Job 39:23 — Word Study
WLCעָ֭לָיו תִּרְנֶ֣ה אַשְׁפָּ֑ה לַ֖הַב חֲנִ֣ית וְכִידֽוֹן׃
BSAA quiverʼashpâh [container for holding arrows, as used by warriors] rattlesrânâh△▸ [to rattle or whiz, making a loud noise] at his sideʻal along with a flashinglahab [glittering, shining] spearchănîyth [a thrusting weapon, like a lance] and lancekîydôwn [javelin, a throwing spear]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עָ֭לָיו | on it | Preposition, suffix |
| תִּרְנֶ֣ה | it rattles | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person feminine singular |
| אַשְׁפָּ֑ה | a quiver | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| לַ֖הַב | [the] blade of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| חֲנִ֣ית | a spear | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וְכִידֽוֹן׃ | and a javelin | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | A quiver rattles at his side, along with a flashing spear and lance. |
| KJV | The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. |
| ASV | The quiver rattleth against him, The flashing spear and the javelin. |
| YLT | Against him rattle doth quiver, The flame of a spear, and a halbert. |
| WEB | The quiver rattles against him, the flashing spear and the javelin. |
| BBE | The bow is sounding against him; he sees the shining point of spear and arrow. |
All translations agree on the rendering of תִּרְנֶ֣ה as 'rattles.'
The main clause presents the action, while the additional phrases provide detail about the weapons accompanying the creature.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbרָנָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
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 39:23
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 — The Description of a Powerful Creaturegenerated
Job 39:23 is part of a larger passage where God describes the strength and fearlessness of a creature, often interpreted as a horse. The surrounding verses illustrate the creature's bravery in the face of danger, highlighting its readiness for battle with weapons at its side.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 41:26–29 | The sword that reaches him has no effect, nor does the spear or dart or arrow. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תִּרְנֶ֣ה, tir.Nehgenerated
The verb תִּרְנֶ֣ה (*tirneh*) is a Qal imperfect form meaning 'it rattles.' It describes a loud noise, particularly associated with something moving quickly, like a quiver filled with arrows.
This word captures the essence of the creature's readiness for action, as the rattling sound signifies not just movement but also the anticipation of conflict.
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
One finite verb governs the whole verse — תִּרְנֶ֣ה, it rattles — with several noun phrases detailing what is present: a quiver, a spear, and a javelin. The structure emphasizes the action of the verb, placing it at the forefront of the description.
The word order places the rattling sound first, highlighting the immediacy and significance of the noise in the context of battle readiness.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תִּרְנֶ֣ה as γαυριᾷ, which conveys a similar sense of noise or sound. This choice aligns with the overall theme of the creature's power and readiness for battle.
This translation choice maintains the focus on the auditory aspect of the quiver, reinforcing the imagery of a creature prepared for conflict.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 39:23 describes a quiver that rattles at the side of a powerful creature, along with a flashing spear and lance. This imagery illustrates the creature's readiness for battle, emphasizing its strength and fearlessness.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The rattling of the quiver indicates the creature's readiness for battle, suggesting that it is prepared for action.
The verse mentions a quiver, a spear, and a javelin, all of which are associated with warfare.
This verse highlights the creature's power and fearlessness, emphasizing its readiness for conflict and the sounds associated with it.
The imagery of rattling weapons conveys a sense of anticipation and excitement, portraying the creature as a formidable presence in battle.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does the rattling quiver symbolize about the creature's nature?
- How do the weapons mentioned contribute to the overall understanding of the creature's readiness for battle?
- In what ways does this description reflect the themes of strength and fearlessness in the Book of Job?
- How can we understand the relationship between sound and action in this verse?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early interpretations of this verse highlight its moral and allegorical meanings, as seen in quotes from Gregory the Dialogist, who reflects on the implications of the rattling quiver and weapons.
Over him will rattle the quiver, the spear will shake, and the shield. 62. In Holy Scripture by the word 'quiver' is designated, sometimes the just and hidden counsel of God; but sometimes the clandestine machination of the wicked.Early Church Fathers on Job 39 →
Over him will rattle the quiver, the spear will shake, and the shield. [MORAL INTERPRETATION] 81. For since he sees that the zeal of a holy mind helps others also against him, he labours to wound it with multiplied temptation.Early Church Fathers on Job 39 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 39:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe quiver rattleth against him,.... The quiver is what arrows are put into and carried in, and seems here to be put for arrows, which being shot by the enemy come whizzing about him, but do not
Read John Gill on Job 39 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 39 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe quiver; or although the quiver &c. So this comes in as an aggravation of his courage, notwithstanding the just causes of fear which are mentioned in this verse. And the quiver is here put for the arrows contained in it, by a metonymy, very usual in this very case, and in all sorts of authors, which being shot against the horse and rider, make this rattling noise here mentioned. The glittering spear and the shield; or rather, the lance or javelin. For that this was not a defensive, but an offensive weapon, seems plain, both from this place, where it is mentioned among such, and as an object of fear, which the shield is not, and from , where it is so used.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 39 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 39:23 The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.Ver. 23. The quiver rattleth against him] The arrow; those messengers of death come whisking and singing about his ears (so the bullets now in so much use), but he is unappalled by this. The glittering spear] Heb. The flaming spear, as Genesis 3:24, that is, bright and clear, shining like a flame of fire, which must needs be terrible; but not at all to the war horse. And the shield] Or rather javelin, lance, or the like; he feareth not a wood of pikeman set in array against him.
Read John Trapp on Job 39 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges23. rattleth against him] Rather perhaps, upon him. The quiver is that of his rider, the clang of which excites him. the shield] Rather, the javelin, or, lance. The Poet does not seek to describe the actual conflict; it is a picture of the horse that he gives, and the moment before the conflict is that at which the animal’s extraordinary attributes are most strongly exhibited. “Although docile as a lamb, and requiring no other guide than the halter, when the Arab mare hears the war-cry of the tribe (cf. Job 39:25), and sees the quivering spear of her rider (cf. Job 39:23), her eyes glitter with fire, her blood-red nostrils open wide, her neck is nobly arched, and her tail and mane are…
Read Cambridge on Job 39 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe quiver rattleth against him - The quiver was a case made for containing arrows. It was usually slung over the shoulder, so that it could be easily reached to draw out an arrow.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 39 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible23. The quiver — Used metaphorically for its contents — the arrows. The glittering spear — Literally, the flame of a spear. Shield — Hebrews, kidhon. More properly “javelin,” or “spear.” See note Job 41:29.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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
A quiver rattles at his side, along with a flashing spear and lance.
The quiver rattles against him, the flashing spear and the javelin.
A quiver rattles at his side, along with a flashing spear and lance.
On it the quiver rattles; the lance and javelin flash.
Tyndale line
The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
The quiver rattleth against him, The flashing spear and the javelin.
The quiver rattleth against him, the flashing spear and the javelin.
The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
Hast thou made him afraid as the grashopper? his strong neying is fearefull.
Strictly literal
The quiver rattleth upon him, the glittering spear and the javelin.
Against him rattle doth quiver, The flame of a spear, and a halbert.
Quiver rattles against him, || The flame of a spear, and a javelin.
Over him rattle the quiver, the glittering spear and the lance.
The quiver rattles against his flank, along with the flashing spear and the javelin.
From the Latin
Above him shall the quiver rattle, the spear and shield shall glitter.
Simplified
The quiver full of arrows rattles against it; the spear and the javelin flash in the sunlight.
The bow is sounding against him; he sees the shining point of spear and arrow.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the essential elements of this verse, with four of the six words matched. The Septuagint's word order and articles differ, but the core imagery remains consistent.
עָ֭לָיו תִּרְנֶ֣ה אַשְׁפָּ֑ה לַ֖הַב חֲנִ֣ית וְכִידֽוֹן׃
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 39:23
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 עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3ms
רָנָה (ranah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rattle, derived from a primitive root. It is noted in the Qal form, with a reference to Job 39:23. The entries suggest a focus on the sound or action of rattling, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[רָנָה] vb. rattle (onomatop. ?);—Qal Jb 39:23
ref
H7439 רָנָה
7439 ranah raw-naw'
a primitive root; to whiz:--rattle.
רָנָה (ra.nah) — to rattle.
(Qal) to rattle
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singularHVqi3fs
אַשְׁפָּה (ashpah) refers to a quiver for arrows, possibly derived from a root meaning 'covering.' The term is used in a literal sense for a container of arrows and may also have figurative implications related to God's instruments. The entries consistently emphasize its primary meaning without significant disagreement.
אַשְׁפָּה n.f. quiver for arrows
base
H827 אַשְׁפָּה quiver for arrows
827 'ashpah ash-paw'
perhaps (feminine) from the same as 825 (in the sense of
covering); a quiver or arrow-case:--quiver.
see HEBREW for 0825
אַשְׁפָּה (ash.pah) — quiver.
1) quiver (for arrows)
1a) of home, of God's instruments (fig.)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
kwiv'-er (ashpah, teli; pharetra (Sirach 26:12)): A case or sheath for carrying arrows, a part of the ordinary equipment of the warrior, both foot-soldier and charioteer (Job 39:23; Isa 22:6), and also of the huntsman (Ge 27:3). Figuratively of a group in passages where children (Ps 127:5) or prophets of Yahweh (Isa 49:2) are spoken of as arrows. Arrows are called bene 'ashpah, "sons of the quiver" (La 3:13). By identifying the arrows with the death they produce, the quiver is likened to an open grave (Jer 5:16).
Quiver
The sheath for arrows. The Hebrew word (aspah) thus commonly rendered is found in Job 39:23; Ps. 127:5; Isa. 22:6; 49:2; Jer. 5:16; Lam. 3:13. In Gen. 27:3 this word is the rendering of the Hebrew teli, which is supposed rather to mean a suspended weapon, literally “that which hangs from one”, i.e., is suspended from the shoulder or girdle.
a box made for the purpose of holding arrows. (Genesis 27:3) There is nothing in the Bible to indicate either its form or material, or in what way it was carried.
לַ֫הַב (lahab) refers to both 'flame' and 'blade.' It is derived from an unused root meaning to gleam, indicating a bright or glittering quality. The term encompasses the idea of a flame as well as the sharp point of a weapon, such as a spear or sword.
לַ֫הַב n.m. flame, blade
flame
of flashing point of spear; blade of sword
base
H3851 לַ֫הַב flame, blade
3851 lahab lah'-hab
from an usused root meaning to gleam; a flash; figuratively,
a sharply polished blade or point of a weapon:--blade, bright,
flame, glittering.
לַ֫הַב (la.hav) — flame.
1) flame, blade
1a) flame
1b) of flashing point of spear or blade of sword
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
חֲנִית (chaniyth) refers to a spear or lance, emphasizing its use for thrusting. The term encompasses various parts of the spear, including the shaft and spear-head. Additionally, it is noted metaphorically in relation to the teeth of lions. The word is derived from חָנָה (chanah), suggesting a connection to flexibility.
חֲנִית n.f. spear (as flexible?)
spear, as hurled
shaft of spear
spear-head
butt of spear
metaph. of teeth of lions
base
H2595 חֲניִת spear
2595 chaniyth khan-eeth'
from 2583; a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a
tent):--javelin, spear.
see HEBREW for 02583
חֲנִית (cha.nit) — spear.
1) spear
1a) spear
1a1) shaft of a spear
1a2) spear-head
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
כִּידוֹן (kiydown) refers to a javelin or dart, something used for striking. It may also denote a short sword or a piece of armor for the throat. The word is derived from a root meaning to strike, and it appears in contexts related to weaponry, such as in 1 Samuel 17:6.
כִּידוֹן n.[m.] dart, javelin
base
H3591 כִּידוֹן
3591 kiydown kee-dohn'
from the same as 3589; properly, something to strike with,
i.e. a dart (perhaps smaller that 2595):--lance, shield,
spear, target.
see HEBREW for 03589
see HEBREW for 02595
כִּידוֹן (ki.don) — javelin.
1) javelin, short sword, dart
2) gorget, a piece of armour for the throat (1Sa 17.6)
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
jav'-lin, jav'-e-lin.
See ARMOR; ARMS.
Javelin
(1.) Heb. hanith, a lance, from its flexibility (1 Sam. 18:10, 11; 19:9, 10; 20:33).
(2.) Heb. romah, a lance for heavy-armed troops, so called from its piercing (Num. 25:7). (See ARMS.)
[ARMS, ARMOR]