽ/וֹ
pôʻal
H6467
work
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 7:2
כְּ/עֶ֥בֶד
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
יִשְׁאַף
shâʼaph
H7602
"to long for"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To crush or trample something, also to desire or hasten eagerly, as seen in Psalm 7:2. It implies a strong emotional response, like anger or intense longing. This word is used to describe God's judgment in Isaiah 13:3.
Definition: 1) to gasp, pant, pant after, long for, breathe heavily 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to gasp, pant after, snuff up 1a2) to gasp or pant (with desire), pant after, be eager for 1a3) to thirst for one's blood (from actions of animals) (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: desire (earnestly), devour, haste, pant, snuff up, swallow up. See also: Job 5:5; Ecclesiastes 1:5; Psalms 56:2.
צֵ֑ל
tsêl
H6738
"shadow"
N-ms
A shadow refers to a dark area, often providing shade or protection, like the shadow of a tree in Isaiah 4:6. It can also symbolize the fleeting nature of life, as mentioned in Psalm 102:11.
Definition: 1) shadow, shade 1a) shadow (on dial) 1b) shadow, shade (as protection) 1c) shadow (symbolic of transitoriness of life) Also means: tse.lel (צֵלֶל "shadow" H6752)
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: defence, shade(-ow). See also: Genesis 19:8; Ecclesiastes 7:12; Psalms 17:8.
וּ֝/כְ/שָׂכִ֗יר
sâkîyr
H7916
"hired"
Conj | Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word describes a hired worker, someone paid by the day or year. In the Bible, hired laborers were common, and the KJV translates this word as hired or hireling.
Definition: 1) hired 1a) hired (of animal) 1b) hireling, hired labourer (subst) 1b1) mercenary
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: hired (man, servant), hireling. See also: Exodus 12:45; Deuteronomy 15:18; Isaiah 16:14.
יְקַוֶּ֥ה
qâvâh
H6960
"to await"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to collect or gather things together, and can also mean to wait patiently for something. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe waiting on God.
Definition: 1) to wait, look for, hope, expect 1a) (Qal) waiting (participle) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to wait or look eagerly for 1b2) to lie in wait for 1b3) to wait for, linger for
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon). See also: Genesis 1:9; Isaiah 5:2; Psalms 25:3.
פָעֳלֽ/וֹ
pôʻal
H6467
"work"
N-ms | Suff
A work or deed is what this word refers to, describing something that has been done or made. It can also mean wages or the result of an action.
Definition: 1) work, deed, doing 1a) deed, thing done 1b) work, thing made 1c) wages of work 1d) acquisition (of treasure)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: act, deed, do, getting, maker, work. See also: Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 104:23; Psalms 9:17.
Study Notes — Job 7:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 7:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 7:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 7:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 7:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 7:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 7:2
- Cambridge Bible on Job 7:2
- Barnes' Notes on Job 7:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 7:2
- Sermons on Job 7:2
Context — Job Continues: Life Seems Futile
1“Is not man consigned to labor on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired hand?
2Like a slave he longs for shade; like a hireling he waits for his wages.
3So I am allotted months of futility, and nights of misery are appointed to me. 4When I lie down I think: ‘When will I get up?’ But the night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 19:13 | You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 24:15 | You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. |
| 3 | James 5:4 | Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts. |
| 4 | Malachi 3:5 | “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 6:4 | ‘Prepare for battle against her; rise up, let us attack at noon. Woe to us, for the daylight is fading; the evening shadows grow long. |
| 6 | Psalms 143:6 | I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Selah |
| 7 | Psalms 119:131 | I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commandments. |
Job 7:2 Summary
This verse means that Job is feeling like a slave who just wants to rest in the shade and get paid for his hard work. He's tired and wants relief from his suffering. Just like how we feel when we're exhausted and want to rest, Job is expressing his deep desire for God to comfort him and give him peace (Psalm 23:4). We can learn from Job that it's okay to tell God how we're feeling and to trust that He will take care of us, even when things seem really tough (Romans 8:28).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to long for shade like a slave?
In this verse, Job is expressing his deep desire for relief from his suffering, much like a slave would long for shade from the scorching sun, as described in Isaiah 4:6, where God provides shade for His people.
How does this relate to waiting for wages like a hireling?
Just as a hireling waits for his wages, Job is waiting for his reward, his relief from suffering, which is a theme also seen in Psalm 37:7, where we are called to wait patiently for the Lord.
Is Job complaining or is he expressing a legitimate desire for rest?
Job's expression of longing for shade and waiting for his wages is a legitimate cry for help, as seen in Psalm 38:9, where David also pours out his heart to God in his suffering.
What can we learn from Job's attitude in this verse?
We can learn that even in the midst of suffering, we can express our desires and longings to God, just as Job does, and trust in His goodness, as seen in Romans 8:28, where we are told that God works all things for our good.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I, like Job, long for relief from the struggles and hardships of life, and how can I express these desires to God?
- What are some ways that I can wait patiently for the Lord, like a hireling waiting for his wages, and trust in His timing and provision?
- How can I, like Job, find comfort in the fact that God is my Rock and my Redeemer, even in the midst of suffering and uncertainty?
- What are some ways that I can pour out my heart to God, like David in Psalm 38:9, and trust in His love and care for me?
Gill's Exposition on Job 7:2
As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow,.... Either the shadow of some great rock, tree, or hedge, or any shady place to shelter him from the heat of the sun in the middle of the day, which in
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 7:2
As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work: Earnestly desireth - Hebrew, pants for the (evening) shadow [ yish'ap (H7602) tseel (H6738)].
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 7:2
The shadow, i.e. the sun-set, or the night, the time allotted for his rest and repose, . And why may not I also desire the time of my rest? The reward of his work, Heb. his work; which is oft put for the reward of it, as 49:4. Or, the end of his work.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 7:2
Job 7:2 As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for [the reward of] his work:Ver. 2. As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, &c.] Heb. Gapeth after, or gaspeth for his shadow; that is, for some place of cool repose after his hard labour in the hot sunshine, as in harvest; or for the shadow, that is, for dark night, or for the evening. Cum Sol crescentes discedens duplicet umbras (Virg. Eclog.). And as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work] Heb. Expecteth his work, that is, his wages. God’ s work is its own wages; and in doing thereof (not only for doing thereof) there is great reward, Psalms 19:11. Righteousness is its own recompense; but a poor hireling looketh for his wages, he sets his heart upon it, Deuteronomy 24:15, and God provideth there that it be duly paid him; and those that detain it are sorely threatened. See James 5:5 : it is a crying sin.
The whole verse may cohere with the former; and be thus rendered, Is not a man as a servant that earnestly desireth the shadow? and is he not as a hireling, that looketh for the reward of his work? but it is better to join it with that which followeth, according to our translation.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 7:2
Verse 2. Earnestly desireth the shadow] As a man who labours hard in the heat of the day earnestly desires to get under a shade, or wishes for the long evening shadows, that he may rest from his labour, get his day's wages, retire to his food, and then go to rest. Night is probably what is meant by the shadow; as in VIRGIL, AEn. iv., ver. 7: Humentemque Aurora polo dimoverat UMBRAM. "The morning had removed the humid shadow, i.e., night, from the world." Where SERVIUS justly observes: Nihil interest, utrum UMBRAM an NOCTEM dicat: NOX enim UMBRA terrae est, "It makes no difference whether he says shadow or night; for night is the shadow of the earth."
Cambridge Bible on Job 7:2
2. With slight change the verse reads, As a slave who panteth for the shadow, And as an hireling who looketh, &c. The slave in the heat and under his hard toil pants for the shadow of evening, the day’s end; and the hireling looks for his wages, that is, the close of the day; cf. Proverbs 21:6.
Barnes' Notes on Job 7:2
As a servant earnestly desireth - Margin, gapeth after. The word here שׁאף shâ'aph means to breathe hard, to pant, to blow, and then to desire earnestly.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 7:2
2. Earnestly desireth the shadow — Rather, longs for, ωׁ ?ΰ, a word that in several oriental languages expresses strongest desire. See chap. Job 5:5.
Sermons on Job 7:2
| Sermon | Description | |
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Vii. the Commercial Sign by Lewis Sperry Chafer | Lewis Sperry Chafer discusses the last Biblical sign of the times mentioned in James 5:1-8, focusing on the 'heaping up' of treasures in 'the last days,' which signifies an increas |
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God Changeth Not by Joshua Daniel | In this sermon, Joshua Daniel discusses the need for a revival of faith and a return to God's unchanging truth. He emphasizes that while God and the gospel remain constant, it is o |
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I Am the God That Changeth Not by Joshua Daniel | In this sermon, Joshua Daniel emphasizes the importance of recognizing our accountability to God. He warns that without the blessing of God and the guidance of His Word, we are los |
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A Cry Against Wicked Youth! by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson delivers a powerful sermon titled 'A Cry Against Wicked Youth!' where he draws parallels between the wickedness of Nineveh and the moral decline of modern youth. He |