Job 15:22 — Word Study
WLCלֹא־ יַאֲמִ֣ין שׁ֭וּב מִנִּי־ חֹ֑שֶׁךְ וְצָפ֖וּי ה֣וּא אֱלֵי־ חָֽרֶב׃
BSAHe despairs ofʼâman▸ [does not believe, has no hope] his returnshûwb [to turn back, to come back] frommin darknesschôshek [the state of misery, spiritual gloom, chaos] hehûwʼ is markedtsâphâh [waited for, appointed] forʼêl the swordchereb [a knife or cutting tool]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לֹא־ | not | Particle |
| יַאֲמִ֣ין | he believes | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| שׁ֭וּב | to return | Verb, Qal, infinitive construct common |
| מִנִּי־ | from | Preposition |
| חֹ֑שֶׁךְ | darkness | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְצָפ֖וּי | and [is] watched | Conjunction, verb qal participle (passive) masculine singular |
| ה֣וּא | he | Pronoun |
| אֱלֵי־ | to | Preposition |
| חָֽרֶב׃ | [the] sword | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He despairs of his return from darkness; he is marked for the sword. |
| KJV | He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword. |
| ASV | He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, And he is waited for of the sword. |
| YLT | He believeth not to return from darkness, And watched [is] he for the sword. |
| WEB | He doesn’t believe that he will return out of darkness. He is waited for by the sword. |
| BBE | He has no hope of coming safe out of the dark, and his fate will be the sword; |
Where they part company is יַאֲמִ֣ין — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause is followed by phrases that elaborate on the nature of Job's despair and the fate he anticipates.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectהוּא
verbאָמַן
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 15:22
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 Reflection on Despairgenerated
Job 15:22 reflects Job's profound sense of hopelessness as he contemplates his fate. He feels trapped in darkness, unable to envision a return to light or hope. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job expresses the consequences of wickedness and the despair that follows. The surrounding verses illustrate the terror and anguish that accompany his thoughts, highlighting the emotional weight of his situation.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 6:11 | What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient? |
| 2 | Job 9:16 | If I summoned Him and He answered me, I do not believe He would listen to my voice. |
| 3 | 2 Kings 6:33 | While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him. And the king said, “This calamity is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” |
| 4 | Isaiah 8:21–22 | They will roam the land, dejected and hungry. When they are famished, they will become enraged; and looking upward, they will curse their king and their God. |
| 5 | Matthew 27:5 | So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יַאֲמִ֣ין, ya.'a.Mingenerated
The verb אָמַן (aman) is in the Hiphil form, indicating causative action. Here, it conveys a lack of faith or belief in the possibility of returning from darkness. This reflects a deep-seated despair, suggesting that Job feels utterly abandoned and hopeless.
In this context, the word emphasizes the severity of Job's emotional state. He does not just lack belief; he is in a state of despair, unable to trust in any possibility of redemption or change.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יַאֲמִ֣ין, he believes, governs the main clause, with a series of phrases providing additional context. The structure indicates Job's despair as a central theme, with the subsequent phrases elaborating on his condition and fate.
The order of the Hebrew words emphasizes Job's hopelessness. The adverbial negation לֹא precedes the verb, highlighting the absence of belief right at the forefront of the statement.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew יַאֲמִ֣ין is rendered as πιστευέτω — let him believe. This choice suggests a more active sense of belief or the lack thereof, emphasizing the despair Job feels about his situation.
The Septuagint's rendering indicates a slight interpretive shift, focusing on the act of believing rather than the state of belief, which may reflect a broader understanding of faith in times of suffering.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 15:22 shows Job in despair, believing he cannot return from a state of darkness. He feels marked for destruction, reflecting on the hopelessness of his situation.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
In this context, 'darkness' refers to a state of misery and despair, both physically and spiritually.
Job feels that his suffering and despair have made him a target for destruction, symbolized by the sword.
Job's lack of belief signifies a profound hopelessness and a sense of abandonment in his suffering.
This verse highlights the theme of despair and the struggle to maintain faith amidst suffering, a central message throughout the book of Job.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I feel a sense of despair or hopelessness?
- How can I find hope in situations that seem dark or overwhelming?
- What does it mean to believe in the midst of suffering?
- How can I support others who are experiencing despair, like Job?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse, interpreting Job's despair as a reflection of his wickedness and hopelessness.
Ver. 22. He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword. For because he believes himself to be on all sides stricken from ambush, despairing of salvation, he is ever growing on in wickedness.Early Church Fathers on Job 15 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 15:22 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe believeth not that he shall return out of darkness,.... When he lies down at night he despairs of ever seeing the light of the morning, through fear of an enemy, a robber, a murderer, or of one
Read John Gill on Job 15 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword. Darkness - namely, danger or calamity.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 15 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Biblei.e. When he falls into trouble, he despairs of God’ s mercy, and of deliverance, by reason of his guilty conscience; which he speaks with particular reflection upon Job, who would receive no comfort nor matter of hope. He is waited for of the sword, i.e. besides the calamity which is upon him, he is in constant expectation of further and greater miseries; for the sword is oft used for any grievous affliction, as .
Read Matthew Poole on Job 15 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 15:22 He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.Ver. 22. He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness] He despondeth and despaireth of a better condition, sighing out that doleful ditty, Spes et fortuna valete; Farewell hope and fortune, he looks for no further light and delight of former comforts; he knows that they that go down into the dark pit cannot hope for God’ s truth, Isaiah 38:18; there being left them neither hope of better nor place of worse. Desperat qui summus est diffidentiae gradus (Jun.). And he is waited for of the sword] Or, looked upon by the sword, which waiteth, as it were, an opportunity to slay him.…
Read John Trapp on Job 15 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 22. That he shall return out of darkness] If he take but a few steps in the dark, he expects the dagger of the assassin. This appears to be the only meaning of the place. Some think the passage should be understood to signify that he has no hope of a resurrection; he can never escape from the tomb. This I doubt: in the days of the writer of this book, the doctrine of a future judgment was understood in every part of the East where the knowledge of the true God was diffused.
Read AdamClarke on Job 15 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges22. return out of darkness] “Darkness” is calamity, and the words mean that the wicked man anticipates a calamity which shall be final, and from which, when it befals him, there shall be no escape. he is waited for of the sword] So he feels in regard to himself; he is marked out for the sword, i. e., the hostile sword or the avenging sword of God, ch. Job 19:29; Isaiah 31:8.
Read Cambridge on Job 15 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe believeth not that he shall return out of darkness - Darkness is used in the Bible, as elsewhere, to denote calamity; and the meaning here is, that the wicked man has not confidence (יאמין לא lo'
Read Albert Barnes on Job 15 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible22. Darkness — Destruction is represented by the figure of night. The sword — Metaphorical for the wrath of God. The same poet (ibid.) speaks of the naked sword suspended over the impious neck of the tyrant.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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
He despairs of his return from darkness; he is marked for the sword.
He doesn’t believe that he will return out of darkness. He is waited for by the sword.
He despairs of his return from darkness; he is marked for the sword.
He does not expect to escape from darkness; he is marked for the sword;
Tyndale line
He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.
He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, And he is waited for of the sword.
He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword:
He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for by the sword.
He beleeueth not to returne out of darknesse: for he seeth the sworde before him.
Strictly literal
He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is singled out for the sword.
He believeth not to return from darkness, And watched [is] he for the sword.
He does not believe to return from darkness, || And he watches for the sword.
He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is looked for by the sword.
He does not think that he will return out of darkness; the sword waits for him.
From the Latin
He believeth not that he may return from darkness to light, looking round about for the sword on every side.
Simplified
They don't believe they will escape the darkness—they know a sword is waiting for them.
He has no hope of coming safe out of the dark, and his fate will be the sword;
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 largely agree in their wording for Job 15:22. However, the Septuagint's word order and phrasing introduce a subtle interpretive nuance not present in the Hebrew.
לֹא־ יַאֲמִ֣ין שׁ֭וּב מִנִּי־ חֹ֑שֶׁךְ וְצָפ֖וּי ה֣וּא אֱלֵי־ חָֽרֶב׃
8 of the 9 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 15:22
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.
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.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
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.
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)
HTn — ParticleHTn
אָמַן (aman) is a Hebrew root meaning to support or confirm, with applications ranging from nurturing (as a foster parent or nurse) to establishing trust and reliability. It encompasses concepts of faithfulness, permanence, and assurance. The entries highlight its use in various forms, including verbs and nouns, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
[אָמַן] vb. confirm, support
Qal
as vb. support, nourish
as subst. foster-father
foster-mother, nurse
pillars, supporters of the door
Niph.
carried by nurse
made firm, sure, lasting
confirmed, established, sure
verified, confirmed
reliable, faithful, trusty
Hiph.
stand firm
trust, believe
base
H539 אָמַן confirm, support .. as vb. support, nourish
. as subst. foster-father
. foster-mother, nurse
. pillars, supporters of the door
. . carried by nurse
. made firm, sure, lasting
. confirmed, established, sure
. verified, confirmed
. reliable, faithful, trusty
. . stand firm
. trust, believe
539 'aman aw-man'
a primitive root; properly, to build up or support; to foster
as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or
faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet;
morally to be true or certain; once (Isa. 30:21;
interchangeable with 541) to go to the right hand:--hence,
assurance, believe, bring up, establish, + fail, be faithful
(of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty,
verified), nurse, (-ing father), (put), trust, turn to the
right.
see HEBREW for 0541
אָמַן (a.man) — be faithful.
1) to support, confirm, be faithful
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to support, confirm, be faithful, uphold, nourish
1a1a) foster-father (subst.)
1a1b) foster-mother, nurse
1a1c) pillars, supporters of the door
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm
1b1a) to be carried by a nurse
1b1b) made firm, sure, lasting
1b1c) confirmed, established, sure
1b1d) verified, confirmed
1b1e) reliable, faithful, trusty
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to stand firm, to trust, to be certain, to believe in
1c1a) stand firm
1c1b) trust, believe
Aramaic equivalent: a.man (אֲמַן "to trust" H0540)
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singularHVhi3ms
The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.
שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return
Qal 683;—turn back, return:
turn back
return, come or go back
esp. return unto
of dying
of revival from death
fig. of human relations:
return to leader, king
= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)
turn, i.e. resort to
return to a physical condition
abs. = change course of action
fig., specif. of spiritual relations:
turn back from God = apostatize
of י׳, turn away
turn back to God (= seek penitently)
abs. repent
turn back from evil
of י׳
of י׳, return (to shew favour)
of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):
denoting repetition, etc.
trans.
Pō‛l.
bring back
fig. restore, refresh
restore, repair
lead away (enticingly)
shew turning = apostatize
Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back
bring back into bondage
put back
= draw back
= give back, restore
= relinguish
= give in payment, requital
bring one back (from dead)
bring back heart
= refresh
H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back
. return, come or go back
. esp. return unto
. . of dying
. of revival from death
. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king
. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)
. turn, i.e. resort to
. return to a physical condition
. abs. = change course of action
. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize
. of י׳, turn away
. turn back to God (= seek penitently)
. abs. repent
. turn back from evil
. of י׳
. of י׳, return (to shew favour)
. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):
. denoting repetition, etc.
. trans.
. . bring back
. . fig. restore, refresh
. restore, repair
. lead away (enticingly)
. shew turning = apostatize
. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage
. put back
. = draw back
. = give back, restore
. = relinguish
. = give in payment, requital
7725 shuwb shoob
a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or
intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily
with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to
retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,
dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,
make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer
(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring
(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),
cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +
continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,
fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give
(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)
more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put
(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,
relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,
שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.
: return
1) to return, turn back
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to turn back, return
1a1a) to turn back
1a1b) to return, come or go back
1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back
1a1d) of dying
1a1e) of human relations (fig)
1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig)
1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise
1a1f2) to turn away (of God)
1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent
1a1f4) turn back (from evil)
1a1g) of inanimate things
1a1h) in repetition
1b) (Polel)
1b1) to bring back
1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig)
1b3) to lead away (enticingly)
1b4) to show turning, apostatise
1c) (Pual) restored (participle)
1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back
1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment
1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore
1d3) to bring back, report to, answer
1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)
V-Qal-Inf-a — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct commonHVqcc
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.
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
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
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
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
Prep — PrepositionHR
חֹ֫שֶׁךְ (choshek) refers to darkness or obscurity, both in a literal sense and in various figurative contexts such as distress, ignorance, and evil. It can also denote secret or hiding places. The word is built from a root meaning 'dark' and encompasses a range of meanings related to judgment and confusion.
חֹ֫שֶׁךְ n.m. darkness, obscurity
darkness (opp. אוֹר)
= secret place(s); = hiding-place
fig.
= distress
= dread, terror, symbol. of judgment
= mourning
= perplexity; confusion
= ignorance
= evil, sin
= obscurity
base
H2822 חֹ֫שֶׁךְ darkness, obscurity . darkness (opp. אוֹר)
. = secret place(s); = hiding-place
. fig. . = distress
. = dread, terror, symbol. of judgment
. = mourning
. = perplexity; confusion
. = ignorance
. = evil, sin
. = obscurity
2822 choshek kho-shek'
from 2821; the dark; hence (literally) darkness;
figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow,
wickedness:--dark(-ness), night, obscurity.
see HEBREW for 02821
חֹ֫שֶׁךְ (cho.shekh) — darkness.
1) darkness, obscurity
1a) darkness
1b) secret place
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
Darkness
The plague (the ninth) of darkness in Egypt (Ex. 10:21) is described as darkness “which may be felt.” It covered “all the land of Egypt,” so that “they saw not one another.” It did not extend to the land of Goshen (ver. 23).
When Jesus hung upon the cross (Matt. 27:45; Luke 23:44), from the “sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.”
is spoken of as encompassing the actual presence of God, as that out of which he speaks, --the envelope, as it were, of divine glory. (Exodus 20:21; 1 Kings 8:12) The plague of darkness in Egypt was miraculous. The darkness "over all the land," (Matthew 27:45) attending the crucifixion has been attributed to an eclipse, but was undoubtedly miraculous, as no eclipse of the sun could have taken place at that time, the moon being at the full at the time of the passover. Darkness is also, as in the expression "land of darkness," used for the state of the dead, (Job 10:21,22) and frequently, figuratively, for ignorance and unbelief, as the privation of spiritual light. (
The absence of natural light, Ge 1:2, and hence figuratively a state of misery and adversity, Job 18:6 Ps 107:10 Isa 8:22 9:1; also the absence of the sun and stars, and hence the fall of chief men and national convulsions, Isa 13:10 Ac 2:20. "Works of darkness," are the impure mysteries practiced in heathen worship, Eph 5:11. "Outer darkness" illustrates the gloom of those on whom the gates of heaven are closed, Mt 8:12. The darkness in Egypt,
צָפָה (tsaphah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to look out, spy, or keep watch. It is built from a primitive root implying leaning forward to observe or await. The word covers a range of meanings including to behold, espy, and watch closely. In the Old Testament, it can also refer to a watchman.
[צָפָה] 37 vb. look out or about, spy, keep watch
Qal 28 keep watch; elsewh. as subst. watchman
Pi. watch (closely); pt. as n. = watchman
base
H6822 צָפָה look out or about, spy, keep watch
6822 tsaphah tsaw-faw'
a primitive root; properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer
into the distance; by implication, to observe, await:--
behold, espy, look up (well), wait for, (keep the)
watch(-man).
צָפָה (tsa.phah) — to watch.
1) to look out or about, spy, keep watch, observe, watch
1a)(Qal) to keep watch, spy
1b) (Piel) to watch, watch closely
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-c — Conjunction · verb qal participle (passive) masculine singularHC/Vqsmsa
הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.
הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it
an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
It resumes the subj. with emph.
Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
As an emph. predicate, of God
In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
base
H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
. It resumes the subj. with emph.
. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
. As an emph. predicate, of God
. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
1931 huw' hoo
of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a
primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or
it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also
(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;
sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally
(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),
it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,
this, those, which (is), who.
הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.
pron 3p s
1) he, she, it
1a) himself (with emphasis)
1b) resuming subj with emphasis
1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)
1d) (anticipating subj)
1e) (emphasising predicate)
1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron
2) that (with article)
Pron — PronounHPp3ms
ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Prep — PrepositionHR
חֶ֫רֶב (chereb) means 'sword' and can also refer to other cutting instruments like knives and tools. It is derived from a root meaning 'drought,' highlighting its destructive nature. The term is used in various contexts in the Old Testament, primarily to denote weapons.
חֶ֫רֶב 411 n.f. sword (as weapon)
base
H2719 חֶ֫רֶב sword (as weapon)
2719 chereb kheh'-reb
from 2717; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its
destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp
implement:--axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.
see HEBREW for 02717
חֶ֫רֶב (che.rev) — sword.
1) sword, knife
1a) sword
1b) knife
1c) tools for cutting stone
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
sord.
See ARMOR, III, 5.
Sword
Of the Hebrew was pointed, sometimes two-edged, was worn in a sheath, and suspended from the girdle (Ex. 32:27; 1 Sam. 31:4; 1 Chr. 21:27; Ps. 149:6: Prov. 5:4; Ezek. 16:40; 21:3-5).
It is a symbol of divine chastisement (Deut. 32:25; Ps. 7:12; 78:62), and of a slanderous tongue (Ps. 57:4; 64:3; Prov. 12:18). The word of God is likened also to a…
[ARMS, ARMOR]
