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Job 5:21 — Word Study

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WLCבְּשׁ֣וֹט לָ֭שׁוֹן תֵּחָבֵ֑א וְֽלֹא־ תִירָ֥א מִ֝שֹּׁ֗ד כִּ֣י יָבֽוֹא׃

BSAYou will be hiddenchâbâʼ [protected, kept safe] from the scourgeshôwṭ [whip, lash] of the tonguelâshôwn [lash of words, slander] and will notlôʼ fearyârêʼ [be afraid, dread] havocshôd [destruction, violence] whenkîy it comesbôwʼ [approaches, arrives]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 5
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 21 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ya.Vo') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 5:21quick helps
In a sentenceJob assures that one will be protected from harmful words and will not fear destruction.
Who is speakingJob, through the voice of Eliphaz, addressing a suffering friend.
Where we areIn a discourse on divine protection amidst suffering and adversity.
The hard wordשׁוֹט
Take awayThe promise of safety from slander and calamity.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbחָבָא The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

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 5:21

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 Discourse on Divine Protectiongenerated

20In famine He will redeem you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword.
21You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and will not fear havoc when it comes.
22You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth.
23For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.

Job 5:21 is part of a larger conversation where Eliphaz speaks to Job, offering insights into God's protection. He reassures Job that despite the trials he faces, he will be safeguarded from the malice of others and will not have to dread the destruction that may come upon him. This reflects a theme of trust in divine care during times of distress.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 31:20You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.
2Psalm 55:21His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
3Psalm 57:4My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
4Proverbs 12:18Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
5Isaiah 54:17No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word שׁוֹט, be.Shotgenerated

The word שׁוֹט (shot) means 'whip' and signifies a tool for punishment or chastisement. It symbolizes correction and judgment, as seen in contexts like Isaiah. In this verse, it represents the harmful words that can inflict pain, akin to a physical scourge.

The use of שׁוֹט here emphasizes the danger of slander and verbal attacks. It conveys the idea that while such words may be intended to harm, the one who is hidden by God will not be affected by them.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations of this verse agree closely, with all versions conveying the idea of being hidden from the harmful effects of words and not fearing destruction.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb תֵּחָבֵ֑א (te.cha.Ve') governs the sentence, indicating the action of being hidden. It is followed by a negation and two additional clauses that elaborate on what one will not fear.

The structure of the verse presents a clear promise of protection, where the main clause is supported by subordinate clauses that detail the threats one will be safeguarded from.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שׁוֹט as μάστιγος (mastigos), which also means 'whip' or 'scourge.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing the notion of punishment through words.

The Greek term captures the essence of verbal assault, indicating that the translators understood the severity of the tongue's impact, similar to a physical lash.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 5:21 assures that you will be protected from harmful words and will not fear destruction when it approaches. This verse highlights God's promise of safety amidst adversity.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to be hidden from the scourge of the tongue?

It means being protected from the harmful effects of slander and negative speech.

How does this verse relate to the theme of suffering in Job?

It emphasizes that despite suffering, one can find refuge in God and not be affected by malicious words.

What is the significance of not fearing havoc?

It reflects a deep trust in God's protection, suggesting that even in the face of destruction, one can remain unafraid.

How can this verse be applied in daily life?

It encourages individuals to seek God's protection from negativity and to maintain courage in the face of adversity.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I experienced God's protection from harmful words or situations?
  2. How can I apply the assurance of this verse in my own life when facing criticism or slander?
  3. What steps can I take to cultivate a mindset of trust in God's safety during difficult times?
  4. How might I support others who are facing verbal attacks or destruction in their lives?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Early commentators reference this verse to discuss the protection from slander and the nature of verbal attacks, as seen in their writings.

Didymus the BlindCOMMENTARY ON Job 5:21 c. 313–398
Again Eliphaz says this about the one who has been rebuked by the Lord, whereby he follows his own principle. Not even what Eliphaz says is stringent. Too often many righteous people have been vilified.
Early Church Fathers on Job 5 →
Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book VI c. 540–604
Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue. Neither shalt thou be afraid of calamity when it cometh. 'The scourge of the tongue' is the taunting of insults offered.
Early Church Fathers on Job 5 →
Olympiodorus of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON Job 5:19-21 6th c.
He will hide you from the evil tongue, which knows how to persecute unjustly. In fact, they call “scourge” the malice and slander of the tongue. Moreover, you will end up in complete safety.
Early Church Fathers on Job 5 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 5:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Thou shall be hid from the scourge of the tongue,.... Of Satan, as Jarchi, the accuser of the brethren; or rather from the evil tongue of wicked men, their slanders, calumnies, and reproaches; the

Read John Gill on Job 5 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. No JFB commentary on this verse.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 5 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Hid, i.e. protected, as in some secret and safe place. From the scourge of the tongue, i.e. from false accusations and virulent slanders and reproaches, either by diverting their tongues to other persons or things, or by clearing thy integrity. Neither shalt thou be afraid; thou shalt have no cause to fear it, because God will secure thee in it and from it. When it cometh, to wit, upon others; near thee, or round about thee.

Read Matthew Poole on Job 5 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 5:21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.Ver. 21. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue] That is, from reproaches and slanders, which is a tongue smiting, Jeremiah 18:18, as smart as any hand smiting, and draws blood, Ezekiel 22:9. Backbiting is backbeating (Speed.). The devil is both a liar and a murderer, John 8:44. Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, was by the people of England thought to be doubly murdered (saith the chronicler), viz. by detraction and deadly practice. Plato commendeth that law of the Lydians that punished detracters like as they did murderers; because their words are swords, and their…

Read John Trapp on Job 5 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(21) Shalt thou be afraid.—Comp. the expression in Job 5:15.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 5 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 21. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue] The Targum refers this to the incantations of Balaam: "From injury by the tongue of Balaam thou shalt be hidden in the clouds; and thou shalt not fear from the blasting of the Midianites, when it shall come." Perhaps no evil is more dreadful than the scourge of the tongue: evil-speaking, detraction, backbiting, calumny, slander, tale-bearing, whispering, and scandalizing, are some of the terms which we use when endeavouring to express the baleful influence and effects of that member, which is a world of fire, kindled from the nethermost hell. The Scripture abounds with invectives and execrations against it. See Psalms 31:20; Psalms…

Read AdamClarke on Job 5 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

8–27. Eliphaz, in Job’s place, would seek unto God, all whose ways are marked by one purpose, to do good, and whose chastisements, therefore, but open the way to a richer blessing The passage attaches itself to the picture of man’s evil nature just given, and suggests where man should find refuge from himself, even in God. Eliphaz in Job’s place would seek unto God for help—God who is so great in power, and wonderful in His ways (Job 5:8-9). His ways are not only surpassingly wonderful, but one purpose of goodness runs through them, for even the thirsty wilderness where no man dwells He satisfies with rain, and sets the humble on high (Job 5:10-11). So on the other hand He disappoints the…

Read Cambridge on Job 5 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue - Margin, Or, “when the tongue scourgeth.” The word rendered “scourge” - שׁוט shôṭ - means properly a whip.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 5 →

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and will not fear havoc when it comes.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, neither will you be afraid of destruction when it comes.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and will not fear havoc when it comes.

NETBNew English Translation2006

You will be protected from malicious gossip, and will not be afraid of the destruction when it comes.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue; Neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue; neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue, and thou shalt not be afraid of destruction when it commeth.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Thou shalt be hidden from the scourge of the tongue; and thou shalt not be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

When the tongue scourgeth thou art hid, And thou art not afraid of destruction, When it cometh.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

When the tongue scourges you are hid, || And you are not afraid of destruction, || When it comes.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Against the scourge of the tongue shall thou he hidden; and thou needest not be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue; and you will not be afraid of destruction when it comes.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Thou shalt he hidden from the scourge of the tongue: and thou shalt not fear calamity when it cometh.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

You will be protected from sharp-tongued slander; and when violence comes you will not be afraid.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

He will keep you safe from the evil tongue; and you will have no fear of wasting when it comes.

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.

clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּin.[the]noun phraseשׁ֣וֹטwhipלָ֭שׁוֹןof.[the].tongueverbתֵּחָבֵ֑אyou.will.be.hiddenוְֽandclauseadverbialלֹאnotverbתִירָ֥אyou.will.be.afraidprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִ֝fromשֹּׁ֗דdestructionכִּ֣י(dm)clauseverbיָבֽוֹאit.will.come

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 largely agree in this verse, with six of the eight words matched. The Septuagint's word order and articles differ, but the core message remains consistent across both texts.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

בְּשׁ֣וֹט לָ֭שׁוֹן תֵּחָבֵ֑א וְֽלֹא־ תִירָ֥א מִ֝שֹּׁ֗ד כִּ֣י יָבֽוֹא׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
בְּשׁ֣וֹטμάστιγοςלָ֭שׁוֹןγλώσσηςוְֽלֹא־οὐתִירָ֥אφοβηθῇςמִ֝שֹּׁ֗דκακῶνיָבֽוֹא׃ἐρξομένων

6 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.

Job 5:21שׁוֹטin [the] whin [the] whip oשׁוֹטלָשׁוֹן[the] tongu[the] tongueלָשׁוֹןחָבָאyou will beyou will be hidחָבָאלֹאand notand notלֹאיָרֵאyou will beyou will be afrיָרֵאשֹׁדfrom destrufrom destructioשֹׁדכִּיififכִּיבּוֹאit will comit will comeבּוֹאשׁוּטto roveto roveשׁוּטלָשַׁןto slanderto slanderלָשַׁןשָׁדַדto wasteto wasteשָׁדַדחָבַבto loveto loveחָבַבעַקְרָבscorpionscorpionעַקְרָביָסַרto disciplto disciplineיָסַרחֵךְpalatepalateחֵךְהָגָהto mutterto mutterהָגָהמְעָרָהcavecaveמְעָרָהעֲתַלְיָ֫הAthaliahAthaliahעֲתַלְיָ֫היָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתאַלnotnotאַלחָמָסviolenceviolenceחָמָסשֶׁ֫בֶרbreakingbreakingשֶׁ֫בֶריָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעשֶׁ֫מֶשׁsunsunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁ
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Job 5:21

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.

in [the] whip of [the] tongue you will be hidden and not you will be afraid from destruction if it will come
בְּשׁ֣וֹטbe.Shot in [the] whip of H7752 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a whip or scourge, used for punishment or chastisement, as seen in the book of Isaiah. It symbolizes correction or judgment.
Amplified meaning
whip, lash
Tyndale gloss
whip
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שׁוֹט (shot) refers to a scourge or whip, used both literally and figuratively. It can denote a tool for chastisement or punishment, as well as a whip for horses. The word is derived from a related term, indicating a connection to the act of striking or lashing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׁוֹט n.m. scourge, whip

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7752 שׁוֹט scourge, whip

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7752 showt shote

from 7751; a lash (literally or figuratively):--scourge,

whip.

see HEBREW for 07751

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוֹט (shot) — whip.

1) scourge, whip

1a) scourge (for chastisement)

1a1) of national judgment (fig)

1b) whip (for horse)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

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…

in [the] whip of [the] tongue you will be hidden and not you will be afraid from destruction if it will come
לָ֭שׁוֹןLa.shon [the] tongue H3956 Noun common · both singular absolute
117× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The tongue, used for eating, speaking, or describing a language. In the Bible, it appears in many books, including Genesis 11:1 and Acts 2:4.
Amplified meaning
lash of words, slander
Tyndale gloss
tongue
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word לָשׁוֹן (*lashon*) primarily means 'tongue,' referring to both the organ of speech in humans and animals. It can also denote 'language' and has figurative uses, such as a 'tongue-shaped' wedge or bay. The entries highlight its literal and metaphorical applications, but do not present any significant disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לָשׁוֹן n.m. and (more oft.) f. tongue

tongue of men

= language

tongue of animals

tongue of fire

= (tongue-shaped) wedge of gold

= (tongue-shaped) bay of sea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3956 לָשׁוֹן tongue . tongue of men

. = language

. tongue of animals

. tongue of fire

. = (tongue-shaped) wedge of gold

. = (tongue-shaped) bay of sea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3956 lashown law-shone'

or lashon {law-shone'}; also (in plural) feminine lshonah

{lesh-o-naw'}; from 3960; the tongue (of man or animals), used

literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech),

and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of

water):--+ babbler,bay, + evil speaker, language, talker,

tongue, wedge.

see HEBREW for 03960

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לָשׁוֹן (la.shon) — tongue.

: tongue/words

1) tongue

1a) tongue (of men)

1a1) tongue (literal)

1a2) tongue (organ of speech)

1b) language

1c) tongue (of animals)

1d) tongue (of fire)

1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)

לָשׁוֹן (la.shon) — tongue: language.

: language

1) tongue

1a) tongue (of men)

1a1) tongue (literal)

1a2) tongue (organ of speech)

1b) language

1c) tongue (of animals)

1d) tongue (of fire)

1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)

לָשׁוֹן (la.shon) — tongue: bar.

: bar/projection/bay

1) tongue

1a) tongue (of men)

1a1) tongue (literal)

1a2) tongue (organ of speech)

1b) language

1c) tongue (of animals)

1d) tongue (of fire)

1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

tung: Almost invariably for either lashon, or glossa the latter word with the cognates heteroglossos, "of strange tongues" (1Co 14:21), glossodes, "talkative," English Versions of the Bible "full of tongue" (Sirach 8:3; 9:18), glossotomeo, "to cut out the tongue" (2 Macc 7:4), diglossos, "double-tongued" (Sirach 5:9; 28:13). In 1Ti 3:8, however, "double-tongued" is for dilogos, literally, "two-worded." Where "tongue" in the King James Version translates dialektos (Ac 1:19; 2:8; 21:40; 22:2; 26:14), the Revised Version (British and American) has "language," while for the King James Version "in the Hebrew tongue" in Joh 5:2; Re…

→ Language Ge 10:5,20; Isa 66:18; Re 7:9

→ Confusion of Ge 11:1-9

→ Gift of Ac 2:1-18,33; 10:46; 19:6; 1Co 12:10,28,30; 14

→ Loquacious Pr 10:8,19

→ Restrained by wisdom Pr 17:27; 21:23; Ec 3:7

→ Hasty Pr 29:20

→ An evil

See SPEAKING, EVIL

→ See SLANDER

in [the] whip of [the] tongue you will be hidden and not you will be afraid from destruction if it will come
תֵּחָבֵ֑אte.cha.Ve' you will be hidden H2244 Verb · Niphal · imperfect second person masculine singular
33× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hide means to secrete or withdraw, often for safety or protection. In the Bible, this word is used to describe hiding oneself or being forced into hiding. It appears in various forms, including to hide oneself or to be hidden by someone else.
Amplified meaning
protected, kept safe
Tyndale gloss
to hide
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָבָא (chaba') is a Hebrew verb meaning to withdraw or hide. It has various forms, including Niph'al (to hide oneself), Pual (to be forced into hiding), and Hiph'il (to hide something). The entries suggest a range of meanings from simply hiding to drawing together or thickening, indicating a nuanced use of the term in different contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָבָא] vb. withdraw, hide (not in Qal)

Niph. hide oneself

Pu. have been hidden

Hiph. hide, trans.

Hoph. be hidden

Hithp.

draw back, hide oneself

draw together, thicken, harden

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2244 חָבָא withdraw, hide

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2244 chaba' khaw-baw'

a primitive root (compare 2245); to secrete:--X held, hide

(self), do secretly.

see HEBREW for 02245

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָבָא (cha.va) — to hide.

1) to withdraw, hide

1a) (Niphal) to hide oneself

1b) (Pual) to be forced into hiding

1c) (Hiphil) to hide

1d) (Hophal) to be hidden

1e) (Hithpael)

1e1) to hide oneself, draw back

1e2) to draw together, thicken, harden

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect second person masculine singular
HVNi2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hid'-'n: The translation of Taman, "to hide," "to bury" (Job 3:16); of tsaphan "to conceal," "store up" (Job 15:20, "The number of years is hidden to the oppressor," the Revised Version (British and American) "even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor," margin "and years that are numbered are laid up"; Job 24:1, "Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty," the Revised Version (British and American) "Why are times not laid up by the Almighty?" margin as the King James Version with "Why is it?" prefixed; Ps 83:3, "They consulted (the Revised Version (British and American) "consult") against thy hidden ones"); of matspunim (from tsaphan), "hidden…

in [the] whip of [the] tongue you will be hidden and not you will be afraid from destruction if it will come
וְֽלֹא־ve.lo'- and not H3808 Conjunction · particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
in [the] whip of [the] tongue you will be hidden and not you will be afraid from destruction if it will come
תִירָ֥אti.Ra' you will be afraid H3372 Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singular
315× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to fear or revere, and is used to describe being afraid or standing in awe of something, like God's power. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of respect or reverence. In the KJV, it's translated as 'affright' or 'reverence'.
Amplified meaning
be afraid, dread
Tyndale gloss
to fear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָרֵא (yare') is a Hebrew verb meaning to fear or be afraid, encompassing a range of meanings from reverence and honor to causing terror. It appears in various forms, including Qal (to fear), Niphal (to be fearful), and Piel (to terrify). The entries highlight its moral and emotional dimensions, emphasizing awe and respect, particularly in relation to the divine.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָרֵא vb. fear

Qal

fear, be afraid

stand in awe of

fear, reverence, honour

Niph.

be fearful, dreadful

cause astonishment and awe

inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe

Piel. make afraid, terrify

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3372 יָרֵא fear .. fear, be afraid

. stand in awe of

. fear, reverence, honour

. . be fearful, dreadful

. cause astonishment and awe

. inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe

. make afraid, terrify

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3372 yare' yaw-ray'

a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to

frighten:--affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in)

fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), X see,

terrible (act, -ness, thing).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear.

: frightening(DANGER)

1) to fear, revere, be afraid

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fear, be afraid

1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed

1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared

1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe

1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe

1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify

2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour

יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear: revere.

: awesome(god)

1) to fear, revere, be afraid

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fear, be afraid

1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed

1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared

1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe

1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe

1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify

2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour

Also means: ya.re (יָרֵא ": frightening" H3372)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singular
HVqi2ms
in [the] whip of [the] tongue you will be hidden and not you will be afraid from destruction if it will come
מִ֝שֹּׁ֗דmi.Shod from destruction H7701 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means violence or destruction, often referring to social sin or ruin, as seen in the desolation of cities like Sodom and Gomorrah. It is used to describe the devastating effects of war and oppression. This concept is discussed in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Amplified meaning
destruction, violence
Tyndale gloss
violence
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֹׁד (shod) refers to concepts of violence and destruction, encompassing havoc, devastation, and ruin. It is derived from a root that suggests oppression and robbery. The term appears in contexts related to social sin and the consequences of violence, as noted in Job 5:21.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֹׁד, שׁוֹד n.m. violence, havoc, devastation, ruin

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7701 שֹׁד, שׁוֹד violence, havoc, devastation, ruin

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7701 shod shode

or showd (Job 5:21) {shode}; from 7736; violence,

ravage:--desolation, destruction, oppression, robbery,

spoil(-ed, -er, - ing), wasting.

see HEBREW for 07736

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֹׁד (shod) — violence.

1) havoc, violence, destruction, devastation, ruin

1a) violence, havoc (as social sin)

1b) devastation, ruin

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

de-struk'-shun: In the King James Version this word translates over 30 Hebrew words in the Old Testament, and 4 words in the New Testament. Of these the most interesting, as having a technical sense, is 'abhaddon (from verb 'abhadh, "to be lost," "to perish"). It is found 6 times in the Wisdom Literature, and nowhere else in the Old Testament; compare Re 9:11. See ABADDON.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Destruction

In Job 26:6, 28:22 (Heb. abaddon) is sheol, the realm of the dead.

in [the] whip of [the] tongue you will be hidden and not you will be afraid from destruction if it will come
כִּ֣יki if H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
in [the] whip of [the] tongue you will be hidden and not you will be afraid from destruction if it will come
יָבֽוֹא׃ya.Vo' it will come H935 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
2,573× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Amplified meaning
approaches, arrives
Tyndale gloss
Lebo
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בּוֹא (bo) is a Hebrew verb meaning to come or go in, with a wide range of applications including entering, arriving, and bringing in. It can refer to both physical movement and abstract concepts like events coming to pass. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to come), Hiphil (to cause to come), and Hophal (to be brought). There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בּוֹא 2569 vb. come in, come, go in, go

Qal

come in

come (approach, arrive)

go, i.e. walk, associate with

go from speaker, but with limit of motion given

Hiph.

cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)

cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)

Hoph.

be brought in (of pers. and things)

be brought

be introduced, put

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H935 בּוֹא come in, come, go in, go .. come in

. come (approach, arrive)

. go, i.e. walk, associate with

. go from speaker, but with limit of motion given

. . cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)

. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)

. . be brought in (of pers. and things)

. be brought

. be introduced, put

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

935 bow' bo

a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of

applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, +

besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X

certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out,

upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ,

(cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be

fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war),

grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention,

pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken

(in age), X surely, take (in), way.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): come.

: come/go_in

1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to enter, come in

1a2) to come

1a2a) to come with

1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)

1a2c) to come to pass

1a3) to attain to

1a4) to be enumerated

1a5) to go

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to lead in

1b2) to carry in

1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon

1b4) to bring to pass

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be brought, brought in

1c2) to be introduced, be put

לְב֥וֹא (bo) — Lebo-(Hamath).

This name means to go in, enter

Combined with cha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574)

בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): towards.

: towards/entrance

1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to enter, come in

1a2) to come

1a2a) to come with

1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)

1a2c) to come to pass

1a3) to attain to

1a4) to be enumerated

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kum: The translation of many Hebrew and Greek words. In the phrase "The Spirit of Yahweh came mightily upon him" (Jud 14:6,19; 15:14; 1Sa 10:10; 11:6; 16:13), the word is tsaleah; Jud 14:6; 15:14 "came mightily," which is the uniform translation of the Revised Version (British and American) (compare Jud 13:25 "to move," i.e. to disturb or stir up). In Jud 6:34; 1Ch 12:18; 2Ch 24:20, it is labhesh, "to clothe"; the Revised Version, margin "The Spirit .... clothed itself with Gideon" and .... "with Zechariah,"…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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