Job 6:24 — Word Study
WLCה֭וֹרוּנִי וַאֲנִ֣י אַחֲרִ֑ישׁ וּמַה־ שָּׁ֝גִ֗יתִי הָבִ֥ינוּ לִֽי׃
BSATeach meyârâh [show me, explain to me] ◂and Iʼănîy [myself, personally] will be silentchârash▸ [hold my tongue, keep quiet] Help me understandbîyn [cause me to understand, make me see] howmâh I have erredshâgâh■ [gone astray, wandered morally]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| ה֭וֹרוּנִי | teach me | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine plural, suffix |
| וַאֲנִ֣י | and I | Conjunction, pronoun |
| אַחֲרִ֑ישׁ | I will keep silent | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect first person common singular |
| וּמַה־ | and what? | Conjunction, pronoun |
| שָּׁ֝גִ֗יתִי | have I erred | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
| הָבִ֥ינוּ | explain | Verb, Hiphil, imperative second person masculine plural |
| לִֽי׃ | to me | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred. |
| KJV | Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. |
| ASV | Teach me, and I will hold my peace; And cause me to understand wherein I have erred. |
| YLT | Shew me, and I — I keep silent, And what I have erred, let me understand. |
| WEB | “Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error. |
| BBE | Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error. |
Translations agree on the key elements of Job's plea for teaching and understanding.
The sentence has a main verb followed by two subordinate phrases, indicating Job's request and his response.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֲנִי
verbחָרֵשׁ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 6:24
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 Plea for Understandinggenerated
Job 6:24 captures Job's desire for clarity regarding his mistakes. He expresses a willingness to listen and learn, indicating his readiness to accept correction and understand his missteps. This plea comes amid his suffering, highlighting his search for truth and understanding in the face of adversity, similar to the reflections found in Psalm 32:8 where God promises to guide those who seek Him.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 5:27 | Indeed, we have investigated, and it is true! So hear it and know for yourself.” |
| 2 | Job 32:11–15 | Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words, |
| 3 | Job 33:1–31 | “But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words. |
| 4 | Job 34:32 | Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’ |
| 5 | Psalm 32:8 | I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — ה֭וֹרוּנִי, Ho.ru.nigenerated
The verb הוֹרוּ (*horu*) is a Hiphil imperative form, meaning 'teach' or 'show.' It implies a request for instruction, emphasizing Job's desire for guidance. The root suggests a literal action of pointing out or directing, which aligns with Job's need for clarity in his situation.
This word is frequently used in contexts of teaching and instruction, indicating that Job is not merely asking for information but for a deeper understanding of his moral failings. His plea reflects a humble approach, as he is ready to remain silent and absorb the lessons he needs to learn.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study references the Berean Standard Bible, which uses teach me and help me understand.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse is built around two main verbs: ה֭וֹרוּנִי and אַחֲרִ֑ישׁ. The first verb, 'teach me,' sets the tone for Job's request, while the second, 'I will keep silent,' indicates his willingness to listen. This pairing emphasizes the relationship between learning and silence.
The sentence includes a direct address to God, showing Job's personal engagement in the conversation. The order of the clauses reflects the urgency and depth of Job's need for understanding.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb הוֹרוּ is rendered as με, which means 'me.' This choice highlights the personal nature of Job's request for teaching, focusing on his individual need for instruction.
The Greek translation does not alter the meaning significantly but emphasizes the relational aspect of Job's plea to God.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 6:24 shows Job asking God to teach him about his mistakes. He promises to be silent and listen, wanting to understand where he has gone wrong. This reflects Job's humility and desire for clarity in his suffering.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is asking God to provide him with understanding and clarity about his errors, indicating his willingness to learn.
Job expresses a readiness to listen and reflect, showing humility and a desire to absorb the lessons he needs to learn.
Job is likely referring to moral or spiritual mistakes he has made, seeking to understand how he has strayed from the right path.
This verse highlights Job's humility and openness to correction, demonstrating his earnest desire for understanding amidst his suffering.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some areas in my life where I need to seek understanding and guidance, like Job?
- How can I practice being silent and listening for wisdom in my own life?
- In what ways have I strayed from the right path, and how can I seek correction?
- How can I cultivate a humble attitude when faced with my mistakes?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist comments on Job's plea, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's errors and the humility required to learn.
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue, and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. It seems doubtful under the scale of what pointing this should hang, whether it be joined to what he had brought in, Did I say,Early Church Fathers on Job 6 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 6:24 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTeach me, and I will hold my tongue,.... Job having made his defence, and which he thought a sufficient one to acquit him of the charge against him; yet to show that he was not stubborn and flexible,
Read John Gill on Job 6 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryTeach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. Irony. If you can teach me the right view, I am willing to be set right and hold my tongue, and to be made to see my error.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 6 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleTeach me; instead of censuring and reproaching, instruct and convince me by solid arguments. I will hold my tongue; I will patiently hear and gladly receive your counsels; or, I will be silent; I will neither contradict you, nor complain of my own griefs. Compare ,5 Proverbs 30:32. Wherein I have erred, i.e. my mistakes and miscarriages.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 6 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 6:24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.Ver. 24. Teach me, and I will hold my tongue] If I be in an error, I am willing to be rectified. Hitherto you have mistook my case; and so your speech hath been to small purpose. But if you will come home to my case indeed, and weigh things in an even balance, I shall gladly submit to your more mature judgment and direction. Teach me, and you shall find that I am not indocible, that I am not as "horse and mule that have no understanding," Psalms 32:9, nor will learn any; much less than the creature called rhinoceros, untameable and untractable. It shall appear to you that I am not utterly…
Read John Trapp on Job 6 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 24. Teach me] Show me where I am mistaken. Bring proper arguments to convince me of my errors; and you will soon find that I shall gladly receive your counsels, and abandon the errors of which I may be convicted.
Read AdamClarke on Job 6 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges14–30. Job’s sorrowful disappointment at the position taken up towards him by his three friends Job had freely expressed his misery in ch. 3, believing that the sympathies of his friends were entirely with him. He is a brother noble, Whose nature is so far from doing harms That he suspects none. Lear, i. 2. And more sorrowful to him than any cold, critical words which they have uttered is the feeling that his friends have taken up such a position against him. This was what he had not looked for. And his disappointment is like that of the thirsty caravan that finds the long-looked-for waters dried up in the heat. Every emotion seems now to find a place in Job’s mind in succession. First, his…
Read Cambridge on Job 6 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleTeach me, and I will hold my tongue - That is, give me any real instruction, or show me what is my duty, and I will be silent.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 6 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleSecond strophe — Their words, far from being forcible, have in them the elements of cruelty, Job 6:24-27.24.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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
Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.
“Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.
Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.
“Teach me and I, for my part, will be silent; explain to me how I have been mistaken.
Tyndale line
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
Teach me, and I will hold my peace; And cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand in what I have erred.
Teach me, and I wil hold my tongue: and cause me to vnderstande, wherein I haue erred.
Strictly literal
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
Shew me, and I — I keep silent, And what I have erred, let me understand.
Show me, and I keep silent, || And what I have erred, let me understand.
Teach me, and I will indeed remain silent; and wherein I erred give me to understand.
Teach me, and I will hold my peace; make me understand where I have been wrong.
From the Latin
Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant in any thing, instruct me.
Simplified
Explain this to me, and I'll be quiet. Show me where I'm wrong.
Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording, with all seven Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of Job's request for teaching and understanding.
ה֭וֹרוּנִי וַאֲנִ֣י אַחֲרִ֑ישׁ וּמַה־ שָּׁ֝גִ֗יתִי הָבִ֥ינוּ לִֽי׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 6:24
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word יָרָא (*yarah*) encompasses meanings related to shooting, pouring, and throwing. It can refer to actions like shooting arrows or casting water, as well as figurative uses such as teaching or directing. The entries indicate that it has both a literal and a figurative range, with roots in the idea of flowing or pointing out.
[יָרָא] vb. shoot, pour
Qal shoot with arrows
Hiph. and they shot at; Pt. pl. the shooters, archers
Hoph. he that watereth shall himself also be watered
base
יָרָה vb. throw, shoot
Qal
throw, cast
cast (= lay, set), corner-stone; pillar
shoot arrows
throw water, rain
Niph. shot through (with arrows)
Hiph.
throw, cast
shoot (arrows)
throw water, rain
point out, shew
direct, teach, instruct
base
H3384a יָרָא shoot, pour H3384b יָרָה throw, shoot .. throw, cast
. cast (= lay, set), corner-stone; pillar
. shoot arrows
. throw water, rain
. shot through (with arrows)
. . throw, cast
. shoot (arrows)
. throw water, rain
. point out, shew
. direct, teach, instruct
3384 yarah yaw-raw'
or (2 Chr. 26:15) yara; {yaw-raw'}; a primitive root;
properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to
lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot);
figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to
teach:--(+) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew,
shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through.
יָרָא (ya.ra) — to shoot.
1) to shoot, pour
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to shoot arrows
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to shoot at
1b2) part. shooter, archer
1c) to throw water, rain
יָרָה (ya.rah) — to show.
1) to point out, show
1b) to direct, teach, instruct
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp | Suff — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine plural · suffixHVhv2mp/Sp1bs
אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I
base
H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I
589 'aniy an-ee'
contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X
which, X who.
see HEBREW for 0595
אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.
I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Conj | Pron — Conjunction · pronounHC/Pp1bs
The Hebrew word חָרַשׁ (*charash*) encompasses meanings related to cutting, engraving, and plowing, as well as devising, often with a negative connotation. It also has a related form, חָרֵשׁ (*charesh*), which means to be silent or deaf. The entries indicate a range of uses, from physical actions to metaphorical implications of secrecy and silence.
[חָרַשׁ] vb. cut in, engrave, plough, devise
Qal
cut in, engrave
plough
devise
Niph. Zion, as a field she shall be ploughed
Hiph. fabricating mischief against
base
[חָרֵשׁ] vb. 1. be silent, dumb, speechless; 2. be deaf; chiefly poet.
Qal
be silent, alw. of God’s keeping silence when men pray
be deaf
Hiph.
be silent (= exhibit silence)
once causat. make silent
be deaf, shew deafness
base
H2790a חָרַשׁ cut in, engrave, plough, devise H2790b חָרֵשׁ . be silent, dumb, speechless
. be deaf; chiefly poet.
2790 charash khaw-rash'
a primitive root; to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to
engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate
(of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad sense);
hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent, to let alone;
hence (by implication) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of
dumbness):--X altogether, cease, conceal, be deaf, devise,
ear, graven, imagine, leave off speaking, hold peace,
plow(-er, man), be quiet, rest, practise secretly, keep
silence, be silent, speak not a word, be still, hold tongue,
worker.
חָרַשׁ (cha.rash) — to plow/plot.
1) to cut in, plough, engrave, devise
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to cut in, engrave
1a2) to plough
1a3) to devise
1b) (Niphal) to be ploughed
1c) (Hiphil) to plot evil
חָרֵשׁ (cha.resh) — be quiet.
1) to be silent, be dumb, be speechless, be deaf
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be silent
1a2) to be deaf
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to be silent, keep quiet
1b2) to make silent
1b3) to be deaf, show deafness
1c) (Hithpael) to remain silent
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect first person common singularHVhi1cs
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.
מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught
interrog. what?
Used adverbially
Indef. pron.
With preps.
base
H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?
. Used adverbially
. Indef. pron.
. With preps.
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.
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
Conj | Part — Conjunction · pronounHC/Pi
שָׁגָה (shagah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to stray or err, often in a moral or mental sense. It can refer to wandering off course, committing sins of ignorance, or leading others astray. The entries highlight its use in both a literal and figurative context, including the idea of intoxication or being enraptured.
[שָׁגָה] vb. go astray, err
Qal
err, stray, of flock
swerve, meander, reel or roll
go astray
specif. commit sin of ignorance, inadvertence
Hiph. lead astray
lit.
mentally = mislead
morally
base
H7686 [שָׁגָה] go astray, err .. err, stray, of flock
. swerve, meander, reel or roll
. go astray
. specif. commit sin of ignorance, inadvertence
. lead astray . lit.
. mentally = mislead
. morally
7686 shagah shaw-gaw'
a primitive root; to stray (causatively, mislead), usually
(figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress;
by extension (through the idea of intoxication) to reel,
(figuratively) be enraptured:--(cause to) go astray, deceive,
err, be ravished, sin through ignorance, (let, make to)
wander.
שָׁגָה (sha.gah) — to wander.
1) to go astray, stray, err
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to err, stray
1a2) to swerve, meander, reel, roll, be intoxicated, err (in drunkenness)
1a3) to go astray (morally)
1a4) to commit sin of ignorance or inadvertence, err (ignorantly)
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to lead astray
1b2) to lead astray, mislead (mentally)
1b3) to lead astray (morally)
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
בִּין vb. discern
Qal
perceive
understand, know (with mind)
observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
have discernment, insight, understanding
Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
Po. he attentively considereth him
Hiph.
understand
give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
give understanding, make understand, teach
Hithp.
shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
get understanding, understand
shew oneself to have understanding
base
H995 בִּין discern .. perceive
. understand, know (with mind)
. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
. have discernment, insight, understanding
. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
. he attentively considereth him
. . understand
. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
. give understanding, make understand, teach
. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
. get understanding, understand
. shew oneself to have understanding
995 biyn bene
a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),
i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,
diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,
have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be
prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,
make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)
wise(-ly, man).
בִּין (bin) — to understand.
1) to discern, understand, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to perceive, discern
1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)
1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider
1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding
1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to understand
1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach
1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently
1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct
2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine pluralHVhv2mp
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
