Job 36:9 — Word Study
WLCוַיַּגֵּ֣ד לָהֶ֣ם פָּעֳלָ֑ם וּ֝פִשְׁעֵיהֶ֗ם כִּ֣י יִתְגַּבָּֽרוּ׃
BSAthen He tellsnâgad▸ [declares openly, makes known] their deedspôʻal [work, actions] and howkîy [in what manner, to what extent] arrogantlygâbar▸ [proudly, with exceeding pride] they have transgressedpeshaʻ [rebelled, sinned against God]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיַּגֵּ֣ד | and he told | Verb, Hiphil, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לָהֶ֣ם | to them | Preposition, suffix |
| פָּעֳלָ֑ם | work their | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וּ֝פִשְׁעֵיהֶ֗ם | and transgressions their | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| כִּ֣י | that | Particle |
| יִתְגַּבָּֽרוּ׃ | they were behaving proudly | Verb, Hithpael, imperfect third person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | then He tells them their deeds and how arrogantly they have transgressed. |
| KJV | Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. |
| ASV | Then he showeth them their work, And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly. |
| YLT | Then He declareth to them their work, And their transgressions, Because they have become mighty, |
| WEB | then he shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly. |
| BBE | Then he makes clear to them what they have done, even their evil works in which they have taken pride. |
Where they part company is וַיַּגֵּ֣ד — see How Translations Differ.
One main verb with two noun phrases as objects, presenting a clear structure of what is being communicated.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָגַד
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 36:9
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 — God's Revelation of Human Actionsgenerated
Job 36:9 discusses how God communicates to those in distress, revealing their actions and the nature of their transgressions. This verse emphasizes God's role in making known the truth about human behavior, especially when individuals are caught in their own consequences. It highlights a theme of accountability and divine correction, which is further developed in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 10:2 | I will say to God: Do not condemn me! Let me know why You prosecute me. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 4:21–22 | The LORD, however, was angry with me on account of you, and He swore that I would not cross the Jordan to enter the good land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 33:11–13 | So the LORD brought against them the military commanders of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon. |
| 4 | Psalm 94:12 | Blessed is the man You discipline, O LORD, and teach from Your law, |
| 5 | Psalm 119:67–71 | Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — וַיַּגֵּ֣ד, vai.ya.Gedgenerated
The verb נָגַד (nagad) is a Hiphil form, indicating a causative action where the subject makes something known to another. It suggests a bold declaration, as seen in contexts like Genesis 3:11, where God prompts Adam to speak the truth. The word implies clarity and openness in communication.
In this verse, God is the subject who tells them their deeds, emphasizing His authority to reveal their actions. The use of this verb underscores the importance of acknowledgment and understanding of one's own behavior, especially in relation to divine standards.
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 main verb וַיַּגֵּ֣ד governs the sentence, with two noun phrases as its objects: פָּעֳלָ֑ם and וּ֝פִשְׁעֵיהֶ֗ם. The structure indicates that God first declares their deeds and then describes the nature of their transgressions.
The order of the phrases emphasizes the actions before the transgressions, suggesting a logical progression from what they have done to how they have sinned.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיַּגֵּ֣ד as ἀναγγελεῖ (anaggelei), which carries the sense of announcing or proclaiming. This choice reflects a similar emphasis on making known, aligning with the Hebrew meaning but also suggesting a formal declaration.
The use of παραπτώματα for וּ֝פִשְׁעֵיהֶ֗ם indicates a focus on the offenses committed, reinforcing the idea of wrongdoing in a legal or moral context.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 36:9 states that God tells people about their actions and the pride with which they have sinned. This verse highlights God's role in revealing the truth about human behavior, especially when individuals are caught in their own consequences.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God reveals to individuals the truth about their actions and how they have strayed from His ways.
Pride often leads to rebellion against God, as individuals may act arrogantly and ignore divine commands.
This act of revelation serves as a form of correction, prompting individuals to reflect on their behavior and seek repentance.
Recognizing our transgressions is crucial for spiritual growth and aligning our lives with God's will.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I be more aware of my actions and their impact on my relationship with God?
- What role does pride play in my own life, and how can I address it?
- In what ways can I help others recognize their actions and seek correction?
- How does understanding God's revelation of our deeds affect our spiritual journey?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 36:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThen he showeth them their work,.... Either what they ought to do, so the Tigurine version; and which they have not done, their sins of omission; when they have been negligent either of the duty of
Read John Gill on Job 36 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction; If they be afflicted, it is no proof that they are hypocrites, as the friends maintain; or that God disregards them, and is
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 36 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleTheir work, i.e. their evil works, as the next clause explains and limits it. By these afflictions he brings them to a sight of their sins and to repentance, which is the way and means of their recovery. That they have exceeded; that they have greatly sinned by abusing their power and prosperity; which even good men are too prone to do.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 36 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 36:9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.Ver. 9. Then he showeth them their work] By these sharp waters he cleareth up their eyesight, and gives them to see their sin, the mother of their misery. Vexatio dat intellectum, Smart makes wit. Manasseh, for instance, and the prodigal, and King Croesus, with his Nocumenta documenta, and Tullus Hostilius, with his excess of devotion, when once he had paid for his learning (Herodot. lib. 1. Liv. decad. 1, l. 5). And their transgressions that they have exceeded] Heb. when they prevail; that before they grow too potent they may cast them away: Ne illi victi in Gehennam descendant, lest they hale them…
Read John Trapp on Job 36 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) Then he sheweth them their work.—The true nature of their conduct and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly. This is Elihu’s special doctrine, that God’s chastisements are by way of discipline, to reform the future rather than to chastise the past.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 36 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 9. He showeth them their work] He shows them the exceeding sinfulness of sin. That they have exceeded.] יתגברו yithgabbaru, "that they have strengthened themselves," and did not trust in the living God; and therefore they would not help themselves when trouble came.
Read AdamClarke on Job 36 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5–25. Elihu’s doctrine is in a word: God is great and despiseth not, He is great in strength of heart. His greatness is that of understanding, which enables Him to estimate all rightly, to see through all right and wrong, and to adapt His providence to the strong and to the weak, the evil and the good. This thought with the illustrations of it, Job 36:6-15, and the application of it to Job , vv16-25, exhaust the first half of this concluding speech.
Read Cambridge on Job 36 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThen he showeth them their work - What their lives have been.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 36 →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
then He tells them their deeds and how arrogantly they have transgressed.
then he shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
then He tells them their deeds and how arrogantly they have transgressed.
then he reveals to them what they have done, and their transgressions, that they were behaving proudly.
Tyndale line
Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
Then he showeth them their work, And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
Then he showeth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
Then will he shewe them their worke and their sinnes, because they haue bene proude.
Strictly literal
Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions, because they have increased.
Then He declareth to them their work, And their transgressions, Because they have become mighty,
Then He declares to them their work, || And their transgressions, || Because they have become mighty,
Then doth he tell them of their work, and of their transgressions, when they had become strong.
then he reveals to them what they have done, and their transgressions and their pride.
From the Latin
He shall shew them their works, and their wicked deeds, because they have been violent.
Simplified
then he explains to them what they've done—their arrogant sins.
Then he makes clear to them what they have done, even their evil works in which they have taken pride.
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 aligns closely with the Septuagint, with all six words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration, but the core message remains consistent across these witnesses, affirming the integrity of the text.
וַיַּגֵּ֣ד לָהֶ֣ם פָּעֳלָ֑ם וּ֝פִשְׁעֵיהֶ֗ם כִּ֣י יִתְגַּבָּֽרוּ׃
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.
[ויגד] ל׳הם פעל׳ם ופשעי׳הם כי יתגברו
3 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 1 supplied entire by an editor.
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 36:9
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.
נָגַד (nagad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to declare or tell, with implications of being conspicuous or manifesting something. It covers a range of meanings including to announce, report, and make known, often through spoken word. The entries indicate that it can also mean to expose or predict, and in the Hophil form, it refers to something being told or reported.
[נָגַד] 363 vb. be conspicuous
Hiph. declare, tell
Hoph. be told, announced, reported
base
H5046 נָגַד be conspicuous . declare, tell
. be told, announced, reported
5046 nagad naw-gad'
a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out
opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest;
figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one
present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain,
praise:--bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing),
denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess,
rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter.
נָגַד (na.gad) — to tell.
1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known
1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare
1a1) to tell, announce, report
1a2) to declare, make known, expound
1a3) to inform of
1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim
1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess
1a5a) messenger (participle)
1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vhw3ms
הֶם (hem) — them.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine plural
HR/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3mp
פֹּ֫עַל (po'al) refers to an act or work, encompassing meanings like deed, thing done, and wages of work. It is noted as poetic and late in usage. The word is built from the root associated with action, and it can also imply acquisition, particularly of treasures.
פֹּ֫עַל 37 n.m. doing, deed, work (poet. and late)
deed, thing done
work, thing made
wages of work
acquisition of treasures
base
H6467 פֹּ֫עַל doing, deed, work (poet. and late)
6467 po`al po'-al
from 6466; an act or work (concretely):--act, deed, do,
getting, maker, work.
see HEBREW for 06466
פֹּ֫עַל (po.al) — work.
1) work, deed, doing
1a) deed, thing done
1b) work, thing made
1c) wages of work
1d) acquisition (of treasure)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3mp
פֶּ֫שַׁע (pesha`) means transgression and is derived from a root that implies revolt, whether national, moral, or religious. It encompasses various forms of wrongdoing, including offenses against individuals, nations, and God, as well as the associated guilt and punishment. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
פֶּ֫שַׁע n.m. transgression
base
H6588 פֶּ֫שַׁע transgression
6588 pesha` peh'-shah
from 6586; a revolt (national, moral or
religious):--rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass.
see HEBREW for 06586
פֶּ֫שַׁע (pe.sah) — transgression.
1) transgression, rebellion
1a1) transgression (against individuals)
1a2) transgression (nation against nation)
1a3) transgression (against God)
1a3a) in general
1a3b) as recognised by sinner
1a3c) as God deals with it
1a3d) as God forgives
1a4) guilt of transgression
1a5) punishment for transgression
1a6) offering for transgression
Conj | N-mp | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
Conj — ParticleHTc
גָּבַר (gabar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be strong or mighty, and it encompasses a range of related actions such as prevailing, strengthening, and confirming covenants. It can also imply acting insolently or proudly, particularly in relation to God. The word appears in various forms across different contexts, including Qal, Piel, Hiphil, and Hithpael.
גָּבַר vb. be strong, mighty
Qal
be strong, mighty
prevail
Pi. make strong, strengthen
Hiph. confirm a covenant
Hithp. shew himself a mighty one against; of wicked behave proudly toward
base
H1396 גָּבַר be strong, mighty .. be strong, mighty
. prevail
. make strong, strengthen
. confirm a covenant
. shew himself a mighty one against; of wicked behave proudly toward
1396 gabar gaw-bar'
a primitive root; to be strong; by implication, to prevail,
act insolently:--exceed, confirm, be great, be mighty,
prevail, put to more (strength), strengthen, be stronger, be
valiant.
גָּבַר (ga.var) — to prevail.
1) to prevail, have strength, be strong, be powerful, be mighty, be great
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be strong, mighty
1a2) to prevail
1b) (Piel) to make strong, strengthen
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to confirm, give strength
1c2) to confirm (a covenant)
1d) (Hithpael)
1d1) to show oneself mighty
1d2) to act proudly (toward God)
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Hithpael · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVti3mp