Job 37:1 — Word Study
WLCאַף־ לְ֭זֹאת יֶחֱרַ֣ד לִבִּ֑י וְ֝יִתַּ֗ר מִמְּקוֹמֽוֹ׃
BSAAt thiszôʼth [in response to this, because of this] my heartlêb [the seat of emotions, will, and intellect] alsoʼaph poundschârad▸ [trembles, shakes violently] and leapsnâthar▸ [is moved, shaken off] from its placemâqôwm [position, location, state of being]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אַף־ | also | Particle |
| לְ֭זֹאת | to this | Preposition, particle |
| יֶחֱרַ֣ד | it trembles | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לִבִּ֑י | heart my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְ֝יִתַּ֗ר | so it may leap | Conjunction, verb qal third person masculine singular |
| מִמְּקוֹמֽוֹ׃ | from place its | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | “At this my heart also pounds and leaps from its place. |
| KJV | At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place. |
| ASV | Yea, at this my heart trembleth, And is moved out of its place. |
| YLT | Also, at this my heart trembleth, And it moveth from its place. |
| WEB | “Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place. |
| BBE | At this my heart is shaking; it is moved out of its place. |
The translations agree on the emotional response depicted in this verse.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a verb phrase that describes the heart's reaction.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbחָרַד
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 37:1
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 Reflection on God's Powergenerated
Job 37:1 captures Job's intense emotional response to the majesty of God, illustrating how the display of divine power affects him deeply. The surrounding verses further elaborate on the awe-inspiring phenomena of nature that reveal God's voice and authority, emphasizing His control over creation, as seen in Job 37:2 and Job 37:3.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 4:14 | fear and trembling came over me and made all my bones shudder. |
| 2 | Job 21:6 | When I remember, terror takes hold, and my body trembles in horror. |
| 3 | Job 38:1 | Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: |
| 4 | Exodus 19:16 | On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled. |
| 5 | Psalm 89:7 | In the council of the holy ones, God is greatly feared, and awesome above all who surround Him. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יֶחֱרַ֣ד, ye.che.Radgenerated
The verb יֶחֱרַ֣ד (yecheRad) is in the imperfect tense, indicating a continuous or repeated action. It conveys the sense of trembling or shaking, often in response to fear or awe. This word is used in contexts where individuals experience profound fear or anxiety, reflecting Job's emotional state in the face of God's overwhelming power.
In this verse, the trembling of Job's heart symbolizes a deep, instinctive reaction to the divine presence. It highlights the intensity of his feelings, suggesting that the awareness of God's might can evoke a physical response, illustrating the connection between emotion and the recognition of the divine.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations generally agree in conveying the essence of Job's emotional response.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains two finite verbs: יֶחֱרַ֣ד (it trembles) and יִתַּ֗ר (so it may leap). The structure emphasizes Job's heart's reaction, with the first verb leading into the second, creating a cause-and-effect relationship in his emotional state.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the heart's trembling, followed by the action of leaping, which underscores the intensity of Job's feelings in response to God's power.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יֶחֱרַ֣ד as ἐταράξθη (etaraxthē), which conveys a similar sense of disturbance or agitation. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the emotional turmoil associated with God's presence.
The use of ἀπερρύη for יִתַּ֗ר indicates a movement away or release, aligning with the idea of the heart leaping from its place, further emphasizing the physical manifestation of Job's emotions.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 37:1 shows Job's heart pounding and leaping in response to God's powerful presence. This verse highlights the deep emotional impact of experiencing God's might, as Job feels both fear and awe.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job's heart trembling signifies his intense emotional reaction to the overwhelming presence of God, reflecting a mix of fear and awe.
The leaping of Job's heart symbolizes a profound response to God's power, indicating that he feels a physical manifestation of his emotions.
This verse is part of a larger discourse on God's majesty and power, where Job reflects on nature's phenomena as expressions of God's voice and authority.
Job's reaction teaches us about the appropriate response to divine power and the emotional impact of recognizing God's greatness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I respond emotionally when I contemplate the greatness of God?
- What experiences have made my heart leap with awe or fear in the presence of God?
- In what ways can I cultivate a deeper awareness of God's power in my life?
- How can I express my emotions in response to God's presence, like Job did?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist reflects on Job's emotional state in response to God's power, illustrating the profound effect of divine presence.
At this my heart trembled, and was moved from its place. Because, while fear strikes the mind, it estranges it from itself, the Latin translations sometimes call an ecstasy fear, as is said by the Psalmist, I said in my fear,Early Church Fathers on Job 37 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 37:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAt this also my heart trembleth,.... At the greatness and majesty of God, not only as displayed in those works of his before observed, but as displayed in those he was about to speak of: such
Read John Gill on Job 37 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAt this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place. At this - when I hear the thundering of the Divine Majesty. Perhaps the storm already had begun out of which God was to address Job (Job 38:1).
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 37 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleJOB CHAPTER 37 God’ s great works, lightning, thunder, snow, rain, winds, frosts, clouds, and his providences towards nations, whether for correction or mercy, call for reverence and fear, ; as also his unsearchable wisdom in them, . We are ignorant, and cannot speak to God; but must fear him, who respecteth none, . At this also, of which I have already spoken, and am now to speak further, to wit, the thunder, which hath ofttimes made even atheists and other wicked men to tremble with a fear of horror, and good men to tremble with a fear of reverence, and a due dread of God’ s judgments. Is moved out of his place; leaps and beats excessively, as if it would leap out of my body.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 37 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 37:1 At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.Ver. 1. At this also my heart trembleth] At this? At what? at the thunder, whereof he had spoken before, and more meant to speak; and which he heard at that instant (as it may seem by the next verse), and therefore no wonder that his heart trembled, and was moved out of its place by an extraordinary palpitation, or, as the Tigurines have it, luxation. Thunder is so terrible, that it hath forced from the greatest atheist an acknowledgment of a deity. Suetonius telleth us of Caligula (that monster, who dared his Jove to a duel), that if it thundered and lightened but a little, he would hoodwink himself; but if much, he…
Read John Trapp on Job 37 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersXXXVII.(1) At this also my heart trembleth.—Elihu is discoursing of the same matter. He says, “Not only are the cattle terrified, but at this also my heart trembleth and is moved out of its place. Hark! listen to the sound of His voice.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 37 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleCHAPTER XXXVII Elihu continues to set forth the wisdom and omnipotence of God, as manifested in the thunder and lightning, 1-5; in the snows and frosts, 6-8; in various meteors; and shows the end for which they are sent, 9-13. Job is exhorted to consider the wondrous works of God in the light, in the clouds, in the winds, in heat and cold, in the formation of the heavens, and in the changes of the atmosphere, 14-22. The perfections of God, and how he should be reverenced by his creatures, 23, 24. NOTES ON CHAP. XXXVII Verse 1. My heart trembleth] This is what the Septuagint has anticipated; see under Job 36:28. A proper consideration of God's majesty in the thunder and lightning is enough…
Read AdamClarke on Job 37 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and CollegesJob 37:1. This verse reads, Yea, at this my heart trembleth, And leapeth up out of its place.
Read Cambridge on Job 37 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAt this also - That is, in view of the thunderstorm, for it is that which Elihu is describing.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 37 →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
“At this my heart also pounds and leaps from its place.
“Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place.
“At this my heart also pounds and leaps from its place.
At this also my heart pounds and leaps from its place.
Tyndale line
At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.
Yea, at this my heart trembleth, And is moved out of its place.
At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place.
At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place.
At this also mine heart is astonied, and is mooued out of his place.
Strictly literal
Aye, my heart trembleth at this also, and leapeth up out of its place:
Also, at this my heart trembleth, And it moveth from its place.
“Also, my heart trembles at this, || And it moves from its place.
At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved upward out of its place.
Indeed, my heart trembles at this; it is moved out of its place.
From the Latin
At this my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place.
Simplified
“At this my heart trembles, beating rapidly within me!
At this my heart is shaking; it is moved out of its place.
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 אַף־ לְ֭זֹאת יֶחֱרַ֣ד לִבִּ֑י וְ֝יִתַּ֗ר מִמְּקוֹמֽוֹ׃, which is closely matched by the Septuagint. The Dead Sea Scrolls fragment shows partial agreement, with the phrase אף לזאת לא יחרד ליתר, suggesting a slightly different nuance but preserving the core idea of trembling.
אַף־ לְ֭זֹאת יֶחֱרַ֣ד לִבִּ֑י וְ֝יִתַּ֗ר מִמְּקוֹמֽוֹ׃
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.
אף לזאת לא יחרד ליתר
5 words of the verse are on this fragment. The rest of the verse is not on it.
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 37:1
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.
The Hebrew word אַף (aph) is a conjunction that indicates addition, often implying something greater. It can mean 'also,' 'yea,' or 'though,' and is used to connect ideas in a sentence. The entries highlight its use as both an adverb and conjunction, with a focus on its additive nature.
אַף conj. denoting addition, esp. of something greater, also, yea
base
H637 אַף conj. denoting addition, esp. of something greater, also, yea
637 'aph af
a primitive particle; meaning accession (used as an adverb or
conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though:--also, +
although, and (furthermore, yet), but, even, + how much less
(more, rather than), moreover, with, yea.
אַף (aph) — also.
conj (denoting addition, esp of something greater)
1) also, yea, though, so much the more
adv
2) furthermore, indeed
Aramaic equivalent: aph (אַף "also" H0638)
DirObjM — ParticleHTj
ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'
זֹאת (zot) is a demonstrative pronoun and adverb meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone or be used in apposition to a noun, often serving as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns to add emphasis. In poetry, it may function as a relative pronoun, though this is rare.
זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here
standing alone
In appos. to subst.
More oft. as pred.
It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
With prefixes (in special senses)
base
H2063 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone
. In appos. to subst.
. More oft. as pred.
. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
. With prefixes (in special senses)
2063 zo'th zothe'
irregular feminine of 2089; this (often used adverb):--
hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she,
so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing),
thus.
see HEBREW for 02089
זֹאת (zot) — this.
1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such
1a) (alone)
1a1) this one
1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another
1b) (appos to subst)
1b1) this
1c) (as predicate)
1c1) this, such
1d) (enclitically)
1d1) then
1d2) who, whom
1d3) how now, what now
1d4) what now
1d5) wherefore now
1d6) behold here
1d7) just now
1d8) now, now already
1e) (poetry)
1e1) wherein, which, those who
1f) (with prefixes)
1f1) in this (place) here, then
1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter
1f3) thus and thus
1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus
1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side
1f6) on this account
1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Prep | Pron — Preposition · particleHR/Tm
חָרַד (charad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to tremble or be terrified. It encompasses a range of meanings, including trembling of both people and mountains, being anxiously careful, and causing others to tremble, particularly in the context of driving an army in terror. The entries suggest a strong emphasis on fear and anxiety.
חָרַד vb. tremble, be terrified
Qal
tremble, quake
tremble, of persons
be anxiously careful
with preps. pregn. = go or come trembling
Hiph. drive in terror, rout as army
base
H2729 חָרַד tremble, be terrified .. tremble, quake
. tremble, of persons
. be anxiously careful
. with preps. pregn. = go or come trembling
. drive in terror, rout as army
2729 charad khaw-rad'
a primitive root; to shudder with terror; hence, to fear;
also to hasten (with anxiety):--be (make) afraid, be careful,
discomfit, fray (away), quake, tremble.
חָרַד (cha.rad) — to tremble.
1) to tremble, quake, move about, be afraid, be startled, be terrified
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to tremble, quake (of a mountain)
1a2) to tremble (of people)
1a3) to be anxiously careful
1a4) to go or come trembling (with prep)
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to tremble
1b2) to drive in terror, rout (an army)
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and encompasses the inner man, mind, will, and emotions. It refers to the center of feelings, intellect, and moral character, as well as the seat of appetites and courage. The entries suggest a broad range of meanings related to human experience and thought, with a specific mention of its use in Jeremiah 51:1.
לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart
seldom of things in the midst of the sea
elsewhere of men
the inner man in contrast with the outer
the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
specific reference to mind
spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
spec. ref. to conscience
[various]
for the man himself
as seat of appetites
as seat of emotions and passions
seat of courage
base
לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.
ref
H3820a לֵב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the sea
. elsewhere of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer
. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
. specific reference to mind
. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
. spec. ref. to conscience
. [various]
. for the man himself
. as seat of appetites
. as seat of emotions and passions
. seat of courage
H3820b לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash
3820 leb labe
a form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very
widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;
likewise for the centre of anything:--+ care for, comfortably,
consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-),
(hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X
heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X
themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly,
wisdom.
see HEBREW for 03824
לֵב (lev) — heart.
1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding
1a) inner part, midst
1a1) midst (of things)
1a2) heart (of man)
1a3) soul, heart (of man)
1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)
1a6) conscience
1a7) heart (of moral character)
1a8) as seat of appetites
1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
לֵב (lev) — Leb.
§ Leb- = "heart of"
(probably a cryptic name for Babylon by Atbash)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
נָתַר (nathar) is a Hebrew verb with meanings related to movement and freedom. It can signify to spring up, leap, or start, as well as to loosen, unbind, or set free. The word appears in various forms, including Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of action. Notably, it has an Aramaic equivalent, נְתַר.
[נָתַר] vb. spring or start up
Qal yea, it (the heart) starts up from its place
Pi. to leap with them (i.e. its legs) upon the earth
Hiph. he (י׳) looked, and made nations start up.
base
[נָתַר] vb. be free, loose;—Hiph.
unfasten, loosen
set free, unbind
base
H5425a נָתַר spring or start up H5425b נָתַר be free, loose;—Hiph. . unfasten, loosen
. set free, unbind
5425 nathar naw-thar'
a primitive root; to jump, i.e. be violently agitated;
causatively, to terrify, shake off, untie:--drive asunder,
leap, (let) loose, X make, move, undo.
נָתַר (na.tar) — to start.
1) to start up, tremble, shake, spring up
1a) (Qal) to start up
1b) (Piel) to leap
1c) (Hiphil) to cause to start up
נָתַר (na.tar) — to free.
1) to loose, let loose, undo, be free, be loose
1a) (Hiphil)
1a1) to unfasten, loosen
1a2) to set free, unbind
Aramaic equivalent: ne.tar (נְתַר "to strip" H5426)
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Conjunction · verb qal third person masculine singularHC/Vqu3ms
מָקוֹם (maqom) means 'place' and encompasses a variety of contexts, including a standing place, station, or post. It can refer to human abodes, localities, regions, and even figurative conditions of body or mind. The term is derived from a root meaning 'standing' and is used broadly in the Old Testament.
מָקוֹם, מָקֹם 399 n.m. standing-place, place
standing-place
station, where soldiers are placed
post, office
place where a thing belongs
esp.
place of human abode
of י׳’s abode
place
in gen. place, locality, spot
space, room
space, distance, between
region, quarter, direction
peculiar uses
base
H4725 מָקוֹם, מָקֹם standing-place, place . . standing-place
. station, where soldiers are placed
. post, office
. . place where a thing belongs
. esp. . place of human abode
. of י׳’s abode
. place
. in gen. place, locality, spot
. . space, room
. space, distance, between
. region, quarter, direction
. peculiar uses
4725 maqowm maw-kome'
or maqom {maw-kome'}; also (feminine) mqowmah {mek-o-mah'};
or mqomah {mek-o-mah'}; from 6965; properly, a standing, i.e.
a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);
also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or
mind):--country, X home, X open, place, room, space, X
whither(-soever).
see HEBREW for 06965
מָקוֹם (ma.qom) — place.
1) standing place, place
1a) standing place, station, post, office
1b) place, place of human abode
1c) city, land, region
1d) place, locality, spot
1e) space, room, distance
1f) region, quarter, direction
1g) give place to, instead of
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms