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Job 10:20 — Word Study

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WLCהֲלֹא־ מְעַ֣ט יָמַ֣י וַחֲדָ֑ל וְשִׁ֥ית מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי וְאַבְלִ֥יגָה מְּעָֽט׃

BSAAre my daysyôwm [brief, few in number] notlôʼ fewmᵉʻaṭ Withdrawchâdal [cease, stop, let me alone] from memin that I may have a little comfortbâlag [take, experience, enjoy, small amount of, fleeting, cheerfulness, relief, solace]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 10
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 20 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (me.'At) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 10:20quick helps
In a sentenceJob expresses his despair over the brevity of life and seeks comfort.
Who is speakingJob, in a moment of deep sorrow and reflection.
Where we areIn the midst of Job's lament about his suffering and the fleeting nature of life.
The hard wordאַבְלִ֥יגָה
Take awayJob desires a brief respite from his pain.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

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 10:20

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 Lamentgenerated

19If only I had never come to be, but had been carried from the womb to the grave.
20Are my days not few? Withdraw from me, that I may have a little comfort,
21before I go—never to return— to a land of darkness and gloom,
22to a land of utter darkness, of deep shadow and disorder, where even the light is like darkness.”

Job 10:20 reflects Job's anguish as he questions the purpose of his life and the suffering he endures. He longs for a moment of comfort amid his turmoil, expressing a desire for solitude from his afflictions. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job contemplates the darkness and despair surrounding him, as seen in the preceding and following verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 7:6–7My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle; they come to an end without hope.
2Job 8:9For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.
3Job 9:25–26My days are swifter than a runner; they flee without seeing good.
4Job 14:1“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble.
5Psalm 39:5You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word אַבְלִ֥יגָה, avligahgenerated

The verb אַבְלִ֥יגָה (avligah) is a Hiphil infinitive construct form of the root בָּלַג (balag), which means to be cheerful or to experience joy. In this context, it conveys Job's wish to find a brief moment of relief or happiness amidst his suffering.

The construction indicates a desire for action — Job wants to be cheerful, even if just for a fleeting moment. The emotional weight of this word underscores the depth of his despair and the longing for comfort in a time of distress.


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 has a main clause with the finite verb יָמַ֣י (yamai), which is the subject of Job's questioning, followed by two imperative verbs חֲדָ֑ל (chadal) and שִׁ֥ית (shiyth) that express Job's requests. The structure emphasizes Job's plea for solitude and comfort, highlighting the emotional intensity of his words.

The arrangement of the clauses indicates a flow from Job's reflection on the brevity of life to his urgent requests, creating a poignant contrast between his awareness of mortality and his desire for relief.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word אַבְלִ֥יגָה is rendered as ἀναπαύσασθαι (anapausastai), which means to rest or be refreshed. This choice suggests a broader interpretation of Job's plea, emphasizing the need for rest and relief from his suffering.

The LXX translation captures the essence of Job's desire for comfort, aligning with the emotional weight of the original Hebrew while offering a slightly different nuance in the concept of finding peace.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 10:20 shows Job questioning the shortness of his life and asking for a break from his suffering. He expresses a deep need for a small amount of comfort amidst his pain, highlighting his emotional state.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job mean by 'my days are few'?

Job is reflecting on the brevity of life, feeling that his time is limited and filled with suffering.

Why does Job ask for comfort?

Job seeks comfort as a respite from his intense pain and sorrow, hoping for a moment of relief.

What is the significance of Job wanting solitude?

Job's request for withdrawal indicates his desire to escape the overwhelming nature of his suffering and find peace.

How does this verse connect to the themes of the Book of Job?

This verse encapsulates the central themes of suffering, the search for understanding, and the longing for relief that permeate the Book of Job.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I recognize the brevity of life in my own experiences?
  2. How do I seek comfort during difficult times, as Job does?
  3. What does it mean for me to find solace in moments of distress?
  4. How can I support others who are struggling with their own pain and suffering?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

The verse is referenced by Gregory the Dialogist in his reflections on the nature of life and the importance of recognizing its brevity.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book IX c. 540–604
Will not the small number of my days be finished in a short time? He shews himself to live with good heed and circumspection, who, in considering the shortness of the present life does not look to the furtherance but to the ending of it,
Early Church Fathers on Job 10 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 10:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

[Are] not my days few?.... They are so, the days of every man are but few; see Job 14:1; the remainder of Job's days were but few; considering the course of nature, and especially the sore

Read John Gill on Job 10 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little, Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 10 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

My life is short, and of itself hastens apace to an end; there is no need that thou shouldst push it forward, or grudge me some ease for so small a moment. Let me alone; or, lay aside, or remove, thy hand or anger from me.

Read Matthew Poole on Job 10 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 10:20 [Are] not my days few? cease [then, and] let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,Ver. 20. Are not my days few?] And oh that they might not be also evil! since I shall not much trouble the world, oh that I might not find much trouble in the world! What man is he that would fain see good days? saith David, Psalms 34:12. What man is he that would not? saith Austin in answer to him. Job and David join in one and the same suit for a truce from trouble, since their time here was so very short, Psalms 39:13; Psalms 89:47. Cease then, and let me alone] After he had vented his passions he falls again to his prayers. Ye have done all this wickedness (saith Samuel to the people who…

Read John Trapp on Job 10 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) Cease then, and let me alone.—According to another reading, “Let him cease, and let me alone.” In reading this reply of Job’s, one cannot but feel that it moves upon the very verge of blasphemy, and is only redeemed therefrom by its pervading reverence and deep undertone of faith. Job never gives up his faith in God, though, like Jacob, he wrestles with Him in the dark, and the issue shows that God is not displeased with such an unburdening of the soul that keeps close to the straight line of truth, which is, after all, one of the many manifestations of God.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 10 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 20. Are not my days few?] My life cannot be long; let me have a little respite before I die.

Read AdamClarke on Job 10 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

20–22. He begs for a little easing of his pain ere he departs to the land of darkness. are not my days few] The same argument as ch. Job 7:16. cease then, and let me alone] Another reading is, let him cease then, &c. In the last case the speaker turns away from God and speaks of Him. In the rest of the chapter, however, Job everywhere addresses God. take comfort] The same word as ch. Job 9:27, brighten up.

Read Cambridge on Job 10 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Are not my days few? - My life is short, and hastens to a close. Let not then my afflictions be continued to the last moment of life, but let thine hand be removed, that I may enjoy some rest before I go hence, to return no more.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 10 →

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Are my days not few? Withdraw from me, that I may have a little comfort,

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Aren’t my days few? Stop! Leave me alone, that I may find a little comfort,

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Are my days not few? Withdraw from me, that I may have a little comfort,

NETBNew English Translation2006

Are not my days few? Cease, then, and leave me alone, that I may find a little comfort,

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Are not my days few? cease then, And let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,

RVARevised Version, American1894

Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Are not my days few? cease then , and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Are not my dayes fewe? let him cease, and leaue off from me, that I may take a litle comfort,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Are not my days few? cease then and let me alone, that I may revive a little,

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Are not my days few? Cease then, and put from me, And I brighten up a little,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Are my days not few? Cease then, and put from me, || And I brighten up a little,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Lo! my days are but few: cease, then, withdraw from me [thy hand], that I may recover my cheerfulness a little.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Are not my days only a few? Stop then, let me alone, so that I may have a little rest

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Shall not the fewness of my days be ended shortly? suffer me, therefore, that I may lament my sorrow a little:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

I only have a few days left, so why don't you leave me alone so I can have a little peace

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Are not the days of my life small in number? Let your eyes be turned away from me, so that I may have a little pleasure,

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.

clauseהֲ?clauseadverbialלֹאnotpredicateמְעַ֣טfewnoun phrase · subjectיָמַ֣daysי[are].myוַandclauseverbחֲדָ֑לceaseוְandclauseverbשִׁ֥יתputprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִ֝מֶּ֗fromנִּיmeוְsoclauseverbאַבְלִ֥יגָהthat.I.may.be.cheerfuladverbialמְּעָֽטa.little

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 largely agree in content, with seven of the eight words matching. The Septuagint's phrasing may differ in structure but retains the core meaning of Job's lament and his longing for comfort.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

הֲלֹא־ מְעַ֣ט יָמַ֣י וַחֲדָ֑ל וְשִׁ֥ית מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי וְאַבְלִ֥יגָה מְּעָֽט׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הֲלֹא־οὐκמְעַ֣טὀλίγοςיָמַ֣יμουוְשִׁ֥יתἔασόνמִ֝מֶּ֗נִּיμεוְאַבְלִ֥יגָהἀναπαύσασθαιמְּעָֽט׃μικρὸν

7 of the 8 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.

Job 10:20לֹא¿ not¿ notלֹאמְעַטfewfewמְעַטיוֹם[are] days [are] days myיוֹםחָדַלand ceaseand ceaseחָדַלשִׁיתand putand putשִׁיתמִן־from mefrom meמִן־בָּלַגso I may beso I may be cheבָּלַגמְעַטa littlea littleמְעַטמָעַטto diministo diminishמָעַטמֵןstringstringמֵןתְּנוּמָהslumberslumberתְּנוּמָהשֵׁנָהsleepsleepשֵׁנָהיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדשְׁבִיעִיseventhseventhשְׁבִיעִישַׁבָּתSabbathSabbathשַׁבָּתגִּלְעָד(Mount) Gi(Mount) Gileadגִּלְעָדעֵ֫דֶרflockflockעֵ֫דֶרחֹ֫שֶׁךְdarknessdarknessחֹ֫שֶׁךְרָחַקto removeto removeרָחַקיָתַרto remainto remainיָתַרמִן־fromfromמִן־
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Job 10:20

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.

¿ not few [are] days my and cease and put from me so I may be cheerful a little
הֲלֹא־ha.lo'- ¿ not H3808 Particle · particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part | Part — Particle · particle
HTi/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
¿ not few [are] days my and cease and put from me so I may be cheerful a little
מְעַ֣טme.'At few H4592 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
101× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means something is small or little in amount, like a few people or a short time. It appears in various Bible translations as almost, few, or small. In the Bible, it often describes something that is limited or lacking.
Tyndale gloss
little
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְעַט (m`at) refers to something that is small in quantity or degree, encompassing meanings like 'a little' or 'few.' It can be used adverbially to indicate a small amount or to describe something as almost or hardly. The term is derived from a root meaning 'to be small' and is associated with concepts of littleness and fewness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְעַט 101 subst. a little, fewness, a few

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4592 מְעַט a little, fewness, a few

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4592 m`at meh-at'

or miat {meh-awt'}; from 4591; a little or few (often

adverbial or compar.):--almost (some, very) few(-er, -est),

lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some,

soon, X very.

see HEBREW for 04591

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְעַט (me.at) — little.

1) littleness, few, a little, fewness

1a) little, small, littleness, fewness, too little, yet a little

1b) like a little, within a little, almost, just, hardly, shortly, little worth

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
¿ not few [are] days my and cease and put from me so I may be cheerful a little
יָמַ֣יya.Mai [are] days my H3117 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
2,306× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
brief, few in number
Tyndale gloss
day
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יוֹם 2285 n.m. day

day, opp. night

Day as division of time

יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous

Pl. days of anyone

Days

יוֹם = time

Phrases

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night

. Day as division of time

. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous

. Pl. days of anyone

. Days

. יוֹם = time

. Phrases

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3117 yowm yome

from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm

hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one

sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by

an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +

chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)

day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +

(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as

(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,

presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,

then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,

weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole

(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יוֹם (yom) — day.

: day/when/time/period

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day's journey

1c) days, lifetime (pl.)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

יוֹם (yom) — day: old.

: old/(full/many)[days]

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day's journey

1c) days, lifetime (pl.)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

יוֹם (yom) — day: year.

: year[of_days]

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp1bs
¿ not few [are] days my and cease and put from me so I may be cheerful a little
וַחֲדָ֑לve.che.Dal and cease H2308 Conjunction · verb qal imperative second person masculine singular
58× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To cease means to stop or end something, like when God told the Israelites to cease work on the Sabbath in Exodus 20:10. It can also mean to be idle or lacking. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a change in action or behavior.
Amplified meaning
cease, stop, let me alone
Tyndale gloss
to cease
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָדַל (chadal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to cease or come to an end. It conveys the idea of stopping, leaving off, or forgoing something. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including the Qal stem, which indicates simple action. There is a specific note in the Hophil form suggesting a passive sense of being made to leave.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָדַל vb. cease

Qal

cease, come to an end

cease, leave off

Hoph. should I be made to leave

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2308 חָדַל cease .. cease, come to an end

. cease, leave off

. should I be made to leave

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2308 chadal khaw-dal'

a primitive root; properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by

implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or

idle:--cease, end, fall, forbear, forsake, leave (off), let

alone, rest, be unoccupied, want.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָדַל (cha.dal) — to cease.

1) to stop, cease, desist, forego, cease to be, leave undone, forbear

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to cease, come to an end

1a2) to cease, leave off

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Juss-3ms — Conjunction · verb qal imperative second person masculine singular
HC/Vqv2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ses: A remarkable array of 20 Hebrew and 6 Greek words is so translated. In the King James Version 15 of the former and 3 of the latter are used only once with this rendering. The originals most frequently in use are chadhal, "to leave off"; shabhath "to rest from" (labor); pauomai, "to make to cease." Few words illustrate better the fertility of the Hebrew in expressing limitless shades of meaning, impoverished by the use of one English word. This extensive variety is, however, well expressed by "cease": i.e. stop, come to an end, e.g. ceasing of tears (Jer 14:17); work (Ezr 4:24); grinders (Ec 12:3); thunder (Ex 9:29); the wicked (

¿ not few [are] days my and cease and put from me so I may be cheerful a little
וְשִׁ֥יתya.shit and put H7896 Conjunction · verb qal imperative second person masculine singular
83× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to place or set something, and it's used in many different ways, like appointing someone to a job or setting your mind to do something. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to lay hands on someone or make something happen.
Tyndale gloss
to set: make
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שִׁית (shiyth) is a primitive root meaning to put or set, with a wide range of applications including appointing, laying, and constituting. It can also imply taking a stand or being imposed upon. The entries consistently emphasize its versatility in contexts of action and intention.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שִׁית vb. put, set

Qal

put, lay

set, station

set one's mind to, give heed, attention

set, fix

constitute, make one something

internally trans., = take one's stand

Hoph. if a ransom be imposed

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7896 שִׁית put, set .. put, lay

. . set, station

. set one's mind to, give heed, attention

. set, fix

. constitute, make one something

. internally trans., = take one's stand

. if a ransom be imposed

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7896 shiyth sheeth

a primitive root; to place (in a very wide

application):--apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay

(up), let alone, X look, make, mark, put (on), + regard, set,

shew, be stayed, X take.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שִׁית (shit) — to set: make.

: make/establish

1) to put, set

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to put, lay (hand upon)

1a2) to set, station, appoint, fix, set mind to

1a3) to constitute, make (one something), make like, perform

1a4) to take one's stand

1a5) to lay waste

1b) (Hophal) to be imposed, be set upon

שִׁית (shit) — to set: put.

: put/bring

1) to put, set

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to put, lay (hand upon)

1a2) to set, station, appoint, fix, set mind to

1a3) to constitute, make (one something), make like, perform

1a4) to take one's stand

1a5) to lay waste

1b) (Hophal) to be imposed, be set upon

שִׁית (shit) — to set: appoint.

: appoint

1) to put, set

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to put, lay (hand upon)

1a2) to set, station, appoint, fix, set mind to

1a3) to constitute, make (one something), make like, perform

1a4) to take one's stand

1a5) to lay waste

1b) (Hophal) to be imposed, be set upon

שִׁית (shit) — to set: accuse.

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Vqv2ms — Conjunction · verb qal imperative second person masculine singular
HC/Vqv2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

put (puT; Phoud, in Genesis and Chronicles, variant for Genesis Phout, for Chronicles, Phouth):

1. Renderings:

In consequence of the identification at the time, the prophets have "Libya" (Libues), except Nab 3:9, where the Greek renders the word as phuge, "flight." The Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) has "Phut," "Phuth," and in the Prophets "Libyes" and "Libya"; the King James Version "Phut."

2. Son of Ham:

In the "Table of Nations" Put is the third son of Ham (Ge 10:6), the first and second being Cush and Misraim, and the fourth Canaan. Put is the only one of the sons of Ham who is not credited with descendants.

3. As Nationality:

In the Prophets, warriors from Put are referred to, principally in connection with the forces of Egypt. They appear as shield-bearers (Jer 46:9

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Nave's Topical Bible

→ See PHUT

¿ not few [are] days my and cease and put from me so I may be cheerful a little
מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּיmi.Me.ni from me H4480 Preposition · suffix
1,189× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Tyndale gloss
from
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מִן־ (*min*) is a preposition meaning 'from' or 'out of,' indicating separation or origin. It covers various uses, including temporal references, comparisons, and causal relationships. Additionally, it can denote a portion when used as a noun מֵן (*men*). The entries highlight its versatility in expressing different nuances of separation and position.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִן־, and מִ, before יְ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not

with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal

from, against

מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from

of position, off, on the side of, on

Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex

Partitively

Of time—

as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since

as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after

towards, to

(וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to

In comparisons, beyond, above

מן is prefixed to an infin.:

with causal force, from, on account of, through

after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.

with a temporal force, since, after

Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that

In compounds:

base

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4480a מִן־, מִ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not . with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal . from, against

. מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from

. of position, off, on the side of, on

. Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex

. Partitively

. Of time— . as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since

. as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after

. towards, to

. (וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to

. In comparisons, beyond, above

. מן is prefixed to an infin.: . with causal force, from, on account of, through

. after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.

. with a temporal force, since, after

. Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4480 min min

or minniy {min-nee'}; or minney (constructive plural)

{min-nay'}; (Isaiah 30:11); for 4482; properly, a part of;

hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses (as

follows):--above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason

of), from (among), in, X neither, X nor, (out) of, over,

since, X then, through, X whether, with.

see HEBREW for 04482

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִן־ (min) — from.

prep

1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than

1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of

1b) out of

1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling)

1b2) (of material from which something is made)

1b3) (of source or origin)

1c) out of, some of, from (partitively)

1d) from, since, after (of time)

1e) than, more than (in comparison)

1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or

1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons)

1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive)

conj

2) that

Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)

מֵן (men) — portion.

n.m.

portion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
¿ not few [are] days my and cease and put from me so I may be cheerful a little
וְאַבְלִ֥יגָהve.'av.Li.gah so I may be cheerful H1082 Conjunction · verb hiphil infinitive construct first person common singular
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to be cheerful or show a smile, and can also mean to comfort or recover strength. It is used to describe a positive emotional state, like feeling comforted or strengthened.
Amplified meaning
take, experience, enjoy, small amount of, fleeting, cheerfulness, relief, solace
Tyndale gloss
be cheerful
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּלַג (balag) is a Hebrew verb primarily found in the Hiphil form, meaning to gleam or smile. It conveys a sense of cheerfulness, as well as the idea of causing something to burst or flash. The entries suggest a dual focus on positive expressions, like smiling, and more dynamic actions, such as bursting.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[בָּלַג] vb. gleam, smile—only Hiph.

shew a smile, look cheerful

cause to burst or flash

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1082 בָּלַג

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1082 balag baw-lag'

a primitive root; to break off or loose (in a favorable or

unfavorable sense), i.e. desist (from grief) or invade (with

destruction):--comfort, (recover) strength(-en).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּלַג (ba.lag) — be cheerful.

1) to gleam, smile

1a) (Hiphil) only

1a1) to show a smile, look pleasant

1a2) to cause to burst

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs — Conjunction · verb hiphil infinitive construct first person common singular
HC/Vhc1cs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
¿ not few [are] days my and cease and put from me so I may be cheerful a little
מְּעָֽט׃me.'At a little H4592 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
101× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means something is small or little in amount, like a few people or a short time. It appears in various Bible translations as almost, few, or small. In the Bible, it often describes something that is limited or lacking.
Tyndale gloss
little
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְעַט (m`at) refers to something that is small in quantity or degree, encompassing meanings like 'a little' or 'few.' It can be used adverbially to indicate a small amount or to describe something as almost or hardly. The term is derived from a root meaning 'to be small' and is associated with concepts of littleness and fewness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְעַט 101 subst. a little, fewness, a few

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4592 מְעַט a little, fewness, a few

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4592 m`at meh-at'

or miat {meh-awt'}; from 4591; a little or few (often

adverbial or compar.):--almost (some, very) few(-er, -est),

lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some,

soon, X very.

see HEBREW for 04591

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְעַט (me.at) — little.

1) littleness, few, a little, fewness

1a) little, small, littleness, fewness, too little, yet a little

1b) like a little, within a little, almost, just, hardly, shortly, little worth

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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