Job 19:24

That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

בְּ עֵט
בְּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with
עֵט
Root word pen
Dictionary form: עֵט · ate

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: pen
he it the pen ×1 is the pen ×1 pen ×1 with a pen ×1
More options
pen — Direct modern equivalent; universally understood writing tool.
stylus — Prefer when emphasizing ancient reed or metal instrument.
writing instrument — Broader, formal; useful in explanatory or study contexts.
quill — Evokes hand-written antiquity; good for poetic passages.

BDB5984 H5842

BDB5983 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5985

עֵט noun masculineJer 8:8 stylus (√ dubious; ii. 1, 83 (after older authorities) compare Arabic , sink, penerate); — ׳ע only construct:

1. of iron, for use on stone or metal Jer 17:1 (בְּצִפֹּרֶן שָׁמִיר with diamond-point), Job 19:24 (see also חֶרֶט).
2. probably = reed-pen (used o roll, compare Jer 36:2; Jer 36:23 etc.), שֶׁקֶר סֹפְרִים ׳ע Jer 8:8, figurative, סוֺפֵר מָהִיר ׳לְשׁוֺנִי ע Ps 45:1 (compare NowArchaeology i. 290 BenzArchaeology 290).

pen
ʿēṭ
a stylus or marking stick
  • stylus
    • iron stylus with diamond tip used to write on stone or metal
    • "reed pen used on a roll

בַּרְזֶ֥ל
בַּרְזֶ֥ל
Root word iron, head, smith
Dictionary form: בַּרְזֶל · bahr-DZEL

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: with an iron
of iron ×25 iron ×12 and iron ×7 the iron ×4 and the iron ×2 any iron ×2 from the iron ×2 in iron ×2
More options
iron — Default choice; fits nearly all contexts naturally.
iron implement — Use when the tool or object itself is in focus.
iron tool — Practical, concrete; good for craftwork or weapon contexts.
iron blade — Prefer when an axe-head or cutting edge is meant.
ironwork — Collective sense; suits lists of materials or construction.
metal — Broaden only when iron as a material class is implied.

BDB1318 H1270

BDB1317 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1319

בַּרְזֶל noun masculineDeut 19:5 iron (with ל afform.; from piercing ? Late Hebrew id., Aramaic id., פַּדְזֶל, , Phoenician ברזל, Assyrian parzillu COTGloss, (Arabic fetter is loan-word)) — always absolute ׳ב Gen 4:22 + 74 t. (בַּרְזֶל֑ Gen 4:22 etc.); —

1. iron, literally:
  a. iron-ore, stone containing iron, Deut 8:9; Job 28:2
  b. as raw material (to be worked) Gen 4:22; 1Chr 22:3; 1Chr 22:14; 1Chr 22:16; 1Chr 29:2 (twice in verse); 1Chr 29:7; 2Chr 2:6; 2Chr 2:13; 2Chr 24:12;
  c. as article of commerce Ezek 27:12; Ezek 27:19
  d. as material of furniture, utensils, implements, etc., ׳עֶרֶשׂ ב Deut 3:11, ׳רֶכֶב ב Josh 17:16; Josh 17:18; Judg 1:19; Judg 4:3; Judg 4:13, ׳כְּלֵי ב Josh 6:19; Josh 6:24 compare 1Kgs 6:7; Num 35:16, ׳עֵטבֿ Job 19:24 & figurative Jer 17:1, ׳חֲרִצֵי הַבּ 2Sam 12:31= 1Chr 20:3, ׳מַגְזְרוֺת הַבּ 2Sam 12:31 cutting instrument of iron, see Amos 1:3, ׳כַּבְלֵי ב Ps 149:8 (|| זִקִּיִם), ׳נֵשֶׁק ב Job 20:24, ׳קַרְנֵי ב 1Kgs 22:11 = 2Chr 18:10, ׳קִיר ב & ׳מַחֲבַת ב Ezek 4:3 ׳בְּרִיחֵי ב, i.e. of Babylon, ag. Cyrus Isa 45:2 compare 1Sam 17:7 & Isa 60:17 (twice in verse) (figurative)
2. tool of iron Deut 27:5; Josh 8:31; Prov 27:17 (twice in verse); Eccl 10:10; Isa 10:34 (metaphor); head of an axe Deut 19:5; 2Kgs 6:5; 2Kgs 6:6 so weapon 2Sam 23:7; Job 41:19 compare also Num 31:22; Josh 22:8 where iron as spoil of war.
3. iron in figure of unwatered earth Deut 28:23 of Egyptian bondage, ׳כּוּר הַבּ Deut 4:20; 1Kgs 8:51; Jer 11:4 of oppression ׳עֹל ב Deut 28:48; Jer 28:14 compare vJer 28:13 of strength Jer 15:12 (twice in verse); compare מִנְעָלֶיךָ ׳ב Deut 33:25 & Mic 4:13 ׳קֶרֶן ב; of prophet, firm through Yahweh's might, עַמּוּד ׳ב Jer 1:18 of distress, ׳בְּרִיחֵי ב Ps 107:16 compare vPs 107:10 of judgments of ׳י, & Ps 105:18 ׳שֵׁבֶט ב Ps 2:9 of evil-doers, Jer 6:28; Ezek 22:18; Ezek 22:20 simile of scorching sky Lev 26:19 ׳מְטִיל ב of bones of hippopotamus Job 40:18 ׳גִּיד ב of obstinate neck of Israel Isa 48:4.


BDB9818 H6523 H1270

BDB9817 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9819

פַּרְזֶל19 noun masculineDan 2:40 iron (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew בַּרְזֶל); — absolute Dan 2:33 (זֶ֑ל-), Dan 4:12 +; emphatic פַּרְזְלָא Dan 2:34 +; — Dan 2:33; Dan 2:34 + 11 t. 2; Dan 4:12; Dan 4:20; Dan 5:4; Dan 5:23; Dan 7:7; Dan 7:19.

iron, head, smith
barzel
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
  • iron
    • iron
      • iron ore
      • "as material of furniture, utensils, implements
    tool of iron"harshness, strength, oppression (figuratively)

וְ עֹפָ֑רֶת
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
עֹפָ֑רֶת
Root word lead
Dictionary form: עוֹפֶרֶת · oh-peh-RET

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: and lead
and lead ×4 of lead ×2 and the lead ×1 as lead ×1 the lead ×1
More options
lead — Standard, precise term for the heavy metal.
lead metal — Clarifies material context when ambiguity exists.
molten lead — Use when context emphasizes liquid or poured state.
plumb lead — Suitable when a weighted or measuring use is implied.

BDB6265 H5777

BDB6264 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6266

עֹפֶרֶת noun masculineJer 6:29 (si vera lectio Qr) lead (√ dubious; probably foreign word; compare ᵑ7 אֲבָרָא lead, Syriac , and (asAramaic loan-word) Arabic [see Dozy], Frä152; perhaps also Assyrian abaru, a metal, magnesite according to HilprAssyriaca i (1894), 80 ff. Hptib. 83); — ׳כִּכַּר ע Zech 5:7 a round weight (disc) of lead, ׳אֶבֶןהָֿעו vZech 5:5 with other metals (see בְּדִיל) : ׳עוֺ Ezek 22:18; Ezek 22:20; Ezek 27:12 הָעֹפָ֑רֶת Num 31:22 (P); ׳עֹפ also Job 19:24 (with which chiselled letters are filled according to Di and most; Bu reads ׳בְּע in [a tablet of] lead); also (as flux) Jer 6:29 (reading Qr; so Gf Co; emendation Gie); ׳עוֺ in simile Exod 15:10 (song).


עֵפָ֫תָה see עֵיפָה below II. עוף. עֵץ see II.עצה.

lead
ʿôperet
lead (from its dusty color)
  • lead

לָ ֝עַ֗ד
לָ
Prefix — preposition to, for
֝עַ֗ד
Root word ever, everlasting, evermore, for, old, …
Dictionary form: עַד · ad

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: for ever
for ever ×24 and ever ×14 and the everlasting ×1 eternity ×1 ever ×1 for ×1 for evermore ×1 old ×1
More options
forever — Most natural modern rendering for open-ended duration.
eternity — Emphasizes timelessness; suits poetic or theological contexts.
always — Prefer when stressing unbroken continuity rather than endpoint.
perpetually — Formal register; highlights unceasing, ongoing nature.
evermore — Slightly elevated tone; good for liturgical or hymnic passages.
age upon age — Captures cumulative, ongoing duration; vivid in doxologies.

BDB5806 H5703

BDB5805 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5807

I. עַד and וָעֶ֑ד (so always) noun masculine perpetuity (= advancing time, compare Assyrian adû, time at the present times); —

1. of past time: מִנִּי עַר Job 20:4 הררי עד Hab 3:6 ancient mountains (compare עולם
1.).
**so Gen 49:26 (read הַרְרֵי עַד for הוֺרַ֔י עַד).
2. of future time, לָעַד (usually לָעַ֑ד) for ever:
  a. during lifetime, of king Ps 21:7; Prov 29:14 of others Ps 9:19; Ps 22:27; Ps 61:9; Prov 12:19.
  b. of things, לָעַד בַּצּוּר יֵחָֽצֵב֑וּן Job 19:24.
  c. of continuous existence, of nations, גְּבֶרֶת עַד (of Babylon, compare עולם 2c) Isa 47:7 (yet see III. עַד II 3); anger, לעד Amos 1:11 elsewhere עֲדֵי עַד Ps 83:18; Ps 92:8; Isa 26:4; Isa 65:18.
  d. of divine existence, שֹׁכֵן עַד Isa 57:15 attributes, לָעַד Ps 111:3; Ps 111:10; Ps 112:3; Ps 112:9 residence in Zion, עֲדֵי עַד Ps 132:14 law of God לָעַד Ps 19:10 promise as to dynasty of David, לָעד Ps 89:30 עֲדֵי עַד Ps 132:12 inheritance of land, לָעַד Ps 37:29 continuous relations between God and his people 1Chr 28:9; Isa 64:8; Mic 7:18 לעד.
  e. phrases (see עולם 2 m): (לְ)וְֺלָם וָעֶ֑ד Ps 9:6; Ps 10:16; Ps 21:5; Ps 45:7; Ps 45:18; Ps 48:15; Ps 52:10; Ps 104:5; Ps 119:44; Ps 145:1; Ps 145:2; Ps 145:21; Exod 15:18; Mic 4:5; Dan 12:3 לָעַד לְעוֺלָם Ps 111:8; Ps 148:6 עַדעֿוֺלְמֵי עַד Isa 45:17. — Isa 30:8 read (עַדעֿוֺלָם) לְעֵד for a witness ᵑ6 ᵑ9 ᵑ7 Ges Ew Di Che Du) for ᵑ0 לָעַד.

ever, everlasting, evermore, for, old, …
ʿad
properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e., (by implication) duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity (substantially as a noun, either with or without a preposition)
  • perpetuity, for ever, continuing future
    • ancient (of past time)
    • "for ever (of future time)
      • of continuous existence
      for ever (of God's existence)

בַּ צּ֥וּר
בַּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
צּ֥וּר
Root word a name — transliterate it ("In the rock")
Dictionary form: צוּר · tsoor

בַּ
Hidden "the" בַּ = the preposition + the article הַ squeezed together: the "a" vowel under the prefix is the swallowed "the". Translate "in the ___".

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: in the rock
the rock ×14 of the rock ×4 a rock ×3 and the rock ×3 my strength ×3 of the rocks ×3 out of the rock ×3 their rock ×3
More options
rock — Most versatile; fits literal and metaphorical contexts.
crag — Emphasizes a rugged, jagged natural rock formation.
cliff — Suggests height and imposing physical presence.
stronghold — Foregrounds the metaphor of refuge and security.
fortress — Highlights defensive strength; good for divine epithets.
foundation — Stresses stability and reliability in poetic passages.

BDB7020 H6697

BDB7019 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7021

I. צוּר noun masculineJob 29:6 rock, cliff; — ׳צ absolute Exod 17:6 +, construct Deut 8:15 +; suffix צוּרִי 2Sam 22:3, etc.; plural צֻרִים Num 23:9 +, צוּרוֺת Job 28:10 construct צוּרֵי 1Sam 24:3 (Gi v.1Sam 24:2); —

1. a. rocky wall, cliff, Exod 17:6 (twice in verse) (E), Deut 8:15 (הַחַלָּמִישׁ ׳צ), Isa 48:21 (twice in verse); Ps 78:15; Ps 78:20; Ps 105:41; Ps 114:8 (|| חַלָּמִישׁ); ׳בּוֺא בַצּ Isa 2:10, בִּמְעָרוֺת צֻרִים vIsa 2:19, ׳בְּנִקְרוֺת הַצּ vIsa 2:21, compare Exod 33:21; Exod 33:22 (JE); yielding honey (from its clefts) Ps 81:17 (compare Deut 32:13 Dy PerlesAnal. 34 We read צוּף); as look-out Num 23:9 (JE), home of goats 1Sam 24:3 (Gi v.1Sam 24:2), snow-covered Jer 18:14 bearing (olives for) oil Deut 32:13 (׳חַלְמִישׁ צ), Job 29:6 resort of homeless Job 24:8, pierced by miners Job 28:10, compare perhaps נְחָלִים ׳שִׁית בְּצ אוֺפִיר Job 22:24 deposit (thy) gold in the rock of the wadys (most below צֹר pebble); as quarry, figurative of Abraham as ancestor of Israel Isa 51:1 place of security 1Chr 11:15, הַמִּישׁוֺר ׳צ Jer 21:13 (of city), figurative Ps 27:5; Ps 61:3 symbol of firmness Nah 1:6; Job 14:18; Job 18:4 enduring material Job 19:24.
  b. rock with flat surface 2Sam 21:10; Prov 30:19.
  c. block of stone, boulder Judg 6:21; Judg 13:19 (as altar); compare צוּר מִכְשׁוֺל Isa 8:14 (|| נֶגֶף אֶבֶן).
  d. rock with specific name, עוֺרֵב ׳צ Judg 7:25; Isa 10:26.
2. a. figurative of God (33 t.) as support and defence of his people (often || אֱלֹהִים, ׳י, etc.), מָעֻזֵּךְ ׳צ Isa 17:10, מָעוֺז ׳צ Ps 31:3, עֻזִּי ׳צ Ps 62:8, מָעוֺן ׳צ, Ps 71:3, יְשֻׁעָתוֺ ׳צ Deut 32:15 compare 2Sam 22:47b (but strike out, see || Ps 18:47), Ps 89:27; Ps 95:1, וִישׁוּעָתִי ׳צ Ps 62:3; Ps 62:7, מַחְסִי ׳צ Ps 94:22 יִשְׂרָאֵל ׳צ Isa 30:29; 2Sam 23:3 (personified), צוּרִי Ps 18:3; Ps 18:47 = 2Sam 22:3; 2Sam 22:47a, >BIBLE:Psalm 19:15>; Ps 28:1; Ps 92:16; Ps 144:1, לְבָבִי ׳צ Ps 73:26, צוּרֵנוּ Deut 32:31, צוּרָם vDeut 32:30; Ps 78:35 with בְּ essent. ׳בְּיָהּ י עוֺלָמִים ׳צ Isa 26:4 (compare Ps 62:8 see ב I. 7 c); as proper name, of deity (the Rock Deut 32:4; Deut 32:18 (יְלָֽדְךָ ׳צ), vDeut 32:37; Hab 1:12, +(perhaps) Ps 75:6 (read בַּצּוּד, see צַוָּאר; see also פְּדָהצוּר).
  b. of a heathen god Deut 32:31, compare Isa 44:3, מִי צוּר ׳מִבַּלְעֲדֵי א 2Sam 22:32 || Ps 18:32, compare 1Sam 2:2. — See also בֵּית צוּר and חֶלְקַת הַצֻּרִים. — Ps 89:44 see צֹד below III. צרר, Ps 49:15 see צוּרָה below III. צור. above

rock, rocks, strength, sharp, god, …
ṣûr
properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
  • rock, cliff
    • rocky wall, cliff
    • "rock (with flat surface)"block of stone, boulder"rock (specifically)"rock (of God)"rock (of heathen gods)"(n pr dei) Rock

יֵחָצְבֽוּ ן
יֵחָצְבֽוּ
Root word hewers, out, digged, masons, hew, …
ן
Suffix emphatic ending — no change in meaning
Dictionary form: חָצַב · haw-TSAHB

Verb — Niphal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine plural passive or reflexive — "it was done" / "he did it to himself" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: that they were graven
digged ×2 hewers ×2 masons ×2 to hew ×2 also unto the masons ×1 and digged ×1 and hewed them out ×1 and hewers ×1
More options
hew — Best general choice for cutting stone or timber.
carve — Prefer when shaping or artistic cutting is implied.
cut — Broader, neutral; good for less specialized contexts.
quarry — Use specifically when stone is being extracted from rock.
chisel — Highlights precise, tool-driven cutting of hard material.
dig — Reserve for excavating cisterns, wells, or pits.

BDB3027 H2672

BDB3026 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3028

[חָצַב] חָצֵב verb hew, hew out, cleave (Late Hebrew id., Aramaic חֲצַב; SI4. 6 participle plural החצבם; compare Phoenician מחצב = Hebrew id.) —

Qal Perfect חָצֵב Isa 5:2 חָֽצְבָה Prov 9:1 חָצַבְתִּי Hos 6:5, etc.; Imperfect וַיַּחְצֹב 2Chr 26:10 2 masculine singular תַּחְצֹב Deut 8:9 Infinitive construct לַחְצֹב Jer 2:13 לַחְצוֺב 1Chr 22:2 Participle active חֹצֵב Isa 10:15 + 4 t.; construct חֹצְבִי Isa 22:16 חֹצְבִים 1Chr 22:2 + 3 t.; חֹצְבֵי 2Kgs 12:13 passive חֲצוּבִים Deut 6:11; Neh 9:25
1. hew out, (dig), wine-vat יֶקֶב Isa 5:2 sepulchre (קֶבֶר) Isa 22:16 (twice in verse); cisterns בֹּרוֺת Deut 6:11 (twice in verse); 2Chr 26:10; Neh 9:25, compare Jer 2:13 of mining נחשׁת ׳מהרריה תַּת Deut 8:9 out of its mountains thou mayst hew out copper.
2. a. hew stone 1Chr 22:2 metaphor of pillars Prov 9:1 (subject wisdom); elsewhere participle, hewer of stone 2Kgs 12:13; 1Chr 22:2; 1Chr 22:15 (see SI4.6 above); probably 1Kgs 5:29; 2Chr 2:1; 2Chr 2:17 (בָּהָר׳ח see Be), compare 2Chr 24:12; Ezra 3:7.
  b. apparently hew wood Isa 10:15 בוֺ ׳ח (i.e. בְּגַרְזֶן).
3. metaph. hew in pieces Hos 6:5 figurative of ׳י attacking people by agency of prophets (|| הֲרַגְתִּים); divide, cleave subject ׳י's voice Ps 29:7 object להבות אשׁ, i.e. the thunder of his voice sends forked lightnings (but on text compare Che and critical note) Niph`al Imperfect יֵחָצְבוּן be cut, hewn, graven (words on rock) Job 19:24. Pu`al Perfect חֻצַּבְתֶּם Isa 51:1 figurative, hewn out of rock (of Israel's origin; || נֻקַּר). Hiph`il Participle מַחֲצֶ֫בֶת Isa 51:9 hew in pieces = Qal 3, figurative of destroying רהב = Egypt (compare Ps 89:11).

hewers, out, digged, masons, hew, …
ḥāṣab
to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave
  • to dig, cleave, divide, hew, make, cut out, dig out, cut down, quarry, hewer, mason
    • (Qal)
      • to hew out, dig
      • "to hew
        • stone
        • "wood
        to hew in pieces (metaphorically)"to divide, cleave
      (Niphal) to be cut, be hewn, be engraved"(Hiphil) to hew into pieces, cut up into pieces"(Pual) to be cut from, be hewn from

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.
בְּעֵט בַּרְזֶ֥ל וְעֹפָ֑רֶת Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here לָ֝עַ֗ד Revia Mugrash — a lesser break בַּצּ֥וּר יֵחָצְבֽוּן Silluq — end of the verse

בְּעֵט-בַּרְזֶל וְעֹפָרֶת לָעַד בַּצּוּר יֵחָצְבֽוּן׃
24
That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
Cross References

Jeremiah 17:1

חַטַּאת יְהוּדָה כְּתוּבָה בְּעֵט בַּרְזֶל בְּצִפֹּרֶן שָׁמִיר חֲרוּשָׁה עַל-לוּחַ לִבָּם וּלְקַרְנוֹת מִזְבְּחוֹתֵיכֶֽם׃
1
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;

Exodus 28:21

וְהָֽאֲבָנִים תִּֽהְיֶיןָ עַל-שְׁמֹת בְּנֵֽי-יִשְׂרָאֵל שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה עַל-שְׁמֹתָם פִּתּוּחֵי חוֹתָם אִישׁ עַל-שְׁמוֹ תִּֽהְיֶיןָ לִשְׁנֵי עָשָׂר שָֽׁבֶט׃
21
And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

Deuteronomy 27:2

וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר תַּֽעַבְרוּ אֶת-הַיַּרְדֵּן אֶל-הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ וַהֲקֵֽמֹתָ לְךָ אֲבָנִים גְּדֹלוֹת וְשַׂדְתָּ אֹתָם בַּשִּֽׂיד׃
2
And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:

Exodus 32:16

וְהַלֻּחֹת מַֽעֲשֵׂה אֱלֹהִים הֵמָּה וְהַמִּכְתָּב מִכְתַּב אֱלֹהִים הוּא חָרוּת עַל-הַלֻּחֹֽת׃
16
And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.

Deuteronomy 27:8

וְכָֽתַבְתָּ עַל-הָֽאֲבָנִים אֶֽת-כָּל-דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת בַּאֵר הֵיטֵֽב׃
8
And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

Exodus 28:11

מַֽעֲשֵׂה חָרַשׁ אֶבֶן פִּתּוּחֵי חֹתָם תְּפַתַּח אֶת-שְׁתֵּי הָֽאֲבָנִים עַל-שְׁמֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מֻֽסַבֹּת מִשְׁבְּצוֹת זָהָב תַּֽעֲשֶׂה אֹתָֽם׃
11
With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.