Job 26:11 — Word Study
WLCעַמּוּדֵ֣י שָׁמַ֣יִם יְרוֹפָ֑פוּ וְ֝יִתְמְה֗וּ מִגַּעֲרָתֽוֹ׃
BSAThe foundationsʻammûwd [pillars, columns of support] of heavenshâmayim [the visible universe, sky] quakerûwph△▸ [tremble, shake violently] astoundedtâmahh▸ [amazed, stunned] at His rebukegᵉʻârâh [stern warning, correction, reproof]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עַמּוּדֵ֣י | [the] pillars of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| שָׁמַ֣יִם | heaven | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| יְרוֹפָ֑פוּ | they shake | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| וְ֝יִתְמְה֗וּ | and they may be astonished | Conjunction, verb qal third person masculine plural |
| מִגַּעֲרָתֽוֹ׃ | from rebuke his | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The foundations of heaven quake, astounded at His rebuke. |
| KJV | The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof. |
| ASV | The pillars of heaven tremble And are astonished at his rebuke. |
| YLT | Pillars of the heavens do tremble, And they wonder because of His rebuke. |
| WEB | The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his rebuke. |
| BBE | The pillars of heaven are shaking, and are overcome by his sharp words. |
All translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, emphasizing the trembling of the heavens at God's rebuke.
The main verb describes the action of the heavens, with additional phrases providing context and detail about their response.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbרָפַף
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 5 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
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 26:11
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 — God's Sovereignty Over Creationgenerated
Job 26:11 reflects on the overwhelming authority of God, showing that even the pillars of heaven quake at His rebuke. This verse is part of Job's discourse on God's power, illustrating how creation responds to His commands. The surrounding verses highlight God's mastery over the natural world, reinforcing the theme of divine sovereignty.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 2:8 | He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world. |
| 2 | Psalm 18:7 | Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger. |
| 3 | Haggai 2:21 | “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am about to shake the heavens and the earth: |
| 4 | Hebrews 12:26–27 | At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.” |
| 5 | 2 Peter 3:10 | But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עַמּוּד, 'a.mu.Deigenerated
The word עַמּוּד ('ammuwd) means 'pillar' or 'column,' referring to a vertical support structure. It symbolizes strength and stability, often used in architectural contexts. Here, it conveys the idea of the heavens as supported by pillars, emphasizing their foundational role in the universe.
The parsing indicates that this is a masculine plural construct noun, suggesting multiple pillars. The lexicons consistently affirm this architectural connotation, with no significant disagreement noted. This word helps to illustrate the grandeur of creation and the seriousness of God's rebuke.
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 finite verbs יְרוֹפָ֑פוּ and יִתְמְה֗וּ govern the verse, describing the actions of the heavens. The structure shows a subject followed by a series of actions, illustrating the response of creation to divine authority.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the pillars of heaven as the subject, followed by their trembling and astonishment, effectively highlighting the cosmic reaction to God's command.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עַמּוּדֵ֣י as στῦλοι (stuloi), meaning 'columns' or 'pillars.' This choice maintains the architectural imagery present in the Hebrew, suggesting stability and support.
The Greek translation reflects a similar understanding of the heavens as pillars, emphasizing the idea of their foundational role in the cosmos.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 26:11 shows that the foundations of heaven shake and are amazed at God's rebuke. This verse highlights God's power and the response of creation to His authority.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that even the most stable parts of creation are affected by God's authority and power.
The pillars symbolize the strength and support of the universe, emphasizing how even they respond to God's commands.
The rebuke is a stern warning or correction from God, illustrating His authority over all creation.
It demonstrates that God's power extends over the heavens, showing that everything in creation is subject to His will.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen God's authority in my life and the world around me?
- How can I respond to God's corrections or rebukes in my own life?
- What does it mean for me to recognize the power of God over creation?
- How can I share the message of God's sovereignty with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church fathers often referenced Job's reflections on God's power. Here, Gregory the Dialogist comments on the trembling of the pillars of heaven, interpreting them as the holy Angels or principal preachers of the Church.
The pillars of heaven tremble, and are astonished at His nod. [MYSTICAL INTERPRETATION] What else does he call 'the pillars of heaven' but the holy Angels, or the principal preachers of the Church,Early Church Fathers on Job 26 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 26:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe pillars of heaven tremble,.... Which may be understood either of the air, the lower part of the heavens, which may be thought to be the foundation, prop, and support of them, and is sometimes
Read John Gill on Job 26 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryDead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 26 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe pillars of heaven; either, 1. Those mountains which by their height and strength may seem to reach and support the heavens, as the poets said of Atlas; for this is a poetical book, and there are many poetical expressions in it. These tremble sometimes by force of earthquakes, or by God’ s glorious appearance in them, as Sinai did. Or, 2. Holy angels; but they are not subject either to trembling, or to God’ s rebuke. Or, 3. The heavenly bodies, as the sun, and moon, and stars, which as they may seem in some sort to support, so they do certainly adorn the heavens; and we know pillars are oft made, not to support, but only for ornament; as the two famous pillars of the temple, Jachin and…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 26 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 26:11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.Ver. 11. The pillars of heaven tremble] i.e. The angels, say some, who tremble out of conscience of their own comparative imperfections. The best of saints on earth, say others (according to Galatians 2:9 Revelation 3:12 Proverbs 9:1-2), who tremble at God’ s word, Isaiah 66:2, and have many concussions by afflictions. But better understand the firmament of heaven, Haggai 2:6-7 Matthew 24:29. The powers of heaven shall be shaken, they shall quake with the loud check of his thunderclaps. Or the high and mighty mountains, whereon the heavens seem to rest, as on so many pillars, shaken by earth, quakes, and sometimes…
Read John Trapp on Job 26 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(11) The pillars of heaven tremble.—The phenomenon of storm and tempest is alluded to.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 26 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 11. The pillars of heaven tremble] This is probably a poetical description either of thunder, or of an earthquake: - "He shakes creation with his nod; Earth, sea, and heaven, confess him God." But there may be an allusion to the high mountains, which were anciently esteemed by the common people as the pillars on which the heavens rested; and when these were shaken with earthquakes, it might be said the pillars of heaven tremble. Mount Atlas was supposed to be one of those pillars, and this gave rise to the fable of Atlas being a man who bore the heavens on his shoulders. The Greek and Roman poets frequently use this image. Thus SILIUS ITALICUS, lib. i., ver. 202: - Atlas subducto…
Read AdamClarke on Job 26 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges11. The “pillars” of the heavens, if the conception be not wholly ideal, may be the lofty mountains on which the heavens seem to rest, and which, as they are lost in the clouds, are spoken of as belonging to heaven. At God’s rebuke, when His voice of thunder rolls, or when earthquakes shake the earth, they tremble with terror of His majesty,
Read Cambridge on Job 26 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe pillars of Heaven tremble - That is, the mountains, which seem to bear up the heavens. So, among the ancients. Mount Atlas was represented as one of the pillars of heaven.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 26 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The foundations of heaven quake, astounded at His rebuke.
The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his rebuke.
The foundations of heaven quake, astounded at His rebuke.
The pillars of the heavens tremble and are amazed at his rebuke.
Tyndale line
The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.
The pillars of heaven tremble And are astonished at his rebuke.
The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his rebuke.
The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.
The pillars of heauen tremble and quake at his reproofe.
Strictly literal
The pillars of the heavens tremble and are astonished at his rebuke.
Pillars of the heavens do tremble, And they wonder because of His rebuke.
Pillars of the heavens tremble, || And they wonder because of His rebuke.
The pillars of heaven tremble greatly, and are astounded at his rebuke.
The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his rebuke.
From the Latin
The pillars of heaven tremble, and dread at his beck.
Simplified
The pillars of heaven tremble; they shake with fear at his rebuke.
The pillars of heaven are shaking, and are overcome by his sharp words.
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 in their wording for עַמּוּדֵ֣י שָׁמַ֣יִם יְרוֹפָ֑פוּ וְ֝יִתְמְה֗וּ מִגַּעֲרָתֽוֹ׃, with all five words matched in the Septuagint, indicating a strong consistency between these texts.
עַמּוּדֵ֣י שָׁמַ֣יִם יְרוֹפָ֑פוּ וְ֝יִתְמְה֗וּ מִגַּעֲרָתֽוֹ׃
5 of the 5 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 26:11
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.
עַמּוּד (ammuwd) means 'pillar' or 'column,' referring to a vertical support structure. It can denote both a physical pillar and a platform. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to stand.' The entries consistently emphasize its architectural connotation, with no significant disagreement noted among the lexicons.
עַמּוּד, עַמֻּד 110 n.m. pillar, column
base
H5982 עַמּוּד, עַמֻּד pillar, column
5982 `ammuwd am-mood'
or ammud {am-mood'}; from 5975; a column (as standing); also
a stand, i.e. platform:--X apiece, pillar.
see HEBREW for 05975
עַמּוּד (am.mud) — pillar.
1) pillar, column
1a) pillar
1b) column, upright
1c) column (of smoke)
עַמּוּד (am.mud) — (Hall of) Pillars.
Combined with u.lam (אוּלָם "Hall" H0197)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
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 שָׁמַיִם (*shamayim*) is a dual noun meaning 'heavens' or 'sky.' It refers to the visible heavens where celestial bodies are found, as well as the abode of God. The dual form may suggest both the arch of the sky and the higher ether. It is noted in contexts such as Elijah's ascent in a whirlwind.
[שָׁמַי] n.m. only pl. שָׁמַיִם 421 heavens, sky
visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are
phrases
as abode of God
Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind
הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations
base
H8064 שָׁמַי only pl. שָׁמַיִם heavens, sky . . visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are
. phrases
. . as abode of God
. Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind
. הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations
8064 shamayim shaw-mah'-yim
dual of an unused singular shameh {shaw-meh'}; from an unused
root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps
alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well
as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies
revolve):--air, X astrologer, heaven(-s).
שָׁמַיִם (sha.ma.yim) — heaven.
1) heaven, heavens, sky
1a) visible heavens, sky
1a1) as abode of the stars
1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc
1b) Heaven (as the abode of God)
Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
hev'-'n.
See ASTRONOMY.
Heaven
(1.) Definitions. The phrase “heaven and earth” is used to indicate the whole universe (Gen. 1:1; Jer. 23:24; Acts 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens,
(a) The firmament, as “fowls of the heaven” (Gen. 2:19; 7:3, 23; Ps. 8:8, etc.), “the eagles of heaven” (Lam. 4:19), etc.
(b) The starry heavens (Deut. 17:3; Jer. 8:2; Matt. 24:29).
There are four Hebrew words thus rendered in the Old Testament which we may briefly notice. Raki’a , Authorized Version, firmament. [FIRMAMENT] Shamayim . This is the word used in the expression "the heaven and the earth," or "the upper and lower regions." (Genesis 1:1) Marom , used for heaven in (Psalms 18:16; Isaiah 24:18; Jeremiah 25:30). Properly speaking it means a mountain as in (Psalms 102:19; Ezekiel 17:23) Shechakim , "expanses," with reference to the extent of heaven. (33:26; Job 35:5) St. Paul’s expression "third heaven," (
In the Bible, means primarily the region of the air and clouds, and of the planets and stars, but chiefly the world of holy bliss above the visible heavens. It is called "the third heaven," "the highest heaven," and "the heaven of heavens," expressions nearly synonymous. There holy beings are to dwell, seeing all of God that it is possible for creatures to see. Thither Christ ascended, to intercede for his people and prepare for them a place where all shall at length be gathered, to go no more out forever, Eph 4:10 Heb 8:1 9:24-28.
In this life we can know but little of the location and appearance of heaven, or of the employments and blessedness of its inhabitants. The Scriptures inform us that all sin, and every other evil, are forever excluded; no fruits of sin will be found…
רָפַף (rûph) is a Hebrew verb that means to tremble or shake. It is derived from a primitive root that conveys the idea of agitation or rocking, as seen in Job 26:11. The word captures the physical action of shaking or trembling.
[רָפַף] vb. Pō‛. shake, rock;—Jb 26:11.
ref
H7322 רָפַף, רוּף
7322 ruwph roof
a primitive root; properly, to triturate (in a mortar), i.e.
(figuratively) to agitate (by concussion):--tremble.
רָפַף (ruph) — to tremble.
(Polel) to shake, rock
V-M-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVpi3mp
תָּמַהּ (tamah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be astounded or dumbfounded. It has a primitive root form and encompasses the idea of being amazed or astonished, with a specific usage in the Hithpael form indicating mutual astonishment. The entries consistently highlight its emotional impact, emphasizing a sense of wonder or consternation.
[תָּמַהּ] vb. be astounded, dumbfounded
Qal be astounded
Hithp. + Qal lit. astonish yourselves, be astounded
base
H8539 [תָּמַהּ] be astounded, dumbfounded
8539 tamahh taw-mah'
a primitive root; to be in consternation:--be amazed, be
astonished, marvel(-lously), wonder.
תָּמַהּ (ta.mah) — to astounded.
1) to be astounded, be stunned, be amazed, be dumbfounded
1a) (Qal) to be astounded
1b)(Hithpael) to astonish yourself, be astounded, be astonished at one another
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Conjunction · verb qal third person masculine pluralHC/Vqu3mp
גְּעָרָה (g'arah) means 'rebuke' or 'reproof.' It is derived from the root word גָּעַר (ga'ar), which also relates to chiding. The entries consistently define it within the context of reprimanding or correcting.
גְּעָרָה n.f. rebuke
base
H1606 גְּעָרָה rebuke
1606 g`arah gheh-aw-raw'
from 1605; a chiding:--rebuke(-ing), reproof.
see HEBREW for 01605
גְּעָרָה (ge.a.rah) — rebuke.
a rebuke, reproof
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms