Job 21:18 — Word Study
WLCיִהְי֗וּ כְּתֶ֥בֶן לִפְנֵי־ ר֑וּחַ וּ֝כְמֹ֗ץ גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ סוּפָֽה׃
BSAArehâyâh▸ they like strawteben [dry, withered, stubble, chaff] beforepânîym the windrûwach [gentle, strong, a blast of air] like chaffmôts [loose, outer covering of grain, stubble, ashes] swept awaygânab■ [carried, stolen] by a stormçûwphâh [violent, whirlwind, hurricane, tempest]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יִהְי֗וּ | are they? | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| כְּתֶ֥בֶן | like straw | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לִפְנֵי־ | before | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct |
| ר֑וּחַ | a wind | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וּ֝כְמֹ֗ץ | and like chaff | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ | [which] it has stolen it | Verb qal perfect third person feminine singular, suffix |
| סוּפָֽה׃ | a storm-wind | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm? |
| KJV | They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away. |
| ASV | That they are as stubble before the wind, And as chaff that the storm carrieth away? |
| YLT | They are as straw before wind, And as chaff a hurricane hath stolen away, |
| WEB | How often is it that they are as stubble before the wind, as chaff that the storm carries away? |
| BBE | How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind? |
Where they part company is גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence features a main clause with two comparisons and a final action clause, emphasizing the fragility of the wicked.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectסוּפָה
verbהָיָה
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 21:18
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 21:18 presents a vivid metaphor comparing the wicked to straw and chaff, emphasizing their fragility and the ease with which they can be swept away by divine judgment. This verse is part of Job's broader discourse on the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the justice of God, as seen in the preceding and following verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 13:25 | Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff? |
| 2 | Exodus 15:7 | You overthrew Your adversaries by Your great majesty. You unleashed Your burning wrath; it consumed them like stubble. |
| 3 | Psalm 1:4 | Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind. |
| 4 | Psalm 35:5 | May they be like chaff in the wind, as the angel of the LORD drives them away. |
| 5 | Psalm 83:13 | Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, like chaff before the wind. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 14 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ, ge.na.Va.tugenerated
The verb גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ (ganav) means to steal, referring here to the act of being taken away or swept off. Its parsing indicates a perfect tense, suggesting a completed action — the chaff has already been stolen away by the storm.
This word captures the idea of loss and vulnerability, illustrating how the wicked, like chaff, are easily removed from the scene by forces beyond their control.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the verb יִהְי֗וּ (yih.Yu), meaning 'are they?', which introduces a comparison. The structure includes several phrases: a prepositional phrase indicating location, two noun phrases describing the subjects of comparison, and a final clause indicating the action taken by the storm.
The word order emphasizes the comparison, placing the subjects of the metaphor ('straw' and 'chaff') prominently before the verb, highlighting their insignificance in the face of the storm.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word כְּתֶ֥בֶן is rendered as ἄξυρα (axura), meaning 'straw'. This choice maintains the agricultural imagery while adapting it for a Greek-speaking audience.
The term for chaff, מֹץ, is translated as κονιορτός (koniortos), which emphasizes the lightweight nature of chaff and its propensity to be blown away, aligning with the Hebrew metaphor.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 21:18 compares the wicked to straw and chaff, suggesting that they are easily blown away by the wind and swept up by a storm. This imagery highlights their instability and the fleeting nature of their existence.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is illustrating the idea that the wicked are transient and vulnerable, easily removed from existence by divine forces, much like how straw and chaff are swept away by the wind.
This verse reflects Job's struggle with the apparent prosperity of the wicked and God's justice, questioning why the wicked seem to thrive while the righteous suffer.
The storm represents divine judgment or powerful forces that can easily remove the wicked from their place, emphasizing their lack of stability and security.
Yes, similar imagery is found in Psalms, where the fate of the wicked is compared to chaff that the wind drives away, reinforcing the theme of divine justice.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see the fleeting nature of worldly success in my life or in the lives of others?
- How can I find stability and security in my relationship with God, unlike the wicked described in this verse?
- What does this verse teach me about the consequences of living a life apart from God's ways?
- How can I encourage others to seek a firm foundation in their lives, rather than being like chaff blown away by the wind?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators, such as Gregory the Dialogist, reference this verse to discuss the fate of the wicked and the nature of divine justice.
Ver. 18. They shall be as chaff before the wind, and as ashes that the storm scattereth. 56. When the wicked man is seen in power, when he is utterly without check or restraint in his acts of oppression and violence,Early Church Fathers on Job 21 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 21:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThey are as stubble before the wind,.... Or how oft "are they as stubble?" c.
Read John Gill on Job 21 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThey are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away. Job alludes to a like sentiment of Bildad (Job 18:18), using his own previous words (Job 13:25). Chaff - .
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 21 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Biblei.e. Their destruction shall be speedy, and certain, and irrecoverable.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 21 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 21:18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.Ver. 18. They are as stubble before the wind] Lest any man should say, How can these things befall those that are so strongly set and firmly built? Well enough, saith Job, since when they are best bottomed or underlaid, they are but as stubble before the wind, &c. Haec consideranda, saith Mercer, these things would be laid to heart, for hereby it appeareth that the wicked shall be destroyed suddenly, and certainly, certo, cito, penitus, Isaiah 17:13. That they can no more stand before a punishing God than thistle down before a whirlwind, or a glass bottle before a cannon shot.
Read John Trapp on Job 21 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 18. They are as stubble before the wind] "His fan is in his hand; he will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, but shall be like the chaff which the wind driveth away." Were not this a common thought, I should have supposed that the author of this book borrowed it from Psalms 1:4. The original signifies that they shall be carried away by a furious storm; and borne off as booty is by the swift-riding robbers of the desert, who make a sudden irruption, and then set off at full speed with their prey.
Read AdamClarke on Job 21 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges7–21. This great mystery of the prosperity of the wicked in God’s providence Job now unfolds on both its sides: first, they and all belonging to them prosper, and they die in peace, although in conscious godlessness they bade the Almighty depart from them, Job 21:7-16; and second, negatively, examples of calamity befalling them are few, Job 21:17-21.
Read Cambridge on Job 21 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThey are as stubble before the wind - According to the interpretation proposed of the previous verse, this may be read as a question, “How often is it that the wicked are made like stubble?
Read Albert Barnes on Job 21 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible18. As stubble — To be read as a question: (how oft) are they as stubble before the wind? etc. (Compare Job 20:8-9.)
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 21 →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
Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm?
How often is it that they are as stubble before the wind, as chaff that the storm carries away?
Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm?
How often are they like straw before the wind, and like chaff swept away by a whirlwind?
Tyndale line
They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
That they are as stubble before the wind, And as chaff that the storm carrieth away?
That they are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away?
They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
They shall be as stubble before the winde, and as chaffe that the storme carieth away.
Strictly literal
Do they become as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away?
They are as straw before wind, And as chaff a hurricane hath stolen away,
They are as straw before wind, || And as chaff a windstorm has stolen away,
Are they as straw before the wind, and as chaff which the stealeth away?
How often is it that they become like stubble before the wind or like chaff that the storm carries away?
From the Latin
They shall be as chaff before the face of the wind, and as ashes which the whirlwind scattereth.
Simplified
Are they blown along like straw in the wind? Does a tornado come in and carry them away?
How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
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 of Job 21:18 reads, "יִהְי֗וּ כְּתֶ֥בֶן לִפְנֵי־ ר֑וּחַ וּ֝כְמֹ֗ץ גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ סוּפָֽה׃" which translates to, "Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm?" The Septuagint closely matches the Masoretic Text in meaning, as six of the seven words correspond directly, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide alternate readings for this verse, thus supporting the Masoretic Text's wording and meaning in this instance.
יִהְי֗וּ כְּתֶ֥בֶן לִפְנֵי־ ר֑וּחַ וּ֝כְמֹ֗ץ גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ סוּפָֽה׃
6 of the 7 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 21:18
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 הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
תֶּ֫בֶן (teben) means straw, specifically the refuse or stalks of grain, often used for fodder or as building material. The word's root is uncertain, but it is linked to the concept of material refuse. It appears in contexts related to agriculture and livestock.
תֶּ֫בֶן n.m. straw (√ unknown)
base
H8401 תֶּ֫בֶן straw (√ unknown)
8401 teben teh'-ben
probably from 1129; properly, material, i.e. (specifically)
refuse haum or stalks of grain (as chopped in threshing and
used for fodder):--chaff, straw, stubble.
see HEBREW for 01129
תֶּ֫בֶן (te.ven) — straw.
1) straw, stubble
1a) as building material
1b) as fodder for livestock
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
Straw
Used in brick-making (Ex. 5:7-18). Used figuratively in Job 41:27; Isa. 11:7; 25:10; 65:25.
Both wheat and barley straw were used by the ancient Hebrews chiefly as fodder for the horses cattle and camels. (Genesis 24:25; 1 Kings 4:28; Isaiah 11:7; 66:25) There is no intimation that straw was used for litter. It was employed by the Egyptians for making bricks, (Exodus 5:7,16) being chopped up and mixed with the clay to make them more compact and to prevent their cracking. [See BRICK] The ancient Egyptians reaped their corn close to the ear, and afterward cut the straw close to the ground and laid it by. This was the straw that Pharaoh refused to give to the Israelites who were therefore compelled to gather "stubble" instead --a matter of considerable difficulty, seeing that the straw itself had been cut off near to the…
The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
Prep | N-cp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural constructHR/Ncmpc
be-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Ge 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Ps 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isa 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west).
רוּחַ (ruach) means breath, wind, or spirit. It encompasses various meanings, including the breath of life, emotional disposition, and the spirit of God. The term can refer to both physical phenomena, like wind, and abstract concepts, such as moral character or mental acts. Notably, it is used frequently in the context of divine inspiration and the Holy Spirit.
רוּחַ 378 n.f. (less oft. m.) breath, wind, spirit
breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.)
wind (117 t.)
spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.)
spirit of the living, breathing being
spirit as seat of emotion
occasionally (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts
rarely of the will
רוּחַ esp. of moral character
spirit of God (94 t.)
base
H7307 רוּחַ breath, wind, spirit . breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.)
. wind (117 t.)
. spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.)
. spirit of the living, breathing being
. spirit as seat of emotion
. occasionally (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts
. rarely of the will
. רוּחַ esp. of moral character
. spirit of God (94 t.)
7307 ruwach roo'-akh
from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or
even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger,
unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by
resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including
its expression and functions):--air, anger, blast, breath, X
cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit((-ual)),
tempest, X vain, ((whirl-))wind(-y).
see HEBREW for 07306
רוּחַ (ru.ach) — spirit.
: spirit
1) wind, breath, mind, spirit
1a) breath
1b) wind
1b1) of heaven
1b2) quarter (of wind), side
1b3) breath of air
1b4) air, gas
1b5) vain, empty thing
1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation)
1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour
1c2) courage
1c3) temper, anger
1c4) impatience, patience
1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented)
1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse
1c7) prophetic spirit
1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals)
1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being
1e) spirit (as seat of emotion)
1e1) desire
1e2) sorrow, trouble
1f) spirit
1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts
1f2) rarely of the will
1f3) as seat especially of moral character
N-cs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
wind (anemos:
1. Causes:
Unequal distribution of heat in the atmosphere causes currents of air or wind. The heated air rises and the air from around rushes in. The direction from which a current comes determines its name, as west wind coming from the West but blowing toward the East. When two currents of air of different directions meet, a spiral motion sometimes results.
See WHIRLWIND.
2. West Wind:
In Palestine the west wind is the most common. It comes from the sea and carries the moisture which condenses to form clouds, as it is turned upward by the mountains, to the cooler layers of the atmosphere. If the temperature reached is cool enough the cloud condenses and rain falls. Elijah looked toward the West for the "small cloud," and soon "the heavens grew black with clouds and wind" (1Ki 18:44 f). "When ye see a cloud rising in the…
מוֹץ (mots) means chaff, specifically the lightweight husks separated from grain during threshing. It is often depicted as being driven by the wind and is used metaphorically in contexts such as the fate of the wicked (Job 21:18) and the power of nations (Isaiah 17:13). The term appears in several Old Testament verses, highlighting its symbolic significance.
[מוֹץ], מֹץ n.m. Is 29:5 chaff;—מ׳ abs. Ho 13:3 + 6 t.; cstr. Is 17:13;—chaff, always as driven by wind, and alw. c. כְּ, in sim.; of wicked Jb 21:18 (∥ תֶּבֶן לִפְנֵי רוּחַ), cf. ψ 1:4 35:5 Ho 13:3; of hostile nations Is 17:13 (מ׳ הָרִים), 29:5 (∥ אָבָק דַּךְ); hyperb. of Judah's power, גְּבָעוֹת כַּמֹּץ תָּשִׂים Is 41:15 (∥ תָּדוּשׁ הָרִים וְתָדֹק); of passing time, יוֹם Zp…
Read the full entry →H4671 [מוֹץ], מֹץ chaff
4671 mots motes
or mowts (Zephaniah 2:2) {motes}; from 4160; chaff (as
pressed out, i.e. winnowed or (rather) threshed
loose):--chaff.
see HEBREW for 04160
מוֹץ (mots) — chaff.
1) chaff
1a) always as driven by wind
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/R/Ncmsa
chaf: Four different words have been translated "chaff" in the Old Testament:
(1) mots, is found in Job 21:18; Ps 1:4; 35:5; Isa 17:13; 29:5; 41:15; Ho 13:3; Ze 2:2.
(2) chashash, occurs in two verses (Isa 5:24; 33:11). Compare "chashish," an Arabic word which, as commonly used, denotes grass either standing or cut, green or dry, although, strictly speaking, dry or cut grass alone. In the Revised Version (British and American) Isa 5:24 the translation is "dry grass."
Chaff
The refuse of winnowed corn. It was usually burned (Ex. 15:7; Isa. 5:24; Matt. 3:12). This word sometimes, however, means dried grass or hay (Isa. 5:24; 33:11). Chaff is used as a figure of abortive wickedness (Ps. 1:4; Matt. 3:12). False doctrines are also called chaff (Jer. 23:28), or more correctly rendered “chopped straw.” The destruction of the wicked, and their powerlessness, are likened to the carrying away of chaff by the wind (Isa. 17:13;
the husk of corn or wheat which was separated from the grain by being thrown into the air, the wind blowing away the chaff, while the grain was saved. The carrying away of chaff by the wind is an ordinary scriptural image of the destruction of the wicked and of their powerlessness to resist God’s judgments. (Psalms 1:4; Isaiah 17:13; Hosea 13:3; Zephaniah 2:2)
גָּנַב (ganab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to steal. It encompasses various forms, including stealing, being stolen, and going by stealth. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical aspects, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, and Hithpael, which cover both the act of stealing and the state of being stolen.
[גָּנַב] vb. steal
Qal steal
Niph. be stolen
Pi. steal away (trans.)
Pu. be stolen away
Hithp. go by stealth, syeal away
base
H1589 גָּנַב steal
1589 ganab gaw-nab'
a primitive root; to thieve (literally or figuratively); by
implication, to deceive:--carry away, X indeed, secretly
bring, steal (away), get by stealth.
גָּנַב (ga.nav) — to steal.
1) to steal, steal away, carry away
1a) (Qal) to steal
1b) (Niphal) to be stolen
1c) (Piel) to steal away
1d)(Pual) to be stolen away, be brought by stealth
1e) (Hithpael) to go by stealth, steal away
V-Qal-Perf-3fs | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person feminine singular · suffixHVqp3fs/Sp3ms
סוּפָה (cuwphah) refers to a storm or whirlwind, derived from a root meaning to sweep away. It is associated with strong winds and is noted in the context of a location east of the Jordan River. The term appears in ancient texts, including a fragment in Numbers 21:14, indicating its historical significance.
סוּפָה n.f. storm-wind (that makes an end ?)
base
סוּפָה n.pr.loc. E. of Jordan;—only in ancient poet. fragment Nu 21:14; SE. oasis of Dead Sea
ref
H5492a סוּפָה strom-wind H5492b סוּפָה E. of Jordan
5492 cuwphah soo-faw'
from 5486; a hurricane:--Red Sea, storm, tempest, whirlwind,
Red sea.
see HEBREW for 05486
סוּפָה (su.phah) — whirlwind.
storm-wind
סוּפָה (su.phah) — Suphah.
§ Suphah = "honeycomb: overflow"
a place east of the Jordan
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
wind (anemos:
1. Causes:
Unequal distribution of heat in the atmosphere causes currents of air or wind. The heated air rises and the air from around rushes in. The direction from which a current comes determines its name, as west wind coming from the West but blowing toward the East. When two currents of air of different directions meet, a spiral motion sometimes results.
See WHIRLWIND.
2. West Wind:
In Palestine the west wind is the most common. It comes from the sea and carries the moisture which condenses to form clouds, as it is turned upward by the mountains, to the cooler layers of the atmosphere. If the temperature reached is cool enough the cloud condenses and rain falls. Elijah looked toward the West for the "small cloud," and soon "the heavens grew black with clouds and wind" (1Ki 18:44 f). "When ye see a cloud rising in the…