Job 27:20 — Word Study
WLCתַּשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ כַ֭מַּיִם בַּלָּה֑וֹת לַ֝֗יְלָה גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ סוּפָֽה׃
BSATerrorsballâhâh [fears, dreadful events] overtake himnâsag▸ [reach, catch up to] like a floodmayim [as, similar to, rushing waters, overwhelming force] a tempestçûwphâh [storm, whirlwind] sweeps him awaygânab■ [steals, snatches] ◂in the nightlayil [darkness of the, period of adversity]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| תַּשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ | it overtakes him | Verb hiphil imperfect third person feminine singular, suffix |
| כַ֭מַּיִם | like waters | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| בַּלָּה֑וֹת | sudden terror | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| לַ֝֗יְלָה | night | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ | it steals away him | Verb qal perfect third person feminine singular, suffix |
| סוּפָֽה׃ | a storm-wind | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Terrors overtake him like a flood; a tempest sweeps him away in the night. |
| KJV | Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night. |
| ASV | Terrors overtake him like waters; A tempest stealeth him away in the night. |
| YLT | Overtake him as waters do terrors, By night stolen him away hath a whirlwind. |
| WEB | Terrors overtake him like waters. A storm steals him away in the night. |
| BBE | Fears overtake him like rushing waters; in the night the storm-wind takes him away. |
Translations agree on the meaning of תַּשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ — see How Translations Differ.
The structure of the verse emphasizes the sudden and overwhelming nature of the terrors, with the main clause leading into descriptive phrases.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectבַּלָּהָה
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 27:20
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 — The Fate of the Wickedgenerated
Job 27:20 is part of Job's discourse on the fate that befalls the wicked. He contrasts their temporary wealth with the sudden calamities that can take them by surprise, emphasizing the transient nature of their security. This verse serves as a vivid illustration of how quickly fortunes can change, akin to a flood or storm that comes unexpectedly.
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 | Job 22:16 | They were snatched away before their time, and their foundations were swept away by a flood. |
| 4 | Psalm 18:4 | The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me. |
| 5 | Psalm 42:7 | Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תַּשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ, ta.si.Ge.hugenerated
The verb תַּשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ (ta.si.Ge.hu) is a Hiphil imperfect form, meaning 'it overtakes him'. It conveys the idea of reaching or catching up to something, often used in contexts of pursuit or attainment. In this verse, it emphasizes how terrors can suddenly reach a person, much like a flood that rushes in unexpectedly.
This verb's usage indicates not just a physical overtaking but also a spiritual or emotional one, suggesting that the terrors can seize a person in a moment of vulnerability.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the meaning of תַּשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ as 'overtake' or 'catch up to'.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb תַּשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ governs the sentence, with a prepositional phrase ('like waters') and a noun phrase ('a storm-wind') following it. The structure highlights the suddenness of the events described, with the verb placed prominently to emphasize the action.
The sentence flows from the description of terrors overtaking the subject to the imagery of a storm that steals him away, illustrating a powerful and swift transition.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, תַּשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ is rendered as αὐτῷ, indicating a direct reference to the subject. This choice maintains the focus on the person being overtaken by terrors, aligning with the Hebrew's intent.
The use of ὕδωρ for 'waters' and γνόφος for 'storm-wind' in the LXX further emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the events, paralleling the Hebrew imagery.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 27:20 describes how terrors can suddenly overtake a person like a flood, and a storm can sweep them away in the night. This illustrates the unpredictability and danger that can come in life, especially for those who are wicked.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This phrase suggests that sudden fears and calamities can come upon a person unexpectedly, overwhelming them much like a flood.
The storm imagery emphasizes the chaotic and uncontrollable nature of these terrors, highlighting how they can disrupt a person's life suddenly.
Night symbolizes a time of darkness and uncertainty, suggesting that these terrors come during difficult or vulnerable times.
This verse reflects Job's arguments about the fate of the wicked and the transient nature of their security, serving as a warning about the consequences of living in opposition to God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced sudden challenges or fears in my life?
- How can I prepare myself spiritually to face unexpected terrors?
- What does this verse teach me about the nature of adversity?
- How can I support others who may be feeling overwhelmed by their circumstances?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist references this verse to illustrate the sudden downfall of the wealthy, emphasizing the contrast between their abundance and the terrors that can seize them unexpectedly.
Want shall take hold of him like water; a tempest shall overwhelm him in the night. Let us look now at the want of the rich man as burning, whose abundance was so great as feasting.Early Church Fathers on Job 27 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 27:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTerrors take hold on him as waters,.... The terrors of death, and of an awful judgment that is to come after it; finding himself dying, death is the king of terrors to him, dreading not only the
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 BibleTerrors take hold on him, from the sense of his approaching death or judgment. As waters; either, 1. In abundance, one terror after another. Or, 2. Violently and irresistibly, as a river breaking its banks, or a deluge of waters bears down and overwhelms all that is before it. A tempest stealeth him away in the night; God’ s wrath and judgment cometh upon him forcibly like a tempest, and withal secretly and unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 27 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 27:20 Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.Ver. 20. Terrors take hold on him as waters] Abundantly, suddenly, irresistibly; he is even swallowed up by them and overwhelmed; as he that is plunged into a deep pit full of water, or that hath the proud surges going over his soul, Psalms 124:5. The misery of it is, that these waters are fiery, and hell is a lake; but a burning lake, and such also as hath eternity to the bottom. A tempest stealeth him away in the night] i.e. Furtim, et repente et horribiliter. Night is itself full of terror; but much more when a tempest is up, and thieves are abroad, &c. Oh! it must needs be a terrible time indeed, when…
Read John Trapp on Job 27 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 20. Terrors take hold on him as waters] They come upon him as an irresistible flood; and he is overwhelmed as by a tempest in the night, when darkness partly hides his danger, and deprives him of discerning the way to escape.
Read AdamClarke on Job 27 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges20. The figure of overwhelming waters is a natural one in the East and common in Scripture, Psalms 18:16, Nahum 1:8. Comp. the language of Eliphaz to Job, ch. Job 22:11.
Read Cambridge on Job 27 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleTerrors-take hold on him as waters - That is, as suddenly and violently as angry floods; compare the notes at Job 18:14. A tempest stealeth him away - He is suddenly cut off by the wrath of God.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 27 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible20. As waters — Suddenly, violently, continuously. “One terror after another, without intermission, as waters mix together in a flood.” — Rabbi Levi.
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
Terrors overtake him like a flood; a tempest sweeps him away in the night.
Terrors overtake him like waters. A storm steals him away in the night.
Terrors overtake him like a flood; a tempest sweeps him away in the night.
Terrors overwhelm him like a flood; at night a whirlwind carries him off.
Tyndale line
Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.
Terrors overtake him like waters; A tempest stealeth him away in the night.
Terrors overtake him like waters; a tempest stealeth him away in the night.
Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.
Terrours shall take him as waters, and a tempest shall cary him away by night.
Strictly literal
Terrors overtake him like waters; a whirlwind stealeth him away in the night.
Overtake him as waters do terrors, By night stolen him away hath a whirlwind.
Terrors overtake him as waters, || By night a whirlwind has stolen him away.
Like a flood will terror overtake him, in the night a tempest will steal him away.
Terrors overtake him like waters; a storm takes him away in the night.
From the Latin
Poverty like water shall take hold on him, a tempest shall oppress him in the night.
Simplified
Waves of panic flood over them; in the night a whirlwind snatches them away.
Fears overtake him like rushing waters; in the night the storm-wind takes him away.
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 closely in this verse, with all six words matched. The Septuagint reflects the same themes of sudden terror and overwhelming forces, maintaining the original message of the Hebrew text.
תַּשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ כַ֭מַּיִם בַּלָּה֑וֹת לַ֝֗יְלָה גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ סוּפָֽה׃
6 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 27:20
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.
נָשַׂג (nasag) is a Hebrew verb primarily found in the Hiphil form, meaning to reach or overtake. It encompasses a range of meanings including the ability to attain or secure something, as well as the literal act of reaching or taking hold. The entries consistently highlight its figurative use, indicating sufficiency or capability.
[נָשַׂג] vb. only Hiph. reach, overtake
Hiph.
overtake
reach, attain
cause to reach, bring, put
fig. one’s hand has reached, i.e. one is able, or has enough
base
H5381 נָשַׂג only Hiph. reach, overtake
5381 nasag naw-sag'
a primitive root; to reach (literally or
figuratively):--ability, be able, attain (unto), (be able to,
can) get, lay at, put, reach, remove, wax rich, X surely,
(over-)take (hold of, on, upon).
נָשַׂג (na.sag) — to overtake.
1) to reach, overtake, take hold upon
1a) (Hiphil)
1a1) to overtake
1a2) to reach, attain to, cause to reach
1a3) to be able to secure, reach, have enough
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3fs | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect third person feminine singular · suffixHVhi3fs/Sp3ms
מַי (mayim) is a Hebrew word meaning 'water' and is used in the plural form. It encompasses various meanings, including literal water, urine, and metaphorical uses related to refreshment or danger. The entries indicate it is derived from a primitive noun and is primarily referenced in contexts involving water.
[מַי] 580 n.m. only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
base
H4325 מַי only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
4325 mayim mah'-yim
dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense);
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen:--+
piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
מַי (ma.yim) — water.
1) water, waters
1a) water
1b) water of the feet, urine
1c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.)
מַי (ma.yim) — Water (Gate).
This name means water, refreshment
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ncmpa
wo'-terz (mayim, plural of may, "water"; in the New Testament hudor, "water"; kindunois potamon (2Co 11:26), the King James Version "perils of waters," is in the Revised Version (British and American) "perils of rivers"): In the New Testament there is frequent reference to the water of baptism. Pilate washes his hands with water to signify his guiltlessness. Jesus tells the Samaritan woman of the living water. The Lamb shall guide the redeemed unto fountains of waters of life.
The uses of mayim are well classified in BDB, especially the figurative references, as follows: a symbol of distress, "when thou passest through the waters" (Isa 43:2); of force, "like the breach of waters" (2Sa 5:20); of that which is overwhelming, "a…
בַּלָּהָה (ballahah) refers to concepts of terror, calamity, and destruction. It is derived from a root meaning alarm and primarily denotes dreadful events or troubles. The entries consistently emphasize its association with fear and disastrous occurrences, without notable disagreements among the lexicons.
בַּלָּהָה n.f. terror, dreadful event, calamity, destruction
only pl. terrors
calamity
base
H1091 בַּלָּהָה terror, dreadful event, calamity, destruction
1091 ballahah bal-law-haw'
from 1089; alarm; hence, destruction:--terror, trouble.
see HEBREW for 01089
בַּלָּהָה (bal.la.hah) — terror.
terror, destruction, calamity, dreadful event
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
לַ֫יְלָה (layil) means 'night' and is derived from a root that suggests a twist away from light. It encompasses the literal sense of night as opposed to day, as well as figurative uses related to gloom or adversity. The term appears in contexts like Isaiah 21:11.
לַ֫יְלָה, לַ֫יִל 242 n.m. night
base
H3915 לַ֫יְלָה, לַ֫יִל night
3915 layil lah'-yil
or (Isa. 21:11) leyl {lale}; also laylah {lah'- yel-aw}; from
the same as 3883; properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e.
night; figuratively, adversity:--((mid-))night (season).
see HEBREW for 03883
לַ֫יְלָה (lay.lah) — night.
1) night
1a) night (as opposed to day)
1b) of gloom, protective shadow (fig.)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
nit.
See DAY AND NIGHT for the natural usage and the various terms.
1. In the Old Testament:
Figurative uses: The word "night" (laylah or layil is sometimes used figuratively in the Old Testament. Thus, Moses compares the brevity of time, the lapse of a thousand years, to "a watch in the night" (Ps 90:4). Adversity is depicted by it in such places as Job 35:10; compare Isa 8:20; Jer 15:9. Disappointment and despair are apparently depicted by it in the "burden of Dumah" (Isa 21:11,12); and spiritual blindness, coming upon the false prophets (Mic 3:6); again sudden and…
[DAY]
The ancient Hebrews began their artificial day at evening, and ended it the next evening, so that the night proceeded the day. This usage may probably be traced to the terms employed in describing the creation, Ge 1:5,8,13, etc., "The evening and the morning were the first day." The Hebrews allowed twelve to the day; but these hours were not equal, except at the equinox. At other times, when the hours of the night were long, those of the day were short, as in winter; and when the hours of night were short, as at midsummer, the hours of the day were long in proportion. See HOURS.
The nights are sometimes extremely cold in Syria, when the days are very hot; and travelers in the deserts and among the mountains near Palestine refer to their own sufferings from these opposite extremes, in illustration of Jacob’s words in
גָּנַב (ganab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to steal. It encompasses various forms, including stealing, being stolen, and going by stealth. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical aspects, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, and Hithpael, which cover both the act of stealing and the state of being stolen.
[גָּנַב] vb. steal
Qal steal
Niph. be stolen
Pi. steal away (trans.)
Pu. be stolen away
Hithp. go by stealth, syeal away
base
H1589 גָּנַב steal
1589 ganab gaw-nab'
a primitive root; to thieve (literally or figuratively); by
implication, to deceive:--carry away, X indeed, secretly
bring, steal (away), get by stealth.
גָּנַב (ga.nav) — to steal.
1) to steal, steal away, carry away
1a) (Qal) to steal
1b) (Niphal) to be stolen
1c) (Piel) to steal away
1d)(Pual) to be stolen away, be brought by stealth
1e) (Hithpael) to go by stealth, steal away
V-Qal-Perf-3fs | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person feminine singular · suffixHVqp3fs/Sp3ms
סוּפָה (cuwphah) refers to a storm or whirlwind, derived from a root meaning to sweep away. It is associated with strong winds and is noted in the context of a location east of the Jordan River. The term appears in ancient texts, including a fragment in Numbers 21:14, indicating its historical significance.
סוּפָה n.f. storm-wind (that makes an end ?)
base
סוּפָה n.pr.loc. E. of Jordan;—only in ancient poet. fragment Nu 21:14; SE. oasis of Dead Sea
ref
H5492a סוּפָה strom-wind H5492b סוּפָה E. of Jordan
5492 cuwphah soo-faw'
from 5486; a hurricane:--Red Sea, storm, tempest, whirlwind,
Red sea.
see HEBREW for 05486
סוּפָה (su.phah) — whirlwind.
storm-wind
סוּפָה (su.phah) — Suphah.
§ Suphah = "honeycomb: overflow"
a place east of the Jordan
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
wind (anemos:
1. Causes:
Unequal distribution of heat in the atmosphere causes currents of air or wind. The heated air rises and the air from around rushes in. The direction from which a current comes determines its name, as west wind coming from the West but blowing toward the East. When two currents of air of different directions meet, a spiral motion sometimes results.
See WHIRLWIND.
2. West Wind:
In Palestine the west wind is the most common. It comes from the sea and carries the moisture which condenses to form clouds, as it is turned upward by the mountains, to the cooler layers of the atmosphere. If the temperature reached is cool enough the cloud condenses and rain falls. Elijah looked toward the West for the "small cloud," and soon "the heavens grew black with clouds and wind" (1Ki 18:44 f). "When ye see a cloud rising in the…