Job 33:7 — Word Study
WLCהִנֵּ֣ה אֵ֭מָתִי לֹ֣א תְבַעֲתֶ֑ךָּ וְ֝אַכְפִּ֗י עָלֶ֥יךָ לֹא־ יִכְבָּֽד׃
BSASurelyhinnêh nolôʼ [absence of] fear of meʼêymâh [terror, dread] should terrify youbâʻath▸ [not, startle, frighten] norlôʼ will my handʼekeph△ [power, authority] be heavykâbad▸ [burdensome, weighed down] upon youʻal [on, above]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הִנֵּ֣ה | here! | Particle |
| אֵ֭מָתִי | dread of me | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| לֹ֣א | not | Particle |
| תְבַעֲתֶ֑ךָּ | it will terrify you | Verb piel imperfect third person feminine singular, suffix |
| וְ֝אַכְפִּ֗י | and pressure my | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| עָלֶ֥יךָ | on you | Preposition, suffix |
| לֹא־ | not | Particle |
| יִכְבָּֽד׃ | it will be heavy | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Surely no fear of me should terrify you; nor will my hand be heavy upon you. |
| KJV | Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. |
| ASV | Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, Neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee. |
| YLT | Lo, my terror doth not frighten thee, And my burden on thee is not heavy. |
| WEB | Behold, my terror will not make you afraid, neither will my pressure be heavy on you. |
| BBE | Fear of me will not overcome you, and my hand will not be hard on you. |
Where they part company is not present in the translations, indicating a consensus on the interpretation of the verse.
The verse consists of two main clauses connected by a conjunction, emphasizing Job's reassurance.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbכָּבֵד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 8 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 33:7
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 — Job's Defensegenerated
Job 33:7 occurs in a section where Job is responding to accusations and fears expressed by his companions. He emphasizes that he is not a source of terror and that his authority should not feel burdensome. This reflects Job's desire to communicate openly and honestly, without intimidation, as he seeks to clarify his position and intentions.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 9:34 | Let Him remove His rod from me, so that His terror will no longer frighten me. |
| 2 | Job 13:21 | Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me. |
| 3 | Psalm 88:16 | Your wrath has swept over me; Your terrors have destroyed me. |
| 4 | Psalm 32:4 | For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained as in the summer heat. Selah |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֵימָתִי, 'E.ma.tigenerated
The word אֵימָה ('eymah) means terror or dread. It conveys a sense of fear or horror, often in relation to God's power or authority. In this verse, Job reassures his listener that there is no reason to feel this dread towards him.
The parsing of this word as a noun in the feminine singular indicates it is describing a concept rather than a specific action. Job uses this term to address the emotional state of his listener, ensuring them that he does not intend to instill fear.
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 verse contains two main clauses linked by a conjunction: the first clause states that fear should not terrify the listener, and the second clause assures that Job's authority will not be burdensome. This structure highlights Job's intent to alleviate fear.
The finite verb תְבַעֲתֶךָ (te.va.'a.Te.ka) governs the first clause, while the second clause follows with another verb יִכְבָּד (yikh.Bad). The use of parallel structure reinforces Job's message of reassurance.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word אֵימָה is translated with the Greek μού, indicating a personal relationship with the speaker. This choice emphasizes the intimacy and authority Job claims in addressing his listener.
The translation reflects a narrowing of the Hebrew concept of dread to a more personal sense of fear directed at Job himself.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 33:7 assures the listener that they should not be afraid of him, nor should they feel burdened by his authority. Job emphasizes that he is not a source of terror, aiming to create an atmosphere of openness and understanding.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is expressing that he does not wish to instill fear in his listener, indicating that his presence should not be intimidating.
Job is assuring the listener that he does not intend to exert pressure or authority over them, but rather to communicate openly.
This verse shows Job as a figure who seeks to alleviate fear and foster understanding, contrasting the often fearful perceptions of authority.
Job's approach teaches the importance of open communication and the need to dispel fear in relationships, especially when authority is involved.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I respond to authority figures in my life? Do I feel fear or intimidation?
- In what ways can I communicate more openly with those around me to alleviate fears?
- How can I ensure that my presence does not instill fear in others?
- What lessons can I take from Job's reassurances to apply in my own interactions?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 33:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleBehold, my terror shall not make thee afraid,.... To come near, join issue in a debate, and speak freely; this Job had wished for, and desired of God that his fear might not terrify him, and his
Read John Gill on Job 33 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBehold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. Hand - alluding to Job's words (Job 13:21, "Withdraw thine hand far from me"). The Hebrew here is not found elsewhere [ 'ekep (H405)].
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 33 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhich was the condition of that disputation which thou didst offer to undertake with God, 13:21.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 33 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 33:7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.Ver. 7. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid] This Job had earnestly desired of God, Job 9:24; Job 13:21, and Elihu, as a cunning disputant, presseth him with his own words: I will not, saith he, neither is it fit any mortal man should by his terror and power ravish another of his right religion, as some Zamzummims do the meaner sort of people by their belluine greatness; as the pope and his janissaries do the heretics, as they call those of the reformed religion, that will not renounce it; not once hearing what they can say for themselves. Either you must turn or burn, say they. This is…
Read John Trapp on Job 33 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(7) Neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee—i.e., I will deal gently with thee, and not be harsh.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 33 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 7. My terror shall not make thee afraid] This is an allusion to what Job had said, Job 9:34: "Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me." Being thy equal, no fear can impose upon thee so far as to overawe thee; so that thou shouldst not be able to conduct thy own defence. We are on equal terms; now prepare to defend thyself.
Read AdamClarke on Job 33 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges7. Job had often complained that the terror and majesty of God overpowered him and made it impossible for him to plead his cause and shew his rectitude; comp. ch. Job 9:34, Job 13:21. my hand be heavy] The term hand may be an uncommon form of the Heb. word having that sense, or it may perhaps mean burden, pressure; comp. ch. Job 13:21.
Read Cambridge on Job 33 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBehold my terror shall not make thee afraid - Job had earnestly desired to carry his cause directly before God, but he had expressed the apprehension that he would overawe him by his majesty, so that
Read Albert Barnes on Job 33 →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
Surely no fear of me should terrify you; nor will my hand be heavy upon you.
Behold, my terror will not make you afraid, neither will my pressure be heavy on you.
Surely no fear of me should terrify you; nor will my hand be heavy upon you.
Therefore no fear of me should terrify you, nor should my pressure be heavy on you.
Tyndale line
Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, Neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee.
Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee.
Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
Beholde, my terrour shall not feare thee, neither shall mine hand be heauie vpon thee.
Strictly literal
Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, nor my burden be heavy upon thee.
Lo, my terror doth not frighten thee, And my burden on thee is not heavy.
Behold, my terror does not frighten you, || And my burden on you is not heavy.
Behold, dread of me cannot terrify thee, and my pressure will not be too heavy upon thee.
See, terror of me will not make you afraid; neither will my pressure be heavy upon you.
From the Latin
But yet let not my wonder terrify thee, and let not my eloquence be burdensome to thee.
Simplified
See here, you don't need to be frightened of me. I won't be too hard on you.
Fear of me will not overcome you, and my hand will not be hard on you.
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 reads הִנֵּ֣ה אֵ֭מָתִי לֹ֣א תְבַעֲתֶ֑ךָּ וְ֝אַכְפִּ֗י עָלֶ֥יךָ לֹא־ יִכְבָּֽד׃, which aligns closely with the Septuagint, although the latter presents a different word order and structure.
הִנֵּ֣ה אֵ֭מָתִי לֹ֣א תְבַעֲתֶ֑ךָּ וְ֝אַכְפִּ֗י עָלֶ֥יךָ לֹא־ יִכְבָּֽד׃
3 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 33:7
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.
הִנֵּה (hinneh) is a Hebrew word meaning 'behold' or 'lo!' It serves as a demonstrative particle used to draw attention, appearing in contexts such as Genesis 19:2. The word is derived from a prolongation of another Hebrew term, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage beyond this.
הִנֵּה, once הִנֶּה־ Gn 19:2, demonstr.part. lo!, behold!
base
H2009 הִנֵּה, הִנֶּה־ lo!, behold!
2009 hinneh hin-nay'
prolongation for 2005; lo!:--behold, lo, see.
see HEBREW for 02005
הִנֵּה (hin.neh) — behold.
behold, lo, see, if
Part — ParticleHTj
her, in composition:
The Hebrew word אֵימָה (*'eymah*) means terror or dread. It is derived from a root related to fear and can also refer to an idol in a figurative sense. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings of fright and horror.
אֵימָה 17 n.f. terror, dread
base
H367 אֵימָה terror, dread
367 'eymah ay-maw'
or (shortened) remah {ay-maw'}; from the same as 366; fright;
concrete, an idol (as a bugbear):--dread, fear, horror, idol,
terrible, terror.
see HEBREW for 0366
אֵימָה (e.mah) — terror.
terror, dread
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
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
בָּעַת (ba`ath) is a primitive root meaning to terrify or startle. It covers a range of actions, including overwhelming or assailing someone, and is often used in a poetic context. The verb can appear in various forms, such as being terrified (Niphal) or actively terrifying (Piel).
[בָּעַת] vb. fall upon, startle, terrify
Niph. be terrified
Pi. (mostly poet.)
fall upon; overwhelm; assail
terrify
base
H1204 [בָּעַת] fall upon, startle, terrify . be terrified
. (mostly poet.) . fall upon; overwhelm; assail
. terrify
1204 ba`ath baw-ath'
a primitive root; to fear:--affright, be (make) afraid,
terrify, trouble.
בָּעַת (ba.at) — to terrify.
1) to terrify, startle, fall upon, dismay, be overtaken by sudden terror
1a) (Niphal) to be terrified
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to fall upon, overwhelm
1b2) to terrify
V-Piel-Imperf-3fs | Suff — Verb piel imperfect third person feminine singular · suffixHVpi3fs/Sp2ms
אֶ֫כֶף (ekeph) refers to a burden or pressure, suggesting a sense of weight or urgency. It is derived from a related term and is noted in Job 33:7, where it implies a pressing load or stroke.
[אֶ֫כֶף] n.m. pressure, sf. אַכְפִּי Jb 33:7
ref
H405 אֶ֫כֶף
405 'ekeph eh'-kef
from 404; a load; by implication, a stroke (others
dignity):--hand.
see HEBREW for 0404
אֶ֫כֶף (e.kheph) — burden.
pressure, urgency, burden
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2ms
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
The Hebrew word כָּבֵד (kabad) is built from a primitive root meaning 'to be heavy.' It covers a range of meanings, including being burdensome, weighty, or honorable. The word can describe both a negative sense of heaviness or dullness and a positive sense of honor or glory. It appears in various forms, such as making oneself heavy or being made honorable.
כָּבֵד vb. be heavy, weighty, burdensome, honoured
Qal
be heavy, in weight
heavy, insensible, dull
be honoured
Niph.
pass.
be made heavy fr. abundance
be honoured, enjoy honour, of man
medial, get oneself glory (or honour), of God
Pi.
make heavy, insensible
make honourable, honour, glorify, usu. c. human subj.
Pu. be made honourable, honoured
Hiph.
make heavy
make heavy, dull, unresponsive, the ears
cause to be honoured
Hithp.
make oneself heavy, dense, numerous
honour oneself
base
H3513 כָּבֵד be heavy, weighty, burdensome, honoured .. be heavy, in weight
. heavy, insensible, dull
. be honoured
. . pass. . be made heavy fr. abundance
. be honoured, enjoy honour, of man
. medial, get oneself glory (or honour), of God
. . make heavy, insensible
. make honourable, honour, glorify, usu. c. human subj.
. be made honourable, honoured
. . make heavy
. make heavy, dull, unresponsive, the ears
. cause to be honoured
. . make oneself heavy, dense, numerous
. honour oneself
3513 kabad kaw-bad'
or kabed {kaw-bade'}; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. in
a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense
(numerous, rich, honorable; causatively, to make weighty (in
the same two senses):--abounding with, more grievously
afflict, boast, be chargeable, X be dim, glorify, be (make)
glorious (things), glory, (very) great, be grievous, harden,
be (make) heavy, be heavier, lay heavily, (bring to, come to,
do, get, be had in) honour (self), (be) honourable (man),
lade, X more be laid, make self many, nobles, prevail, promote
(to honour), be rich, be (go) sore, stop.
כָּבֵד (ka.vad) — to honor: honour.
: honour/glory
1) to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honoured
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be heavy
1a2) to be heavy, be insensible, be dull
1a3) to be honoured
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be made heavy, be honoured, enjoy honour, be made abundant
1b2) to get oneself glory or honour, gain glory
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to make heavy, make dull, make insensible
1c2) to make honourable, honour, glorify
1d) (Pual) to be made honourable, be honoured
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to make heavy
1e2) to make heavy, make dull, make unresponsive
1e3) to cause to be honoured
1f) (Hithpael)
1f1) to make oneself heavy, make oneself dense, make oneself numerous
1f2) to honour oneself
כָּבֵד (ka.vad) — to honor: heavy.
: heavy/severe
1) to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honoured
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
