Job 23:5 — Word Study
WLCאֵ֭דְעָה מִלִּ֣ים יַעֲנֵ֑נִי וְ֝אָבִ֗ינָה מַה־ יֹּ֥אמַר לִֽי׃
BSAI would learnyâdaʻ [discover, come to know] howmillâh He would answerʻânâh▸ [respond, give an explanation] and considerbîyn [understand, ponder] whatmâh He would sayʼâmar▸ [speak, declare, utter words]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֵ֭דְעָה | I want to know | Verb, Qal, infinitive construct first person common singular |
| מִלִּ֣ים | [the] words | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| יַעֲנֵ֑נִי | [which] he will answer me | Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| וְ֝אָבִ֗ינָה | and I want to understand | Conjunction, verb qal infinitive construct first person common singular |
| מַה־ | what? | Pronoun |
| יֹּ֥אמַר | will he say | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לִֽי׃ | to me | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say. |
| KJV | I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. |
| ASV | I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me. |
| YLT | I know the words He doth answer me, And understand what He saith to me. |
| WEB | I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me. |
| BBE | I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me. |
The translations agree on the essence of Job's desire to know and understand God's responses.
The sentence is structured around a main verb with two clauses that elaborate on Job's desire for understanding.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbיָדַע
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 23:5
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 Divine Communicationgenerated
Job 23:5 reveals Job's earnest desire to engage with God and understand His responses to his suffering. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job contemplates his situation and seeks to plead his case before God, as seen in the preceding verses. Job's longing for understanding reflects the universal human experience of seeking clarity in times of distress.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 10:2 | I will say to God: Do not condemn me! Let me know why You prosecute me. |
| 2 | Job 13:22–23 | Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply. |
| 3 | Job 42:2–6 | “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted. |
| 4 | 1 Corinthians 4:3–4 | I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֵ֭דְעָה, 'E.de.'ahgenerated
The verb יָדַע (yada`) is an infinitive construct meaning 'to know.' It encompasses various senses, including learning, perceiving, and recognizing. Job's use of this word indicates a deep desire to gain insight into God's answers, suggesting an active pursuit of knowledge rather than passive reception.
Job's desire to know is not merely intellectual; it is a heartfelt longing for connection and understanding in his relationship with God. This reflects the broader biblical theme of seeking wisdom and understanding, particularly in the context of suffering and divine silence.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, we reference the Berean Standard Bible, which uses learn for אֵ֭דְעָה.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb אֵ֭דְעָה governs the sentence, with two clauses following it: one expressing Job's desire to know how God will answer, and the other concerning what God will say. This structure emphasizes Job's quest for understanding.
The sentence flows logically, with Job first expressing his desire to know and then detailing the specific aspects he wishes to understand — God's response and the content of His words.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מִלִּ֣ים as ῥήματα, which means 'words' or 'things said.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may imply a broader context of discourse.
The translation choices in the Septuagint highlight an interpretative approach that may reflect the translators' understanding of the nature of divine communication.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 23:5 shows Job wanting to know how God will respond to his questions and what He will say. This reflects Job's deep desire for understanding in his conversation with God.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is expressing a desire to understand God's responses to his suffering and questions.
For Job, understanding God's words is crucial for finding meaning and clarity in his suffering.
This verse highlights Job's earnest desire for dialogue and understanding, indicating a deep and personal relationship.
Job's quest teaches us the importance of seeking knowledge and clarity in our relationship with God, especially in difficult times.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some questions I have for God that I would like to understand better?
- How can I seek understanding in my own life, similar to Job's pursuit?
- What does it mean to me to know how God responds to my prayers?
- In what ways can I reflect on God's words and their significance in my life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church father Gregory the Dialogist reflects on Job's desire to understand God's words, emphasizing the importance of weighing one's sins.
That I may know the words that he will answer me, and understand what he will say unto me. For we then bewail our sins, when we begin to weigh them;Early Church Fathers on Job 23 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 23:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI would know the words [which] he would answer me,.... Being a God hearing and answering prayer, who always hears, and sooner or later answers the petitions of his people in his own way; and which
Read John Gill on Job 23 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. He - emphatic: it matters little what man may say of me, if only I know what God judges of me.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 23 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleI long to know what he would say, either to prove me a hypocrite, or to justify his harsh proceedings against me; and if be should discover to me any secret and unknown sins, for which he contendeth with me, I should humble myself before him, and accept of the punishment of mine iniquity.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 23 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 23:5 I would know the words [which] he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.Ver. 5. I would know the words that he would answer me] q.d. I cannot know your minds, O my friends, nor understand your words, which yet I believe are little to the purpose; but God (I know) will utter his mind plainly, and approve my cause, which you so rashly condemn. Thus John Huss and other martyrs, when they could not have a fair hearing from men, appealed and applied themselves to God, committing their cause to him who judgeth righteously.
Read John Trapp on Job 23 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 5. I would know the words which he would answer me] He would speak nothing but what was true, decree nothing that was not righteous, nor utter any thing that I could not comprehend.
Read AdamClarke on Job 23 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5. Job would not only plead his own cause, but he would hear from the Almighty what charges He had to make against him; comp. ch. Job 10:2, Job 13:23. and especially ch. Job 31:35-37.
Read Cambridge on Job 23 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI would know the words which he would answer me - That is, I wish to understand what would be “his” decision in the case - and what would be his judgment in regard to me.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 23 →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
I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.
I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.
I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.
I would know with what words he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
Tyndale line
I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me.
I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
I would knowe the wordes, that he would answere me, and would vnderstand what he would say vnto me.
Strictly literal
I would know the words he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
I know the words He doth answer me, And understand what He saith to me.
I know the words He answers me, || And understand what He says to me.
I should know the words which he might answer me, and understand what he might say unto me.
I would learn the words with which he would answer me and would understand what he would say to me.
From the Latin
That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
Simplified
I would discover how he would answer me and learn what he has to say to me.
I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me.
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 presents the verse as אֵ֭דְעָה מִלִּ֣ים יַעֲנֵ֑נִי וְ֝אָבִ֗ינָה מַה־ יֹּ֥אמַר לִֽי׃. The Septuagint matches five of the seven words, indicating a close relationship between the two texts, though the word order and articles differ.
אֵ֭דְעָה מִלִּ֣ים יַעֲנֵ֑נִי וְ֝אָבִ֗ינָה מַה־ יֹּ֥אמַר לִֽי׃
5 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 23:5
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.
יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
יָדַע 943 vb. know
Qal
know, learn to know
perceive
perceive and see; find out and discern
discriminate, distinguish
know by experience
recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
consider
not know = not expect
know a person, be acquainted with
know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse
know how, to do a thing, be able to do it
be skilful in
abs. have knowledge, be wise
Niph.
be made known, be or become known, of things
make oneself known of pers.
be perceived
be instructed
Pi. cause to know
Pu. known
Hiph. make known, declare
Hoph. made known
Hithp. make oneself known
base
H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know
. perceive
. perceive and see; find out and discern
. discriminate, distinguish
. know by experience
. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
. consider
. not know = not expect
. know a person, be acquainted with
. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse
. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it
. be skilful in
. abs. have knowledge, be wise
. . be made known, be or become known, of things
. make oneself known of pers.
. be perceived
. be instructed
. cause to know
. known
. make known, declare
. made known
. make oneself known
3045 yada` yaw-dah'
a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);
used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,
euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,
care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,
punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted
with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,
(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X
could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)
discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,
can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause
to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have
(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be
learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X
prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man
of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,
יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.
1) to know
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to know
1a1a) to know, learn to know
1a1b) to perceive
1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern
1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish
1a1e) to know by experience
1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess
1a1g) to consider
1a2) to know, be acquainted with
1a3) to know (a person carnally)
1a4) to know how, be skilful in
1a5) to have knowledge, be wise
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed
1b2) to make oneself known
1b3) to be perceived
1b4) to be instructed
1c) (Piel) to cause to know
1d) (Poal) to cause to know
1e) (Pual)
1e1) to be known
1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)
1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare
1g) (Hophal) to be made known
1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself
Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
V-Qal-1cs — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct first person common singularHVqc1cs
מִלָּה (millah) means 'word' or 'speech' and can refer to a discourse or topic. It is derived from a root that suggests collective speech or utterance. The term encompasses various forms of communication, including answers and by-words. The Aramaic equivalent is also מִלָּה.
מִלָּה n.f. word, speech, utterance
base
H4405 מִלָּה
4405 millah mil-law'
from 4448 (plural masculine as if from milleh {mil-leh'}; a
word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic:--+
answer, by-word, matter, any thing (what) to say, to
speak(-ing), speak, talking, word.
see HEBREW for 04448
מִלָּה (mil.lah) — speech.
word, speech, utterance
Aramaic equivalent: mil.lah (מִלָּה "word" H4406)
N-fp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
The Hebrew word עָנָה (*anah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to heed or pay attention, covering a range of meanings including to answer, respond, testify, and sing. It appears in contexts where one responds to speech or circumstances, and can also refer to singing. The lexicons indicate that it can imply both verbal responses and musical expression.
[עוּן] vb. dwell
base
עָנָה 316 vb. answer, respond
Qal
answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied
respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances
money meets all demands
specif. respond as a witness, testify
less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)
Niph.
make answer
be answered
Hiph. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart
base
עָנָה vb. sing
Qal sing, utter tunefully
Pi. sing sweetly of it
base
H6030a עוּן dwell H6030b עָנָה answer, respond .. answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied
. . respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances
. money meets all demands
. . specif. respond as a witness, testify
. less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)
. . make answer
. be answered
. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart
H6030c עָנָה sing
6030 `anah aw-naw'
a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed,
i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. to
begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify,
announce:--give account, afflict (by mistake for 6031),
(cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for 6031), cry,
hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing
(together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness.
See also 1042, 1043.
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 01042
see HEBREW for 01043
עוּן (un) — to dwell.
(Qal) to dwell
עָנָה (a.nah) — to answer.
1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to answer, respond to
1a2) to testify, respond as a witness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to make answer
1b2) to be answered, receive answer
Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032)
עָנָה (a.nah) — to sing.
(Qal) to sing, utter tunefully
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVqi3ms/Sp1bs
בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
בִּין vb. discern
Qal
perceive
understand, know (with mind)
observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
have discernment, insight, understanding
Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
Po. he attentively considereth him
Hiph.
understand
give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
give understanding, make understand, teach
Hithp.
shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
get understanding, understand
shew oneself to have understanding
base
H995 בִּין discern .. perceive
. understand, know (with mind)
. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
. have discernment, insight, understanding
. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
. he attentively considereth him
. . understand
. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
. give understanding, make understand, teach
. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
. get understanding, understand
. shew oneself to have understanding
995 biyn bene
a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),
i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,
diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,
have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be
prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,
make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)
wise(-ly, man).
בִּין (bin) — to understand.
1) to discern, understand, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to perceive, discern
1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)
1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider
1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding
1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to understand
1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach
1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently
1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct
2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
Conj | V-Qal-1cs — Conjunction · verb qal infinitive construct first person common singularHC/Vqc1cs
מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.
מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught
interrog. what?
Used adverbially
Indef. pron.
With preps.
base
H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?
. Used adverbially
. Indef. pron.
. With preps.
4100 mah maw
or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a
primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including
how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including
how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even
relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various
adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-
soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),
whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.
מָה (mah) — what?.
interr pron
1) what, how, of what kind
1a) (interrogative)
1a1) what?
1a2) of what kind
1a3) what? (rhetorical)
1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what
1b) (adverb)
1b1) how, how now
1b2) why
1b3) how! (exclamation)
1c) (with prep)
1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?
1c2) because of what?
1c3) the like of what?
1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?
1c3b) for how long?
1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?
1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?
indef pron
2) anything, aught, what may
Part — PronounHPi
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs