Job 15:17 — Word Study
WLCאֲחַוְךָ֥ שְֽׁמַֽע־ לִ֑י וְזֶֽה־ חָ֝זִ֗יתִי וַאֲסַפֵּֽרָה׃
BSAListenshâmaʻ [hear and obey, give attention] and I will inform youchâvâh▸ [show and declare, make known] I will describeçâphar [recount, tell in detail] ◂whatzeh I have seenchâzâh■ [perceived, had a vision of, prophesied]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֲחַוְךָ֥ | I will tell you | Verb piel imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
| שְֽׁמַֽע־ | listen | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| לִ֑י | to me | Preposition, suffix |
| וְזֶֽה־ | and what | Conjunction, particle |
| חָ֝זִ֗יתִי | I have seen | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
| וַאֲסַפֵּֽרָה׃ | and I will recount | Conjunction, verb piel infinitive construct first person common singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Listen to me and I will inform you. I will describe what I have seen, |
| KJV | I will shew thee, hear me; and that which I have seen I will declare; |
| ASV | I will show thee, hear thou me; And that which I have seen I will declare |
| YLT | I shew thee — hearken to me — And this I have seen and declare: |
| WEB | “I will show you, listen to me; that which I have seen I will declare |
| BBE | Take note and give ear to my words; and I will say what I have seen: |
Where they part company is in the translation of Job's invitation to listen and share — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence structure is straightforward, with a clear command followed by Job's promise to share his insights.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁמַע
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 15:17
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 Defense Against His Friendsgenerated
Job 15:17 presents Job as he speaks to his friends, asserting that he has valuable insights based on his own experiences. He invites them to listen to him as he prepares to share what he has seen, indicating that his perspective is rooted in direct observation rather than hearsay. This moment is part of a larger dialogue where Job seeks to clarify his understanding of suffering and divine justice.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 5:27 | Indeed, we have investigated, and it is true! So hear it and know for yourself.” |
| 2 | Job 13:5–6 | If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom! |
| 3 | Job 33:1 | “But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words. |
| 4 | Job 34:2 | “Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning. |
| 5 | Job 36:2 | “Bear with me a little longer, and I will show you that there is more to be said on God’s behalf. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֲחַוְךָ֥, 'a.chav.Khagenerated
The verb חָוָה (chavah) means to declare or show, indicating an act of informing others about something significant. It is in the Piel form, which suggests an intensive action, emphasizing Job's intention to make his insights clear and impactful.
Job's use of this verb underscores his role as a witness, as he seeks to convey important truths based on what he has personally experienced. This declaration is not merely for information; it is an invitation to understand and engage with his perspective.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the meaning of Job's invitation to listen and his intent to share his insights.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of several clauses, with the main action initiated by the verb שְֽׁמַֽע, listen. The structure is built around Job's imperative to his listeners, followed by his commitment to recount his experiences.
The organization of the clauses highlights the flow of Job's thought, moving from the call to listen to the promise of sharing his insights, thus emphasizing the importance of attentive listening in understanding his perspective.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb אֲחַוְךָ֥ is rendered as σοι (soi), which translates to 'to you'. This choice indicates a direct address to the listener, maintaining the personal engagement found in the Hebrew.
The LXX captures the essence of Job's declaration while adapting it to the Greek context, showing an emphasis on direct communication.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 15:17 shows Job speaking directly to his friends, urging them to listen as he shares what he has personally witnessed. He emphasizes the importance of his experiences and insights, which he believes are valuable for understanding the situation at hand.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is asserting his authority to share insights based on his own experiences, indicating that he has something important to communicate.
Listening is crucial for understanding Job's perspective and the insights he has gained from his experiences.
Job aims to provide clarity and understanding to his friends regarding his situation and the nature of suffering.
This verse highlights the struggle for understanding and the importance of personal experience in grappling with divine justice and human suffering.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I better listen to the experiences of others and learn from them?
- What insights have I gained from my own experiences that I can share with others?
- In what ways can I encourage open dialogue about difficult topics, similar to Job's approach?
- How do personal experiences shape our understanding of broader truths?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentary on Job's words highlights the significance of his declaration. Quotations from Gregory the Dialogist illustrate how Job's insights are portrayed as essential for understanding humility and truth.
Ver. 17. I will shew it thee, hear me; and that which I have seen I will declare to thee. All arrogant persons have this proper to them, that when they have a right notion, though the thing be little,Early Church Fathers on Job 15 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 15:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI will show thee, hear me,.... Here Eliphaz proceeds to illustrate and make plain, to clear and defend, his former sentiment and proposition, and into which the rest of his friends came; that only
Read John Gill on Job 15 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI will shew thee, hear me; and that which I have seen I will declare; In direct contradiction of Job's position (Job 12:6, etc.), that the lot of the wicked was the most prosperous here, Eiphaz
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 15 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleI will prove what I have affirmed, that such strokes as thine are peculiar to hypocrites and wicked men. I speak not by hearsay only, but from my own experience.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 15 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 15:17 I will shew thee, hear me; and that [which] I have seen I will declare;Ver. 17. I will show thee, hear me] Here Eliphaz useth a short but a lofty preface, calling hard for attention, and raising in Job an expectation of no mean matters. But Quid dignum tanto feret hic promissor hiatu - (Horat.) This is his argument: This is to be held to be true which experience evinceth, and wise men teach us, just as they have learned it from their religious ancestors. But, both continued experience and consent of men teach us, that wicked men have terrors within and troubles without. Therefore this is to be taken for a truth. Therefore also, by consequence, that is false which thou hast spoken…
Read John Trapp on Job 15 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 17. I will show thee, hear me; and that which I have seen l will declare] Eliphaz is now about to quote a whole collection of wise sayings from the ancients; all good enough in themselves, but sinfully misapplied to the case of Job.
Read AdamClarke on Job 15 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges17–35. Eliphaz instructs Job regarding the troubled conscience And the Disastrous Fate of the Wicked Man Having sufficiently rebuked Job’s presumption and irreverence Eliphaz proceeds to take up his principles, which “did away with the fear of God,” Job 15:4. They are such principles as Job gave forth ch. Job 9:22 seq., Job 12:6. The passage has two parts:— First, Job 15:17-19, a brief preface, in which Eliphaz states that his doctrine is that of the wise of all times among the pure-blooded races of men, who have never been contaminated by mixture with foreign tribes, and whose traditions are uncorrupted. Second, Job 15:20-35, the doctrine regarding the wicked man itself, in which there are…
Read Cambridge on Job 15 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI will show thee ... - The remainder of this chapter is a violent declamation, designed to overwhelm Job with the proofs of personal guilt.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 15 →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
Listen to me and I will inform you. I will describe what I have seen,
“I will show you, listen to me; that which I have seen I will declare
Listen to me and I will inform you. I will describe what I have seen,
“I will explain to you; listen to me, and what I have seen, I will declare,
Tyndale line
I will shew thee, hear me; and that which I have seen I will declare;
I will show thee, hear thou me; And that which I have seen I will declare
I will shew thee, hear thou me; and that which I have seen I will declare:
I will show thee, hear me; and that which I have seen, I will declare;
I will tell thee: heare me, and I will declare that which I haue seene:
Strictly literal
I will shew thee, listen to me; and what I have seen I will declare;
I shew thee — hearken to me — And this I have seen and declare:
I show you—listen to me—And this I have seen and declare,
I will instruct thee, hear me; and what I have seen will I relate;
I will show you; listen to me; I will announce to you the things I have seen,
From the Latin
I will shew thee, hear me: and I will tell thee what I have seen.
Simplified
If you are ready to listen to me, I will show you. I will explain my insights.
Take note and give ear to my words; and I will say what I have seen:
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 Septuagint agree closely in their wording for this verse, with all six words matched in the LXX. This alignment suggests a consistent transmission of the text across these traditions.
אֲחַוְךָ֥ שְֽׁמַֽע־ לִ֑י וְזֶֽה־ חָ֝זִ֗יתִי וַאֲסַפֵּֽרָה׃
6 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.
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 15:17
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.
חָוָה (chavah) is a Hebrew verb that primarily means to declare or show. It is a primitive root related to the concepts of living and explaining. The entries indicate it is used in the Piel form, suggesting a more intensive action, and it has an Aramaic equivalent. There is a note that it appears poetically and in later texts.
[חָוָה] vb. only Pi. (poet. & late), tell, declare
base
H2331 חָוָה
2331 chavah khaw-vah'
a primitive root; (compare 2324, 2421); properly, to live; by
implication (intensively) to declare or show:--show.
see HEBREW for 02324
see HEBREW for 02421
חָוָה (cha.vah) — to explain.
1) (Piel) to tell, declare, show, make known
2) (CLBL) to breath
Aramaic equivalent: cha.vah (חֲוָה "to show" H2324)
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs | Suff — Verb piel imperfect first person common singular · suffixHVpi1cs/Sp2ms
The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear
Qal 1052
subj. pers. hum.
י׳ (God) subj.
Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound
be heard of
be regarded, obeyed
= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.
Pi. he caused the people to hear
Hiph. 63
of man
י׳ subj.
base
H8085 שָׁמַע hear
8085 shama` shaw-mah'
a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with
implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to
tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X
carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,
declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make
to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)
obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,
regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,
understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.
: hear
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to
1a5) to understand (language)
1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)
1a7) to listen, give heed
1a7a) to consent, agree
1a7b) to grant request
1a8) to listen to, yield to
1a9) to obey, be obedient
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)
1b2) to be heard of
1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed
1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound
1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)
1d3) to make proclamation, summon
1d4) to cause to be heard
n m
2) sound
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.
: obey
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularHVqv2ms
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
זֶה (zeh) is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone, be used appositively, or function as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns, adding emphasis and directness. In poetry, it may serve as a relative pronoun, though this usage is rare.
זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here
standing alone
In appos. to subst.
More oft. as pred.
It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
With prefixes (in special senses)
base
H2088 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone
. In appos. to subst.
. More oft. as pred.
. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
. With prefixes (in special senses)
2088 zeh zeh
a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this
or that:--he, X hence, X here, it(-self), X now, X of him, the
one...the other, X than the other, (X out of) the (self) same,
such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on
that side, X thus, very, which. Compare 2063, 2090, 2097,
2098.
see HEBREW for 02063
see HEBREW for 02090
see HEBREW for 02097
see HEBREW for 02098
זֶה (zeh) — this.
1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such
1a) (alone)
1a1) this one
1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another
1b) (appos to subst)
1b1) this
1c) (as predicate)
1c1) this, such
1d) (enclitically)
1d1) then
1d2) who, whom
1d3) how now, what now
1d4) what now
1d5) wherefore now
1d6) behold here
1d7) just now
1d8) now, now already
1e) (poetry)
1e1) wherein, which, those who
1f) (with prefixes)
1f1) in this (place) here, then
1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter
1f3) thus and thus
1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus
1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side
1f6) on this account
1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Conj | Pron — Conjunction · particleHC/Tm
חָזָה (chazah) is a Hebrew verb primarily used in poetic contexts, meaning to see or behold. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, contemplating, and having visions, often in an ecstatic state. The entries highlight its use in prophesying and providing insight, with an Aramaic equivalent also noted.
חָזָה vb. (almost wholly poet.) see, behold
Qal
see, behold
see as a seer in the ecstatic state
see, perceive
base
H2372 חָזָה (almost wholly poet.) see, behold
2372 chazah khaw-zaw'
a primitive root; to gaze at; mentally, to perceive,
contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision
of:--behold, look, prophesy, provide, see.
חָזָה (cha.zah) — to see.
1) to see, perceive, look, behold, prophesy, provide
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see, behold
1a2) to see as a seer in the ecstatic state
1a3) to see, perceive
1a3a) with the intelligence
1a3b) to see (by experience)
1a3c) to provide
Aramaic equivalent: cha.zah (חֲזָה "to see" H2370)
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
סָפַר (safar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to count or recount, with various forms indicating actions like declaring or rehearsing. The noun form סֹפֵר (sofer) refers to a scribe or secretary. The entries highlight its use in contexts of enumeration and record-keeping, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.
סָפַר 107 vb. count, Pi. recount, relate
Qal 27
count things, to learn their number
number = take account of, carefully observe and consider, reckon
Niph. be counted, numbered
Pi. 67 recount, rehearse, declare
Pu. be recounted, related, rehearsed
base
סֹפֵר, סוֹפֵר n.m. enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe
base
H5608a סָפַר count, Pi. recount, relate .. count things, to learn their number
. number = take account of, carefully observe and consider, reckon
. be counted, numbered
. recount, rehearse, declare
. be recounted, related, rehearsed
H5608b סֹפֵר, סוֹפֵר enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe
5608 caphar saw-far'
a primitive root; properly, to score with a mark as a tally
or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to
enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate:--commune,
(ac-)count; declare, number, + penknife, reckon, scribe, shew
forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer.
סָפַר (sa.phar) — to recount.
v
1) to count, recount, relate
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to count (things)
1a2) to number, take account of, reckon
1b) (Niphal) to be counted, be numbered
1c) (Piel) to recount, rehearse, declare
1c1) to recount (something), rehearse
1c2) to talk
1c3) to count exactly or accurately
1d) (Pual) to be recounted, be rehearsed, be related
סֹפֵר (so.pher) — secretary.
1) enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe
1a) enumerator, muster-officer, secretary
1b) learned man, scribe
Aramaic equivalent: sa.pher (סָפִר "scribe" H5613)
Conj | V-Piel-1cs — Conjunction · verb piel infinitive construct first person common singularHC/Vpc1cs