Job 14:17 — Word Study
WLCחָתֻ֣ם בִּצְר֣וֹר פִּשְׁעִ֑י וַ֝תִּטְפֹּ֗ל עַל־ עֲוֹנִֽי׃
BSAMy transgressionpeshaʻ [sealed up, corded, rebellion, revolt] would be sealedchâtham [fastened, locked] in a bagtsᵉrôwr [bundle, package] and You would coverṭâphal▸ [smear, conceal] overʻal my iniquityʻâvôn [moral evil, sin]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| חָתֻ֣ם | [will be] sealed up | Verb, Qal, participle (passive) masculine singular |
| בִּצְר֣וֹר | in a bag | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| פִּשְׁעִ֑י | transgression my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וַ֝תִּטְפֹּ֗ל | and you have smeared | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect second person masculine singular |
| עַל־ | over | Preposition |
| עֲוֹנִֽי׃ | iniquity my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | My transgression would be sealed in a bag, and You would cover over my iniquity. |
| KJV | My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity. |
| ASV | My transgression is sealed up in a bag, And thou fastenest up mine iniquity. |
| YLT | Sealed up in a bag [is] my transgression, And Thou sewest up mine iniquity. |
| WEB | My disobedience is sealed up in a bag. You fasten up my iniquity. |
| BBE | My wrongdoing is corded up in a bag, and my sin is shut up safe. |
The translations agree on the essence of Job's plea for his transgressions to be sealed.
The sentence consists of a main clause and a subordinate clause, emphasizing Job's plea for divine action.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbחָתַם
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 14:17
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 Lament on Human Mortalitygenerated
Job 14:17 reflects Job's deep anguish over his transgressions and his plea for God to cover his iniquities. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job contemplates the nature of sin and the hope for divine mercy amidst suffering. Job desires that his sins be sealed away, indicating a profound need for forgiveness as he grapples with his mortality and the weight of his moral failings.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 21:19 | It is said that God lays up one’s punishment for his children. Let God repay the man himself, so he will know it. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 32:34 | “Have I not stored up these things, sealed up within My vaults? |
| 3 | Hosea 13:12 | The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is stored up. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חָתֻ֣ם, cha.Tumgenerated
The word חָתַם (cha.tam) means to seal or affix a seal, suggesting closure or protection. In this context, it implies a desire for Job's transgressions to be securely locked away, preventing them from being exposed or counted against him.
This passive participle form indicates that Job's transgression is not just sealed but is actively being secured by God. The imagery evokes a sense of safety and finality, as if Job longs for his sins to be permanently hidden from God's sight.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the essence of Job's plea for his transgressions to be sealed.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb וַ֝תִּטְפֹּ֗ל (va.tit.pol), meaning 'and You have smeared,' governs the sentence, with two phrases attached: a noun phrase for the subject and a prepositional phrase describing the action. The structure emphasizes God's active role in covering Job's iniquity.
The Hebrew word order places the transgression and iniquity in direct relation to God's action, highlighting the plea for divine intervention in Job's moral state.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates חָתֻ֣ם as βαλλαντίῳ (in a bag), which captures the idea of sealing but may imply a more physical containment than the Hebrew. This choice suggests a tangible sense of Job's desire to hide his sins.
The use of καλύψεις (You will cover) in the LXX parallels the Hebrew טִטְפֹּל, indicating a consistent understanding of God's role in concealing wrongdoing.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 14:17 expresses Job's wish that his sins would be sealed away, like something locked in a bag, and that God would cover over his iniquity. This reflects Job's deep need for forgiveness and his struggle with guilt.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Sealing Job's transgression suggests a desire for his sins to be hidden from God, indicating a longing for forgiveness.
The bag symbolizes containment and security, reflecting Job's wish for his sins to be permanently sealed away.
Job seeks relief from his guilt and a restoration of his relationship with God through divine mercy.
This verse encapsulates Job's struggle with suffering, sin, and the hope for redemption, which are central themes throughout the book.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does sealing my own transgressions mean in my life today?
- How can I seek forgiveness for my iniquities like Job did?
- In what ways do I feel the weight of my moral failings?
- How can I find hope in God's mercy amidst my struggles?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentaries on Job, such as those by Gregory the Dialogist, reflect on this verse's themes of sin and divine healing.
Ver. 17. Thou hast sealed up as it were in a bag my transgressions; but Thou hast healed mine iniquity. Our 'transgressions are sealed up as it were in a bag,' in that that thing which we ourselves do in outward act,Early Church Fathers on Job 14 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 14:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleMy transgression [is] sealed up in a bag,.... Denoting either the concealment of it, as in Hosea 13:12; not from God; nor in such sense sealed up as sin is by the sacrifice and satisfaction of
Read John Gill on Job 14 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryMy transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity. Sealed up - (Job 9:7). Is shut up in eternal oblivion - i:e., God thenceforth will think no more of my former sins.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 14 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleSealed up in a bag; as writings or other choice things, that they may be safely kept, and all of them brought forth upon occasion, and not one of them forgotten or lost. Compare . Thou sewest up mine iniquity, i.e. thou keepest all my sins in thy memory, and fastenest the guilt of them upon my conscience. Or, thou addest to my sin, one sin to another; the follies of my youth, , to those of my riper years. Or, thou addest to my punishment, i.e. thou punishest me more than mine iniquities deserve, all things considered. For this sinful thought seems sometimes to have risen in Job’ s mind, as may be gathered from divers parts of this book; which therefore Zophar decries and disproves, .
Read Matthew Poole on Job 14 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 14:17 My transgression [is] sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.Ver. 17. My transgression is sealed up in a bag] As the writings or informations of a process which is ready to be sentenced, Deuteronomy 32:34 Hosea 13:12. Thou hast, as it were, sealed up and made sure work with all my sins, saith Job, to have them forthcoming for the increase of my punishment. Look how the clerk of assizes (saith one) seals up the indictments of men, and at the assizes brings his bag, and takes them out to read the same against them; so God dealt with Job, in his conceit at least. The truth is, God had not sealed his transgressions in a bag, but had cast them behind his back. A bag God…
Read John Trapp on Job 14 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 17. My transgression is sealed up in a bag] An allusion to the custom of collecting evidence of state transgressions, sealing them up in a bag, and presenting them to the judges and officers of state to be examined, in order to trial and judgment. Just at this time (July, 1820) charges of state transgressions, sealed up in a GREEN BAG, and presented to the two houses of parliament, for the examination of a secret committee, are making a considerable noise in the land. Some suppose the allusion is to money sealed up in bags; which is common in the East. This includes two ideas: 1. Job's transgressions were all numbered; not one was passed by. 2. They were sealed up; so that none of…
Read AdamClarke on Job 14 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges17. Figures expressing the carefulness with which God treasures up a man’s sins lest any of them should be lost, in order to visit the full tale of them upon him.
Read Cambridge on Job 14 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleMy transgression is sealed up - The verb rendered sealed up (חתם châtham) means to seal, to close, to shut up; see the notes at Isaiah 8:16; compare the notes at Job 9:7.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 14 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible17. Sealed… in a bag — The money that is collected together in the treasuries of eastern princes is told up in certain equal sums, put into bags, and sealed. (Chardin.) The ancients used a seal where we use a lock.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 14 →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
My transgression would be sealed in a bag, and You would cover over my iniquity.
My disobedience is sealed up in a bag. You fasten up my iniquity.
My transgression would be sealed in a bag, and You would cover over my iniquity.
My offenses would be sealed up in a bag; you would cover over my sin.
Tyndale line
My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.
My transgression is sealed up in a bag, And thou fastenest up mine iniquity.
My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou fastenest up mine iniquity.
My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up my iniquity.
Mine iniquitie is sealed vp, as in a bagge, and thou addest vnto my wickednesse.
Strictly literal
My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou heapest up mine iniquity.
Sealed up in a bag [is] my transgression, And Thou sewest up mine iniquity.
My transgression [is] sealed up in a bag, and You sew up my iniquity.
Sealed up in a bag is my transgression, and thou yet addest to my iniquity.
My transgression would be sealed up in a bag; you would cover up my iniquity.
From the Latin
Thou hast sealed up my offences as it were in a bag, but hast cured my iniquity.
Simplified
My sins would be sealed up in a bag and you would cover my guilt.
My wrongdoing is corded up in a bag, and my sin is shut up safe.
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 Dead Sea Scrolls largely agree on the wording of this verse, with the scrolls showing some restoration. The Septuagint, however, reflects a different structure and word choice, indicating a distinct interpretive tradition.
חָתֻ֣ם בִּצְר֣וֹר פִּשְׁעִ֑י וַ֝תִּטְפֹּ֗ל עַל־ עֲוֹנִֽי׃
1 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.
חתם [בצרר] פשע׳י [ותטפל] [על] [עונ׳י]
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 4 supplied entire by an editor.
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 14:17
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.
חָתַם (cha.tam) means to seal or affix a seal. It covers various forms, including sealing up, locking up, and being stopped. The verb appears in different stems, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating various nuances of sealing and closure. The Aramaic equivalent is also noted.
חָתַם vb. seal, affix seal, seal up
Qal
seal, affix one’s seal, in attestation
seal up, fasten up by sealing
Niph. (it was) written and sealed
Pi. lit. by day they seal up for themselves, i.e acc. to most, they shut themselves up
Hiph. or hath his flesh (genital organ) shewn stoppage by reason of his flux.
base
H2856 חָתַם seal, affix seal, seal up
2856 chatham khaw-tham'
a primitive root; to close up; especially to seal:--make an
end, mark, seal (up), stop.
חָתַם (cha.tam) — to seal.
1) to seal, seal up, affix a seal
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to seal, affix one's seal
1a2) to seal up, fasten up by sealing
1b) (Niphal) to seal
1c) (Piel) to lock up
1d) (Hiphil) to be stopped
Aramaic equivalent: cha.tam (חֲתַם "to seal" H2857)
V-Qal-Inf-c — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singularHVqsmsa
צְרוֹר (tsrowr) primarily means a bundle or parcel, often referring to something packed up, like a bag. It can also denote a pebble or small stone. Additionally, it is the name of a person, specifically the grandfather of Kish, mentioned in 1 Samuel 9:1.
צְרוֹר n.m. bundle, parcel, pouch, bag (prop. a binding, i.e sthg. bound up)
base
צְרוֹר n.m. pebble
base
צְרוֹר n.pr.m. grandfather of Ḳish 1 S 9:1
ref
H6872a צְרוֹר bundle, parcel, pouch, bag H6872b צְרוֹר pebble H6872c צְרוֹר grandfather of Kish
6872 tsrowr tser-ore'
or (shorter) tsror {tser-ore'}; from 6887; a parcel (as
packed up); also a kernel or particle (as if a
package):--bag, X bendeth, bundle, least grain, small stone.
see HEBREW for 06887
צְרוֹר (tse.ror) — bundle.
bundle, parcel, pouch, bag (as packed)
צְרוֹר (tse.ror) — pebble.
pebble
צְרוֹר (tse.ror) — Zeror.
A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Sa.9.1;
son of: Becorath (H1064);
father of: Abiel (H0022)
§ Zeror = "bundle"
grandfather of Ḳish
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
Bags of various kinds are mentioned in the English Bible, but often in a way to obscure rather than tr the original.
(1) "Bag" is used for a Hebrew word which means a shepherd's "bag," rendered "wallet" in the Revised Version (British and American). This "bag" of the shepherd or "haversack" of the traveler was of a size sufficient for one or more days' provisions. It was made of the skin of animals, ordinarily undressed, as most of the other "bags" of ancient times were, and was carried slung across the shoulder. This is the "scrip for the journey" pera mentioned in Mt 10:10 and its parallel (the King James Version). ("Scrip" is Old English, now obsolete.) A unique word appears in 1Sa 17:40,49 which had to be explained even to Hebrew readers by the gloss, "the shepherd's bag,"…
Bag
(1.) A pocket of a cone-like shape in which Naaman bound two pieces of silver for Gehazi (2 Kings 5:23). The same Hebrew word occurs elsewhere only in Isa. 3:22, where it is rendered “crisping-pins,” but denotes the reticules (or as R.V., “satchels”) carried by Hebrew women.
(2.) Another word (kees) so rendered means a bag for carrying weights (Deut. 25:13; Prov. 16:11; Micah 6:11). It also denotes a purse (Prov. 1:14) and a cup (23:31).
is the rendering of several words in the Old and New Testaments. Charitim , the "bags" in which Naaman bound up the two talents of silver for Gehazi. (2 Kings 5:23) They were long cone-like bags of the size to hold a precise amount of money, and tied or sealed for that amount, as we stamp the value on a coin. Cis , a bag for carrying weights, (25:13) also used as a purse (Proverbs 1:14) Celi , in (Genesis 42:25) is the "sack" in which Jacob’s sons carried the corn which they brought from Egypt. The shepherd’s "bag" used by David was for the purpose of carrying the lambs unable to walk. (Zechariah 11:15; 16:5) Tschar , properly a "bundle," (
פֶּ֫שַׁע (pesha`) means transgression and is derived from a root that implies revolt, whether national, moral, or religious. It encompasses various forms of wrongdoing, including offenses against individuals, nations, and God, as well as the associated guilt and punishment. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
פֶּ֫שַׁע n.m. transgression
base
H6588 פֶּ֫שַׁע transgression
6588 pesha` peh'-shah
from 6586; a revolt (national, moral or
religious):--rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass.
see HEBREW for 06586
פֶּ֫שַׁע (pe.sah) — transgression.
1) transgression, rebellion
1a1) transgression (against individuals)
1a2) transgression (nation against nation)
1a3) transgression (against God)
1a3a) in general
1a3b) as recognised by sinner
1a3c) as God deals with it
1a3d) as God forgives
1a4) guilt of transgression
1a5) punishment for transgression
1a6) offering for transgression
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
טָפַל (taphal) is a primitive root meaning to stick on or smear, often used in a figurative sense to imply false imputation. The entries indicate it can refer to actions like gluing or plastering over. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
[טָפַל] vb. smear or plaster (over), stick, glue
base
H2950 טָפַל
2950 taphal taw-fal'
a primitive root; properly, to stick on as a patch;
figuratively, to impute falsely:--forge(-r), sew up.
טָפַל (ta.phal) — to smear.
(Qal) to smear, plaster over, stick, glue
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect second person masculine singularHc/Vqw2ms
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence 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
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence 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 . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
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)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep — PrepositionHR
עָוֹן (avon) refers to iniquity, guilt, or the punishment associated with iniquity. It encompasses concepts of moral evil, such as perversity and depravity, and includes the consequences or punishment for these actions. The term appears in contexts like 2 Kings 7:9 and Psalm 51:5, highlighting its significance in discussions of sin and guilt.
עָוֹן n.m. iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity
base
H5771 עָוֹן iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity
5771 `avon aw-vone'
or oavown (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 (7)) {aw-vone'}; from
5753; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil:--fault, iniquity,
mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin.
see HEBREW for 07
see HEBREW for 05753
עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: crime.
: crime
1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
1a) iniquity
1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: guilt.
: guilt
1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
1a) iniquity
1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: punishment.
: punishment
1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
1a) iniquity
1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
N-cs | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs