Job 35:4 — Word Study
WLCאֲ֭נִי אֲשִֽׁיבְךָ֣ מִלִּ֑ין וְֽאֶת־ רֵעֶ֥יךָ עִמָּֽךְ׃
BSA◂Iʼănîy [emphasizing the speaker] will replyshûwb▸ [answer, respond, or turn back with words] to youmillâh and to your friendsrêaʻ [companions, neighbors, or those close to you] as wellʻim [together, with you, or in your presence]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֲ֭נִי | I | Pronoun |
| אֲשִֽׁיבְךָ֣ | I will respond to you | Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
| מִלִּ֑ין | words | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| וְֽאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| רֵעֶ֥יךָ | friends your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| עִמָּֽךְ׃ | with you | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I will reply to you and to your friends as well. |
| KJV | I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee. |
| ASV | I will answer thee, And thy companions with thee. |
| YLT | I return thee words, and thy friends with thee, |
| WEB | I will answer you, and your companions with you. |
| BBE | I will make answer to you and to your friends: |
The translations agree on the meaning and intent of Job's response.
The sentence structure consists of a main clause followed by two additional phrases that clarify the objects of Job's response.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֲנִי
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 35:4
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 Response to His Friendsgenerated
Job 35:4 is part of Job's reply to his friends, who have questioned his integrity and the reasons for his suffering. In this passage, Job emphasizes his intention to respond not only to his questioner but also to the companions surrounding him, highlighting the importance of dialogue in understanding his plight. This interaction reflects the broader themes of suffering and justice found throughout the book of Job.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 34:8 | He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men. |
| 2 | Proverbs 13:20 | He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֲשִֽׁיבְךָ֣, 'a.shi.ve.Khagenerated
The verb אֲשִֽׁיבְ (ashiv) is derived from the root meaning 'to return' or 'to respond.' It indicates an action of replying or answering, often in a context of dialogue or discussion. The parsing as a hiphil imperfect first person common singular shows that Job is the one actively engaging in this response.
This word carries a sense of accountability and willingness to engage in conversation, suggesting that Job is ready to defend his position and clarify his thoughts to both his questioner and his friends.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree here, with all versions reflecting Job's intention to respond to both the questioner and his friends.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb אֲשִֽׁיבְ (ashiv) governs the entire clause, indicating Job's action of responding. The structure includes a subject, the verb, and two objects: the direct object 'words' and the indirect object 'friends.'
Hebrew word order places the subject first, followed by the verb and then the objects, which emphasizes Job's role as the speaker and the importance of his response.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates the verb אֲשִֽׁיבְ as ἀπόκρισιν (apokrisin), meaning 'answer' or 'response.' This choice highlights the act of answering in a dialogue, aligning closely with Job's intention to engage in conversation.
This translation reflects a direct response to the challenges posed by his friends, maintaining the focus on dialogue.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 35:4 shows Job's determination to respond to both his questioner and his friends. He emphasizes the importance of dialogue and clarifying his position amidst their challenges.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job intends to address the criticisms and questions posed by his friends regarding his suffering and integrity.
Dialogue allows for clarification of misunderstandings and provides a platform for Job to defend his position.
Job's willingness to engage in conversation shows his commitment to truth and his desire to clarify his situation.
Themes of suffering, justice, and the need for honest communication are central to Job's dialogue with his friends.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some ways I can engage in honest dialogue with others about difficult topics?
- How do I respond when faced with criticism or misunderstanding?
- What can I learn from Job's approach to addressing his friends?
- In what situations do I find it difficult to communicate my thoughts clearly?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early commentary from Gregory the Dialogist interprets Job's response as addressing both his words and those of his friends, emphasizing the importance of dialogue.
I will therefore answer thy words, and thy friends with thee. In his former saying, he mentioned culpable words, as if those of blessed Job, and derived from them matter for his remarks.Early Church Fathers on Job 35 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 35:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI will answer thee, and thy companions with thee. Meaning not his three friends, as the Septuagint version expresses it; for they were not on the side of Job, and of the same sentiment with him, but
Read John Gill on Job 35 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI will answer thee, and thy companions with thee. Companions - those entertaining like sentiments with thee (Job 34:8; Job 34:36).
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 35 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThy companions, i.e. those who are of thy opinion, or with whom thou dost associate thyself in those speeches and carriages; which seems to be meant not of Job’ s three friends, (as many understand it, for their opinions were contrary to Job’ s in this point,) but of wicked men, with whom Job is said to walk and go in company for this same opinion or assertion, ,9. And these men he here calls Job’ s companions, partly because they are very forward to harp upon the same string, and to accuse God and justify themselves upon all occasions; and partly that he might awaken Job to a more serious review of his former assertions, by representing to him whose cause he pleaded, and who were his…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 35 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 35:4 I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.Ver. 4. I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee] Thy three friends (who have not so well quit themselves in this controversy, as having answered little or nothing to this unsavoury saying of thine), and to the rest of the bystanders which approve of thine opinion, as people are apt to favour the weaker side, as it is reputed, and to encourage them. Thus it befell Luther, when he began first to reform.
Read John Trapp on Job 35 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) And thy companions.—Elihu professes to answer Job’s friends as well as himself, but what he says (Job 35:5, &c.) is very much what Eliphaz had said before (Job 15:14, &c., Job 22:3, &c., and Bildad in Job 25). It is indeed true that God is too high to be affected by man’s righteousness or unrighteousness, but it does not follow therefore that He is indifferent, for then He would not be a righteous judge. (See Note on Job 34:9.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 35 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. I will answer thee] I will show thee the evil of a sinful way, and the benefit of righteousness; and supply what thy friends have omitted in their discourses with thee.
Read AdamClarke on Job 35 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4. The “companions” of Job referred to in this verse can hardly be the three friends, for Eliphaz (ch. Job 22:2) had advanced substantially the same answer to Job as is here given, which even Job himself had touched upon, ch. Job 7:20, though with a different purpose. Most probably Job is considered here the centre of a circle of persons who cherished the same irreligious doubts in regard to God’s providence as he did.
Read Cambridge on Job 35 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI will answer thee - Margin, “return to thee words.” Elihu meant to explain this more fully than it had been done by the friends of Job, and to show where Job was in error.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 35 →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
I will reply to you and to your friends as well.
I will answer you, and your companions with you.
I will reply to you and to your friends as well.
I will reply to you, and to your friends with you.
Tyndale line
I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.
I will answer thee, And thy companions with thee.
I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.
I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.
Therefore will I answere thee, and thy companions with thee.
Strictly literal
I will reply to thee in words, and to thy companions with thee.
I return thee words, and thy friends with thee,
I return words, and your friends with you,
I will truly reply unto thee with words, and unto thy friends with thee.
I will answer you, both you and your friends.
From the Latin
Therefore I will answer thy words, and thy friends with thee.
Simplified
I'll tell you, and your friends too!
I will make answer to you and to your friends:
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 אֲ֭נִי אֲשִֽׁיבְךָ֣ מִלִּ֑ין וְֽאֶת־ רֵעֶ֥יךָ עִמָּֽךְ׃, which is closely matched by the Septuagint in terms of meaning, though the word order differs. The Septuagint retains 4 of the 6 words from the Hebrew text.
אֲ֭נִי אֲשִֽׁיבְךָ֣ מִלִּ֑ין וְֽאֶת־ רֵעֶ֥יךָ עִמָּֽךְ׃
4 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 35:4
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.
אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I
base
H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I
589 'aniy an-ee'
contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X
which, X who.
see HEBREW for 0595
אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.
I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Pron — PronounHPp1bs
The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.
שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return
Qal 683;—turn back, return:
turn back
return, come or go back
esp. return unto
of dying
of revival from death
fig. of human relations:
return to leader, king
= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)
turn, i.e. resort to
return to a physical condition
abs. = change course of action
fig., specif. of spiritual relations:
turn back from God = apostatize
of י׳, turn away
turn back to God (= seek penitently)
abs. repent
turn back from evil
of י׳
of י׳, return (to shew favour)
of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):
denoting repetition, etc.
trans.
Pō‛l.
bring back
fig. restore, refresh
restore, repair
lead away (enticingly)
shew turning = apostatize
Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back
bring back into bondage
put back
= draw back
= give back, restore
= relinguish
= give in payment, requital
bring one back (from dead)
bring back heart
= refresh
H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back
. return, come or go back
. esp. return unto
. . of dying
. of revival from death
. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king
. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)
. turn, i.e. resort to
. return to a physical condition
. abs. = change course of action
. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize
. of י׳, turn away
. turn back to God (= seek penitently)
. abs. repent
. turn back from evil
. of י׳
. of י׳, return (to shew favour)
. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):
. denoting repetition, etc.
. trans.
. . bring back
. . fig. restore, refresh
. restore, repair
. lead away (enticingly)
. shew turning = apostatize
. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage
. put back
. = draw back
. = give back, restore
. = relinguish
. = give in payment, requital
7725 shuwb shoob
a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or
intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily
with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to
retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,
dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,
make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer
(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring
(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),
cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +
continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,
fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give
(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)
more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put
(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,
relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,
שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.
: return
1) to return, turn back
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to turn back, return
1a1a) to turn back
1a1b) to return, come or go back
1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back
1a1d) of dying
1a1e) of human relations (fig)
1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig)
1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise
1a1f2) to turn away (of God)
1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent
1a1f4) turn back (from evil)
1a1g) of inanimate things
1a1h) in repetition
1b) (Polel)
1b1) to bring back
1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig)
1b3) to lead away (enticingly)
1b4) to show turning, apostatise
1c) (Pual) restored (participle)
1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back
1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment
1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore
1d3) to bring back, report to, answer
1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular · suffixHVhi1cs/Sp2ms
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
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
רֵעַ (rea`) refers to a friend, companion, or fellow, emphasizing close associations such as brotherhood or intimacy. It can also denote a neighbor or another person in a broader sense. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to associate.'
רֵעַ 187 n.m. friend, companion, fellow
base
H7453 רֵעַ friend, companion, fellow
7453 rea` ray'-ah
or reya2 {ray'-ah}; from 7462; an associate (more or less
close):--brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover,
neighbour, X (an-)other.
see HEBREW for 0reya2
see HEBREW for 07462
רֵעַ (re.a) — neighbor.
1) friend, companion, fellow, another person
1a) friend, intimate
1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense)
1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2ms
עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.
עִם prep. with
of fellowship and companionship
of aid
Of actions done jointly with another
If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against
Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another
Of a common lot together with the wicked
Of equality or resemblance generally aid
Of time, as long as
Of a locality, close to, beside
Of persons, עִם is spec.
in the house or family or service of
In possession of
In the custody or care of
Beside = except
With = friendly with
Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
base
מֵעִם 72 from with or beside
base
H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship
. Of a locality, close to, beside
. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of
. In possession of
. In the custody or care of
. Beside = except
. With = friendly with
. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside
5973 `im eem
from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction
with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;
often with prepositional prefix (and then usually
unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X
long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from
(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,
with(-al).
see HEBREW for 06004
עִם (im) — with.
1) with
1a) with
1b) against
1c) toward
1d) as long as
מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.
1a) beside, except
1b) in spite of
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2ms