Job 39:22 — Word Study
WLCיִשְׂחַ֣ק לְ֭פַחַד וְלֹ֣א יֵחָ֑ת וְלֹֽא־ יָ֝שׁ֗וּב מִפְּנֵי־ חָֽרֶב׃
BSAHe laughssâchaq▸ [mocks, scornfully ridicules] at fearpachad [dread, terror] frightenedchâthath▸ [not affrighted, undaunted] of nothinglôʼ [no thing, any situation] he does notlôʼ [will not, refuses to] turn backshûwb▸ [retreat, withdraw] frompânîym the swordchereb [the face of the sword, battle]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יִשְׂחַ֣ק | it laughs | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לְ֭פַחַד | to fear | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְלֹ֣א | and not | Conjunction, particle |
| יֵחָ֑ת | it is dismayed | Verb, Niphal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| וְלֹֽא־ | and not | Conjunction, particle |
| יָ֝שׁ֗וּב | it turns back | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| מִפְּנֵי־ | from before | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct |
| חָֽרֶב׃ | a sword | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He laughs at fear, frightened of nothing; he does not turn back from the sword. |
| KJV | He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword. |
| ASV | He mocketh at fear, and is not dismayed; Neither turneth he back from the sword. |
| YLT | He laugheth at fear, and is not affrighted, And he turneth not back from the face of the sword. |
| WEB | He mocks at fear, and is not dismayed, neither does he turn back from the sword. |
| BBE | In his strength he goes out against the arms of war, turning not away from the sword. |
Translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, particularly in the rendering of יִשְׂחַ֣ק.
The sentence has a main clause followed by two subordinate clauses, emphasizing the creature's fearless nature.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׂחַק
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 39:22
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 Description of His Creationgenerated
Job 39:22 describes a creature that is unafraid and mocks fear, illustrating the power and confidence inherent in God's creation. This verse is situated within a broader discussion of the strength and behavior of various animals, emphasizing their unique traits as part of God's design. The surrounding verses, such as Job 39:21 and Job 39:23, provide context to the creature's fearless nature and its readiness for battle.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 39:16–18 | She treats her young harshly, as if not her own, with no concern that her labor was in vain. |
| 2 | Job 41:33 | Nothing on earth is his equal— a creature devoid of fear! |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יִשְׂחַ֣ק, yis.Chakgenerated
The verb שָׂחַק (sachaq) means to laugh, often with a connotation of mockery or derision. In this verse, it indicates a fearless attitude towards fear itself, suggesting a sense of superiority over it.
This verb is in the imperfect tense, indicating ongoing action, which emphasizes the creature's continuous laughter at fear. The context suggests that this creature is not just laughing but is actively mocking fear, showing its confidence.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is presented in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses laughs for יִשְׂחַ֣ק.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יִשְׂחַ֣ק governs the main clause, with two additional clauses describing the creature's fearlessness. The structure highlights the contrast between the creature's laughter and the fear it mocks.
The word order places emphasis on the creature's actions, beginning with its laughter and followed by its refusal to turn back, underscoring its boldness.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יִשְׂחַ֣ק as καταγελᾷ, which means to mock or deride. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but adds a layer of intentional derision towards fear.
The Greek translation captures the essence of the original Hebrew while also reflecting the broader context of divine power over fear.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 39:22 shows a creature that laughs at fear and is not afraid of anything, refusing to turn back from a sword. This illustrates its strength and confidence in the face of danger.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It indicates that the creature is fearless and mocks the very idea of being afraid, showing its confidence.
This verse highlights the power and majesty of God's creation, illustrating how certain creatures are designed to be bold and unafraid.
Not turning back signifies bravery and readiness to face challenges, emphasizing the creature's strength.
The verse portrays fear as something to be mocked, suggesting that true strength lies in overcoming fear.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what situations do I find myself laughing at fear, and how can I cultivate that attitude?
- What are some fears I need to confront rather than retreat from?
- How can I demonstrate bravery in my own life, similar to the creature described in this verse?
- What does this verse teach me about the nature of confidence and fearlessness?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentary on this verse highlights the creature's fearless nature and its mockery of fear, as seen in the writings of Gregory the Dialogist.
He mocketh at fear, and yieldeth not to the sword. 61. Let us see how he mocks at fear, who, as he counts, tramples under foot the swords of the adversaries.Early Church Fathers on Job 39 →
He mocketh at fear, and yieldeth not to the sword. [MORAL INTERPRETATION] 80. He mocketh at fear, because he is not so far alarmed by fear of any temptation, as to keep silence.Early Church Fathers on Job 39 →
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 39:22 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted,.... At those things which cause fear and fright to men; as arms, though ever so terrible, and armies, though never so numerous; neither turneth he back from
Read John Gill on Job 39 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 39 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAt fear, i.e. at all instruments and objects of terror, as fear is oft used, as 10:21. He despiseth what other creatures dread. From the sword; or, because of the sword; or, for fear of the sword, as this phrase is used, 31:8 1:16.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 39 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 39:22 He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.Ver. 22. He mocketh at fear, &c.] Heb. He laugheth, by an elegant prosopopoeia, such as this Book is full of. Non vanes horret strepitus. He feareth no colours when once engaged in fight, but counts that a sport and play whereof others are afraid. Neither turneth he back from the sword] Or any other offensive weapons; these cannot make him turn tail or recoil. He is never more furious than when he sees himself covered with blood. - Vires animosque a vulnere sumit; being wounded, he biteth and kicketh, and fighteth no less stoutly than the rider himself doth. A rhetorical figure by which an inanimate…
Read John Trapp on Job 39 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges22. from the sword] lit. because of, or, before the sword.
Read Cambridge on Job 39 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe mocketh at fear - He laughs at that which is fitted to intimidate; that is, he is not afraid. Neither turneth he back from the sword - He rushes on it without fear.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 39 →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
He laughs at fear, frightened of nothing; he does not turn back from the sword.
He mocks at fear, and is not dismayed, neither does he turn back from the sword.
He laughs at fear, frightened of nothing; he does not turn back from the sword.
It laughs at fear and is not dismayed; it does not shy away from the sword.
Tyndale line
He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
He mocketh at fear, and is not dismayed; Neither turneth he back from the sword.
He mocketh at fear, and is not dismayed; neither turneth he back from the sword.
He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
Hast thou giuen the horse strength? or couered his necke with neying?
Strictly literal
He laugheth at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from before the sword.
He laugheth at fear, and is not affrighted, And he turneth not back from the face of the sword.
He laughs at fear, and is not frightened, || And he does not turn back from the face of the sword.
He laugheth at fear, and is not dismayed; and turneth not back from before the sword.
He mocks fear and is not dismayed; he does not turn back from the sword.
From the Latin
He despiseth fear, he turneth not his back to the sword,
Simplified
It laughs at fear; it is not frightened at all.
In his strength he goes out against the arms of war, turning not away from the sword.
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 presents the verse as יִשְׂחַ֣ק לְ֭פַחַד וְלֹ֣א יֵחָ֑ת וְלֹֽא־ יָ֝שׁ֗וּב מִפְּנֵי־ חָֽרֶב׃, while the Septuagint matches 5 of the 8 words, indicating a close relationship between the two texts, although the word order differs.
יִשְׂחַ֣ק לְ֭פַחַד וְלֹ֣א יֵחָ֑ת וְלֹֽא־ יָ֝שׁ֗וּב מִפְּנֵי־ חָֽרֶב׃
5 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 39:22
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.
שָׂחַק (sachaq) is a Hebrew verb meaning to laugh, with connotations of playfulness and mockery. It can express laughter in pleasure or derision, as well as the act of playing or making sport. The entries indicate various forms, such as Qal for general laughter, Piel for making sport, and Hiphil for mockery.
שָׂחַק vb. laugh
Qal
laugh at
appar. of friendly laugh
sport, play
Pi.
make sport
jest
play
Hiph. (declar.) they uttered mockery
base
H7832 שָׂחַק laugh
7832 sachaq saw-khak'
a primitive root; to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by
implication, to play:--deride, have in derision, laugh, make
merry, mock(-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in
(make) sport.
שָׂחַק (sa.chaq) — to laugh.
1) to laugh, play, mock
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to laugh (usually in contempt or derision)
1a2) to sport, play
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make sport
1b2) to jest
1b3) to play (including instrumental music, singing, dancing)
1c) (Hiphil) to laugh mockingly
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
פַּ֫חַד (pachad) refers to the concept of dread or terror, often indicating both the feeling of fear and the object that inspires it. The word is derived from a root meaning to be alarmed, and it encompasses a range of meanings related to fear and terror.
פַּ֫חַד 49 n.m. dread
dread
= object of dread
as design. dei
base
H6343 פַּ֫חַד dread . dread
. = object of dread
. as design. dei
6343 pachad pakh'-ad
from 6342; a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by
implication, the feeling):--dread(-ful), fear, (thing) great
(fear, -ly feared), terror.
see HEBREW for 06342
פַּ֫חַד (pa.chad) — dread.
1) terror, dread
1a) dread
1b) object of dread
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
fer (yir'ah, yare'; phobos, phobeo):
Terms, etc.:
"Fear" is the translation of many words in the Old Testament; the chief are: yir'ah, "fear," "terror," "reverence," "awe," most often "the fear of God," "fear of Yahweh" (Ge 20:11; 2Ch 19:9, etc.); also of "fear" generally (Job 22:4; Isa 7:25; Eze 30:13, etc.); yare', "to be afraid," "to fear," "to reverence" (Ge 15:1; Le 19:3,14; De 6:2, etc.); pachadh, "fear," "terror," "dread" (
→ See COWARDICE
→ Also see FEAR OF GOD, below
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particleHC/Tn
The Hebrew word חָתַת (chathath) is a primitive root meaning to prostrate, break down, or cause dismay. It encompasses a range of meanings including being shattered, dismayed, or terrified, and can be used in various forms such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of breaking or causing fear. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[חָתַת] vb. be shattered, dismayed
Qal
be shattered, broken
be dismayed
Niph. and at my name he is put in awe
Pi. dismay, scare
Hiph.
shatter
cause to be dismayed
dismay, terrify
base
H2865 חָתַת be shattered, dismayed
2865 chathath khaw-thath'
a primitive root; properly, to prostrate; hence, to break
down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by
confusion and fear:--abolish, affright, be (make) afraid,
amaze, beat down, discourage, (cause to) dismay, go down,
scare, terrify.
חָתַת (cha.tat) — to to be dismayed.
1) to be shattered, be dismayed, be broken, be abolished, be afraid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be shattered, be broken
1a2) to be dismayed
1b) (Niphal) to be broken, be dismayed
1c) (Piel) to be shattered, be dismayed, be scared
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to be dismayed
1d2) to dismay, terrify
1d3) to shatter
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVNi3ms
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particleHC/Tn
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-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
Prep | N-cp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural constructHR/Ncmpc
be-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Ge 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Ps 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isa 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west).
חֶ֫רֶב (chereb) means 'sword' and can also refer to other cutting instruments like knives and tools. It is derived from a root meaning 'drought,' highlighting its destructive nature. The term is used in various contexts in the Old Testament, primarily to denote weapons.
חֶ֫רֶב 411 n.f. sword (as weapon)
base
H2719 חֶ֫רֶב sword (as weapon)
2719 chereb kheh'-reb
from 2717; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its
destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp
implement:--axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.
see HEBREW for 02717
חֶ֫רֶב (che.rev) — sword.
1) sword, knife
1a) sword
1b) knife
1c) tools for cutting stone
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
sord.
See ARMOR, III, 5.
Sword
Of the Hebrew was pointed, sometimes two-edged, was worn in a sheath, and suspended from the girdle (Ex. 32:27; 1 Sam. 31:4; 1 Chr. 21:27; Ps. 149:6: Prov. 5:4; Ezek. 16:40; 21:3-5).
It is a symbol of divine chastisement (Deut. 32:25; Ps. 7:12; 78:62), and of a slanderous tongue (Ps. 57:4; 64:3; Prov. 12:18). The word of God is likened also to a…
[ARMS, ARMOR]