Job 27:18 — Word Study
WLCבָּנָ֣ה כָעָ֣שׁ בֵּית֑וֹ וּ֝כְסֻכָּ֗ה עָשָׂ֥ה נֹצֵֽר׃
BSAThe housebayith [dwelling place, family home] he builtbânâh■ [established, constructed] is like a moth’s cocoonʻâsh [fragile, easily destroyed] like a hutçukkâh [small shelter, booth] set upʻâsâh■ [made, established] by a watchmannâtsar [guard, keeper]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בָּנָ֣ה | he has built | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| כָעָ֣שׁ | like moth | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| בֵּית֑וֹ | house his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וּ֝כְסֻכָּ֗ה | and like a shelter | Conjunction, preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| עָשָׂ֥ה | [which] he has made | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| נֹצֵֽר׃ | a watchman | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The house he built is like a moth’s cocoon, like a hut set up by a watchman. |
| KJV | He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh. |
| ASV | He buildeth his house as the moth, And as a booth which the keeper maketh. |
| YLT | He hath built as a moth his house, And as a booth a watchman hath made. |
| WEB | He builds his house as the moth, as a booth which the watchman makes. |
| BBE | His house has no more strength than a spider's thread, or a watchman's tent. |
Where they part company is בָּנָה — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by two similes, emphasizing the fragility of the wicked's achievements.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectנָצַר
verbבָּנָה
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 27:18
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 Fate of the Wickedgenerated
Job 27:18 presents a stark image of the house built by the wicked, likening it to a moth's cocoon and a temporary shelter. This metaphor emphasizes the fragility and impermanence of their achievements, contrasting with the enduring nature of righteousness. Job's reflections serve as a reminder of the transient nature of material success and the ultimate fate that awaits the wicked.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 8:14–15 | His confidence is fragile; his security is in a spider’s web. |
| 2 | Isaiah 51:8 | For the moth will devour them like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool. But My righteousness will last forever, My salvation through all generations.” |
| 3 | Isaiah 1:8 | And the Daughter of Zion is abandoned like a shelter in a vineyard, like a shack in a cucumber field, like a city besieged. |
| 4 | Isaiah 38:12 | My dwelling has been picked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent. I have rolled up my life like a weaver; He cuts me off from the loom; from day until night You make an end of me. |
| 5 | Lamentations 2:6 | He has laid waste His tabernacle like a garden booth; He has destroyed His place of meeting. The LORD has made Zion forget her appointed feasts and Sabbaths. In His fierce anger He has despised both king and priest. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בָּנָה, ba.Nahgenerated
The Hebrew word בָּנָה (ba.Nah) means "to build" and encompasses various forms such as establishing and constructing. It is used in many contexts throughout the Bible, often referring to physical structures like houses or families, but can also imply the act of creating something enduring.
In this verse, it highlights the act of building a house, which Job compares to something fragile. The parsing of the verb as a perfect tense indicates a completed action, suggesting that the wicked have established their dwelling, yet it remains as insubstantial as a moth's cocoon.
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 בָּנָה and עָשָׂה govern the main clauses of the verse, with a series of phrases describing the comparisons. The structure emphasizes the transient nature of the wicked's accomplishments by juxtaposing them with the imagery of a moth's cocoon and a watchman's hut.
The word order in Hebrew places the comparisons prominently, highlighting the fragility and impermanence of the house built by the wicked.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates the Hebrew word בָּנָה with the Greek οἰκοδομὴν, meaning 'building.' This choice retains the sense of construction but may imply a more substantial structure than the metaphor of fragility suggests.
The use of ὥσπερ for the comparison indicates a similar approach to the Hebrew's use of כָעָשׁ, emphasizing the likeness rather than the direct equivalence of the structures.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 27:18 compares the house built by the wicked to a moth's cocoon and a temporary shelter. This illustrates how their achievements are ultimately fragile and insubstantial, serving as a warning about the fleeting nature of material success.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is emphasizing the fragility and temporary nature of the wicked's achievements, suggesting that they are as easily destroyed as a moth's cocoon.
The watchman's hut symbolizes a temporary and insubstantial shelter, reinforcing the idea that the wicked's accomplishments lack permanence.
This verse reflects Job's broader discourse on the fate of the wicked, contrasting their fleeting successes with the enduring nature of righteousness.
We learn that material success is temporary and that true stability comes from righteousness and a relationship with God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see the fragility of worldly success in my own life?
- How can I focus on building a life that is enduring and meaningful?
- What are some examples of temporary achievements that I have pursued?
- How does understanding the transient nature of life influence my priorities?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse, using it to illustrate the transient nature of the wicked's achievements.
He buildeth his house as a moth. And as the keeper he maketh a booth. 'The moth builds a house' for itself by corrupting. Nor could the heretic have been shewn by a better comparison,Early Church Fathers on Job 27 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 27:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe buildeth his house as a moth,.... Which builds its house in a garment by eating into it, and so destroying it, and in time eats itself out of house and home, and however does not continue long in
Read John Gill on Job 27 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal. These words are contrary to Job's previous sentiments (notes, Job 21:22-33; Job 24:22-25).
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 27 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAs a moth; which settleth itself in a garment, but is quickly and unexpectedly brushed off, and dispossessed of its dwelling, and crushed to death. That the keeper maketh; which the keeper of a garden or vineyard suddenly rears up in fruit time, and as quickly and easily pulls it down again. See .
Read Matthew Poole on Job 27 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 27:18 He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth [that] the keeper maketh.Ver. 18. He buildeth his house as a moth] Which lodgeth itself in some stately garment, and thinks there to die in his nest, which he hath feathered (as the silkworm endeth his life in his long wrought clew), but is soon bruised or brushed out; so shall the oppressor be cast out of his sumptuous buildings, which he hath with much cost and care erected, rather for a moth than a man to dwell in. It is not unlawful to build houses; only men must not build them, as the moth doth, with loss and hurt to others. Tremellius reads the text thus, He shall build his house at Arcturus (so this word is translated, Job…
Read John Trapp on Job 27 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 18. He buildeth his house as a moth] With great skill, great pains, and great industry; but the structure, however skilful, shall be dissolved; and the materials, however costly, shall be brought to corruption. To its owner it shall be only a temporary habitation, like that which the moth makes in its larve or caterpillar state, during its change from a chrysalis to a winged insect. As a booth that the keeper maketh.] A shed which the watchman or keeper of a vineyard erects to cover him from the scorching sun, while watching the ripening grapes, that they may be preserved from depredation. Travellers in the East have observed that such booths or sheds are made of the lightest and most…
Read AdamClarke on Job 27 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges18. The “booth” of the “keeper” referred to is the flimsy hut erected in the vineyard or other gardens as a post for the watchman, who protects the fruit from theft or destruction by wild beasts. As described by Wetzstein (Del. Comm. on Job, Trans, ii. p. 74, 2nd ed. p. 348), it is built of four poles struck into the ground in the form of a square. About eight feet from the ground cross sticks are tied to these poles, over which boards are laid, and thus a couch is formed for the keeper. Some feet higher up other cross pieces of wood are fixed, and over these boughs or matting is thrown to form a roof. Such a booth is called a “lodge” Isaiah 1:8, and its unsubstantial character is indicated…
Read Cambridge on Job 27 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe buildeth his house as a moth - The house which the moth builds is the slight fabric which it makes for its own dwelling in the garment which it consumes. On this verse compare Job 8:14.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 27 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible18. His house as a moth — The house that the moth builds rises on the ruin of the garment where it dwells.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 27 →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 house he built is like a moth’s cocoon, like a hut set up by a watchman.
He builds his house as the moth, as a booth which the watchman makes.
The house he built is like a moth’s cocoon, like a hut set up by a watchman.
The house he builds is as fragile as a moth’s cocoon, like a hut that a watchman has made.
Tyndale line
He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh.
He buildeth his house as the moth, And as a booth which the keeper maketh.
He buildeth his house as the moth, and as a booth which the keeper maketh.
He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh.
He buildeth his house as the moth, and as a lodge that the watchman maketh.
Strictly literal
He buildeth his house as the moth, and as a booth that a keeper maketh.
He hath built as a moth his house, And as a booth a watchman hath made.
He has built his house as a moth, || And as a shelter a watchman has made.
He buildeth his house like the moth, and like a hut that a keeper hath made.
He builds his house like a spider, like a hut that a guard makes.
From the Latin
He hath built his house as a moth, and as a keeper he hath made a booth.
Simplified
They build their houses like a moth; like some flimsy shelter made by a watchman.
His house has no more strength than a spider's thread, or a watchman's tent.
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 some alignment in the themes presented, although only one of the six words in the Septuagint corresponds directly to the Hebrew. The Septuagint's wording reflects a different emphasis, focusing on the concept of building without the specific fragility implied in the Hebrew.
בָּנָ֣ה כָעָ֣שׁ בֵּית֑וֹ וּ֝כְסֻכָּ֗ה עָשָׂ֥ה נֹצֵֽר׃
1 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 27:18
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 בָּנָה (banah) means "to build" and encompasses various forms such as rebuilding, establishing, and making permanent. It can refer to physical construction, like building a house or family, as well as metaphorical uses, such as the establishment of restored exiles. The entries indicate that it can also imply being built up, particularly in the context of a childless wife becoming a mother.
בָּנָה 373 vb. build
Qal build
Niph.
be built
be rebuilt
(fig.) of restored exiles, = established
established, made permanent
base
H1129 בָּנָה build .build
.. . be built
. be rebuilt
. . (fig.) of restored exiles, = established
. established, made permanent
1129 banah baw-naw'
a primitive root; to build (literally and
figuratively):--(begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make,
repair, set (up), X surely.
בָּנָה (ba.nah) — to build.
1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to build, rebuild
1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be built
1b2) to be rebuilt
1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.)
1b4) established (made permanent)
1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine)
Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
עָשׁ (ash) refers to a moth, while עֲשַׂב (a.sav) denotes herbage or grass. The word is built from the root associated with vegetation. There is a connection to Aramaic, indicating a broader range of meaning related to plant life.
עָשׁ moth
base
עֲשַׂב n.[m.] herbage, grass
base
H6211a עָשׁ moth H6211b עֲשַׂב herbage, grass
6211 `ash awsh
from 6244; a moth:--moth. See also 5906.
see HEBREW for 06244
see HEBREW for 05906
עָשׁ (ash) — moth.
moth
עֲשַׂב (a.sav) — grass.
herbage, grass
Aramaic of e.sev (עֵ֫שֶׂב "vegetation" H6212)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
moth (`ash; compare Arabic `uththat, "moth"; colloquial, `itt; cac, "worm" (Isa 51:8); compare Arabic sus, "worm," especially an insect larva in flesh, wood or grain; ses, "moth" (Mt 6:19,20; Lu 12:33); setobrotos, "moth-eaten" (Jas 5:2)):
The moths constitute the larger division of the order Lepidoptera. Two of the points by which they are distinguished from butterflies are that they are generally nocturnal and that their antennae are not club-shaped. Further, the larva in many cases spins a cocoon for the protection of the pupa or chrysalis, which is never the case with butterflies. The Biblical references are to the clothes-moth, i.e. various species of the genus Tinea…
Moth
Heb. ‘ash, from a root meaning “to fall away,” as moth-eaten garments fall to pieces (Job 4:19; 13:28; Isa. 50:9; 51:8; Hos. 5:12).
Gr. ses, thus rendered in Matt. 6:19, 20; Luke 12:33. Allusion is thus made to the destruction of clothing by the larvae of the clothes-moth. This is the only lepidopterous insect referred to in Scripture.
By the Hebrew word we are certainly to understand some species of clothes-moth (tinea). Reference to the destructive habits of the clothes-moth is made in (Job 4:19; 13:28; Psalms 39:11) etc. (The moth is a well-known insect which in its caterpillar state is very destructive to woollen clothing, furs, etc. The egg of the moth, being deposited on the fur or cloth, produces a very small shining insect, which immediately forms a house for itself by cuttings from the cloth. It east away the nap, and finally ruins the fabric. There are more than 1500 species of moths. --McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia.)
The common moth is an insect destructive to woolen cloths. The egg is laid by a small shining worm; which by another transformation becomes a miller. Allusions to the moth, as devouring clothes, and as a frail and feeble insect, are frequent in Scripture, Job 4:19 13:28 27:18 Isa 50:9 Ho 5:12 Mt 6:19,20. See GARMENTS.
The insects called in general moths, of which the above is only one species, are exceedingly numerous. The main genus is called by naturalists Phaloena, and contains more than fifteen hundred species. Moths fly abroad only in the evening and night; differing in this respect from the tribe of butterflies that fly only by day. Their larva, or the worms from which…
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-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word סֻכָּה (*sukkah*) refers to a thicket or booth, indicating a temporary shelter or covert. It is a feminine noun derived from the root word for a hut or lair. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to temporary structures, such as booths or tabernacles.
סֻכָּה n.f. thicket, booth
base
H5521 סֻכָּה thicket, booth
5521 cukkah sook-kaw'
fem of 5520; a hut or lair:--booth, cottage, covert,
pavilion, tabernacle, tent.
see HEBREW for 05520
סֻכָּה (suk.kah) — booth.
1) thicket, covert, booth
1a) thicket
1b) booth (rude or temporary shelter)
Conj | Prep | N-fs — Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHC/R/Ncfsa
עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.
עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make
Qal 2524
do (1560 t.)
deal with
oft. in phr. do kindness with
abs. act, act with effect
make (670 t.)
produce, yield
prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
make offering
attend to, put in order
observe, celebrate, religious festival
acquire property of various kinds
appoint priests
bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
use
spend, pass, days of life
Niph.
97be done
be made, of concr. things
be produced from vine
be prepared, of food
be offered
be observed, passover
be used
Pu. I was made
base
[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze
base
H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)
. deal with
. oft. in phr. do kindness with
. abs. act, act with effect
. . make (670 + t.)
. produce, yield
. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
. make offering
. attend to, put in order
. observe, celebrate, religious festival
. acquire property of various kinds
. appoint priests
. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
. use
. spend, pass, days of life
. . be done
. . be made, of concr. things
. be produced from vine
. be prepared, of food
. be offered
. be observed, passover
. be used
. I was made
H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze
6213 `asah aw-saw'
a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and
widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,
appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,
bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal
(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)
execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +
finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go
about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X
indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,
make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,
bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,
provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,
spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be
(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.
: do/perform
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
1a2c) to prepare
1a2d) to make (an offering)
1a2e) to attend to, put in order
1a2f) to observe, celebrate
1a2g) to acquire (property)
1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute
1a2i) to bring about
1a2j) to use
1a2k) to spend, pass
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be done
1b2) to be made
1b3) to be produced
1b4) to be offered
1b5) to be observed
1b6) to be used
1c) (Pual) to be made
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.
(Piel) to press, squeeze
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.
: make(OBJECT)
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
נָצַר (natsar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to watch, guard, or keep. It encompasses a range of actions including protecting, preserving, and observing, as well as concealing or keeping secret. The entries suggest both positive and negative connotations, such as guarding from danger or hiding something. The term can also refer to a watchman.
[נָצַר] vb. watch, guard, keep;—Qal
Watch, guard, keep
Guard from dangers, preserve
Guard with fidelity, keep, observe
Guard, keep secret
Keep close, blockaded
base
H5341 נָצַר watch, guard, keep . Watch, guard, keep
. Guard from dangers, preserve
. Guard with fidelity, keep, observe
. Guard, keep secret
. Keep close, blockaded
5341 natsar naw-tsar'
a primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect,
maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.):--
besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe,
preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man).
נָצַר (na.tsar) — to watch.
1) to guard, watch, watch over, keep
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to watch, guard, keep
1a2) to preserve, guard from dangers
1a3) to keep, observe, guard with fidelity
1a4) to guard, keep secret
1a5) to be kept close, be blockaded
1a6) watchman (participle)
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
woch'-man (tsopheh, shomer, metsappeh, notser): Used to designate a sentinel on the city walls (2Sa 18:25; 2Ki 9:18; Ps 127:1; Isa 62:6) or on the hilltops (Jer 31:6). So 3:3; 5:7 introduces another class, "the watchmen that go about the city," and thus, it would seem, points to some system of municipal police. The distinction in meaning between the various words is clear, tsopheh having the idea of "outlooker" and notser that of "careful watcher" (being applied even to besiegers from outside: Jer 4:16…