Job 28:7 — Word Study
WLCנָ֭תִיב לֹֽא־ יְדָ֣עוֹ עָ֑יִט וְלֹ֥א שְׁ֝זָפַ֗תּוּ עֵ֣ין אַיָּֽה׃
BSANolôʼ [ravenous] bird of preyʻayiṭ [such as a hawk or vulture] knowsyâdaʻ■ [is aware of, has discovered] that pathnâthîyb [or road, way] nolôʼ [not a single] falcon’sʼayâh [or kite's, swift and powerful] eyeʻayin [or source of sight] has seen itshâzaph■ [looked at, perceived, the path, the way]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נָ֭תִיב | [the] path | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לֹֽא־ | not | Particle |
| יְדָ֣עוֹ | it knows it | Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| עָ֑יִט | a bird of prey | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְלֹ֥א | and not | Conjunction, particle |
| שְׁ֝זָפַ֗תּוּ | it catches sight of it | Verb qal perfect third person feminine singular, suffix |
| עֵ֣ין | [the] eye of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| אַיָּֽה׃ | a hawk | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | No bird of prey knows that path; no falcon’s eye has seen it. |
| KJV | There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen: |
| ASV | That path no bird of prey knoweth, Neither hath the falcon’s eye seen it: |
| YLT | A path — not known it hath a ravenous fowl, Nor scorched it hath an eye of the kite, |
| WEB | That path no bird of prey knows, neither has the falcon’s eye seen it. |
| BBE | No bird has knowledge of it, and the hawk's eye has never seen it. |
Where they part company is in the nuances of the translations — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured with two main negations, emphasizing the absence of knowledge regarding the path of wisdom.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectעַיִט
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 28:7
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 Search for Wisdomgenerated
Job 28:7 is part of a larger meditation on the nature of wisdom, illustrating that it is hidden from the eyes of the most formidable beings, such as birds of prey. Job emphasizes that wisdom is not easily accessible, even to those who are swift and powerful. This theme resonates throughout the chapter, where Job contrasts earthly pursuits with the divine understanding of wisdom.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 28:21–23 | It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing and concealed from the birds of the air. |
| 2 | Job 11:6 | and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves. |
| 3 | Job 38:19–24 | Where is the way to the home of light? Do you know where darkness resides, |
| 4 | Romans 11:33 | O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נָתִיב, Na.tivgenerated
The word נָתִיב (Na.tiv) means 'path' and refers to a route or way that is traveled. It emphasizes a path that is trodden, suggesting a journey or a way of living.
In this verse, it highlights the idea that there are paths of wisdom that are unknown to even the most perceptive creatures, indicating the depth and inaccessibility of true understanding.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses knows and has seen.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two main clauses, each beginning with a negation: לֹא and וְלֹא. The first clause states that no bird of prey knows the path, while the second asserts that no falcon's eye has seen it.
The structure emphasizes the theme of absence and unawareness, reinforcing the idea that wisdom is elusive.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נָתִיב as τρίβος, which also means 'path' but can imply a broader sense of a way or course. This choice reflects a similar understanding of the concept of a traveled route.
The use of πετεινόν for עַיִט indicates a focus on the general category of birds, which may suggest a wider interpretation of predatory birds.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 28:7 states that no bird of prey knows the path of wisdom, and no falcon's eye has seen it. This highlights the idea that wisdom is hidden from even the most powerful and perceptive creatures.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that the pursuit of wisdom is beyond the reach of even the most capable beings, emphasizing its elusiveness.
Birds of prey symbolize power and keen sight, yet even they cannot perceive the path of wisdom, illustrating its hidden nature.
This verse underscores the central theme of Job 28, which is the search for wisdom and understanding, contrasting it with human limitations.
The imagery suggests that despite having sharp vision, the falcon is still unable to see the path of wisdom, highlighting the depth of knowledge that is inaccessible.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I seek wisdom in my own life, and how do I recognize its elusive nature?
- What are some paths I have taken that I thought would lead to understanding, only to find them unfruitful?
- How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of wisdom that goes beyond mere knowledge?
- What role does humility play in my pursuit of wisdom, especially in recognizing my limitations?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators reflect on Job's insights about wisdom, noting the limitations of even the most perceptive creatures in grasping its paths.
Even though they sail in the air and reach paths close to heaven, they cannot approach those through which knowledge is attained.Early Church Fathers on Job 28 →
The pathway of the bird it knew not, nor beheld the eyes of the vulture. Therefore, what it was since we have heard, even that her stones are the place of sapphires,Early Church Fathers on Job 28 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 28:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible[There is] a path which no fowl knoweth,.... A path made by miners to the gold, silver, brass, and iron ores; to the places where gems and precious stones lie; the way to which was never seen, and
Read John Gill on Job 28 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThere is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: Fowl , [ `aayiT (H5861)] - rather, rarenous bird, or eagle, which is the most sharp-sighted of birds (Isaiah 46:11).
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 28 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleA path, to wit, in the dark depths and bowels of the earth. The vulture; whose eye is very quick and strong, and which searcheth all places for its prey, but cannot reach to these places, which yet the wisdom of man by the direction of God’ s providence findeth out.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 28 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 28:7 [There is] a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’ s eye hath not seen:Ver. 7. There is a path which no fowl knoweth] That is, say some, those places where this gold lieth are so barren, as they bring forth nothing else but gold, nothing for fowls to feed upon, no, not discernible by the eye of the vulture, which excelleth in seeing afar off, and smelleth out his prey at a very great distance (Albert. Dionys. Aquin.). But men make their ways even here, to dig and find out gold, being herein more perspicacious and sagacious than the very vultures. The covetous would do well to consider, saith a good author, that for the most part those countries that are furnished with…
Read John Trapp on Job 28 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 7. There is a path which no fowl knoweth] The instinct of birds is most surprising. They traverse vast forests, c., in search of food, at a great distance from the place which they have chosen for their general residence and return in all weathers, never missing their track: they also find their own nest without ever mistaking another of the same kind for it. Birds of passage, also, after tarrying in a foreign clime for six or seven months, return to their original abode over kingdoms and oceans, without missing their way, or deviating in the least from the proper direction; not having a single object of sight to direct their peregrinations. In such cases even the keen scent of the…
Read AdamClarke on Job 28 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges7. there is a path] Rather, that path no eagle knoweth, lit.—a path which no eagle &c., the words taking up what is said in Job 28:6,—the way to the place of sapphires. The sharp-sighted birds of prey have not seen that path.
Read Cambridge on Job 28 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThere is a path which no fowl knoweth - That is, a path in searching for gold and precious stones. The miner treads a way which is unseen by the bird of keenest vision. He penetrates into the deep darkness of the earth.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 28 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible7. There is a path — The path — no fowl (rather, bird of prey) hath known it, and the vulture’s eye hath not seen it. The vulture — The ayyah, Tristram supposes to have been the red kite; others, the vulture.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 28 →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
No bird of prey knows that path; no falcon’s eye has seen it.
That path no bird of prey knows, neither has the falcon’s eye seen it.
No bird of prey knows that path; no falcon’s eye has seen it.
a hidden path no bird of prey knows – no falcon’s eye has spotted it.
Tyndale line
There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen:
That path no bird of prey knoweth, Neither hath the falcon’s eye seen it:
That path no bird of prey knoweth, neither hath the falcon’s eye seen it:
There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vultur's eye hath not seen:
There is a path which no foule hath knowen, neyther hath the kites eye seene it.
Strictly literal
It is a path no bird of prey knoweth, and the vulture's eye hath not seen it;
A path — not known it hath a ravenous fowl, Nor scorched it hath an eye of the kite,
A path—a ravenous bird has not known it, || Nor has an eye of the falcon scorched it,
[On the] path which no bird of prey knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not surveyed;
No bird of prey knows the path to it, nor has the falcon's eye seen it.
From the Latin
The bird hath not known the path, neither hath the eye of the vulture beheld it.
Simplified
No birds of prey can see these paths, no falcon's eye can perceive.
No bird has knowledge of it, and the hawk's eye has never seen it.
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
Both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in wording, with all eight words matched. This indicates a consistent transmission of the verse across these texts.
נָ֭תִיב לֹֽא־ יְדָ֣עוֹ עָ֑יִט וְלֹ֥א שְׁ֝זָפַ֗תּוּ עֵ֣ין אַיָּֽה׃
8 of the 8 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 28:7
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.
נָתִיב (nathiyb) refers to a path or pathway, emphasizing a trodden track. It can denote both a physical path and the concept of travel or a traveler. The feminine form נְתִיבָה (nethiybah) shares the same meaning. The word is derived from an unused root meaning to tramp.
נָתִיב n.m. path, pathway
base
נְתִיבָה n.f. id. [n.gd.ab];—path
base
H5410a נָתִיב path, pathway H5410b נְתִיבָה id. [5410a]
5410 nathiyb naw-theeb'
or (feminine) nthiybah {neth-ee-baw'}; or nthibah (Jeremiah
6:16) {neth-ee-baw'}; from an unused root meaning to tramp; a
(beaten) track:--path((-way)), X travel(-ler), way.
נָתִיב (na.tiv) — path.
1) trodden with the feet, path, pathway
2) path, pathway, traveller
נְתִיבָה (ne.ti.vah) — path.
1) trodden with the feet, path, pathway
2) path, pathway, traveller
Also means: na.tiv (נָתִיב "path" H5410A)
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
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-Perf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVqp3ms/Sp3ms
עַ֫יִט (ayit) refers to a bird of prey, such as a hawk, and is derived from a root meaning to scream. The term encompasses various types of predatory birds and is noted for its association with their hunting behavior.
עַ֫יִט n.m. bird(s) of prey (from scream)
base
H5861 עַ֫יִט bird(s) of prey (from scream)
5861 `ayit ah'-yit
from 5860; a hawk or other bird of prey:--bird, fowl,
ravenous (bird).
see HEBREW for 05860
עַ֫יִט (a.yit) — bird of prey.
bird of prey, a swooper
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
pra (baz, Tereph, shalal): "Prey" is frequent in the Old Testament, chiefly as the translation of baz, "spoil," "plunder" (Nu 14:3,11; De 1:39; Isa 10:6, etc.); of Tereph, "prey of wild beasts," "torn thing" (Ge 49:9; Nu 23:24; Job 4:11, etc.); of malqoah, "a taking" (Nu 31:11, etc.; Isa 49:24,25); of shalal, "spoil" or "booty" (Jud 5:30 twice; Jud…
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particleHC/Tn
שָׁזַף (shazaph) is a primitive root meaning to tan by sun-burning, or figuratively, to scan or look at. It covers the idea of catching sight of or looking on, particularly in relation to the eye. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
[שָׁזַף] vb. catch sight of, look on (of eye)
base
H7805 שָׁזַף
7805 shazaph shaw-zaf'
a primitive root; to tan (by sun-burning); figuratively (as
if by a piercing ray) to scan:--look up, see.
שָׁזַף (sha.zaph) — to see.
(Qal) to catch sight of, look on
V-Qal-Perf-3fs | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person feminine singular · suffixHVqp3fs/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye
lit. as physical organ
eyes as showing mental qualities
desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
Transferred mngs.:
visible surface of earth
appearance
gleam, sparkle
Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
base
עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:
ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1
ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19
ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.
ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)
base
H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ
. . eyes as showing mental qualities
. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth
. appearance
. gleam, sparkle
. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)
5869 `ayin ah'-yin
probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or
figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the
landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +
think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +
displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,
fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,
knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,
presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +
think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.
: eye
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.
: seeing
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.
: appearance
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).
: before(the_eyes)
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.
: sin
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
N-cs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
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…
אַיָּה (ayah) refers to a type of bird, specifically a hawk, falcon, or kite. The entries suggest it may be related to another Hebrew word, אָיָּה (ayah), which means 'screamer.' The word appears in contexts discussing birds of prey.
אַיָּה n.f. hawk, falcon, kite
base
H344 אַיָּה hawk, falcon, kite
344 'ayah ah-yaw'
perhaps from 337; the screamer, i.e. a hawk:--kite, vulture.
see HEBREW for 0337
אַיָּה (ay.yah) — falcon.
hawk, falcon, kite
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
hok (nets; hierax, and glaux; Latin Accipiter nisus): A bird of prey of the genus accipiter. Large hawks were numerous in Palestine. The largest were 2 ft. long, have flat heads, hooked beaks, strong talons and eyes appearing the keenest and most comprehensive of any bird. They can sail the length or breadth of the Holy Land many times a day. It is a fact worth knowing that mist and clouds interfere with the vision of birds and they hide, and hungry and silent wait for fair weather, so you will see them sailing and soaring on clear days only. These large hawks and the glede are of eagle-like nature, nesting on Carmel and on the hills of Galilee, in large trees and on mountain crags. They flock near Beersheba, and live in untold numbers in the wilderness of the Dead Sea. They build a crude nest of sticks and twigs and carry most of the food alive to their young. Of course they were among…
Hawk
(Heb. netz, a word expressive of strong and rapid flight, and hence appropriate to the hawk). It is an unclean bird (Lev. 11:16; Deut. 14:15). It is common in Syria and surrounding countries. The Hebrew word includes various species of Falconidae, with special reference perhaps to the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), the hobby (Hypotriorchis subbuteo), and the lesser kestrel (Tin, Cenchris). The kestrel remains all the year in Palestine, but some ten or twelve other species are all migrants from the south. Of those summer visitors to Palestine special mention may be made of the Falco sacer and the Falco lanarius. (See NIGHT-HAWK.)
(Leviticus 11:16; 14:15; Job 39:26) The hawk includes various species of the Falconidae . With respect to the passage in Job (l.c.) which appears to allude to the migratory habits of hawks, it is curious to observe that of the ten or twelve lesser raptors (hawk tribe) of Palestine, nearly all are summer migrants. The kestrel remains all the year, but the others are all migrants from the south.