Job 8:7 — Word Study
WLCוְהָיָ֣ה רֵאשִׁיתְךָ֣ מִצְעָ֑ר וְ֝אַחֲרִיתְךָ֗ יִשְׂגֶּ֥ה מְאֹֽד׃
BSAThough your beginningsrêʼshîyth [small, humble, from modest circumstances] werehâyâh modestmitsʻâr [little, of small account] your latter daysʼachărîyth [end, final outcome, what comes after] will flourishsâgâh▸ [increase greatly, become very prosperous, grow exceedingly]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְהָיָ֣ה | and it will be | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect third person masculine singular |
| רֵאשִׁיתְךָ֣ | beginning your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| מִצְעָ֑ר | a small thing | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְ֝אַחֲרִיתְךָ֗ | and future your | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| יִשְׂגֶּ֥ה | it will grow | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| מְאֹֽד׃ | exceedingly |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Though your beginnings were modest, your latter days will flourish. |
| KJV | Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. |
| ASV | And though thy beginning was small, Yet thy latter end would greatly increase. |
| YLT | And thy beginning hath been small, And thy latter end is very great. |
| WEB | Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase. |
| BBE | And though your start was small, your end will be very great. |
The translations agree on the promise of flourishing, with no significant differences noted.
The structure presents a contrast between the modest beginnings and the flourishing future, highlighting the transformation expected.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהָיָה
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 8:7
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 Dialogue on Suffering and Restorationgenerated
Job 8:7 is part of a conversation where Bildad responds to Job's expressions of despair. He emphasizes that even if Job's current state is lowly, there is hope for a flourishing future. This reflects a common theme in the book of Job regarding the relationship between righteousness, suffering, and divine restoration. Bildad encourages Job to reflect on the wisdom of past generations as a source of understanding and hope.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 42:12–13 | So the LORD blessed Job’s latter days more than his first. He owned 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. |
| 2 | Proverbs 4:18 | The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. |
| 3 | Zechariah 4:10 | For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven eyes of the LORD, which scan the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.” |
| 4 | Matthew 13:12–31 | Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 8:16 | He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers had not known, in order to humble you and test you, so that in the end He might cause you to prosper. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יִשְׂגֶּ֥ה, yis.Gehgenerated
The verb יִשְׂגֶּ֥ה (yis.Geh) is in the imperfect tense, indicating an action that is expected to occur in the future. It conveys the idea of growth or increase, suggesting that something will become greater or more prosperous over time.
This word is derived from the root שָׂגָה (sagah), which means to grow or increase. The implication here is that despite humble beginnings, there is an expectation of significant growth and prosperity in the latter days.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This analysis uses the Berean Standard Bible as the base text, which states, 'your latter days will flourish.' The KJV and ASV agree with this rendering, maintaining the same promise of future prosperity.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יִשְׂגֶּ֥ה (it will grow) governs the main clause, indicating the future outcome based on the preceding conditions. The structure emphasizes the contrast between the humble beginnings and the expected flourishing.
The sentence is straightforward, with a clear subject and verb, allowing the reader to grasp the hopeful message of restoration easily.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb יִשְׂגֶּ֥ה is rendered as ἀμύθητα (amythēta), which conveys a sense of abundance or immeasurable growth. This choice suggests a broader interpretation of flourishing, emphasizing not just growth but an overwhelming increase.
This translation indicates a widening of the concept from mere growth to an idea of prosperity that is beyond measure.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 8:7 tells us that even if your beginnings are small and humble, there is hope that your future will be prosperous and flourishing. This verse encourages reflection on the potential for growth and restoration, reminding us that circumstances can change for the better.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It refers to starting from a place of humility or smallness, which can be seen in various aspects of life.
This suggests that with perseverance and faith, one can experience growth and prosperity in the future.
To flourish means to grow vigorously or thrive, indicating a positive transformation from a modest start.
Considering the wisdom and experiences of past generations can provide insights and encouragement for our own circumstances.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What humble beginnings have I experienced in my own life, and how have they shaped me?
- In what areas of my life do I hope to see growth and flourishing in the future?
- How can I encourage others who may be struggling with modest beginnings?
- What lessons can I learn from past generations that apply to my current situation?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentary on this verse highlights the theme of transformation from small beginnings to significant outcomes, as seen in the writings of Gregory the Dialogist.
Insomuch that though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end shall greatly increase. But if it is counsel within the soul that he calls 'the habitation of righteousness,' the leaders of false opinions promise afflicted Catholics 'the…Early Church Fathers on Job 8 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 8:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThough thy beginning was small,.... When, he first set out in the world; and which though it greatly increased, and he was the greatest man in all the east, yet Bildad suggests, should he behave
Read John Gill on Job 8 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThough thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. Thy beginning - the beginning of thy new happiness after restoration. Latter end.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 8 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe sense is either, 1. Though thou hadst possessed but very little at first, yet God would have wonderfully blessed and increased thy estate; whereas now God hath brought thee down from a great estate almost to nothing; which is an evidence of his displeasure, and thy hypocrisy. Or, 2. Though the beginning of thy future fortunes, or though what thou hast left, be now very small, yet if thou dost repent and seek God, it shall vastly increase.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 8 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 8:7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.Ver. 7. Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase] Thy recent losses God will recompense with interest; and the felicity which he prepareth for thee shall be far greater than the loss whereof thou dost now regret; for he will enrich thee to admiration, thy latter end shall be ineffable (so the Septuagint have it), such as none shall be able to utter or describe, ταεσχατασουαμυθητα. See Job 40:10; Job 40:12. The day of small things is not to be despised, Zechariah 4:10. Every former mercy is a pledge of a future; and to him that hath shall be given. God delighteth to help his…
Read John Trapp on Job 8 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 7. Though thy beginning was small] Thy former state, compared to that into which God would have brought thee, would be small; for to show his respect for thy piety, because thou hadst, through thy faithful attachment to him, suffered the loss of all things, he would have greatly multiplied thy former prosperity, so that thou shouldest now have vastly more than thou didst ever before possess.
Read AdamClarke on Job 8 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges7. thy beginning] i. e., thy former estate, before affliction; similarly “latter end” (read: thy latter end shall greatly increase) is said of his future condition of prosperity; see the same use of the words ch. Job 42:12. The verse means that his former estate shall seem small in comparison with the splendour of his renewed prosperity. It is curious that the Author here allows Bildad to utter a prophecy, the literal fulfilment of which, though not through the means suggested by Bildad, he takes care expressly to chronicle.
Read Cambridge on Job 8 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThough thy beginning was small - On the supposition that the children of Job had been cut off, his family now was small.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 8 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible7. Though — And if. An unconscious prophecy of what actually took place.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 8 →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
Though your beginnings were modest, your latter days will flourish.
Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.
Though your beginnings were modest, your latter days will flourish.
Your beginning will seem so small, since your future will flourish.
Tyndale line
Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
And though thy beginning was small, Yet thy latter end would greatly increase.
And though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end would greatly increase.
And though thy beginning be small, yet thy latter ende shall greatly encrease.
Strictly literal
And though thy beginning was small, yet thine end shall be very great.
And thy beginning hath been small, And thy latter end is very great.
And your beginning has been small, || And your latter end is very great.
And thy beginning will have been small; because thy latter end will grow up greatly.
Even though your beginning was small, still your final condition would be much greater.
From the Latin
Insomuch, that if thy former things were small, thy latter things would be multiplied exceedingly.
Simplified
Though you began with next to nothing, you will end up with so much!
And though your start was small, your end will be very great.
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 largely agree in their wording, with five out of six words matched. The differences in word order and articles reflect the distinct syntactical style of the Greek translation, but the core message remains consistent across both texts.
וְהָיָ֣ה רֵאשִׁיתְךָ֣ מִצְעָ֑ר וְ֝אַחֲרִיתְךָ֗ יִשְׂגֶּ֥ה מְאֹֽד׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 8:7
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 הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Conj | V-Qal-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqq3ms
רֵאשִׁית (re'shiyth) means 'beginning' or 'chief.' It is derived from a root meaning 'first' and covers concepts like the first in time, order, or rank, including firstfruits. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to primacy and importance.
רֵאשִׁית n.f. beginning, chief
beginning
first
first, chief
base
H7225 רֵאשִׁית beginning, chief . . beginning
. first
. first, chief
7225 re'shiyth ray-sheeth'
from the same as 7218; the first, in place, time, order or
rank (specifically, a firstfruit):--beginning, chief(-est),
first(-fruits, part, time), principal thing.
see HEBREW for 07218
רֵאשִׁית (re.shit) — first: beginning.
: beginning
1) first, beginning, best, chief
1a) beginning
1b) first
1c) chief
1d) choice part
Also means: re.shit (רֵאשִׁית ": best" H7225H)
רֵאשִׁית (re.shit) — first: best.
: best
1) first, beginning, best, chief
1a) beginning
1b) first
1c) chief
1d) choice part
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
מִצְעָר (mits'ar) refers to something small or petty, both in size and number. It can also denote a short duration of time, as in a 'little while.' The word is derived from another Hebrew root, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage in specific verses.
מִצְעָר n.m. a small thing
base
H4705 מִצְעָר a small thing
4705 mits`ar mits-awr'
from 6819; petty (in size or number); adverbially, a short
(time):--little one (while), small.
see HEBREW for 06819
מִצְעָר (mits.ar) — little.
1) a small thing
1a) small thing
1b) little while (of time)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
אַחֲרִית (achariyth) means 'end' or 'after-part' and encompasses concepts like the future, posterity, and remnants. It can refer to the last time or the latter part of events, often with prophetic implications. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to be behind' and is noted in various contexts, including discussions of time and lineage.
אַחֲרִית 61 n.f. after-part, end
base
H319 אַחֲרִית after-part, end
319 'achariyth akh-ar-eeth'
from 310; the last or end, hence, the future; also
posterity:--(last, latter) end (time), hinder (utter) -most,
length, posterity, remnant, residue, reward.
see HEBREW for 0310
אַחֲרִית (a.cha.rit) — end.
1) after part, end
1a) end, issue, event
1b) latter time (prophetic for future time)
1c) posterity
1d) last, hindermost
Aramaic equivalent: a.cha.rit (אַחֲרִית "latter" H0320)
Conj | N-fs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncfsc/Sp2ms
שָׂגָא (sagah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to grow or increase. It can refer to the growth of plants or the figurative sense of becoming great or magnified. The entries indicate its use in both the Qal and Hiphil forms, with the latter emphasizing an increase in wealth or status. Notably, Brown-Driver-Briggs mentions a verse about the righteous growing like cedar.
[שָׂגָא] vb. grow, grow great
Qal (of plant)
Hiph.
make great
magnify, laud
base
[שָׂגָה] vb. grow, increase
Qal righteous shall grow great like cedar
Hiph. they have increased riches.
base
H7685a שָׂגָא grow, grow great H7685b שָׂגָה grow, increase
7685 sagah saw-gaw'
a primitive root; to enlarge (especially upward, also
figuratively):--grow (up), increase.
שָׂגָה (sa.gah) — to grow.
1) to grow, increase
1a) (Qal) to grow (of plant)
שָׂגָה (sa.gah) — to increase.
1) to grow, increase
1a) (Qal) to grow (great)
1b) (Hiphil) to increase
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
מְאֹד (m`od) refers to concepts of muchness, force, and abundance. It serves as an adverb meaning exceedingly or greatly, often used to intensify other words. The entries highlight its use in various idioms to express magnitude or degree, with a focus on might and intensity.
מְאֹד n.m. muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly
force, might
in diff. idioms (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)
base
H3966 מְאֹד muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly . force, might
. in diff. idiomns (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)
3966 m`od meh-ode'
from the same as 181; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or
without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly,
speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
superlative; especially when repeated):--diligently,
especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), X
louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so)
sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.
see HEBREW for 0181
מְאֹד (me.od) — much.
adv
1) exceedingly, much
subst
2) might, force, abundance
n m
3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly
3a) force, might
3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree)
3b1) exceedingly
3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly
3b3) with muchness, muchness
HAcmsa — HAcmsa