Job 16:17 — Word Study
WLCעַ֭ל לֹא־ חָמָ֣ס בְּכַפָּ֑י וּֽתְפִלָּתִ֥י זַכָּֽה׃
BSAyetʻal my handskaph [free from injustice, unsoiled by violence] are free oflôʼ [unjust, cruel] violencechâmâç [oppression] and my prayertᵉphillâh [supplication, heartfelt request] is purezak [completely, utterly, clean and untainted]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עַ֭ל | on | Preposition |
| לֹא־ | not | Particle |
| חָמָ֣ס | violence | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| בְּכַפָּ֑י | [is] in hands my | Preposition, noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| וּֽתְפִלָּתִ֥י | and prayer my | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| זַכָּֽה׃ | [is] pure | Adj |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | yet my hands are free of violence and my prayer is pure. |
| KJV | Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. |
| ASV | Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure. |
| YLT | Not for violence in my hands, And my prayer [is] pure. |
| WEB | although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure. |
| BBE | Though my hands have done no violent acts, and my prayer is clean. |
The translations agree on the essential meaning of Job's declaration regarding his hands and prayer.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a predicate clause, clearly presenting Job's assertions.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectחָמָס
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 16:17
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 of His Integritygenerated
Job 16:17 captures Job's plea as he insists on his innocence amidst his suffering. He contrasts his pure intentions with the violence he has not committed, seeking to affirm his right to call upon God in prayer. This moment is part of a larger dialogue where Job grapples with his circumstances and the perceived injustice of his plight, as reflected in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 11:14 | if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents, |
| 2 | Job 15:20–34 | A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless. |
| 3 | Job 21:27–28 | Behold, I know your thoughts full well, the schemes by which you would wrong me. |
| 4 | Job 22:5–9 | Is not your wickedness great? Are not your iniquities endless? |
| 5 | Job 27:6–7 | I will cling to my righteousness and never let go. As long as I live, my conscience will not accuse me. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חָמָס, cha.Masgenerated
The noun חָמָס (*chamac*) refers to violence or wrongdoing, particularly in the context of oppression and injustice. It highlights actions that are cruel or unjust, often emphasizing the harm inflicted on others. Job uses this term to assert that he has not engaged in such behavior, reinforcing his claim of innocence.
This word appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, often associated with condemnation of violent acts. Job's declaration serves to underline his moral standing, as he seeks to distance himself from the very actions that would warrant divine judgment.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the meaning of Job's statement regarding his hands being free of violence and his prayer being pure.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse centers around two main clauses: Job's assertion of innocence regarding violence and his declaration of the purity of his prayer. The finite verb is implied in the context, with Job stating what his hands are not involved in and what his prayer is.
The word order emphasizes Job's hands and prayer, placing them at the forefront of his defense. This arrangement highlights the contrast between his moral integrity and the accusations he faces.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Greek word οὐδὲν is used to translate the Hebrew לֹא (*lo'*), meaning 'not' or 'no.' This choice reflects a straightforward negation, aligning with Job's assertion of innocence.
The translation choices in the Septuagint maintain the core message of Job's claim, emphasizing his lack of involvement in violence and the sincerity of his prayer.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 16:17 shows Job insisting that he has not committed violence and that his prayer is sincere. He emphasizes his integrity in the face of suffering, seeking to demonstrate that he is innocent of wrongdoing.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is asserting that he has not committed any acts of cruelty or injustice, emphasizing his innocence.
Job describes his prayer as pure to indicate that his requests to God are sincere and heartfelt, free from any ulterior motives.
Job's claim of innocence is central to his argument, as he struggles to understand why he is suffering despite his moral integrity.
Job's hands symbolize his actions; stating they are free of violence underscores his defense against accusations of wrongdoing.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I ensure my actions align with my words, as Job does in this verse?
- How can I approach God in prayer with a pure heart, like Job claims to?
- What does it mean to be innocent in the face of suffering, and how can I apply this understanding in my life?
- How do I respond when I feel unjustly accused or misunderstood, as Job does?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early commentary from Gregory the Dialogist highlights Job's plea for innocence and the purity of his prayers amidst suffering.
Ver. 17. I have suffered this without the wickedness of mine hand, whilst I made pure prayers to God. He suffered without the wickedness of His hand;Early Church Fathers on Job 16 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 16:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleNot for [any] injustice in my hands,.... Came all those afflictions and calamities upon him, which occasioned so much sorrow, weeping, mourning, and humiliation; he does not say there was no sin in
Read John Gill on Job 16 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryNot for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. Job here reform to Zophar's implied charge (Job 11:14-15).
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 16 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAnd all this is not come upon me for any injurious dealing with others by oppression, or deceit, or bribery, wherewith I am implicitly charged, ,20,34; but for other reasons known to God only, for I cannot discover them. Also my prayer is pure; I do not cast off God’ s fear and service, as I am accused to do, . I do still pray and worship God, and my prayer is accompanied with a sincere heart and undefiled conscience: see . So that I have lived inoffensively towards God and towards men; and therefore your assertion is both uncharitable and false, that eminent afflictions are peculiar to ungodly men.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 16 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 16:17 Not for [any] injustice in mine hands: also my prayer [is] pure. Ver. 17. Not for any injustice (Heb. Violence or wrong doing) in my hands] Job could wash his hands of that rapine and bribery wherewith they had injuriously charged him, Job 15:34, and safely say of it, as afterwards Father Latimer did of sedition (3 Serm. before K. Edw.), As for that sin, for aught that I know, methinks I should not need Christ, if I might so say. Some failings there might be in him in doing justice, but no intentions of doing injustice. Also my prayer is pure] As proceeding from a heart washed from wickedness, Jeremiah 4:14, and presented with holy hands, lifted up without wrath or doubting, 1…
Read John Trapp on Job 16 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(17) Not for any injustice.—Literally, for no injustice, just as in Isaiah 53:9 : “because he had done no violence,” should be “not because he had done any violence, or because deceit was in his mouth.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 16 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 17. Not for any injustice] I must assert, even with my last breath, that the charges of my friends against me are groundless. I am afflicted unto death, but not on account of my iniquities. Also my prayer is pure.] I am no hypocrite, God knoweth.
Read AdamClarke on Job 16 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges17. Not for any injustice] i. e. though there is no wrong in my hands, cf. Isaiah 53:9. The first clause denies that he had done anything amiss in action; and the second affirms that his “prayer,” i. e. his whole religious walk with God, was pure. The last words give a reply to the insinuations of Eliphaz, ch. Job 15:4, and the former to his allusion ch. Job 15:34.
Read Cambridge on Job 16 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleNot for any injustice ... - Still claiming that he does not deserve his sorrows, and that these calamities had not come upon him on account of any enormous sins, as his friends believed.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 16 →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
yet my hands are free of violence and my prayer is pure.
although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
yet my hands are free of violence and my prayer is pure.
although there is no violence in my hands and my prayer is pure.
Tyndale line
Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.
Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.
Although there is no violence in mine hands, and my prayer is pure.
Not for any injustice in my hands: also my prayer is pure.
Though there be no wickednesse in mine hands, and my prayer be pure.
Strictly literal
Although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
Not for violence in my hands, And my prayer [is] pure.
Not for violence in my hands, || And my prayer [is] pure.
Not because any violence is in my hands, and while my prayer is pure.
although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
From the Latin
My face is swollen with weeping, and my eyelids are dim.
Simplified
although I have done nothing wrong and my prayer is pure.
Though my hands have done no violent acts, and my prayer is clean.
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 on the wording of this verse, with five of the six words matching. This suggests a consistent understanding of Job's declaration across these ancient texts.
עַ֭ל לֹא־ חָמָ֣ס בְּכַפָּ֑י וּֽתְפִלָּתִ֥י זַכָּֽה׃
5 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 16:17
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.
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
On
Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…
(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…
See HELIOPOLIS.
pain; force; iniquity
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)
Part — ParticleHTn
חָמָס (chamac) refers to concepts of violence and wrongdoing. It encompasses terms like cruelty, injustice, and unjust gain. The word is built from a root that implies violent actions or dealings. The entries consistently highlight its negative connotations without significant disagreement.
חָמָס n.m. violence, wrong
base
H2555 חָמָס violence, wrong
2555 chamac khaw-mawce'
from 2554; violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust
gain:--cruel(-ty), damage, false, injustice, X oppressor,
unrighteous, violence (against, done), violent (dealing),
wrong.
see HEBREW for 02554
חָמָס (cha.mas) — violence.
violence, wrong, cruelty, injustice
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
כַּף (kaph) refers to the hollow or flat part of the hand, including the palm and the sole of the foot. It can also denote power and is used to describe various hollow objects, such as bowls or handles. The word encompasses a range of meanings related to the shape and function of hands and feet, as well as items that are hand-shaped.
כַּף 192 n.f. hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand
base
H3709 כַּף hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand
3709 kaph kaf
from 3721; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an
animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling,
the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree);
figuratively, power:--branch, + foot, hand((-ful), -dle,
(-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.
see HEBREW for 03721
כַּף (kaph) — palm.
: palm/hand
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
1c) sole (of the foot)
1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
1d1) of thigh-joint
1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)
1d3) hollow (of sling)
1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)
1d5) handles (as bent)
כַּף (kaph) — palm: sole.
: sole/paw
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
1c) sole (of the foot)
1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
1d1) of thigh-joint
1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)
1d3) hollow (of sling)
1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)
1d5) handles (as bent)
כַּף (kaph) — palm: dish.
: dish/socket
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
Prep | N-fd | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHR/Ncfdc/Sp1bs
תְּפִלָּה (tefillah) means 'prayer' and is derived from the root meaning intercession or supplication. It encompasses various forms of prayer, including hymns and requests for divine attention. The term appears in contexts such as the titles of Psalms, emphasizing its liturgical significance.
תְּפִלָּה 77 n.f. prayer
base
H8605 תְּפִלָּה prayer
8605 tphillah tef-il-law'
from 6419; intercession, supplication; by implication, a
hymn:--prayer.
see HEBREW for 06419
תְּפִלָּה (te.phil.lah) — prayer.
1) prayer
1a) prayer
1b) pray a prayer
1c) house of prayer
1d) hear prayer
1e) in Ps titles (of poetic or liturgical prayer)
Conj | N-fs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncfsc/Sp1bs
זַךְ (zak) means pure or clean, indicating something that is unmixed and free from foreign substances. It can also refer to a figurative sense of righteousness. The word is built from the root associated with clarity and cleanliness, covering both literal and metaphorical uses.
זַךְ adj. pure, clean
lit., pure, i.e. unmixed, free from foreign substances
fig., pure, clean, righteous
base
H2134 זַךְ pure, clean . lit., pure, i.e. unmixed, free from foreign substances
. fig., pure, clean, righteous
2134 zak zak
from 2141; clear:--clean, pure.
see HEBREW for 02141
זַךְ (zakh) — pure.
1) clean, pure
1a) pure
1b) pure, clean, righteous (fig.)
2) the pure one (subst)
Adj — AdjHAafsa