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Job 6:11 — Word Study

Depth

WLCמַה־ כֹּחִ֥י כִֽי־ אֲיַחֵ֑ל וּמַה־ קִּ֝צִּ֗י כִּֽי־ אַאֲרִ֥יךְ נַפְשִֽׁי׃

BSAWhatmâh [in what way, to what extent] strength do I havekôach [power, ability] thatkîy I should still hopeyâchal [continue to, persist in, wait, trust, have expectation] Whatmâh [kind of, what manner of] is my futureqêts [end, outcome] thatkîy Inephesh should be patientʼârak [remain, continue to be, wait, endure, prolong my life]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 6
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 11 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 (naf.Shi) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 6:11quick helps
In a sentenceJob expresses despair over his strength and future, questioning his ability to hope and endure.
Who is speakingJob, in a moment of deep anguish.
Where we areJob's lament, reflecting on his suffering and the seeming futility of hope.
The hard wordכֹּחִ֥י
Take awayJob feels powerless and questions the value of his endurance.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָחַל 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 6:11

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 Lamentgenerated

10It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?
12Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?
13Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?

Job 6:11 captures Job's struggle as he grapples with his suffering and the uncertainty of his future. He questions his strength to continue hoping amidst his pain, reflecting a profound sense of despair. This passage is part of a larger discourse where Job articulates his anguish and seeks understanding of his plight, as seen in the surrounding verses that further elaborate on his condition and feelings of abandonment.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 7:5–7My flesh is clothed with worms and encrusted with dirt; my skin is cracked and festering.
2Job 10:20Are my days not few? Withdraw from me, that I may have a little comfort,
3Job 13:25–28Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?
4Job 17:1–14“My spirit is broken; my days are extinguished; the grave awaits me.
5Psalm 39:5You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah

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


The Key Word כֹּחִ֥י, ko.Chigenerated

The word כֹּחַ (koach) signifies strength or power, encompassing both physical and metaphorical dimensions. It is often used to describe the might of humans, angels, or God, and can also refer to the vitality of living beings or the productivity of the earth. In this verse, Job uses it to express his feeling of weakness in the face of overwhelming circumstances.

The parsing as a noun in the singular construct form indicates that Job is referring specifically to his own strength, which he feels is inadequate. This word evokes a sense of fragility and vulnerability, especially in the context of his suffering.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which translates כֹּחִ֥י as strength.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse consists of two main clauses, each beginning with an interrogative word: מַה־ (mah-) introduces the first question about strength, and וּמַה־ (u.mah-) introduces the second question about the future. This structure emphasizes Job's uncertainty and despair.

The finite verbs אֲיַחֵ֑ל ('a.ya.Chel) and אַאֲרִ֥יךְ ('a.'a.Rikh) indicate Job's actions of waiting and prolonging, which are central to his lament. The clauses are interconnected, reflecting his internal struggle.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates כֹּחִ֥י as μου (mou), meaning 'my strength'. This choice highlights a personal connection to the concept of strength, emphasizing Job's individual experience of powerlessness.

The Greek word ἀνέξεταί (anexetai) for 'I will prolong' suggests a similar sense of enduring through hardship, aligning with Job's feelings of needing to wait through his suffering.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 6:11 shows Job questioning his strength and future amid his suffering. He wonders if he has the power to hope and endure, reflecting his deep despair and uncertainty about life.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job mean by 'What strength do I have'?

Job is expressing his feeling of weakness and questioning his ability to continue hoping in his dire situation.

Why does Job ask about his future?

Job is uncertain about what lies ahead and is grappling with the pain of his current circumstances.

What does it mean to 'be patient' in this context?

To be patient here means to endure suffering and wait for relief, which Job feels is a daunting task.

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Job's suffering?

This verse encapsulates Job's struggle with despair and his questioning of hope, which is a central theme throughout the book.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I feel a lack of strength or hope?
  2. How can I find patience in my own struggles, similar to Job's experience?
  3. What does it mean to endure in the face of hardship?
  4. How can I support others who are feeling hopeless or powerless?

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

Gregory the Dialogist comments on Job's lament, emphasizing the distinction between the strength of the righteous and the reprobate.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book VII c. 540–604
What is my strength, that I should hold up? And what is mine end that I should deal patiently? It is necessary to bear in mind, that the 'strength' of the righteous is of one sort, and the strength of the reprobate of another.
Early Church Fathers on Job 6 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 6:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

What [is] my strength, that I should hope?.... For a perfect restoration of health, suggested by Eliphaz; since it was so sadly weakened by the present affliction, which made death more desirable

Read John Gill on Job 6 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life? What is my strength - so as to warrant the hope of restoration to health? a hope which Eliphaz had suggested.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 6 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

My strength is so small and spent, that although I may linger a while in my torments, yet I cannot live long, and therefore it is vain and absurd for me to hope for such a restitution of my strength and prosperity as thou hast promised to me, , &c.; and therefore I justly pray that God would take away my life. What is mine end? either, 1. What is the end or period of my miseries? when may I expect it? I see no end of them; I know not how long I may pine and linger in them. Therefore, Lord, take me speedily away. Or, 2. What is the end of my life? or what is death to me? It is not terrible, but comfortable, as he said, . I need not those vain consolations which thou givest me of being kept…

Read Matthew Poole on Job 6 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 6:11 What [is] my strength, that I should hope? and what [is] mine end, that I should prolong my life?Ver. 11. What is my strength, that I should hope?] q.d. Thou hast told me, O Eliphaz, that if I frame to a patient and peaceable behaviour under God’ s chastisement, I shall go to my grave in a good old age, &c., but, alas, it is now past time of day with me for that matter: "my breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me," Job 17:1. Were I as young and lusty as ever I have been, some such things as ye have promised me might be hoped for; but, alas, the map of age is figured on my forehead, the calendars of death appear in the furrows of my face, besides my many…

Read John Trapp on Job 6 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) Prolong my life.—This is the literal rendering; but some understand be patient, as in our phrase, long-suffering.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 6 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 11. What is my strength] I can never suppose that my strength will be restored; and, were that possible, have I any comfortable prospect of a happy termination of my life? Had I any prospect of future happiness, I might well bear my present ills; but the state of my body and the state of my circumstances preclude all hope.

Read AdamClarke on Job 6 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Ch. Job 6:1-13. Job defends the violence of his complaints and his despair Eliphaz had made no reference directly to sin on Job’s part; but he drew dark pictures of the evilness of human nature before the eye of his friend, and for his advantage. Job shews a dislike to touch this point. His dislike is that of a man conscious of his innocence, and who can hardly believe that his friends seriously mean what their indirect allusions seem to imply. Hence he attaches his reply to what Eliphaz had openly expressed, namely, his wonder at the despair of Job and his blameable impatience. The idea of his having sinned he touches only in passing and with strong repudiation of it (ch. Job 6:28-30).…

Read Cambridge on Job 6 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

What is my strength, that I should hope? - Job had hitherto borne his trials without apprehension that he would lose his constancy of hope, or his confidence in God.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 6 →

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

What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

WEBWorld English Bible2000

What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

NETBNew English Translation2006

What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

RVARevised Version, American1894

What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is mine end, at I should be patient?

NWBWebster's Bible1833

What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

GNVGeneva Bible1599

What power haue I that I should endure? or what is mine end, if I should prolong my life?

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should have patience?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

What [is] my power that I should hope? And what mine end That I should prolong my life?

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

What [is] my power that I should hope? And what [is] my end that I should prolong my life?

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

What is my strength, that I should wait? and what my end, that I should yet longer retain my patience?

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

What is my strength, that I should try to wait? What is my end, that I should prolong my life?

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

For what is my strength, that I can hold out? or what is my end that I should keep patience?

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Why should I go on waiting when I don't have the strength? Why should I keep going when I don't know what is going to happen to me?

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Have I strength to go on waiting, or have I any end to be looking forward to?

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.

clauseclausepredicateמַהwhat?noun phrase · subjectכֹּחִ֥strengthי[is].myclauseכִֽי(cmp)clauseverbאֲיַחֵ֑לI.will.waitוּandclauseclausepredicateמַהwhat?noun phrase · subjectקִּ֝צִּ֗endי[is].myclauseכִּֽי(cmp)clauseverbאַאֲרִ֥יךְI.will.prolongnoun phrase · objectנַפְשִֽׁlifeיmy

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 wording of Job 6:11, with all nine words matched in the Hebrew text. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of Job's lament across these traditions.

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

מַה־ כֹּחִ֥י כִֽי־ אֲיַחֵ֑ל וּמַה־ קִּ֝צִּ֗י כִּֽי־ אַאֲרִ֥יךְ נַפְשִֽׁי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
מַה־τίςכֹּחִ֥יμουכִֽי־ὅτιאֲיַחֵ֑לὑπομένωוּמַה־τίςקִּ֝צִּ֗יμουכִּֽי־ὅτιאַאֲרִ֥יךְἀνέξεταίנַפְשִֽׁי׃μου

9 of the 9 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 6:11מָהwhat?what?מָהכֹּחַ[is] streng[is] strength mכֹּחַכִּיthatthatכִּייָחַלI will waitI will waitיָחַלמָהand what?and what?מָהקֵץ[is] end my[is] end myקֵץכִּיthatthatכִּיאָרַךְI will prolI will prolongאָרַךְנֶ֫פֶשׁlife mylife myנֶ֫פֶשׁקָצַץto cutto cutקָצַץנָפַשׁbe refreshbe refreshedנָפַשׁכָּ֫כָהthusthusכָּ֫כָהפָּעַלto workto workפָּעַליָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעעָצַרto restraito restrainעָצַרזְרוֹעַarmarmזְרוֹעַהָמָהto roarto roarהָמָהקָוָהto awaitto awaitקָוָהאַרְבָּעִיםfortyfortyאַרְבָּעִיםמַ֫עַןbecausebecauseמַ֫עַןאֲדָמָהland: soilland: soilאֲדָמָהבָּקַשׁto seekto seekבָּקַשׁחַיalivealiveחַי
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 6:11

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.

what? [is] strength my that I will wait and what? [is] end my that I will prolong life my
מַה־mah- what? H4100 Pronoun
753× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Amplified meaning
in what way, to what extent
Tyndale gloss
what?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught

interrog. what?

Used adverbially

Indef. pron.

With preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?

. Used adverbially

. Indef. pron.

. With preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4100 mah maw

or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a

primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including

how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including

how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even

relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various

adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-

soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),

whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָה (mah) — what?.

interr pron

1) what, how, of what kind

1a) (interrogative)

1a1) what?

1a2) of what kind

1a3) what? (rhetorical)

1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what

1b) (adverb)

1b1) how, how now

1b2) why

1b3) how! (exclamation)

1c) (with prep)

1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?

1c2) because of what?

1c3) the like of what?

1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?

1c3b) for how long?

1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?

1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?

indef pron

2) anything, aught, what may

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Pronoun
HPi
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
what? [is] strength my that I will wait and what? [is] end my that I will prolong life my
כֹּחִ֥יko.Chi [is] strength my H3581 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
126× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Koach means strength or power, referring to human, angelic, or God's might. It can also describe the strength of animals or the produce of soil.
Amplified meaning
power, ability
Tyndale gloss
reptile
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּחַ (koach) refers to both a small reptile, likely a type of lizard, and the concepts of strength and power. The entries highlight its use in contexts of human and divine strength, as well as its association with wealth and capacity. Notably, it appears in Leviticus 11:30 regarding unclean animals.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּחַ n.[m.] a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things Lv 11:30; chameleon

ref

כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ n.m. strength, power

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3581a כֹּחַ a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things; chameleon H3581b כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ strength, power

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3581 koach ko'-akh

or (Dan. 11:6) kowach {ko'-akh}; from an unused root meaning

to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense)

or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its

hardiness) a large lizard: -ability, able, chameleon, force,

fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — reptile.

1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean

1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown

כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — strength.

1) strength, power, might

1a) human strength

1b) strength (of angels)

1c) power (of God)

1d) strength (of animals)

1e) strength, produce, wealth (of soil)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
what? [is] strength my that I will wait and what? [is] end my that I will prolong life my
כִֽי־khi- that 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
what? [is] strength my that I will wait and what? [is] end my that I will prolong life my
אֲיַחֵ֑ל'a.ya.Chel I will wait H3176 Verb · Piel · imperfect first person common singular
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To wait or be patient is the meaning of this verb, used to describe hoping or trusting in something, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
continue to, persist in, wait, trust, have expectation
Tyndale gloss
to wait: wait
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָחַל (yachal) is a Hebrew verb that means to wait, with implications of hope and patience. It has various forms: in the Niphal it means to wait, while in the Piel and Hiphil it conveys waiting for or hoping for something. The entries indicate a range of meanings related to expectation and trust.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָחַל] vb. Niph. wait; Pi. await

Niph. wait

Pi.

wait, tarry for

wait for = hope for

Hiph. wait, tarry

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3176 יָחַל Niph. wait; Pi. await

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3176 yachal yaw-chal'

a primitive root; to wait; by implication, to be patient,

hope:--(cause to, have, make to) hope, be pained, stay, tarry,

trust, wait.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָחַל (ya.chal) — to wait: wait.

: wait[for_time]

1) to wait, hope, expect

1a) (Niphal) to wait

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to wait, await, tarry

1b2) to wait for, hope for

1c) (Hiphil) to wait, tarry, wait for, hope for

Also means: ya.chal (יָחַל ": hope" H3176H)

יָחַל (ya.chal) — to wait: hope.

: hope/trust

1) to wait, hope, expect

1a) (Niphal) to wait

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to wait, await, tarry

1b2) to wait for, hope for

1c) (Hiphil) to wait, tarry, wait for, hope for

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Piel · imperfect first person common singular
HVpi1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wat:

1. The Substantive:

The word is used in the Old Testament both as a substantive add as a verb. In the New Testament it appears as a verb only. 'erebh, ma'arabh, mean a concealed hiding-place for purposes of sudden attack, an ambuscade.

(1) "Lie in wait": "Abimelech rose up .... from lying in wait" (Jud 9:35 the King James Version); "When they .... abide in the covert to lie in wait" (Job 38:40).

(2) "Lay wait": "They compassed him in, and laid wait for him" (Jud 16:2).

2. The Verb:

(1) sharath, "to serve," "to minister," to act in the capacity of servant or attendant: "These waited on the king" (2Ch 17:19). Used especially in this sense with regard to the ceremonial service…

what? [is] strength my that I will wait and what? [is] end my that I will prolong life my
וּמַה־u.mah- and what? H4100 Conjunction · pronoun
753× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Amplified meaning
kind of, what manner of
Tyndale gloss
what?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught

interrog. what?

Used adverbially

Indef. pron.

With preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?

. Used adverbially

. Indef. pron.

. With preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4100 mah maw

or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a

primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including

how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including

how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even

relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various

adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-

soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),

whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָה (mah) — what?.

interr pron

1) what, how, of what kind

1a) (interrogative)

1a1) what?

1a2) of what kind

1a3) what? (rhetorical)

1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what

1b) (adverb)

1b1) how, how now

1b2) why

1b3) how! (exclamation)

1c) (with prep)

1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?

1c2) because of what?

1c3) the like of what?

1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?

1c3b) for how long?

1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?

1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?

indef pron

2) anything, aught, what may

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · pronoun
HC/Pi
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
what? [is] strength my that I will wait and what? [is] end my that I will prolong life my
קִּ֝צִּ֗יki.Tzi [is] end my H7093 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
67× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The end refers to the extremity or conclusion of something, whether in time or space. It can also mean after or at the border of something, as in the utmost end of a process.
Amplified meaning
end, outcome
Tyndale gloss
end
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קֵץ (qets) means 'end,' typically referring to a point in time or space. It is often used in the phrase מִקֵּץ, meaning 'at the end of a definite time.' The word is derived from a root that implies extremity or limit.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קֵץ 68 n.m. end

end, usu. of time, esp. in phr. מִקֵּץ at the end of a definite time

end, in space

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7093 קֵץ end . end, usu. of time, esp. in phr. מִקֵּץ at the end of a definite time

. end, in space

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7093 qets kates

contracted from 7112; an extremity; adverbially (with

prepositional prefix) after:--+ after, (utmost) border, end,

(in-)finite, X process.

see HEBREW for 07112

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קֵץ (qets) — end.

1) end

1a) end, at the end of (of time)

1b) end (of space)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
what? [is] strength my that I will wait and what? [is] end my that I will prolong life my
כִּֽי־ki- that 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
what? [is] strength my that I will wait and what? [is] end my that I will prolong life my
אַאֲרִ֥יךְ'a.'a.Rikh I will prolong H748 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect first person common singular
34× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to prolong or make something long, whether it's a physical object, a period of time, or a person's life, as seen in the book of Genesis where God prolongs the lives of the patriarchs. In Exodus, it describes the lengthening of the Israelites' stay in Egypt.
Amplified meaning
remain, continue to be, wait, endure, prolong my life
Tyndale gloss
to prolong
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָרַךְ (arak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be long or to prolong, often in relation to time. It can denote both a literal and figurative sense of lengthening, such as prolonging days or making tent cords longer. The entries indicate that it is primarily used in the Qal and Hiphil stems, with a focus on duration and continuation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָרַךְ, אָרֵךְ] vb. be long, almost alw. of time

Qal be long

Hiph.

trans. prolong

intrans. grow long, continue long

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H748 [אָרַךְ, אָרֵךְ] be long, almost alw. of time .be long

. . trans. prolong

. intrans. grow long, continue long

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

748 'arak aw-rak'

a primitive root; to be (causative, make) long (literally or

figuratively):--defer, draw out, lengthen, (be, become, make,

pro-)long, + (out-, over-)live, tarry (long).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָרַךְ (a.rakh) — to prolong.

1) to be long, prolong

1a) (Qal) to be long

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to prolong (days)

1b2) to make long (tent cords)

1b3) to grow long, continue long

Aramaic equivalent: a.rakh (אֲרִיךְ "be proper" H0749)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect first person common singular
HVhi1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

pro-long' ('arakh, mashakh): "Prolong," "prolonged" are the translations of 'arakh, "to stretch," "to make long" (De 4:26, and frequently, "prolong days"; De 4:40, etc.; Job 6:11 the King James Version; Pr 28:16; Ec 7:15; 8:13; Isa 53:10); of mashakh, "to draw out" (Isa 13:22; Eze 12:25,28 the King James Version); of yacaph, "to add," "to increase" (Ps 61:6;

what? [is] strength my that I will wait and what? [is] end my that I will prolong life my
נַפְשִֽׁי׃naf.Shi life my H5315 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
754× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Tyndale gloss
soul
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion

= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

The נפשׁ becomes a living being

The נפשׁ is specif.

The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

נ׳ in D

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

. The נפשׁ becomes a living being

. The נפשׁ is specif.

. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

. נ׳ in D

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5315 nephesh neh'-fesh

from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of

(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,

accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,

appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,

X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),

(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,

mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,

thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,

thing, (X she) will, X would have it.

see HEBREW for 05314

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

1g1) uncertain

1h) activity of the will

1h1) uncertain

1i) activity of the character

1i1) uncertain

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp1bs
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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