Job 13:12

זִֽ֭כְרֹנֵיכֶם מִשְׁלֵי אֵ֑פֶר לְגַבֵּי חֹ֝֗מֶר גַּבֵּיכֶֽם

Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

זִֽ֭כְרֹנֵי כֶם

זִֽ֭כְרֹנֵי

Root word memorial, remembrance, remembrances, records

כֶם

Suffix — pronoun your / you (a group)

Dictionary form: זִכְרוֹן · dzik-RONE

Noun — Common, masculine plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: your remembrances

for a memorial ×6 of memorial ×3 a memorial ×2 remembrance ×2 and for a memorial ×1 any remembrance ×1 nor memorial ×1 of remembrance ×1

More options

memorial — Most common sense; a formal, lasting commemoration.

remembrance — Slightly less formal; suited to liturgical or poetic contexts.

record — Emphasizes written or official documentation of an event.

commemoration — Highlights a deliberate act of honoring; ceremonial register.

reminder — Stresses the ongoing prompting function of the object or act.

memory — Broad, natural-sounding choice for narrative or wisdom passages.

BDB2362 H2146

זִכָּרוֺן, זִכָּרֹן noun masculine^{Eccl 1:11} memorial, remembrance (compare Lg^{BN 199, 200}) — absolute זִכָּרוֺן Josh 4:7 +; זִכָּרֹן Exod 28:12 (twice in verse); Exod 28:29 construct זִכְרוֺן Eccl 1:11 + 2 t.; suffix זִכְרוֺנֵךְ Isa 57:8 plural הַזִּכְרֹנוֺת Esth 6:1 suffix זִכְרֹנֵיכֶם Job 13:12 —

1. memorial, reminder:
a. memorial-day Exod 12:14 (P).
b. memorial-usage Exod 13:9 (JE).
c. memorial-objects, altar-plates Num 17:5 (P); stones in Jordan Josh 4:7 (JE); crowns in temple Zech 6:14 ׳ז in Isa 57:8 is symbol of strange god (Di), or perhaps phallus-image, as sign of harlot (Che), compare > Du (who proposes זְכָרוֺן, from זָכָר).
d. memorial-record; in a book Exod 17:14 (E); compare סֵפֶר זִכָּרוֺן Mal 3:16, הַזִּכְרֹנות דברי הימים ׳ס Esth 6:1 memorial, as proof of citizenship Neh 2:20 (|| חֵלֶק, צְדָקָה); reminder of Israel, ׳לִפְנֵי י, of כֶּסֶף הַכִּפֻּרִים Exod 30:16 spoils of war Num 31:54 inscribed stones of ephod Exod 28:12; Exod 28:29, called ׳אַבְנֵי ז vExod 28:12 = Exod 39:7 blowing of trumpets Num 10:10 (foregoing all P), compare זִכְרוֺן תְּרוּעַה Lev 23:24 (H; where, however, no ׳לפני י, see Di); מִנְחַת (ה)זכרון Num 5:15; Num 5:18 (P); memorial-sentence, apophthegm Job 13:12.

**זִכְרֹנֵיכֶם מִשְׁלֵיֿ אֵפֶר Job 13:12 your memorial words are ashen sayings (i.e. worthless), compare Bu Du; Margolis (privately) suggests that ᵐ5 seems to have read יִמָּשֵׁל לְאֵפֶר [? < רָנְּכֶם] רָנְיְכֶם your exultation shall be like ashes.

2. remembrance Eccl 1:11 (construct before preposition Ges^{«GKC:130»§ 130}, 1), vEccl 1:11; Eccl 2:16.

BDB9450 H1799 H2146

[דִּכְרוֺן] noun [masculine] memorandum, record (Biblical Hebrew זִכָּרוֺן, √ זָכַר; compare Nabataean, Palmyrene דבר(ו)ן Lzb²⁶⁸ SAC⁴⁰ Cooke²³⁴ +); — emphatic דִּכְרוֺנָה Ezra 6:2.

memorial, remembrance, remembrances, records

zikrôn

a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)

memorial, reminder, remembrance

מִשְׁלֵי

Root word parable, proverb, proverbs, parables, byword, …

Dictionary form: מָשָׁל · maw-SHAWL

Noun — Common, masculine plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: are like

his parable ×9 proverb ×5 a parable ×4 a proverb ×4 proverbs ×3 and a proverb ×2 so is a parable ×2 the proverbs ×2

More options

proverb — Best for short, pithy wisdom sayings; most common sense.

parable — Use for extended narrative or illustrative comparison.

saying — Neutral, colloquial; fits brief proverbial expressions.

byword — When a person or place becomes a cautionary example.

allegory — Use when the figurative layer is sustained and elaborate.

taunt — Fits contexts of mockery or public ridicule (e.g. Isa 14:4).

BDB4874 H4912

II. מָשָׁל noun masculine^{Isa 14:4} proverb, parable (of sentences constructed in parallelism, usually of Hebrew Wisdom, but occasionally of other types); — absolute ׳מ Ezek 17:2 + 20 t.; construct מְשַׁל 1Sam 24:14 suffix מְשָׁלוֺ Num 23:7 + 8 t.; plural מְשָׁלִים Eccl 12:9 + 2 t.; construct מִשְׁלֵי Prov 1:1 + 3 t.; —

1. proverbial saying, brief terse sentence of popular sagacity 1Sam 10:12; Ezek 12:22; Ezek 12:23; Ezek 18:2; Ezek 18:3 הַקַדְמֹנִי ׳מ 1Sam 24:14 proverb of the ancients.

2. by-word Ps 44:15; Ps 69:12 לְמָשָׁל וְלִשְׁנִינָה Deut 28:37; 1Kgs 9:7; 2Chr 7:20; Jer 24:9 לְאוֺת וּלְמָשָׁל Ezek 14:8

3. prophetic figurative discourse: נָשָׂא מָשָׁל lift up, utter a ׳מ Num 23:7; Num 23:18; Num 24:3; Num 24:15; Num 24:20; Num 24:21; Num 24:23 (all of Balaam); Isa 14:4; Mic 2:4 (|| נהי) Hab 2:6 (|| חידה), (compare Job 27:1; Job 29:1 for same phrase under 6).

4. similitude, parable, Ezek 17:2; Ezek 21:5; Ezek 24:3.

5. poem, of various kinds: the ode (Num 21:27-30), the 3,000 pieces traditionally ascribed to Solomon 1Kgs 5:12, didactic psalms Ps 49:5; Ps 78:2.

6. sentences of ethical wisdom דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים collected in the מִשְׁלֵי שְׁלֹמֹה Prov 10:1; Prov 25:1 (Prov 10:1-22:16 consisting of 376 couplets chiefly antithetical; Prov 25:1-29:200 chiefly couplets of an emblematic type, but also occasional tristichs, tetrastichs, pentastichs, and decastichs. To these are appended דְּבָרִים of a more mixed character as to size and content Prov 30:1-14 vProv 30:15-33; Prov 31:1-9 vProv 31:10-31 the Praise of Wisdom Prov 1:8-9 is prefixed, and an introduction to the whole Prov 1:1-7, in which the whole contents are represented as) משׁלים Prov 1:1, compare vProv 1:6. The references in Job 13:12; Job 27:1; Job 29:1; Prov 26:7; Prov 26:9; Eccl 12:9 are to the same type of wisdom.

parable, proverb, proverbs, parables, byword, …

māšāl

properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)

proverb, parable

proverb, proverbial saying, aphorism

אֵ֑פֶר

Root word ashes

Dictionary form: אֵפֶר · ay-PER

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: unto ashes

and ashes ×6 ashes ×5 the ashes ×3 in ashes ×1 in the ashes ×1 like ashes ×1 me with ashes ×1 on ashes ×1

More options

ashes — Direct modern equivalent; works in nearly all contexts.

ash — Singular collective form; suits poetic or compact phrasing.

cinders — Emphasizes charred remnants; slightly more vivid register.

ash heap — Contextual; ideal when mourning or degradation is in view.

dust and ashes — Captures idiom of human frailty and mortality.

ruins — Metaphorical use; when total destruction is the focus.

BDB683 H665

אֵ֫פֶר noun [masculine] ashes (as light, flying?) — ׳א absolute Gen 18:27 +; construct Num 19:9; Num 19:10 — ashes of red heifer, used in purifications Num 19:9; Num 19:10 on head, as sign of humiliation 2Sam 13:19 contrition Dan 9:3 (|| צוֺם, שַׂק), Jonah 3:6 (|| שַׂק) compare Job 42:6 (׳עָפָר וא), Isa 58:5 (|| שַׂק); mourning Esth 4:1; Esth 4:3 (|| שַׂק) compare Job 2:8 (׳ישׁב בתוך הא), Jer 6:26 (|| שַׂק), Ezek 27:30 (|| עפר); in simile scattereth hoarfrost ׳כָּא Ps 147:16 but also as filthy, loathsome ׳כעפר וא Job 30:19 (Di simile of mourning, grief), as worthless, ׳מִשְׁלֵי א Job 13:12 proverbs of ashes; figurative of worthlessness Isa 44:20 insignificance ׳עפר וא Gen 18:27 ignominy Ezek 28:18; Mal 3:21 distress & sorrow כַּלָּחֶם אָכָ֑לְתִּי ׳א Ps 102:10 (so Assyrian compare Zim^{BP 42}) compare Lam 3:16; Isa 61:3 (פְּאֵר תַּחַת אֵפֶר).

ashes

ʾēper

ashes

ashes

לְ גַבֵּי

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

גַבֵּי

Root word place, rings, bodies, bosses, eyebrows, …

Dictionary form: גַב · ɡahb

Noun — Common, both plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: your bodies

thine eminent place ×2 and his eyebrows ×1 and their backs ×1 and their naves ×1 and their rings ×1 as for their rings ×1 bosses ×1 my back ×1

More options

back — Most common anatomical sense; prefer for body or object.

rim — Best for circular/wheel contexts, e.g. chariot nave rims.

boss — Raised knob or protrusion; good for shield or structural imagery.

ridge — Elevated, elongated surface; suits topographical or architectural use.

raised platform — For cultic or elevated place contexts.

brow — Facial/anatomical use; eyebrow or forehead area.

BDB1411 H1354

גַּב back, etc., see below גבב

[גָּב], גָּבִים see גוב.

BDB1418 H1354

גַּב noun masculine:? compare Ezek 43:13 (feminine^{Ezek 1:18}) anything convex, curved, gibbous, e.g. back, chiefly late; — absolute גָּ֑ב Ezek 16:24 construct גַּב Ezek 43:13 (read גֹּבַהּ ᵐ5 Ew Sm Co); suffix גַּבִּי Ps 129:3, גַּבֵךְ Ezek 16:31; Ezek 16:39 plural construct גַּבֹּת Lev 14:9, גַּבֵּי Job 13:12; Job 15:26 suffix גַּבֵּיהֶם 1Kgs 7:33, גַּבֵּהֶם Ezek 10:12, גַּבֵּיהֶן Ezek 1:18, גַֹּבֹּתָם Ezek 1:18 —

1. back, of man (figurative of Israel) Ps 129:3 apparently of cherubim Ezek 10:12, but Hi Sm emend v. so that ׳גּ refers to wheels, rim see 6 below

2. mound, for illicit worship Ezek 16:24; Ezek 16:31; Ezek 16:39 (all || רמה); ᵐ5 ᵑ9 lupanar, brothel, after analogy of fornix, but this without sufficient proof, & needless.

3. boss, or convex projection, of shield Job 15:26 (figurative) he runneth against him... with the stout bosses of his shields (i.e. wicked against ׳י); so in Arabic in similar phrase; compare also Arabic , shield; also French bouclier from boucle.

4. bulwarks, breastworks, figurative for arguments לְגַבֵּיחֹֿמֶר גַּבֵּיכֶם Job 13:12 breastworks of clay are your breastworks.

5. brow, only גַּבֹּת עֵינָיו Lev 14:9 his eyebrows.

6. rim of wheel, felloe 1Kgs 7:33; Ezek 1:18 (twice in verse); so perhaps Ezek 10:12 see 1 above — Ezek 43:13 elevation, i.e. basement of altar, Da after MT., but see גֹּבַהּ, compare above

BDB9397 H1355 H1354

[גַּב] noun [masculine] either back (ᵑ7 גַּב back, top; Biblical Hebrew גַּב, √ גנב), or < side (√ גנב, compare Arabic side, Syriac side, √ ; — see also D^{WB 65}); — plural suffix Dan 7:6 Kt wings עַלגַּֿבַּיהּ on its sides (Bev Behrm Dr; Qr גַּבַּהּ perhaps its back, so most).

place, rings, bodies, bosses, eyebrows, …

gab

the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc

convex surface, back

back (of man)

חֹ֝֗מֶר

Root word clay, homer, morter, mire, homers, …

Dictionary form: חֹמֶר · hoh-MER

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: of clay

of an homer ×5 of clay ×3 as the clay ×2 and for an homer ×1 are an homer ×1 are the clay ×1 as clay ×1 clay ×1

More options

clay — Best default; material shaped by a potter.

mortar — Building material; modernizes KJV 'morter'.

mud — Informal register; good for mire/slime contexts.

homer — Dry measure (~220 liters); use in quantity passages.

heap — Rare sense; use only for rubble/pile contexts.

mire — Poetic; sticky, swampy mud in figurative passages.

BDB2888 H2563

I. חֹ֫מֶר noun masculine cement, mortar, clay; — ׳ח absolute Gen 11:3 + 13 t.; construct Isa 10:6 + 2 t.; —

1. mortar, cement for holding building-stones (brick) together Gen 11:3 (J), Exod 1:14 (P; both || לְבֵנִים); Nah 3:14 (|| טיט).

2. clay:
a. as material of vessels Jer 18:4; Jer 18:6, היצר ׳ח Isa 29:16, in simile of God's fashioning man Isa 45:9; Isa 64:7; Job 10:9 as material of human bodies ׳בָּתֵּי ח Job 4:19 compare Job 33:6 as material of bulwarks (disparagingly) Job 13:12 חותם ׳ח = seal-clay i.e. clay upon which seal is pressed.
b. = mire חוצות ׳ח Isa 10:6 ׳הֹרָנִי לַח Job 30:19 he hath cast me into the mire, i.e. deeply humiliated me (עָפָר and אֵפֶר in || clause); as simile of commonness, abundance Job 27:16 (|| עָפָר).

BDB2891 H2563

II. חֹ֫מֶר noun [masculine] heap (compare 1. חֲמוֺר) — ׳ח construct מַיִם רַבִּים ׳ח Hab 3:15 a heap of great waters (|| יָם) — but text dubious, see I. חמר; plural הֳמָרִים חֳמָרִים Exod 8:10 (J), of dead frogs gathered in heaps.

BDB2892 H2563

III. חֹ֫מֶר noun masculine homer, a dry measure (perhaps from above √, but dubious; compare Assyrian amâru, surround, contain, II. R Exod 36:19 a. b Strm⁴⁷⁶⁰, Imêru, a measure Zim^{BP 6 n}) — ׳ח absolute Isa 5:10 + 5 t. Ezekiel; construct Hos 3:2 + 3 t.; plural חֳמָרִיםNum 11:32 — ׳ח of barley Hos 3:2; Ezek 45:13, compare שְׂעֹרִים ׳זֶרַע ח Lev 27:16 i.e. land on which a ׳ח of barley seed was sown (taxed at 50 shekels); ׳ח of wheat Ezek 45:13 in general ׳זֶרַע ח Isa 5:10 = 10 ephahs (or baths, see בַּת below בתת) Ezek 45:11 (3 t. in verse); Ezek 45:14 (twice in verse) (in vEzek 45:14 strike out Co); on actual size of ׳ח, = 393.9 litres, see Hultsch^{Metrol. 2nd ed. 448, 452f}. See further II. בַּת and references, Benz^{Arch 183 f} Now^{Arch. i, 203 f}.

clay, homer, morter, mire, homers, …

ḥōmer

properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; of earth, mire or clay (cement)

cement, mortar, clay

mortar, cement

swelling, surging (of water)

גַּבֵּי כֶֽם

גַּבֵּי

Root word place, rings, bodies, bosses, eyebrows, …

כֶֽם

Suffix — pronoun your / you (a group)

Dictionary form: גַב · ɡahb

Noun — Common, both plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: to bodies

thine eminent place ×2 and his eyebrows ×1 and their backs ×1 and their naves ×1 and their rings ×1 as for their rings ×1 bosses ×1 my back ×1

More options

back — Most common anatomical sense; prefer for body or object.

rim — Best for circular/wheel contexts, e.g. chariot nave rims.

boss — Raised knob or protrusion; good for shield or structural imagery.

ridge — Elevated, elongated surface; suits topographical or architectural use.

raised platform — For cultic or elevated place contexts.

brow — Facial/anatomical use; eyebrow or forehead area.

BDB1411 H1354

גַּב back, etc., see below גבב

[גָּב], גָּבִים see גוב.

BDB1418 H1354

1. back, of man (figurative of Israel) Ps 129:3 apparently of cherubim Ezek 10:12, but Hi Sm emend v. so that ׳גּ refers to wheels, rim see 6 below

2. mound, for illicit worship Ezek 16:24; Ezek 16:31; Ezek 16:39 (all || רמה); ᵐ5 ᵑ9 lupanar, brothel, after analogy of fornix, but this without sufficient proof, & needless.

4. bulwarks, breastworks, figurative for arguments לְגַבֵּיחֹֿמֶר גַּבֵּיכֶם Job 13:12 breastworks of clay are your breastworks.

5. brow, only גַּבֹּת עֵינָיו Lev 14:9 his eyebrows.

6. rim of wheel, felloe 1Kgs 7:33; Ezek 1:18 (twice in verse); so perhaps Ezek 10:12 see 1 above — Ezek 43:13 elevation, i.e. basement of altar, Da after MT., but see גֹּבַהּ, compare above

BDB9397 H1355 H1354

place, rings, bodies, bosses, eyebrows, …

gab

the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc

convex surface, back

back (of man)

This book is chanted to the poetic accent system (used only in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs). Each group below ends at one of its pausing accents — translate a group as one unit.

זִֽ֭כְרֹנֵיכֶם Dechi — a lesser break מִשְׁלֵי אֵ֑פֶר Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here לְגַבֵּי חֹ֝֗מֶר Revia Mugrash — a lesser break גַּבֵּיכֶֽם Silluq — end of the verse

זִֽכְרֹנֵיכֶם מִשְׁלֵי-אֵפֶר לְגַבֵּי-חֹמֶר גַּבֵּיכֶֽם׃

Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.

Cross References

Psalms 102:12

וְאַתָּה יְהוָה לְעוֹלָם תֵּשֵׁב וְזִכְרְךָ לְדֹר וָדֹֽר׃

But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.

2 Corinthians 5:1

Οἴδαμεν γὰρ ὅτι ἐὰν ἡ ἐπίγειος ἡμῶν οἰκία τοῦ σκήνους καταλυθῇ οἰκοδομὴν ἐκ θεοῦ ἔχομεν οἰκίαν ἀχειροποίητον αἰώνιον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Exodus 17:14

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל-מֹשֶׁה כְּתֹב זֹאת זִכָּרוֹן בַּסֵּפֶר וְשִׂים בְּאָזְנֵי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ כִּֽי-מָחֹה אֶמְחֶה אֶת-זֵכֶר עֲמָלֵק מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃

And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

Genesis 2:7

וַיִּיצֶר יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים אֶת-הָֽאָדָם עָפָר מִן-הָאֲדָמָה וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים וַֽיְהִי הָֽאָדָם לְנֶפֶשׁ חַיָּֽה׃

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Proverbs 10:7

זֵכֶר צַדִּיק לִבְרָכָה וְשֵׁם רְשָׁעִים יִרְקָֽב׃

The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Psalms 109:15

יִהְיוּ נֶֽגֶד-יְהוָה תָּמִיד וְיַכְרֵת מֵאֶרֶץ זִכְרָֽם׃

Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

Psalms 34:16

פְּנֵי יְהוָה בְּעֹשֵׂי רָע לְהַכְרִית מֵאֶרֶץ זִכְרָֽם׃

The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

Job 4:19

אַף׀ שֹֽׁכְנֵי בָֽתֵּי-חֹמֶר אֲשֶׁר-בֶּֽעָפָר יְסוֹדָם יְדַכְּאוּם לִפְנֵי-עָֽשׁ׃

How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?

Isaiah 26:14

מֵתִים בַּל-יִחְיוּ רְפָאִים בַּל-יָקֻמוּ לָכֵן פָּקַדְתָּ וַתַּשְׁמִידֵם וַתְּאַבֵּד כָּל-זֵכֶר לָֽמוֹ׃

They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.

Genesis 18:27

וַיַּעַן אַבְרָהָם וַיֹּאמַר הִנֵּה-נָא הוֹאַלְתִּי לְדַבֵּר אֶל-אֲדֹנָי וְאָֽנֹכִי עָפָר וָאֵֽפֶר׃

And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

Job 18:17

זִֽכְרוֹ-אָבַד מִנִּי-אָרֶץ וְלֹא-שֵׁם לוֹ עַל-פְּנֵי-חֽוּץ׃

His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.

Job 13:11

Read Job 13

Job 13:13

Job 13:12

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmpc/Sp2mp

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H2146

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmpc

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H4912

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H665

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R/Ncbpc

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H1354

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H2563

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncbpc/Sp2mp

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H1354

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV