Job 18:6 — Word Study
WLCא֭וֹר חָשַׁ֣ךְ בְּאָהֳל֑וֹ וְ֝נֵר֗וֹ עָלָ֥יו יִדְעָֽךְ׃
BSA◂The lightʼôwr [divine, spiritual] in his tentʼôhel [temporary, earthly, tabernacle, dwelling place] grows darkchâshak■ [becomes, is, dim, extinguished] and the lampnîyr [guiding, spiritual, source of illumination] beside himʻal [near, upon, in his presence] goes outdâʻak▸ [is put, is extinguished, to be dark, without light]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| א֭וֹר | [the] light | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| חָשַׁ֣ךְ | it grows dark | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| בְּאָהֳל֑וֹ | in tent his | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְ֝נֵר֗וֹ | and lamp his | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| עָלָ֥יו | above him | Preposition, suffix |
| יִדְעָֽךְ׃ | it is extinguished | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him goes out. |
| KJV | The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him. |
| ASV | The light shall be dark in his tent, And his lamp above him shall be put out. |
| YLT | The light hath been dark in his tent, And his lamp over him is extinguished. |
| WEB | The light will be dark in his tent. His lamp above him will be put out. |
| BBE | The light is dark in his tent, and the light shining over him is put out. |
Translations agree on the meanings in this verse — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause with a consequence introduced by a conjunction. The structure emphasizes the progression from light to darkness.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאוֹר
verbחָשַׁךְ
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 18:6
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 the Wickedgenerated
Job 18:6 is part of Job's response to his friends, illustrating the inevitable downfall of the wicked. The imagery of light growing dark and a lamp going out serves to emphasize the loss of hope and direction in the life of those who live in opposition to God. This passage connects to broader themes in the Book of Job, where the fate of the wicked is contrasted with the righteousness of the faithful.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 21:17 | How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come upon them? Does God, in His anger, apportion destruction? |
| 2 | Psalm 18:28 | For You, O LORD, light my lamp; my God lights up my darkness. |
| 3 | Revelation 18:23 | The light of a lamp will never shine in you again, and the voices of a bride and bridegroom will never call out in you again. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אוֹר, 'orgenerated
The noun אוֹר ('or) refers to light, encompassing both natural and spiritual illumination. It is often associated with happiness, prosperity, and understanding, indicating that God is the source of true light.
In this verse, the light in the tent symbolizes life and vitality, which is fading. The use of אוֹר highlights the stark contrast between light and darkness, underscoring the spiritual decline of the individual being described.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations generally agree on the meanings in this verse.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb חָשַׁךְ (cha.Shakh) governs the main clause, indicating the action of growing dark. The structure includes a prepositional phrase describing where this occurs and a second clause that introduces another verb, יִדְעָךְ (yid.'Akh), which indicates the extinguishing of the lamp.
The arrangement emphasizes the progression from light to darkness, with the first clause setting the scene and the second clause providing a consequence.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew אוֹר is rendered as φῶς (phōs), which also means 'light.' This choice maintains the metaphorical implications of illumination and guidance.
The translation of חָשַׁךְ as σκότος (skotos) indicates darkness, reinforcing the theme of loss and absence of light.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 18:6 describes the decline of a wicked person's life using the imagery of light and lamps. The light in his tent grows dark, and his lamp goes out, symbolizing the loss of hope and guidance.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The light symbolizes life, vitality, and guidance, which are diminishing in the life of the wicked.
Darkness often represents the absence of understanding, hope, and spiritual insight, reflecting the fate of those who oppose God.
The extinguishing of the lamp signifies the end of guidance and direction, marking a complete spiritual decline.
This verse illustrates the consequences of wickedness, a recurring theme in Job's discourse, contrasting the fate of the wicked with the righteous.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced darkness in my own life, and how can I seek the light of understanding?
- How can I ensure that I maintain spiritual guidance in my life, avoiding the fate described in this verse?
- What practical steps can I take to bring light into the lives of those around me?
- How does the imagery of light and darkness resonate with my understanding of good and evil?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers often referenced Job to discuss themes of suffering and divine justice. Here is a quotation from Gregory the Dialogist, who interprets the verse in the context of light and joy.
The light shall be dark in his tabernacle. If we very frequently take darkness for sorrow, we ought without unfairness to take light for joy.Early Church Fathers on Job 18 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 18:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe light shall the dark in his tabernacle,.... Not the light of the eye, in the tabernacle of his body, rather the light of nature and reason in him; and when that "light [that is] in [a man
Read John Gill on Job 18 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him. Candle - the lamp which in the East is usually fastened to the ceiling.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 18 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIn his tabernacle. i.e. in his family. Instead of his former splendour, both he and his shall fall into extremity of misery. His candle shall be put out with him, i.e. his glory shall die with him, and not descend to his posterity, as he hoped and designed. Or, his candle, which was with him, or shone upon him, shall be put out.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 18 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 18:6 The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.Ver. 6. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle] The glory of his family shall be obscured; he and his shall come to utter and unexpected ruin, as Haman’ s did. And his candle shall be put out with him] He and his prosperity shall die together; he shall go out in a snuff, and leave nothing behind him but a detestable name. Sicut felis fugiens pedit, sic ille moriens hunc crepitum cecinit, saith Melancthon concerning Eckius’ last piece, De coniugio sacerdotum. Or, his candle shall be put out above him, so the Vulgate interpreter; the lamps which glittered overhead, during the pride and pomp of his…
Read John Trapp on Job 18 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 6. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle] His property shall be destroyed, his house pillaged, and himself and his family come to an untimely end. His candle shall be put out] He shall have no posterity.
Read AdamClarke on Job 18 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. his candle shall be put out with him] The meaning is either: his lamp shall be put out over him, the idea being that it was hung in his dwelling above him or shone upon him, cf. ch. Job 29:3, “when God’s lamp shined upon my head”; or, his lamp shall be put out to him, the prep. being the same reflexive, untranslateable word referred to on ch. Job 14:22.
Read Cambridge on Job 18 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAnd his candle - Margin, lamp. The reference is to a lamp that was suspended from the ceiling. The Arabians are fond of this image.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 18 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible6. His candle — The lamp above him shall be put out. The lamp suspended in the tent was kept burning all night. The poorest would rather dispense with part of their food than with a night lamp.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 18 →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
The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him goes out.
The light will be dark in his tent. His lamp above him will be put out.
The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him goes out.
The light in his tent grows dark; his lamp above him is extinguished.
Tyndale line
The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.
The light shall be dark in his tent, And his lamp above him shall be put out.
The light shall be dark in his tent, and his lamp above him shall be put out.
The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.
The light shalbe darke in his dwelling, and his candle shalbe put out with him.
Strictly literal
The light shall become dark in his tent, and his lamp over him shall be put out.
The light hath been dark in his tent, And his lamp over him is extinguished.
The light has been dark in his tent, || And his lamp over him is extinguished.
The light becometh dark in his tent, and his lamp will be quenched above him.
The light will be dark in his tent; his lamp above him will be put out.
From the Latin
The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and the lamp that is over him, shall be put out.
Simplified
The light in their home goes out, the lamp hanging above is extinguished.
The light is dark in his tent, and the light shining over him is put out.
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
Both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with a complete match of the Hebrew words. This consistency suggests a strong preservation of the text across these traditions.
א֭וֹר חָשַׁ֣ךְ בְּאָהֳל֑וֹ וְ֝נֵר֗וֹ עָלָ֥יו יִדְעָֽךְ׃
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 18:6
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.
אוֹר (or) means 'light' and encompasses various forms of illumination, including daylight, dawn, and the light of heavenly bodies like the sun and stars. It can also refer to metaphorical concepts such as the light of life, prosperity, and instruction, as well as Yahweh as a source of light.
אוֹר 121 n.m. light
light as diffused in nature, light of day
morning light, dawn
light of the heavenly luminaries
daylight
lightning
light of lamp
light of life
light of prosperity
light of instruction
light of face
Yahweh
base
H216 אוֹר light . light as diffused in nature, light of day
. morning light, dawn
. light of the heavenly luminaries
. daylight
. lightning
. light of lamp
. light of life
. light of prosperity
. light of instruction
. light of face
. Yahweh
216 'owr ore
from 215; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every
sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.):--bright, clear,
+ day, light (-ning), morning, sun.
see HEBREW for 0215
אוֹר (or) — light.
1) light
1a) light of day
1b) light of heavenly luminaries (moon, sun, stars)
1c) day-break, dawn, morning light
1d) daylight
1e) lightning
1f) light of lamp
1g) light of life
1h) light of prosperity
1i) light of instruction
1j) light of face (fig.)
1k) Jehovah as Israel's light
N-cs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
lit ('or, ma'or; phos; many other words):
1. Origin of Light
2. A Comprehensive Term
(1) Natural Light
(2) Artificial Light
(3) Miraculous Light
(4) Mental, Moral, Spiritual Light
3. An Attribute of Holiness
(1) God
(2) Christ
(3) Christians
(4) The Church
4. Symbolism
5. Expressive Terms
1. Origin of Light:
The creation of light was the initial step in the creation of life. "Let there be light" (Ge 1:3) was the first word of God spoken after His creative Spirit "moved" upon the primary material out of which He created the heavens and the earth, and which lay, until the utterance of that word, in the chaos of darkness and desolation. Something akin, possibly, to the all-pervasive electro-magnetic activity of the aurora borealis penetrated the chaotic night of the world. The ultimate focusing of light (on the 4th day of creation,
Light
The offspring of the divine command (Gen. 1:3). “All the more joyous emotions of the mind, all the pleasing sensations of the frame, all the happy hours of domestic intercourse were habitually described among the Hebrews under imagery derived from light” (1 Kings 11:36; Isa. 58:8; Esther 8:16; Ps. 97:11). Light came also naturally to typify true religion and the felicity it imparts (Ps. 119:105; Isa. 8:20; Matt. 4:16, etc.), and the glorious inheritance…
One of the most wonderful, cheering, and useful of all the works of God; called into being on the first of the six days of creation, by his voice: "Let there be light;" and there was light. No object better illustrates whatever is pure, glorious, spiritual, joyful, and beneficent. Hence the beauty and force of the expressions, "God is light," 1Jo 1:5, and "the Father of lights," Jas 1:17; Christ is the "Sun of righteousness," and "the light of the world," Joh 1:9 8:12. So also the word of God is "a light," Ps 119:105; truth and Christians are lights, Joh 3:19 12:36; prosperity is "light," Es 8:16; and heaven is full of…
חָשַׁךְ (chashak) is a primitive root meaning to be or become dark. It encompasses various nuances such as growing dim, hiding, or obscuring, and can be used transitively to indicate causing darkness. The entries suggest a range of meanings from physical darkness to metaphorical obscurity.
חָשַׁךְ be, grow dark
base
H2821 חָשַׁךְ be, grow dark
2821 chashak khaw-shak'
a primitive root; to be dark (as withholding light);
transitively, to darken:--be black, be (make) dark, darken,
cause darkness, be dim, hide.
חָשַׁךְ (cha.shakh) — to darken.
1) to be or become dark, grow dim, be darkened, be black, be hidden
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be or grow dark
1a2) to have a dark colour
1a3) to grow dim
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to make dark, cause to be dark
1b2) to hide, conceal
1b3) to obscure, confuse (fig.)
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
The Hebrew word אֹ֫הֶל (*ohel*) means 'tent' and is derived from a root meaning 'to be conspicuous.' It encompasses various meanings, including a nomad's tent, a dwelling or home, and specifically refers to the sacred tent used for worship, known as the tabernacle. The entries consistently highlight its association with transience and habitation.
אֹ֫הֶל 343 n.m. tent
tent of nomad
dwelling, habitation
the sacred tent used in worship of God
base
H168 אֹ֫הֶל tent
168 'ohel o'-hel
from 166; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a
distance):--covering, (dwelling)(place), home, tabernacle,
tent.
see HEBREW for 0166
אֹ֫הֶל (o.hel) — tent.
: tent
1) tent
1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience
1b) dwelling, home, habitation
1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle)
Also means: o.hel (אֹ֫הֶל ": home" H0168H)
אֹ֫הֶל (o.hel) — tent: home.
: home
1) tent
1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience
1b) dwelling, home, habitation
1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle)
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
נֵר (ner) and נִיר (nir) both mean 'lamp' in Hebrew. The word is derived from a root that suggests brightness or glistening, and it can refer to a literal lamp or light as well as a figurative one. The entries indicate that these forms are interchangeable, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
נֵר 43 n.m. lamp
base
נִיר n.[m.] lamp
base
H5216a נֵר lamp H5216b נִיר lamp
5216 niyr neer
or nir {neer}; also neyr {nare}; or ner {nare}; or (feminine)
nerah {nay-raw'}; from a primitive root (see 5214; 5135)
properly, meaning to glisten; a lamp (i.e. the burner) or
light (literally or figuratively):--candle, lamp, light.
see HEBREW for 05214
see HEBREW for 05135
נֵר (ner) — lamp.
lamp
Also means: nir (נִיר "lamp" H5216B)
נִיר (nir) — lamp.
lamp
Another spelling of ner (נֵר "lamp" H5216A)
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
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 | Suff — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word דָּעַךְ (*da'akh*) is a primitive root meaning to go out or be extinguished. It covers a range of meanings including to dry up, be made extinct, or be quenched. The entries describe its use in different stems, such as Qal and Niph, indicating various nuances of extinguishing or drying.
[דָּעַךְ] vb. go out, be extinguished
Qal go out, be extinguished
Niph. be made extinct, dried up
Pu. of assailants, be extinguished, quenched
base
H1846 [דָּעַךְ] go out, be extinguished .go out, be extinguished
. be made extinct, dried up
. of assailants, be extinguished, quenched
1846 da`ak daw-ak'
a primitive root; to be extinguished; figuratively, to expire
or be dried up:--be extinct, consumed, put out, quenched.
דָּעַךְ (da.akh) — to put out.
1) to go out, be extinguished, dry up
1a) (Qal) to go out, be extinguished
1b) (Niphal) to be made extinct, be dried up
1c) (Pual) to be extinguished, be quenched
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms