Job 9:26 — Word Study
WLCחָ֭לְפוּ עִם־ אֳנִיּ֣וֹת אֵבֶ֑ה כְּ֝נֶ֗שֶׁר יָט֥וּשׂ עֲלֵי־ אֹֽכֶל׃
BSAThey sweep bychâlaph■ [like swift ships, rapidly passing] likeʻim boatsʼŏnîyâh of papyrusʼêbeh△ [reed vessels, lightweight and agile] like an eaglenesher [a large bird of prey] swooping downṭûws△▸ [darting, hastening] onʻal its preyʼôkel [food, quarry]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| חָ֭לְפוּ | they have passed on | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| עִם־ | with | Preposition |
| אֳנִיּ֣וֹת | ships of | Noun common, feminine plural construct |
| אֵבֶ֑ה | reed | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| כְּ֝נֶ֗שֶׁר | like an eagle | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| יָט֥וּשׂ | [which] it rushes | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| עֲלֵי־ | on | Preposition |
| אֹֽכֶל׃ | food | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | They sweep by like boats of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey. |
| KJV | They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey. |
| ASV | They are passed away as the swift ships; As the eagle that swoopeth on the prey. |
| YLT | They have passed on with ships of reed, As an eagle darteth on food. |
| WEB | They have passed away as the swift ships, as the eagle that swoops on the prey. |
| BBE | They go rushing on like reed-boats, like an eagle dropping suddenly on its food. |
The translations agree on the imagery of swiftness and the comparisons made by Job.
The sentence contains a main clause followed by two similes that enhance the imagery of life's fleeting nature.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbחָלַף
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
2 of 8 occur nowhere else in the Old Testament — words chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 9:26
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 Reflection on Life's Fleeting Naturegenerated
Job 9:26 illustrates Job's contemplation of the rapid passage of time and life. He compares the swiftness of his days to lightweight papyrus boats and the quick descent of an eagle on its prey, emphasizing the inevitability of life's transience. This theme resonates throughout the book of Job as he grapples with suffering and the search for meaning amidst his trials.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 39:27–30 | Does the eagle soar at your command and make his nest on high? |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 1:23 | Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. |
| 3 | Proverbs 23:5 | When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 4:13 | Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined! |
| 5 | Lamentations 4:19 | Those who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חָלַף, Chal.fugenerated
The verb חָלַף (Chal.fu) means to pass or change, conveying a sense of rapid movement or transition. It captures the essence of fleeting moments, as seen in contexts where time or life slips away. The parsing as a perfect third person plural verb indicates that this action has been completed, reinforcing the idea of life having already passed by.
In poetic literature, this word often evokes imagery of swift movement, suggesting that life, like the objects it describes, is transient and elusive. Job's use of this term highlights his feelings of helplessness as he observes the swift passage of his own days.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered similarly across translations, with the BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all conveying the imagery of swiftness and the comparison to boats and an eagle.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verbs חָ֭לְפוּ and יָט֥וּשׂ govern the structure of the verse, with each verb leading into descriptive phrases. The first verb describes the action of passing, while the second verb conveys the swift movement of the eagle.
The sentence structure emphasizes the comparisons Job makes, using similes to draw vivid pictures of life’s transience through the imagery of ships and birds.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew אֳנִיָּה is rendered as ναυσὶν (naus), meaning 'ships'. This choice aligns with the idea of vessels that navigate swiftly across water, reinforcing the theme of rapid passage.
The Greek word ἀετοῦ (aetou) for 'eagle' reflects the same strong imagery of a bird of prey, capturing the essence of swiftness and predation found in the Hebrew text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 9:26 describes how life passes quickly, comparing it to swift boats made of papyrus and an eagle swooping down to catch its food. Job uses these images to express his feelings about the fleeting nature of his days.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job uses these comparisons to illustrate how quickly life passes by, emphasizing its fleeting and transient nature.
Job is reflecting on his suffering and the brevity of his days, feeling that time slips away without any lasting fulfillment.
Both images evoke speed and the idea of something that is difficult to grasp, mirroring Job's struggles and the challenges he faces in his life.
Job's reflections remind us to consider the fleeting nature of our own lives and the importance of making the most of the time we have.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced the fleeting nature of time in my own life?
- How can I apply the lessons from Job's reflections to my daily routine?
- What are some ways I can appreciate the moments that pass quickly?
- How can I find meaning in the midst of life's transience?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
An early commentary on Job's reflections comes from Gregory the Dialogist, who uses this verse to illustrate the fleeting nature of life and the experiences of those traversing the seas.
They are passed away as the ships carrying fruits. They that traverse seas transporting fruits, do themselves indeed enjoy the smell of the same, but the food thereof they convey to others.Early Church Fathers on Job 9 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 9:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThey are passed away as the swift ships,.... Those that are lightest built, and run swiftest.
Read John Gill on Job 9 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThey are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 9 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleSwift ships, Heb. ships of desire; which make great haste, as if they longed for their desired haven, as it is called, . Or, ships of pleasure; which sail more swiftly than ships of great burden. As the eagle; which generally flies most swiftly, , especially when its own hunger and the sight of its prey quickens its motion.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 9 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 9:26 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle [that] hasteth to the prey.Ver. 26. They are passed away as the swift ships] Heb. They are changed (gliding away insensibly) as the ships of desire (so called, because they seem willing to be at the haven as soon as may be), or as the ships of Ebeh, a very swift river in Arabia, saith Rabbi Solomon; or as the pirate’ s ships, so Broughton, such as are your nimble frigates, fly-boats, and catches, &c. Labitur uncta vadis abies (Virg.). Let our souls be like a ship which is made little and narrow downward; but more wide and broad upward. Let them be ships of desire, hastening heavenward; and then let our days pass away as they…
Read John Trapp on Job 9 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(26) Swift ships.—What is meant by the swift ships, or ships of Desire, no one knows. Literally, ships of Eveh, probably a proper name, and perhaps referring to a particular kind of boat in use on the Nile; if so, this is one instance out of many of Job’s acquaintance with Egypt. The Vulgate has, naves poma portantes. Job is a problem to himself; he is confident of his innocence, and yet he is confident that that very innocence will avail him nothing before God, he is sure that he must be condemned. Now, it is impossible to deny that this is the very attitude of the Gospel; it is, therefore, if we bear in mind the vast antiquity of the confession, both a witness to the truth of the Gospel…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 9 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 26. As the swift ships] אניות אבה oniyoth ebeh. Ships of desire, or ships of Ebeh, says our margin; perhaps more correctly, inflated ships, the sails bellying out with a fair brisk wind, tide favourable, and the vessels themselves lightly freighted. The Vulgate has, Like ships freighted with apples. Ships laden with the best fruits. - TARGUM. Ships well adapted for sailing. - ARABIC. Shipes that be good under sale. - COVERDALE. Probably this relates to the light fast-sailing ships on the Nile, which were made of reeds or papyrus. Perhaps the idea to be seized is not so much the swiftness of the passage, as their leaving no trace or track behind them. But instead of אבה ebeh, איבה…
Read AdamClarke on Job 9 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges26. the swift ships] the ships of reed. These skiffs, constructed of a wooden keel and the rest of reeds, are the “vessels of bulrushes” of Isaiah 18:2. They carried but one or two persons, and being light were extremely swift. The ancients were familiar with them; Plin. xiii. 11, ex ipso quidem papyro navigia texunt; and Lucan, Phars, iv. 36, conseritur bibula Memphitis cymba papyro, (quoted in Gesenius, Com. on Is. i. p. 577). Job as usual heaps images together to picture out the brevity of his life, cf. ch. Job 7:6 seq. Here the images are new, a runner, a skiff of reed, an eagle swooping on his prey.
Read Cambridge on Job 9 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThey are passed away as the swift ships - Margin, Ships of desire; or ships of Ebeh. Hebrew אבה אניה 'onı̂yâh 'êbeh. Vulgate, Naves poma portantes.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 9 →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
They sweep by like boats of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
They have passed away as the swift ships, as the eagle that swoops on the prey.
They sweep by like boats of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
They glide by like reed boats, like an eagle that swoops down on its prey.
Tyndale line
They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
They are passed away as the swift ships; As the eagle that swoopeth on the prey.
They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that swoopeth on the prey.
They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
They are passed as with the most swift ships, and as the eagle that flyeth to the pray.
Strictly literal
They pass by like skiffs of reed; as an eagle that swoops upon the prey.
They have passed on with ships of reed, As an eagle darteth on food.
They have passed on with ships of reed, || As an eagle darts on food.
They hasten along like pirate ships: like the eagle that stoopeth down upon his food.
They are as fast as papyrus reed boats, and as fast as the eagle that swoops down on its victim.
From the Latin
They have passed by as ships carrying fruits, as an eagle flying to the prey.
Simplified
They pass by like fast sailing ships, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
They go rushing on like reed-boats, like an eagle dropping suddenly on its food.
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 (MT) of Job 9:26 reads, "They sweep by like boats of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey," which presents a vivid imagery of swiftness and predation. The Septuagint (LXX) has a different structure and wording, and while it contains some overlapping concepts, its exact phrasing and order do not align directly with the MT. This indicates a variation in translation and interpretation between the two texts, though both convey a sense of rapid movement and the nature of predation. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional evidence for this particular verse, leaving the MT and LXX as the primary witnesses for comparison.
חָ֭לְפוּ עִם־ אֳנִיּ֣וֹת אֵבֶ֑ה כְּ֝נֶ֗שֶׁר יָט֥וּשׂ עֲלֵי־ אֹֽכֶל׃
5 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 9:26
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.
חָלַף (chalaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to pass on or away, with various nuances including to hasten, sprout anew, or change. It can refer to physical movement, such as passing through, as well as metaphorical changes like transgression or renewal. The word appears in poetic contexts and has different forms indicating causation or transformation.
חָלַף vb. pass on or away, pass through (mostly poet.)
Qal
pass on quickly
pass away, vanish
of grass, come on anew, i.e. sprout again
trans.
pass through, i.e. pierce
overstep, transgress
Pi. (cause to pass) change
Hiph.
change (trans.)
shew newness
base
H2498 חָלַף pass on or away, pass through (mostly poet.) .. . pass on quickly
. pass away, vanish
. of grass, come on anew, i.e. sprout again
. trans. . pass through, i.e. pierce
. overstep, transgress
. (cause to pass) change
. . change (trans.)
. shew newness
2498 chalaph khaw-laf'
a primitive root; properly, to slide by, i.e. (by
implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or
change:--abolish, alter, change, cut off, go on forward, grow
up, be over, pass (away, on, through), renew, sprout, strike
through.
חָלַף (cha.laph) — to pass.
1) to pass on or away, pass through, pass by, go through, grow up, change, to go on from
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pass on quickly
1a2) to pass away (vanish)
1a3) to come on anew, sprout again (of grass)
1a4) to pass through
1a5) to overstep, transgress
1b) (Piel) to cause to pass, change
1c) (Hiph)
1c1) to change, substitute, alter, change for better, renew
1c2) to show newness (of tree)
Aramaic equivalent: cha.laph (חֲלַף "to pass" H2499)
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
On
Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…
(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…
See HELIOPOLIS.
pain; force; iniquity
עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.
עִם prep. with
of fellowship and companionship
of aid
Of actions done jointly with another
If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against
Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another
Of a common lot together with the wicked
Of equality or resemblance generally aid
Of time, as long as
Of a locality, close to, beside
Of persons, עִם is spec.
in the house or family or service of
In possession of
In the custody or care of
Beside = except
With = friendly with
Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
base
מֵעִם 72 from with or beside
base
H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship
. Of a locality, close to, beside
. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of
. In possession of
. In the custody or care of
. Beside = except
. With = friendly with
. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside
5973 `im eem
from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction
with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;
often with prepositional prefix (and then usually
unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X
long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from
(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,
with(-al).
see HEBREW for 06004
עִם (im) — with.
1) with
1a) with
1b) against
1c) toward
1d) as long as
מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.
1a) beside, except
1b) in spite of
Prep — PrepositionHR
אֳנִיָּה (oniyah) is a feminine noun meaning 'a ship.' It is derived from the root word for 'ship' and can refer to both the vessel itself and its crew, including seamen. The term appears in contexts related to maritime activities.
אֳנִיָּה n.f. unit. a ship
base
H591 אֳנִיָּה a ship
591 'oniyah on-ee-yaw'
feminine of 590; a ship:--ship((-men)).
see HEBREW for 0590
אֳנִיָּה (o.niy.yah) — fleet.
1) ship
1a) men of ships, seamen
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural constructHNcfpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אֵ֫בֶה (ebeh) refers to a type of plant, specifically reed or papyrus. It is derived from a root meaning to bend toward, indicating its flexible nature. The word appears in Job 9:26, highlighting its use in the context of the Old Testament.
אֵ֫בֶה n.[m.] reed, papyrus Jb 9:26
base
H16 אֵ֫בֶה reed, papyrus
16 'ebeh ay-beh'
from 14 (in the sense of bending toward); the
papyrus:--swift.
see HEBREW for 014
אֵ֫בֶה (e.veh) — papyrus.
reed, papyrus
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
Reed
(1.) “Paper reeds” (Isa. 19:7; R.V., “reeds”). Heb. ‘aroth, properly green herbage growing in marshy places.
(2.) Heb. kaneh (1 Kings 14:15; Job 40:21; Isa. 19:6), whence the Gr. kanna, a “cane,” a generic name for a reed of any kind.
The reed of Egypt and Palestine is the Arundo donax, which grows to the height of 12 feet, its stalk jointed like the bamboo, “with a magnificent panicle of blossom at the top, and so slender and yielding that it will lie perfectly flat under a gust of wind, and immediately resume its upright position.” It is used to illustrate weakness (2 Kings 18:21;
Under this name may be noticed the following Hebrew words: Agmon occurs in (Job 40:12,16; Isaiah 9:14) (Authorized Version "rush"). There can be no doubt that it denotes some aquatic reed-like plant, probably the Phragmitis communis , which, if it does not occur in Palestine and Egypt, is represented by a very closely-allied species, viz., the Arundo isiaca of Delisle. The drooping panicle of this plant will answer well to the "bowing down the head" of which Isaiah speaks. (Isaiah 58:5) Gnome , translated "rush" and "bulrush" by the Authorized Version, without doubt denotes the celebrated paper-reed of the ancients, Papyrus antiquorum , which formerly was common in some parts of Egypt. The papyrus reed is not now found in Egypt; it grows however, in Syria. Dr. Hooker saw it on the banks of Lake Tiberias, a few miles north of the…
Sometimes a stalk or rod of any plant, as of the hyssop, Mt 27:48 Joh 19:29.
Usually, however, the word reed denotes a reed or cane growing in marshy grounds, Job 40:21 Isa 19:6; slender and fragile, and hence taken as an emblem of weakness, 1Ki 18:21 Isa 36:6 Eze 29:6; and of instability, Mt 11:7. "A bruised reed," Isa 42:3 Mt 12:20, is an emblem of a…
נֶשֶׁר (nesher) refers to a griffon-vulture or eagle, derived from a root meaning to lacerate. The term covers large birds of prey, including both eagles and vultures. It has an Aramaic equivalent, נְשַׁר (ne.shar), which also means eagle.
נֶשֶׁר n.m. griffon-vulture, eagle
base
H5404 נֶשֶׁר griffon-vulture, eagle
5404 nesher neh'-sher
from an unused root meaning to lacerate; the eagle (or other
large bird of prey):--eagle.
נֶשֶׁר (ne.sher) — eagle.
eagle, vulture, griffon-vulture
Aramaic equivalent: ne.shar (נְשַׁר "eagle" H5403)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
e'-g'-l (nesher; aetos; Latin aquila): A bird of the genus aquila of the family falconidae.
The Hebrew nesher, meaning "to tear with the beak," is almost invariably translated "eagle," throughout the Bible; yet many of the most important references compel the admission that the bird to which they applied was a vulture.
There were many large birds and carrion eaters flocking over Palestine, attracted by the offal from animals slaughtered for tribal feasts and continuous sacrifice. The eagle family could not be separated from the vultures by their habit of feeding, for they ate the offal from slaughter as well as the vultures. One distinction always holds good. Eagles never flock. They select the tallest trees of the forest, the topmost crag of the mountain, and pairs live in solitude, hunting and feeding singly, whenever possible carrying their prey to the nest so that the young may gain…
Eagle
(Herb. nesher; properly the griffon vulture or great vulture, so called from its tearing its prey with its beak), referred to for its swiftness of flight (Deut. 28:49; 2 Sam. 1:23), its mounting high in the air (Job 39:27), its strength (Ps. 103:5), its setting its nest in high places (Jer. 49:16), and its power of vision (Job 39:27-30).
This “ravenous bird” is a symbol of those nations whom God employs and sends forth to do a work of destruction, sweeping away whatever is decaying and putrescent (Matt.…
(Heb. nesher , i.e. a tearer with the beak). At least four distinct kinds of eagles have been observed in Palestine, viz., the golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos , the spotted eagle, Aquila naevia , the imperial eagle, Aquila heliaca , and the very common Circaetos gallicus . The Hebrew nesher may stand for any of these different species, though perhaps more particular reference to the golden and imperial eagles and the griffon vulture may be intended. The passage in Micah, (Micah 1:16) "enlarge thy baldness as the eagle," may refer to the griffon vulture, Vultur fulvus , in which case the simile is peculiarly appropriate, for the whole head and neck of this bird are destitute of true feathers. The "eagles" of (Matthew 24:28; Luke…
Job 39:27-30, a large and very powerful bird of prey, hence called the King of birds. There are several species of eagle described by naturalists, and it is probable that this word in the Bible comprehends more than one of these. The noble eastern species, called by Mr. Bruce "the golden eagle," measures eight feet four inches from wing to wing; and from the tip of his tail to the point of his beak, when dead, four feet seven inches. Of all known birds, the eagle flies not only the highest, Pr 23:5 Jer 49:16 Ob 1:4, but also with the greatest rapidity. To this circumstance there are several striking allusions in the sacred volume,
טוּשׂ (tuws) is a primitive root meaning to rush or dart, often associated with the swift movement of a bird of prey. The only biblical reference noted is in Job 9:26, where it conveys a sense of haste or rapid action.
[טוּשׂ] vb. rush, dart—only Qal Jb 9:26
ref
H2907 טוּשׂ
2907 tuws toos
a primitive root; to pounce as a bird of prey:--haste.
טוּשׂ (tu.s) — to dart.
(Qal) to dart, flutter, rush
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep — PrepositionHR
On
Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…
(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…
See HELIOPOLIS.
pain; force; iniquity
אֹ֫כֶל (okel) means food and encompasses a range of meanings including meal, meat, and food supply. It is derived from the root word for eating. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, such as meals and victuals, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among the lexicons.
אֹ֫כֶל 40 n.m. food
base
H400 אֹ֫כֶל food
400 'okel o'-kel
from 398; food:--eating, food, meal(-time), meat, prey,
victuals.
see HEBREW for 0398
אֹ֫כֶל (o.khel) — food.
1) food
1a) cereal
1b) meat
2) food supply
3) meal, dinner
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
food:
I. VEGETABLE FOODS
1. Primitive Habits
2. Cereals
3. Leguminous Plants
4. Food of Trees
II. ANIMAL FOOD
LITERATURE
In a previous article (see BREAD) it has been shown that in the Bible "bread" usually stands for food in general and how this came to be so. In a complementary article on MEALS the methods of preparing and serving food will be dealt with. This article is devoted specifically to the foodstuffs of the Orient, more especially to articles of food in use among the Hebrews in Bible times. These are divisible into two main classes.
Food
Originally the Creator granted the use of the vegetable world for food to man (Gen. 1:29), with the exception mentioned (2:17). The use of animal food was probably not unknown to the antediluvians. There is, however, a distinct law on the subject given to Noah after the Deluge (Gen. 9:2-5). Various articles of food used in the patriarchal age are mentioned in Gen. 18:6-8; 25:34; 27:3, 4; 43:11. Regarding the food of the Israelites in Egypt, see Ex. 16:3; Num. 11:5. In the wilderness their ordinary food was miraculously supplied in the manna. They had also quails (Ex.…
The diet of eastern nations has been in all ages light and simple. Vegetable food was more used than animal. The Hebrews used a great variety of articles, (John 21:5) to give a relish to bread. Milk and its preparations hold a conspicuous place in eastern diet, as affording substantial nourishment; generally int he form of the modern leben , i.e. sour milk. Authorized Version "butter;" (Genesis 18:8; Judges 5:25; 2 Samuel 17:29) Fruit was another source of subsistence: figs stood first in point of importance; they were generally dried and pressed into cakes. Grapes were generally eaten in a dried state as raisins. Of vegetables we have most frequent notice of lentils…
In ancient the food of a people was more entirely the product of their own country than in our day. Palestine was favored with an abundance of animal food, grain, and vegetables. But throughout the East, vegetable food is more used than animal. Bread was the principal food. Grain of various kinds, beans, lentils, onions, grapes, together with olive oil, honey, and the milk of goats and cows were the ordinary fare. The wandering Arabs live much upon a coarse black bread. A very common dish in Syria is rice, with shreds of meat, vegetables, olive oil, etc., intermixed. A similar dish, made with beans, lentils, and various kinds of pulse, was in frequent use at an earlier age, Ge 25:29-34 2Ki 4:38-1.