Job 33:8 — Word Study
WLCאַ֭ךְ אָמַ֣רְתָּ בְאָזְנָ֑י וְק֖וֹל מִלִּ֣ין אֶשְׁמָֽע׃
BSASurelyʼak [certainly, without a doubt] you have spokenʼâmar■ [said, uttered words] in my hearingʼôzen [within my range of listening, in my ears] and I have heardshâmaʻ▸ [listened to, given attention to] these very wordsmillâh [the voice of your speech, the sound of your voice]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אַ֭ךְ | surely | Adverb |
| אָמַ֣רְתָּ | you have spoken | Verb, Qal, perfect second person masculine singular |
| בְאָזְנָ֑י | in ears my | Preposition, noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| וְק֖וֹל | and [the] sound of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| מִלִּ֣ין | words | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| אֶשְׁמָֽע׃ | I heard | Verb, Qal, imperfect first person common singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very words: |
| KJV | Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, |
| ASV | Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, |
| YLT | Surely — thou hast said in mine ears, And the sounds of words I hear: |
| WEB | “Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying, |
| BBE | But you said in my hearing, and your voice came to my ears: |
The translations agree on the key terms in this verse.
The sentence has one main clause with two phrases that provide context and detail about Job's hearing.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָמַר
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 33:8
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 33:8 is part of Job's response to Elihu, where he insists that he has indeed heard the words of God. This section highlights Job's integrity and his relationship with God, emphasizing that he is not guilty of the accusations made against him. Job's declaration serves to reaffirm his faith in God's communication and justice, as he contrasts his own purity with the accusations of wrongdoing.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 13:14 | then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you, |
| 2 | Jeremiah 29:23 | For they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with the wives of their neighbors and speaking lies in My name, which I did not command them to do. I am He who knows, and I am a witness, declares the LORD.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֶשְׁמָֽע, 'esh.Ma'generated
The verb אֶשְׁמָֽע (shama`) means 'I heard' and is derived from a root that implies listening with attention. This form is in the imperfect tense, indicating an ongoing or repeated action, suggesting that Job is not only hearing but actively listening to what has been said.
This word carries the connotation of understanding and obedience, often used in contexts where one must heed God's voice. Job's use of this verb emphasizes his attentiveness to God's communication, which is central to his defense.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, we read the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which presents the phrase as I have heard.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb אָמַ֣רְתָּ (amar), you have spoken, governs the sentence, with two phrases following: a prepositional phrase indicating where the speaking occurred, and a noun phrase that serves as the object of Job's hearing. The structure emphasizes Job's direct engagement with God's words.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on Job's assertion of having heard, highlighting the importance of this communication in the context of his defense.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אָמַ֣רְתָּ as εἶπας (eipas), meaning 'you have said.' This choice reflects a straightforward rendering of the Hebrew, maintaining the focus on the act of speaking.
The Greek word φωνὴν (phōnēn) for 'sound' indicates a direct correspondence to the Hebrew קוֹל, reinforcing the idea of God's voice being heard by Job.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 33:8 shows Job affirming that he has heard God's words directly. He emphasizes that these words were spoken in his hearing, highlighting his attentiveness to God's communication.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is asserting that he has received direct communication from God, indicating his awareness and understanding of God's words.
Job emphasizes his hearing to defend his integrity and to assert that he is not guilty of the accusations against him.
The word 'heard' implies not just auditory reception but also attentiveness and the obligation to respond to what has been communicated.
This verse is part of Job's defense against accusations of wrongdoing, where he insists on his purity and God's communication with him.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I actively listen for God's voice in my life?
- How can I ensure that I am attentive to the words God speaks to me?
- What does it mean to me that Job heard God's words directly?
- How can I apply Job's example of integrity and attentiveness in my own faith journey?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators like Julian of Eclanum and Gregory the Dialogist refer to this verse to discuss Job's integrity and God's communication.
This is what holy Job had said above, “Do you want me to reap the iniquities of my youth?” Therefore, [Elihu] refutes this as a blasphemy, that is, the fact that holy Job had believed that no fault could be found in him;Early Church Fathers on Job 33 →
Thou hast spoken then in mine ears, and I have heard the voice of thy words. And subjoining the very words, he says what he heard.Early Church Fathers on Job 33 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 33:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSurely thou hast spoken in mine hearing,.... After the above preface, Elihu proceeds to the point in hand, and enters a charge against Job; which he took up, not upon suspicion and surmisings, nor
Read John Gill on Job 33 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySurely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, Thy words - (Job 10:7; Job 16:17; Job 23:11-12; Job 27:5-6; Job 29:14).
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 33 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleI shall not charge thee with hypocrisy, as thy friends do, which God only can discern; but with those words which I have heard from thee.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 33 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 33:8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of [thy] words, [saying],Ver. 8. Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing] Here beginneth the charge, and it is for words; Quae leviter volant, non leviter violant. Nihil tam volucre quam maledictum, nihil facilius emittitur saith Cicero, pro Plancio, Nothing is so swift as an evil word, nothing is more easily uttered. But should a man set his mouth against heaven and utter error against the Lord? Isaiah 32:6. Should he toss that reverend name of God to and fro, with such impiety and profaneness, as if his speech could have no grace, but his disgrace? as if Augustus Caesar were dealing with some god Neptune, or the…
Read John Trapp on Job 33 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 8. Surely thou hast spoken] What Elihu speaks here, and in the three following verses, contains, in general, simple quotations from Job's own words, or the obvious sense of them, as the reader may see by referring to the margin, and also to the notes on those passages.
Read AdamClarke on Job 33 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges8–12. To Job’s complaint that God shewed a hostility to him which was arbitrary and without cause Elihu replies that such a thing was unbecoming God and not to be thought of, for God is greater than man.
Read Cambridge on Job 33 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSurely thou hast spoken in mine hearing - Margin, as in Hebrew “ears.” This shows that Elihu had been present during the debate, and had attentively listened to what had been said.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 33 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible8. In mine hearing — With the Hebrew, to “speak in the ear” was to speak openly, not secretly, which might give rise to misconstructions.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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 you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very words:
“Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very words:
“Indeed, you have said in my hearing (I heard the sound of the words!):
Tyndale line
Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying ,
Doubtles thou hast spoken in mine eares, and I haue heard the voyce of thy wordes.
Strictly literal
Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of [thy] words: —
Surely — thou hast said in mine ears, And the sounds of words I hear:
Surely you have spoken in my ears, || And the sounds of words I hear:
But thou hast said before my ears, and the sound of the words I still hear,
You have certainly spoken in my hearing; I have heard the sound of your words saying,
From the Latin
Now thou has said in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words:
Simplified
You spoke in my hearing and I have listened to everything you had to say.
But you said in my hearing, and your voice came to my ears:
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, with all six words in the Septuagint corresponding to the Hebrew text. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the verse's meaning across these ancient witnesses.
אַ֭ךְ אָמַ֣רְתָּ בְאָזְנָ֑י וְק֖וֹל מִלִּ֣ין אֶשְׁמָֽע׃
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 33:8
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.
אַךְ (ak) is an adverb meaning 'surely' or 'indeed,' often used to emphasize what follows. It can also carry a restrictive sense, translating to 'only' or 'but.' The entries indicate its use in various contexts, but do not provide specific verse references.
אַךְ 159 adv. 1. surely. 2. with a restrictive force, emphasizing what follows
base
H389 אַךְ 1. surely. 2. with a restrictive force, emphasizing what follows
389 'ak ak
akin to 403; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by
limitation) only:--also, in any wise, at least, but,
certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only,
save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, + wherefore, yet
(but).
see HEBREW for 0403
אַךְ (akh) — surely.
1) indeed, surely (emphatic)
2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)
DirObjM — AdverbHD
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
V-Qal-Perf-2ms — Verb · Qal · perfect second person masculine singularHVqp2ms
The Hebrew word אֹ֫זֶן (*ozen*) means 'ear' and is derived from a root that suggests broadness. It refers to the physical ear as well as the organ of hearing, and can also imply the act of revealing or receiving divine revelation. The term appears in contexts such as Exodus 29:20.
אֹ֫זֶן 188 n.f. Ex 29:20 ear
ear, as part of body
especially as organ of hearing
open ears of, reveal to
base
H241 אֹ֫זֶן ear
241 'ozen o'-zen
from 238; broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form
in man):--+ advertise, audience, + displease, ear, hearing, +
show.
see HEBREW for 0238
אֹ֫זֶן (o.zen) — ear.
: ear
1) ear, as part of the body
2) ear, as organ of hearing
3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation
אֹ֫זֶן (o.zen) — ear: hearing.
: hearing
1) ear, as part of the body
2) ear, as organ of hearing
3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation
אֹ֫זֶן (o.zen) — ear: to ears.
: to[ears_of](PERSON)
1) ear, as part of the body
2) ear, as organ of hearing
3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation
Prep | N-fd | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHR/Ncfdc/Sp1bs
קוֹל (qol) primarily means 'voice' or 'sound,' encompassing various contexts such as music, noise, and even thunder. It can also denote lightness or frivolity. The word is built from a root meaning to call aloud and appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including a reference in Jeremiah 3:9.
ref
H6963a קוֹל sound, voice H6963b קֹל lightness, frivolity
6963 qowl kole
or qol {kole}; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a
voice or sound:--+ aloud, bleating, crackling, cry (+ out),
fame, lightness, lowing, noise, + hold peace, (pro-)claim,
proclamation, + sing, sound, + spark, thunder(-ing), voice, +
yell.
קוֹל (qol) — voice.
: voice/shout/loud
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קֹל (qol) — frivolity.
lightness, frivolity
קוֹל (qol) — voice: sound.
: sound/noise
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: thunder.
: thunder
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: message.
: message/proclaim
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: [sound of].
: [sound_of](THING)
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: listen.
: listen
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
HC/Ncmsc — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
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…
מִלָּה (millah) means 'word' or 'speech' and can refer to a discourse or topic. It is derived from a root that suggests collective speech or utterance. The term encompasses various forms of communication, including answers and by-words. The Aramaic equivalent is also מִלָּה.
מִלָּה n.f. word, speech, utterance
base
H4405 מִלָּה
4405 millah mil-law'
from 4448 (plural masculine as if from milleh {mil-leh'}; a
word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic:--+
answer, by-word, matter, any thing (what) to say, to
speak(-ing), speak, talking, word.
see HEBREW for 04448
מִלָּה (mil.lah) — speech.
word, speech, utterance
Aramaic equivalent: mil.lah (מִלָּה "word" H4406)
N-fp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear
Qal 1052
subj. pers. hum.
י׳ (God) subj.
Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound
be heard of
be regarded, obeyed
= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.
Pi. he caused the people to hear
Hiph. 63
of man
י׳ subj.
base
H8085 שָׁמַע hear
8085 shama` shaw-mah'
a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with
implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to
tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X
carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,
declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make
to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)
obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,
regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,
understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.
: hear
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to
1a5) to understand (language)
1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)
1a7) to listen, give heed
1a7a) to consent, agree
1a7b) to grant request
1a8) to listen to, yield to
1a9) to obey, be obedient
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)
1b2) to be heard of
1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed
1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound
1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)
1d3) to make proclamation, summon
1d4) to cause to be heard
n m
2) sound
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.
: obey
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common singularHVqi1cs