Job 21:9 — Word Study
WLCבָּתֵּיהֶ֣ם שָׁל֣וֹם מִפָּ֑חַד וְלֹ֤א שֵׁ֖בֶט אֱל֣וֹהַּ עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
BSATheir homesbayith [dwelling places, houses] are safeshâlôwm [peaceful, secure] from fearpachad [dread, terror] nolôʼ rod of punishmentshêbeṭ [staff] from Godʼĕlôwahh [Eloah, the one true God] [is] upon themʻal [on, above]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בָּתֵּיהֶ֣ם | houses their | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| שָׁל֣וֹם | [are] safety | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| מִפָּ֑חַד | from fear | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְלֹ֤א | and not | Conjunction, particle |
| שֵׁ֖בֶט | [the] rod of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| אֱל֣וֹהַּ | God | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ | [is] on them | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them. |
| KJV | Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. |
| ASV | Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them. |
| YLT | Their houses [are] peace without fear, Nor [is] a rod of God upon them. |
| WEB | Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. |
| BBE | Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them. |
Translations agree on the overall meaning of the verse, particularly regarding the peace of the wicked.
The sentence is structured around a main clause with additional phrases that elaborate on the state of the wicked's homes and the absence of divine punishment.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
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 21:9
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 Reflections on the Wickedgenerated
Job 21:9 presents Job's observations about the lives of the wicked, who appear to thrive without fear or punishment from God. He contrasts their seemingly peaceful existence with the suffering of the righteous, raising questions about divine justice. This section of Job explores the tension between observed reality and theological beliefs about retribution and justice.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 15:21 | Sounds of terror fill his ears; in his prosperity the destroyer attacks him. |
| 2 | Job 18:11 | Terrors frighten him on every side and harass his every step. |
| 3 | Psalm 73:19 | How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors! |
| 4 | Isaiah 57:19–21 | bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.” |
| 5 | Job 9:34 | Let Him remove His rod from me, so that His terror will no longer frighten me. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שָׁל֣וֹם, sha.Lomgenerated
The Hebrew word שָׁלוֹם (*shalom*) encompasses meanings of peace, safety, and completeness. It describes a state of being free from disturbance, which in this context refers to the security enjoyed by the wicked.
As a noun, it is used here in the absolute form, indicating a general state of peace. The parsing shows it is masculine singular, emphasizing the singularity of their experience of peace.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses safe for שָׁל֣וֹם.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb in this verse is implied, with the structure focusing on the subject and its attributes. The subject is the homes of the wicked, described through a series of phrases that emphasize their state of peace and the absence of punishment.
The noun phrase בָּתֵּיהֶ֣ם serves as the subject, with the prepositional phrase מִפָּ֑חַד indicating the source of their safety. The structure highlights the contrast between their security and the expected divine retribution.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שָׁל֣וֹם as εὐθηνοῦσιν, which carries the connotation of being well or prosperous. This choice suggests a broader interpretation of peace, encompassing well-being beyond mere absence of fear.
This translation indicates a slight widening of the concept, emphasizing not just peace but a flourishing state that the wicked enjoy.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 21:9 tells us that the homes of the wicked are peaceful and secure, free from fear and punishment from God. Job notes that they do not experience the rod of God's discipline, highlighting the contrast between their lives and the suffering of the righteous.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is observing that the wicked seem to live without fear of punishment, enjoying a sense of security in their lives.
This verse raises questions about the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous, challenging the notion of immediate divine retribution.
The rod symbolizes authority and discipline, and its absence indicates that the wicked are not experiencing the consequences of their actions.
It reflects Job's ongoing struggle with understanding why the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous suffer, a central theme throughout the book.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does it mean to feel secure in life, and how does that relate to my relationship with God?
- In what ways do I see the contrast between the lives of the righteous and the wicked in today's world?
- How can I reconcile the apparent prosperity of the wicked with my understanding of divine justice?
- What role does fear play in my life, and how does my faith influence my sense of security?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The verse is referenced by Gregory the Dialogist in his reflections on the nature of the wicked's peace and the implications of their actions.
Ver. 9. Their houses are secure and at peace, neither is the rod of God upon them. 47. Their 'houses are secure and at peace,' in that they live on committing sin, they do things to be mourned over, and they never leave their joys.Early Church Fathers on Job 21 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 21:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTheir houses [are] safe from fear,.... Of enemies besetting them, entering into them, and pillaging and plundering them; of thieves and robbers breaking into them, and carrying off their substance:
Read John Gill on Job 21 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryTheir houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. Literally, peace from fear: with poetic force. Their house is peace itself, far removed from fear.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 21 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThey neither fear nor feel any disturbance.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 21 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 21:9 Their houses [are] safe from fear, neither [is] the rod of God upon them.Ver. 9. Their houses are safe from fear] Seculi laetitia est impunita nequitia. No domestic discords, no foreign disturbances, but peaceable possession and enjoyment of what they have; as much welfare as David wished to Nabal, 1 Samuel 25:5 : Thus shall ye say to him that lives (that is, that lives prosperously, for that is the only life), Peace be to thee, and to thine house, and to all that thou hast. Neither is the rod of God upon them] So that they seem to themselves and others to be out of the reach of God’ s rod. "They are not in trouble, as other men, neither are they plagued like other men; therefore…
Read John Trapp on Job 21 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) Their houses are safe from fear.—On the contrary, Zophar had just said that “a fire not blown should consume him” (Job 20:26), and Bildad (in Job 18:15) that “destruction should dwell in his tabernacle, and brimstone be scattered on his habitation.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 21 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 9. Neither is the rod of God upon them.] They are not afflicted as other men.
Read AdamClarke on Job 21 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges9. Not merely themselves and their children but their homes and all in them are full of peace—another allusion to the rod of God which had fallen on all belonging to Job.
Read Cambridge on Job 21 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleTheir houses are safe from fear - Margin, “peace from.” The friends of Job had maintained just the contrary; see Job 20:27-28; Job 15:21-24. Their idea was, that the wicked man would never be free from alarms.
Read Albert Barnes 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
Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them.
Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them.
Their houses are safe and without fear; and no rod of punishment from God is upon them.
Tyndale line
Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them.
Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
Their houses are peaceable without feare, and the rod of God is not vpon them.
Strictly literal
Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
Their houses [are] peace without fear, Nor [is] a rod of God upon them.
Their houses [are] peace without fear, || Nor [is] a rod of God on them.
Their houses are at peace without any dread, and no rod of God [cometh] over them.
Their houses are safe from fear; neither is the rod of God on them.
From the Latin
Their houses are secure and peaceable, and the rod of God is not upon them.
Simplified
They live in their homes in safety—they are not afraid. God does not use his rod to beat them.
Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
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 show agreement in the overall message, though the Septuagint's wording differs. Four of the seven words match directly, indicating a shared understanding of the verse's meaning.
בָּתֵּיהֶ֣ם שָׁל֣וֹם מִפָּ֑חַד וְלֹ֤א שֵׁ֖בֶט אֱל֣וֹהַּ עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
4 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 21:9
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 בַּיִת (*bayith*) means 'house' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including dwelling, family, and place. It can refer to physical structures, such as homes and temples, as well as metaphorical uses like the body or household affairs. The word is built from the root related to 'between' and appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין prep. between
base
בַּ֫יִת 2034 n.m. house
house
place
receptacle
of house as containing a family
household, family (592 t.)
house, including household affairs
lit. housewards, hence metaph. inwards
מִבַּיִת
adv. on the inside
prep. within
base
H1004a בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין prep. between H1004b בַּ֫יִת house
1004 bayith bah'-yith
probably from 1129 abbreviated; a house (in the greatest
variation of applications, especially family, etc.):--court,
daughter, door, + dungeon, family, + forth of, X great as
would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter)house(-hold),
inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, + steward, + tablet,
temple, web, + within(-out).
see HEBREW for 01129
בֵּית (bet) — place.
nm
place, origin, between
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — house: home.
: home/temple/building
nm
1) house
1a) house, dwelling habitation
1b) shelter or abode of animals
1c) human bodies (fig.)
1d) of Sheol
1e) of abode of light and darkness
1f) of land of Ephraim
2) place
3) receptacle
4) home, house as containing a family
5) household, family
5a) those belonging to the same household
5b) family of descendants, descendants as organized body
6) household affairs
7) inwards (metaph.)
8) (TWOT) temple
adv
9) on the inside
prep
10) within
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth-(ashbea).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Combined with ash.be.a (אַשְׁבֵּעַ "Ashbea" H0791)
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth (Haggan).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Combined with hag (גַּן "Haggan" H1588)
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth-(togarmah).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3mp
שָׁלוֹם (shalom) conveys a range of meanings including completeness, soundness, welfare, and peace. It can refer to physical safety and health, as well as emotional states like tranquility and friendship, particularly in human relationships and with God. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to be complete' and is used in various contexts, including greetings.
שָׁלוֹם 237 n.m. completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
completeness in no.
safety, soundness, in body
welfare, health, prosperity
peace, quiet, tranquility, contentment
peace, friendship
peace from war
as adj. those at peace with him
base
H7965 שָׁלוֹם completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
7965 shalowm shaw-lome'
or shalom {shaw-lome'}; from 7999; safe, i.e. (figuratively)
well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,
prosperity, peace:--X do, familiar, X fare, favour, + friend,
X great, (good) health, (X perfect, such as be at)
peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty),
salute, welfare, (X all is, be) well, X wholly.
see HEBREW for 07999
שָׁלוֹם (sha.lom) — peace.
: peace
1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
1a) completeness (in number)
1b) safety, soundness (in body)
1c) welfare, health, prosperity
1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment
1e) peace, friendship
1e1) of human relationships
1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship
1f) peace (from war)
1g) peace (as adjective)
שָׁלוֹם (ye.ho.vah sha.lom) — Peace.
This name means completeness, peace
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
שָׁלוֹם (sha.lom) — peace: well-being.
: well-being
1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
1a) completeness (in number)
1b) safety, soundness (in body)
1c) welfare, health, prosperity
1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment
1e) peace, friendship
1e1) of human relationships
1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship
1f) peace (from war)
1g) peace (as adjective)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
פַּ֫חַד (pachad) refers to the concept of dread or terror, often indicating both the feeling of fear and the object that inspires it. The word is derived from a root meaning to be alarmed, and it encompasses a range of meanings related to fear and terror.
פַּ֫חַד 49 n.m. dread
dread
= object of dread
as design. dei
base
H6343 פַּ֫חַד dread . dread
. = object of dread
. as design. dei
6343 pachad pakh'-ad
from 6342; a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by
implication, the feeling):--dread(-ful), fear, (thing) great
(fear, -ly feared), terror.
see HEBREW for 06342
פַּ֫חַד (pa.chad) — dread.
1) terror, dread
1a) dread
1b) object of dread
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
fer (yir'ah, yare'; phobos, phobeo):
Terms, etc.:
"Fear" is the translation of many words in the Old Testament; the chief are: yir'ah, "fear," "terror," "reverence," "awe," most often "the fear of God," "fear of Yahweh" (Ge 20:11; 2Ch 19:9, etc.); also of "fear" generally (Job 22:4; Isa 7:25; Eze 30:13, etc.); yare', "to be afraid," "to fear," "to reverence" (Ge 15:1; Le 19:3,14; De 6:2, etc.); pachadh, "fear," "terror," "dread" (
→ See COWARDICE
→ Also see FEAR OF GOD, below
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)
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particleHC/Tn
שֵׁ֫בֶט (shebet) refers to both a physical object and a social group. It can mean a rod, staff, or sceptre, often associated with authority or punishment, as well as a tribe or clan. The word is built from a root likely meaning to branch off, indicating both literal and figurative uses.
שֵׁ֫בֶט 189 n.m. 1. rod, staff, club, sceptre. 2. tribe
base
H7626 שֵׁ֫בֶט 1. rod, staff, club, sceptre. 2. tribe
7626 shebet shay'-bet
from an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion,
i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting,
ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan:--X
correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe.
שֵׁ֫בֶט (she.vet) — tribe: staff.
: staff
1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe
1a) rod, staff
1b) shaft (of spear, dart)
1c) club (of shepherd's implement)
1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority)
1e) clan, tribe
שֵׁ֫בֶט (she.vet) — tribe.
: tribe
1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe
1a) rod, staff
1b) shaft (of spear, dart)
1c) club (of shepherd's implement)
1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority)
1e) clan, tribe
שֵׁ֫בֶט (she.vet) — tribe: javelin.
: javelin
1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe
1a) rod, staff
1b) shaft (of spear, dart)
1c) club (of shepherd's implement)
1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority)
1e) clan, tribe
שֵׁ֫בֶט (she.vet) — tribe: ruler.
: ruler
1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe
1a) rod, staff
1b) shaft (of spear, dart)
1c) club (of shepherd's implement)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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…
The Hebrew word אֱלֹהַּ (*'elowahh*) refers to a deity or the Deity, translating to 'God' or 'god.' It is derived from a root meaning 'to be strong' and can also denote a false god. The term appears in various contexts, including ancient poetry and references to heathen gods.
אֱלֹהַּ 67; elsewhere אֱלוֹהַּ n.m. god, God
a heathen god, late usage
God, used in ancient poems
base
H433 אֱלֹהַּ; elsewhere אֱלוֹהַּ god, God
433 'elowahh el-o'-ah; rarely (shortened) >eloahh {el-o'-ah
probably prolonged (emphat.) from 410; a deity or the
Deity:--God, god. See 430.
see HEBREW for 0410
see HEBREW for 0430
אֱלֹהַּ (e.lo.ah) — god.
1) God
2) false god
Aramaic equivalent: e.lah (אֱלָהּ "god" H0426)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA
1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought
2. Definition of the Idea
3. The Knowledge of God
4. Ethnic Ideas of God
(1) Animism
(2) Fetishism
(3) Idolatry
(4) Polytheism
(5) Henotheism
(6) Pantheism
(7) Deism
(8) Semitic Monolatry
(9) Monotheism
II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. The Course of Its Development
2. Forms of Its Manifestation
(1) The Face or Countenance of God
(2) The Voice and Word of God
(3) The Glory of God
(4) The Angel of God
(5) The Spirit of God
(6) The Name of God
(7) Occasional Forms
3. The Names of God
(1) Generic
(2) Attributive
(3) Yahweh
4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God
(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel
(a) His Early Worship
(b) Popular Religion
(c) Polytheistic Tendencies
(i) Coordination
(ii) Assimilation
(iii) Disintegration
(d) No Hebrew Goddesses
(e) Human Sacrifices
God
(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).
The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:
(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.
(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…
This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…
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 · suffixHRd/Sp3mp