Job 20:24 — Word Study
WLCיִ֭בְרַח מִנֵּ֣שֶׁק בַּרְזֶ֑ל תַּ֝חְלְפֵ֗הוּ קֶ֣שֶׁת נְחוּשָֽׁה׃
BSAThough he fleesbârach▸ [runs away quickly, escapes] from an ironbarzel [strong metal] weaponnesheq [military equipment, arms] a bronze-tippednᵉchûwshâh [made of copper or bronze, melted copper ore] arrowqesheth [projectile, used for hunting or battle] will pierce himchâlaph▸ [pass through, strike]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יִ֭בְרַח | he will flee | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| מִנֵּ֣שֶׁק | from a weapon of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| בַּרְזֶ֑ל | iron | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| תַּ֝חְלְפֵ֗הוּ | it will cut through him | Verb qal imperfect third person feminine singular, suffix |
| קֶ֣שֶׁת | a bow of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| נְחוּשָֽׁה׃ | bronze | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Though he flees from an iron weapon, a bronze-tipped arrow will pierce him. |
| KJV | He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through. |
| ASV | He shall flee from the iron weapon, And the bow of brass shall strike him through. |
| YLT | He fleeth from an iron weapon, Pass through him doth a bow of brass. |
| WEB | He will flee from the iron weapon. The bronze arrow will strike him through. |
| BBE | He may go in flight from the iron spear, but the arrow from the bow of brass will go through him; |
Translations agree on the imagery and meaning of the verse.
The sentence structure presents a contrast between the act of fleeing and the certainty of being pierced by the arrow.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבָּרַח
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 20:24
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 — The Fate of the Wickedgenerated
Job 20:24 is part of a larger discourse where Job reflects on the fate awaiting the wicked. In this section, he emphasizes that despite their attempts to evade judgment, they cannot escape the consequences of their actions. The surrounding verses illustrate the severity of divine retribution and the certainty of their downfall.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 20:30 | The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room. |
| 2 | Isaiah 24:18 | Whoever flees the sound of panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are open, and the foundations of the earth are shaken. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 48:43–44 | Terror and pit and snare await you, O dweller of Moab,” declares the LORD. |
| 4 | Amos 5:19 | It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake. |
| 5 | Amos 9:1–3 | I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Topple them on the heads of all the people, and I will kill the rest with the sword. None of those who flee will get away; none of the fugitives will escape. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תַּ֝חְלְפֵ֗הוּ, tach.le.Fe.hugenerated
The verb חָלַף (chalaph) means to pass through or to change, and in this context, it conveys the idea of something piercing or cutting through. The parsing indicates it is a third-person feminine singular verb in the imperfect tense, suggesting an ongoing action that will occur.
This verb implies that the arrow will not just hit but will penetrate, emphasizing the certainty and inevitability of the judgment that awaits the wicked, despite their attempts to flee.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations agree on the rendering of the key terms in this verse, maintaining the imagery of fleeing from danger and the certainty of being struck.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the verb יִ֭בְרַח, he will flee, which is complemented by a prepositional phrase indicating the source of danger and a noun phrase describing the weapon. The structure highlights the contrast between the act of fleeing and the certainty of being pierced.
The word order emphasizes the action of fleeing first, followed by the source of danger, which serves to underscore the futility of escape.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תַּ֝חְלְפֵ֗הוּ as αὐτὸν, which means 'him.' This choice indicates a direct connection to the subject of judgment, emphasizing that the arrow will indeed find its target.
The Greek word σωθῇ reflects a similar sense of being struck, aligning with the Hebrew's intent to convey the certainty of judgment.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 20:24 tells us that even if a wicked person tries to escape from danger, they cannot avoid the consequences of their actions. The verse uses the imagery of fleeing from a strong weapon, only to be struck by a bronze-tipped arrow, highlighting the certainty of divine retribution.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It indicates that they will attempt to escape judgment, but their efforts will be in vain.
These images symbolize the strength and certainty of divine judgment that cannot be evaded.
It reflects the theme of justice and the consequences of wickedness, emphasizing that no one can escape God's judgment.
We learn that attempts to evade accountability for one's actions are futile, and that divine justice will ultimately prevail.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see people trying to escape the consequences of their actions today?
- How can I ensure that I am living in a way that aligns with righteousness, avoiding the fate described in this verse?
- What does this verse teach about the nature of divine justice?
- How can I apply the lessons of accountability from this verse in my own life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse, noting the connection between avarice and the consequences that follow.
Ver. 24. He shall flee from the iron weapons; and rush upon the bow of brass. 30. We ought to know, that avarice sometimes steals upon men from pride, and sometimes from apprehension.Early Church Fathers on Job 20 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 20:24 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe shall flee from the iron weapon,.... The sword, for fear of being thrust through with it; the flaming sword of justice God sometimes threatens to take, and whet, and make use of against ungodly
Read John Gill on Job 20 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through. Steel - rather, 'brass' [ nªchuwshaah (H5154)].
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 20 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleFrom the iron weapon, i.e. from the sword or spear; and so shall think himself out of danger. The bow; an arrow shot out of a bow. A distant, place and unknown hand shall unexpectedly fall upon him; so that he shall only go from one danger to another. Of steel; which is of great strength, and therefore sendeth forth the arrow with greater force. Compare . Or, of brass, as the word properly signifies; which the ancients did so temper and harden, that their bows were commonly made of it. Shall strike him through, i.e. mortally wound him.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 20 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 20:24 He shall flee from the iron weapon, [and] the bow of steel shall strike him through.Ver. 24. He shall flee from the iron weapon] i.e. While he seeks to shun one mischief he shall fall into another; and when he thinks to run from death he runs to it. God, who can do what be will with his own bare hand, is here brought in, after the manner of men with sword and bow, to show that both at home and afar off he can tame his rebels. Neither boots it any man to stand out with God, or to seek to save himself by fight or flight; since he is that "King, against whom there is no rising up," Proverbs 30:31, and if he be angry, no other helps can relieve us. Brass and iron can fence me against…
Read John Trapp on Job 20 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(24) He shall flee from the iron weapon, and.—That is, if he escaped one mischance, another should overtake him.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 20 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 24. He shall flee from the iron weapon] Or, "Though he should flee from the iron armour, the brazen bow should strike him through." So that yf he fle the yron weapens, he shal be shott with the stele bow. - Coverdale. That is, he shall most certainly perish: all kinds of deaths await him.
Read AdamClarke on Job 20 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges24. His inevitable destruction: seeking to escape one form of death he shall flee into another. The figure changes. The judgment of God is no more a rain from heaven, it is an attack on all hands of armed inexorable foes; cf. the same idea of inevitable destruction set forth under different figures, Amos 5:19. For bow of steel read bow of brass.
Read Cambridge on Job 20 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe shall flee from the iron weapon - The sword, or the spear. That is, he shall be exposed to attacks, and shall flee in cowardice and alarm.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 20 →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
Though he flees from an iron weapon, a bronze-tipped arrow will pierce him.
He will flee from the iron weapon. The bronze arrow will strike him through.
Though he flees from an iron weapon, a bronze-tipped arrow will pierce him.
If he flees from an iron weapon, then an arrow from a bronze bow pierces him.
Tyndale line
He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.
He shall flee from the iron weapon, And the bow of brass shall strike him through.
He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of brass shall strike him through.
He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.
He shall flee from the yron weapons, and the bow of steele shall strike him through.
Strictly literal
If he have fled from the iron weapon, the bow of brass shall strike him through.
He fleeth from an iron weapon, Pass through him doth a bow of brass.
He flees from an iron weapon, || A bow of bronze passes through him.
If he flee from the iron weapon, the brazen bow will strike him through.
Although that man will flee from the iron weapon, a bow of bronze will shoot him.
From the Latin
He shall flee from weapons of iron, and shall fall upon a bow of brass.
Simplified
As they flee to escape an iron weapon, a bronze arrow will strike them down.
He may go in flight from the iron spear, but the arrow from the bow of brass will go through him;
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 on the wording of Job 20:24, with all six words matched in the Hebrew and Greek texts. This consistency reinforces the message of the verse regarding the inevitability of divine judgment.
יִ֭בְרַח מִנֵּ֣שֶׁק בַּרְזֶ֑ל תַּ֝חְלְפֵ֗הוּ קֶ֣שֶׁת נְחוּשָֽׁה׃
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 20:24
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.
בָּרַח (barach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to flee or run away. It can also imply going through or hastening, with different nuances in its forms, such as causing someone to flee in the Hiphil stem. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including sudden flight or urgency.
בָּרַח vb. go through, flee
Qal
go or pass through, of bar
flee
flee = hasten, come quickly
Hiph.
pass through
cause to flee, put to flight
base
H1272 בָּרַח go through, flee
1272 barach baw-rakh'
a primitive root; to bolt, i.e. figuratively, to flee
suddenly:--chase (away); drive away, fain, flee (away), put to
flight, make haste, reach, run away, shoot.
בָּרַח (ba.rach) — to flee.
1) to go through, flee, run away, chase, drive away, put to flight, reach, shoot (extend), hurry away
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, pass through
1a2) to flee
1a3) to hasten, come quickly
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to pass through
1b2) to cause to flee, put to flight
1b3) to drive away
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
fle.
See FLY.
נֶ֫שֶׁק (nesheq) refers to military equipment, encompassing both offensive and defensive arms, as well as an arsenal. The term is used collectively to describe weapons and armor, indicating its connection to battle readiness. It is derived from a related root word, נֶ֫שֶׁק (H5401), which also pertains to military contexts.
נֶ֫שֶׁק, נֵ֫שֶׁק n.[m.] equipment, weapons (coll.), armoury
base
H5402 נֶ֫שֶׁק, נֵ֫שֶׁק equipment, weapons (coll.), armoury
5402 nesheq neh'-shek
or nesheq {nay'-shek}; from 5401; military equipment, i.e.
(collectively) arms (offensive or defensive), or (concretely)
an arsenal:--armed men, armour(-y), battle, harness, weapon.
see HEBREW for 05401
נֶ֫שֶׁק (ne.sheq) — weapon.
1) equipment, weapons, armoury
1a) equipment, weapons
1b) armoury
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
בַּרְזֶל (barzel) means 'iron' and can refer to iron ore or iron implements like tools and utensils. It also carries figurative meanings related to harshness, strength, or oppression. The word may be derived from a root associated with cutting. There is an Aramaic equivalent, פַּרְזֶל (parzel), also meaning 'iron'.
בַּרְזֶל n.m. iron
iron, lit.
tool of iron
iron in fig. of unwatered earth
base
H1270 בַּרְזֶל iron
1270 barzel bar-zel'
perhaps from the root of 1269; iron (as cutting); by
extension, an iron implement:--(ax) head, iron.
see HEBREW for 01269
בַּרְזֶל (bar.zel) — iron.
1) iron
1a) iron
1a1) iron ore
1a2) as material of furniture, utensils, implements
2) tool of iron
3) harshness, strength, oppression (fig.)
Aramaic equivalent: par.zel (פַּרְזֶל "iron" H6523)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
Iron
Tubal-Cain is the first-mentioned worker in iron (Gen. 4:22). The Egyptians wrought it at Sinai before the Exodus. David prepared it in great abundance for the temple (1 Chr. 22:3: 29:7). The merchants of Dan and Javan brought it to the market of Tyre (Ezek. 27:19). Various instruments are mentioned as made of iron (Deut. 27:5; 19:5; Josh. 17:16, 18; 1 Sam. 17:7; 2 Sam. 12:31; 2 Kings 6:5, 6; 1 Chr.…
is mentioned with brass as the earliest of known metals. (Genesis 4:22) The natural wealth in iron of the soil of Canaan is indicated by describing it as a land whose stones are iron." (8:9) (Recent explorations have shown that iron ore is abundant in the northern part of Palestine. --ED.) The book of Job contains passages which indicate that iron was a metal well known. Sheet-iron was used for cooking utensils. (Ezekiel 4:3) cf. Levi 7:9 That it was plentiful in the time of David appears from (1 Chronicles 22:3) The market of Tyre was supplied with bright or polished iron by the merchants of by Dan and Javan. (Ezekiel 27:19) The Chalybes of the Pontus were celebrated as…
Was early known and wrought, Ge 4:22. Moses often alludes to it. He compares the bondage in Egypt to a furnace for smelting iron, and speaks of the iron ore of Canaan, De 3:11 4:20 8:9. Many different articles and tools were anciently made of it. Immense quantities were provided for the building of the temple, 1Ch 29:2,7. "Iron" is used to illustrated slavery, strength, obstinacy, fortitude, affliction, etc., De 28:48 Job 40:18 Isa 48:4 Jer 1:18 Eze 22:18,20…
חָלַף (chalaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to pass on or away, with various nuances including to hasten, sprout anew, or change. It can refer to physical movement, such as passing through, as well as metaphorical changes like transgression or renewal. The word appears in poetic contexts and has different forms indicating causation or transformation.
חָלַף vb. pass on or away, pass through (mostly poet.)
Qal
pass on quickly
pass away, vanish
of grass, come on anew, i.e. sprout again
trans.
pass through, i.e. pierce
overstep, transgress
Pi. (cause to pass) change
Hiph.
change (trans.)
shew newness
base
H2498 חָלַף pass on or away, pass through (mostly poet.) .. . pass on quickly
. pass away, vanish
. of grass, come on anew, i.e. sprout again
. trans. . pass through, i.e. pierce
. overstep, transgress
. (cause to pass) change
. . change (trans.)
. shew newness
2498 chalaph khaw-laf'
a primitive root; properly, to slide by, i.e. (by
implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or
change:--abolish, alter, change, cut off, go on forward, grow
up, be over, pass (away, on, through), renew, sprout, strike
through.
חָלַף (cha.laph) — to pass.
1) to pass on or away, pass through, pass by, go through, grow up, change, to go on from
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pass on quickly
1a2) to pass away (vanish)
1a3) to come on anew, sprout again (of grass)
1a4) to pass through
1a5) to overstep, transgress
1b) (Piel) to cause to pass, change
1c) (Hiph)
1c1) to change, substitute, alter, change for better, renew
1c2) to show newness (of tree)
Aramaic equivalent: cha.laph (חֲלַף "to pass" H2499)
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person feminine singular · suffixHVqi3fs/Sp3ms
קֶ֫שֶׁת (qesheth) primarily means 'bow,' referring to a weapon for hunting or battle, and can also denote 'rainbow.' It is derived from a root meaning to bend, suggesting strength. The term encompasses both literal and figurative uses, including references to archers and might.
קֶ֫שֶׁת n.f. bow
bow
rainbow
base
H7198 קֶ֫שֶׁת bow . bow
. rainbow
7198 qesheth keh'-sheth
from 7185 in the original sense (of 6983) of bending: a bow,
for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris:--X
arch(-er), + arrow, bow((-man, -shot)).
see HEBREW for 07185
see HEBREW for 06983
קֶ֫שֶׁת (qe.shet) — bow.
1) bow
1a) bow (for hunting, battle)
1b) bowmen, archers
1c) bow (fig. of might)
1d) rainbow
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
נְחוּשָׁה (nchuwshah) refers to copper or bronze, indicating materials used in ancient metallurgy. It is a feminine form derived from the root word for copper, and it encompasses both pure copper and bronze, which is an alloy. The term appears in contexts related to metalworking and materials in the Old Testament.
נְחוּשָׁה and נְחֻשָׁה n.f. copper, bronze
base
H5154 נְחוּשָׁה and נְחֻשָׁה copper, bronze
5154 nchuwshah nekh-oo-shaw'
or nchushah {nekh-oo-shaw'}; feminine of 5153;
copper:--brass, steel. Compare 5176.
see HEBREW for 05153
see HEBREW for 05176
נְחוּשָׁה (ne.chu.shah) — bronze.
1) copper, bronze
1a) copper (made from melting copper ore)
1b) bronze (made from copper and alloy)
Aramaic equivalent: ne.chash (נְחָשׁ "bronze" H5174)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa