Job 31:3

הֲלֹא אֵ֥יד לְעַוָּ֑ל וְ֝נֵ֗כֶר לְפֹ֣עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן
Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

הֲ לֹא
הֲ
Prefix — question marker turns the sentence into a question
לֹא
Particle not
Dictionary form: לֹא · loh

הֲ
Question marker This opening ה is not "the" — pointed הֲ (not הַ with a doubling dagesh) it turns the sentence into a question. Read the clause with a "?".

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: is not
not ×882 neither ×399 no ×282 nor ×215 shall not ×205 thou shalt not ×116 is not ×102 and not ×86
More options
not — Default negation; fits nearly every context.
no — Use before nouns or as a standalone negative.
never — Emphasizes total or timeless negation.
nor — Use in paired or continued negative clauses.
neither — Use when negating two elements together.
none — Negates a noun or quantity; no one/nothing.

BDB4266 H3808

BDB4265 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4267

לֹא or לוֺא adverb not (Arabic , Aramaic לָא, , Sabean לא, Ass. lâ; not in Ethiopic: compare Köii. 1. 236 WalkerAJSL 1896, 237 ff.) — לוֺא, according to Masora (FrMM 248), 35 t., besides בְּלוֺא 6 t., and הֲלוֺא, the orthography of which varies much (ib.p. 251), e.g. in Samuel always הֲלוֺא, in Chronicles always הֲלֹא, on the whole הֲלוֺא 141 t., הֲלֹא 128 t.; twice, according to Masora, written לו (Qr לֹא), 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2, once לה Deut 3:11 Kt: — not — denying objectively, like οὐ (not μὴ = אַל): —

1. in predication:
  a. with a verb; so most frequently, and nearly always
   (a) with the finite tenses, whether perfect (Gen 2:5 b Gen 4:5 etc.) or imperfect (Gen 3:4; Gen 8:21; Gen 8:22 etc.); in short circumstantial clauses, as Gen 44:4 לא הרחיקו, Isa 40:20 לֹא יִמּוֺט, and with a final force Isa 41:7; Exod 28:32 (see Ges«GKC:156»§ 156. 3 R. b, c Dr§ 162). Governing two closely connected verbs (Dr§ 115, לא) Exod 28:43 וְלֹא יִשְׂאוּ עָוֺן וָמֵתוּ, Lev 19:12; Lev 19:29b Deut 7:25; Deut 7:26; Deut 19:10; Deut 22:1 and elsewhere; and two parallel clauses (Ges«GKC:152»§ 152. 3) Isa 23:4b Ps 9:19; Ps 44:19; Job 3:1 and elsewhere With the imperfect, especially with 2 person, לֹא often expresses (not, like אַל, a deprecation, do not . . ., let not . . ., but) a prohibition, as Gen 2:17 לֹא תאֹכַל מִמֶּנּוּ thou shall not eat of it, Gen 3:1; Gen 3:3; Exod 20:3 לֹאיִֿהְיֶה לְךָ there shall not be to thee, etc., vExod 20:13 לא תגנב, etc. With the coh. and jussive moods (which are negatived regularly by אַל), it occurs only exceptionally (Ges«GKC:109»§ 109. 1 b R. 1), Gen 24:8; 1Sam 14:36; 2Sam 17:12; 2Sam 18:14; 1Kgs 2:6; Ezek 48:14.
   (b) with the infinitive (which is negatived by בִּלְתִּי, q. v.), only once, in בְּלֹא (4 a), and with לְ, in the sense of cannot, or must not; Judg 1:19 כי לא להורישׁ for it was not (possible) to dispossess, etc. Amos 6:10 לא ׳להזכיר בשׁם י, 1Chr 5:1; 1Chr 15:2 (Dr§ 202. 2); compare Aramaic לָא Dan 6:9; Ezra 6:8. On its use with the participle, see b c.
   (c) לא always negates properly the word immediately following: hence, in a verbal sentence, where this is not the verb, some special stress rests upon it, Gen 32:29 לֹא יַעֲקֹב ׳יֵאָמֵר עוֺד וג not Jacob shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, Gen 45:8 לֹא אַתֶּם שְׁלַחְתֶּם אֹתִי Not ye (in our idiom: It is not ye who) have sent me hither, but God, Exod 16:8; 1Sam 8:7 כִּי לֹא ׳אֹתְךָ מָאָסוּ כִּי אֹתִי וג, Ps 115:17 without a following correcting clause, Gen 38:9; Num 16:29 שְׁלָחָנִי׃ ׳לֹא י Not ׳י (but another) hath sent me, Deut 32:27 לֹא פָּעַל זֹאת ׳י, 1Chr 17:4; Deut 8:9; Isa 28:28 לא לנצח ֗֗֗ not for ever (but only for a while) . . . (so Isa 57:16; Ps 9:19; Ps 49:18; Ps 103:9 but Isa 13:20 לא תשׁב לנצח is, will not be inhabited for ever), Isa 43:22; Job 13:16; Job 32:9 hence rhetorically, insinuating something very different, not named, 2Kgs 6:10 not once, and not twice (but repeatedly), Ezra 10:13; Jer 4:11 a wind לֹא לְזָרוֺת וְלוֺא לְהַָ˜בר׃ not to winnow, and not to cleanse (but to exterminate), Isa 45:13; Isa 48:1b Josh 24:12; Dan 11:20; Dan 11:29; Job 34:20 לֹא בְיָד (but by a Divine agency: compare Dan 2:34 also Job 20:26 אֵשׁ לֹא נֻפָּ֑ךְ fire not blown upon [but kindled from heaven], Lam 4:6 and אין Isa 47:14).
   (d) standing alone:
   (a) אִםלֹֿא if not, Gen 18:21 וְאִםלֹֿא אֵדָֽעָה׃, Gen 29:49; Gen 42:16; Job 9:24; Job 24:25 (β) הֲאִ֗֗֗םלֿא, or not, Gen 24:21 waiting to know דַּרְכּוֺ אִםלֹֿא ׳הַהִצְלִיחַ י, Gen 27:21; Gen 37:32; Exod 16:4; Num 11:23; Deut 8:2; Judg 2:22 (compare אִם אַיִן, אַיִן 2 d β, δ). In answer to a question or request, to deny, or decline, Nay, Nö: Judg 12:5 ויאמר לא, Hag 2:12 לא אדני Gen 23:11; Gen 42:10; 1Sam 1:15 +; often followed by כי, Nö for . . . = Nö but . . ., Gen 18:15 ויאמר לֹא כִּי צָחָ֑קְתְּ, Gen 19:2; Josh 5:14; Josh 24:21; 1Sam 2:16 Qr (see Dr), 1Sam 10:19 (ᵐ5 MSS), 2Sam 16:18; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:22 (twice in verse) +; Job 23:6 (strangely). (compare, in deprecation, אַל.)
   (e) with an interrogative force, which however does not lie in לא as such, but (as in other cases) in the contrast with a preceding clause, or in the tone of voice (compare וְ 1 f; Ew§ 324 a Ges«GKC:150»§ 150. 1 Dr1Sam 11:12): Jonah 4:11 ׳אַתָּה חַסְתָּוַ֗֗֗אֲנִי לֹא אָחוּס וג, Job 2:10; Job 22:11; Exod 8:22; 2Kgs 5:26; Jer 49:9 (|| Obad 1:5 הֲלוֺא), Mal 2:15; Lam 3:38 and in passages, exegesis or text. doubtful (see Commentaries), 1Sam 20:14; 2Sam 23:5 (but see Bu), Hos 10:9 (Ew We), Hos 11:5 (Ew), Job 14:16b (but ᵐ5 Ew Di תַעֲבֹר), Lam 1:12 (Ew Ke), Lam 3:36 (Ke Bä).
  b. with adjectives and substantive:
   (a) Gen 2:18 לֹא טוֺב הֱֶיוֺת הָאָדָם לְבַדֹּו not good is man's being alone, Exod 18:17 + often
   (b) Exod 4:16 לֹא אִישׁ דְּבָרִים אָנֹכִי, Amos 7:14 לא נביא אנכי, Num 23:9 לֹא אִישׁ אֵל וִיכַזֵּב, Deut 17:15 (see אשׁר
2. b) Deut 20:20; Deut 32:47; 1Sam 15:29; 2Sam 18:20 לֹא אִישׁ בְּשׂרָה אַתָּה הַיּוֺם, 2Sam 21:2; 1Kgs 22:33; 2Kgs 6:19 לא זִה הדרך, Mic 2:10; Isa 27:11; Hos 8:6 והמה לא אלהים Jer 2:11; Jer 16:20; 2Kgs 19:18; 1Kgs 19:11 (twice in verse) לֹא ׳בָרַעַשׁ י, Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13; Job 15:9; Job 28:14 לֹא בִי הִיא (|| אֵין עִמָּדִי)s, Ps 74:9; Jer 5:10 המה ׳לוא לי, Jer 10:16; Deut 32:21 בָּנִים לֹא אֵמוּן בָּם, Jer 10:14; Hab 1:14; Job 16:17; Job 38:26 מִדְבָּר לֹא אָדָם בּוֺ; 1Kgs 22:17 לֹא אֲדֹנִים לָאֵלֶּה, Jer 49:31; Ps 22:3 וְלֹא דוּמִיָּה לִי, Job 18:17; Job 18:19; Job 29:12 ולא עֹזֵר לו, Job 30:13; Job 33:9; Jer 2:19 וְלֹא פַחְדָּתִי אֵלַיִךְ and (that) my terror reached not unto thee, Job 21:9 absolute Gen 29:7 לֹאעֵֿתִ הֵאָסֵף הַמִּקְנֶה (Hag 1:2), Num 20:5; 2Kgs 4:23 לא חדשׁ ולא שׁבת, Isa 44:9; Jer 5:12 ויאמרו לוא הוא, Job 9:32; Job 22:16; Job 36:26; Job 41:2; Prov 19:7 (si vera lectio) מְרַדֵּף אֲמָרִים לֹאהֵֿמָּה words which are not, which are nought.
   (c) with the participle לֹא is rare, a finite verb being usually preferred (Exod 34:7 וְנַקִּה לֹא יְנַקֶּה: Ew§ 320 c Dr§ 162): 2Sam 3:34 יָדֶיךָ לֹא אֲסֻרוֺת, Ezek 4:14; Ezek 22:24; Deut 28:61; Ps 38:15 כְּאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא שֹׁמֵעַ who is not hearing, Job 12:3; Job 13:2 לֹא נֹפֵל אָנֹכִי מִכֶּם, Zeph 3:5 (very anomalous); 1Kgs 10:21 לא is probably textual error In וְהוּא לֹא שׂנֵא לוֺ or לא שׂנא הוא לו, Deut 4:42; Deut 19:4; Deut 19:6; Josh 20:5 (compare אֹיֵב Num 35:23), שׂנֵא is best construed as a substantive, he being a not-hater to him afore-time. — In most of the cases under b, c, אין could have been employed; but the negation by לֹא is more pointed and forcible.

2. Not in predication:
  a. coupled to an adjective to negative it, like the Greek ἀ‐, but usually by way of litotes: Hos 13:13 בן לאחֿכם an unwise son, Ps 36:5 דֶּרֶךְ לֹא טוֺב a way not good, Ps 43:1 גוי לא חסיד, Prov 16:29; Prov 30:25; Prov 30:26; Ezek 20:25; 2Chr 30:17 : Isa 16:14 לוֺא כַבִּיר, compare Isa 10:7 לֹא מְעַט.
  b. with a participle Jer 2:2 ארץ לא זרועה, Jer 18:15 (the finite verb is more common: see Isa 62:12 עִיר לֹא נֱעֶזָ֫בָה (compare Isa 54:11), Jer 6:8 אֶרֶץ לוֺא נוֺשָׁ֫בָה, Jer 15:18; Jer 22:6; Jer 31:18; Zeph 2:1).
  c. Gen 15:13 בארץ לא להם, Jer 5:19; Hab 1:6 מִשְׁכָּנוֺת לֹאלֿוֺ, Prov 26:17 רִיב לֹאלֿוֺ.
  d. with a substantive, in poetry, forming a kind of compound, expressing pointedly its antithesis or negation (German un- is sometimes used similarly): Deut 32:5(?). 17. 21 a they made me jealous בְּלֹא אֵל with a not-God (with what in no respect deserved the name of God), vb בְּלֹא עָם i.e. with an unorganized horde, Amos 6:13 הַשְּׂמֵחִים לְלֹא דָבָר i.e. at a thing which is not, an unreality (of their boasted strength), Isa 10:15 כְּהָרִים מַטֶּה לֹא עֵץ like a rod's lifting up what is no wood (but the agent wielding it), Isa 31:8 חרב לא אישׁ, חרב לא אדם, Isa 55:2 בלוא לחם for what is not bread, בלוא לשׂבעה for what is not for satiety, Jer 5:7 וַיּשָּֽׁבְעוּ בְּלֹא אֱלֹהִים by not-gods, in late prose 2Chr 13:9 כֹּהֵן לְלֹא אֱלֹהִים; Ps 44:13 תִּמְכֹּר עַמְּךָ בְּלֹאהֿוֺן for no-value (i.e. cheaply), Prov 13:23; Job 10:12 צלמות וְלֹא סְדָרִים darkness and disorder; so לֹאעַֿמִּי Hos 1:9; Hos 2:25: still more pregnantly Job 26:2 a מֶהעָֿזַרְתָּ לְלֹאכֹֿחַ (poetic for לאשׁר אין לו כח) the powerless, vJob 26:2b; vJob 26:3a (Ew§ 286 g Ges«GKC:152»§ 152. 1 n.), Job 39:16 הִקְשִׁיחַ בָּנֶיהָ לְלֹא לָהּ useth hardly her young ones (making them) into none of hers; and even Hab 2:6 הַמַּרְבֶּה לֹאלֿוֺ what is not his own (compare Job 18:15 מִבְּלִי לוֺ). compare with a verb, and ellipse of אשׁר, Isa 65:1 לְלֹא שָׁאָ֑לוּ to those who have not asked, vb Jer 2:8 אַחֲרִי לֹא יוֺעִילוּ, vJer 2:11b; also לֹא רֻחָ֫מָה Hos 1:6; Hos 1:8; Hos 2:25, and probably Job 31:31 לֹא נִשְׂבָּ֑ע (perfect in p.) one not satisfied.
  e. in circumstantial clauses (Dr§ 164), in poetry and rare: qualifying a substantive, 2Sam 23:4 בֹּקֶר לֹא עָבוֺת a morning without clouds, Job 12:24 בְּתֹהוּ לֹא דֶרֶךְ in a pathless waste, Job 38:26a; and a verb Job 34:24 יָרֹעַ כַּבִּרִים לֹא חֵקֶר without inquiry, Ps 59:4 לא פשׁעי ולא חטאתי (compare vPs 59:4 בלי עון), in late prose, twice, 1Chr 2:30; 1Chr 2:32 וימת לא בנים (אֵין and בְּלִי, q. v., are more usual in such cases).

3. Once (according to many MSS), as a substantive, Job 6:21 כִּיעַֿתָּה הֱיִיתֶם לֹא for now are ye become nothing, Hi De Kö (compare Dan 4:32 (Aramaic) כְּלָה חֲשִׁיבִין, ᵑ7 here כְּלָא הֲוֵיתוּן, and אַל Job 24:25); but reading fluctuates (Orientals לֹא, Qr לו, Westerns, Baer (see pp. 37, 56) לוֺ ['now are ye become that,' namely the נַחַל אַכְזָב of vJob 24:15]; but even לוֺ yields a forced sense; and text is probably wrong: Mich Ew Ol Sgf Bu כֵּןלִ֗֗֗י (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 also read לִי); Bö Di כִּילְ֗֗֗אָ֑יִן. compare Köii. 1. 236 f.
4. With prefixes: —
  a. בְּלֹא31 (chiefly in poetry or late), according to the varying significance of בְּ:
   (a) usually with not = without, Jer 22:13 בונה ביתו בלאֿ צדק without justice (|| בלא משׁפט; so Ezek 22:29; Prov 16:8), Isa 55:1 (twice in verse); Prov 19:2; Job 8:11 הֲיִגְאֶהגֹּֿמֶא בְּלֹא בִצָּה without mire || כלי מים, Job 30:28 בְּלֹא חַמָּה (=not through the sun), Lam 1:6 וילכו בלאכֿח, Num 35:22 בְּלֹא אֵיבָה ֗֗֗ בְּלֹא צְדִיָּה, vNum 35:23 (followed by infinitive) בְּלֹא רְאוֺת, 2Chr 21:20; Eccl 10:11; Ps 17:1 תְּפִלָּתִי בְּלֹא שִׂפְתֵי מִרְמָה; used more freely in Chronicles, 1Chr 12:18 בְּלֹא חָמָס בְּכַפָּֽי׃, v.1Chr 12:34 בְּלֹא לֵב וָלֵב, 2Chr 30:18 בְּלֹא כַכָּתוּב. With ellipse of rel., Lam 4:14 בְּלֹא יוּכְלוּ יִגְּעוּ without (that) men are able to touch, etc.
   (b) of time, in not, i.e. outside of, Lev 15:25 בלא עֶתנִֿדָּתָהּ, before Job 15:32 בלאיֿומו, Eccl 7:17 בְּלֹא עִתֶּךְ׃.
   (c) where לֹא belongs to the following word, and is only accidentally preceded by ב (see above 2 d), Deut 32:21 (twice in verse); Jer 5:7; Prov 13:23 בלא משׁפט through injustice; with בְּ pretii, Ps 44:13; Isa 55:2 (twice in verse); Jer 2:11 בְּלוֺא יוֺעִיל for (that which) profiteth not.


  b. הֲלֹא nonne ? Gen 4:7 + often Inviting, as it does, an affirmative answer, it is often used,
   (a) especially in conversation, for pointing to a fact in such a way as to arouse the interest of the person addressed, or to win his assent: Gen 13:19 Is not the whole land before thee ? Gen 19:20; Gen 20:5; Gen 27:36; Gen 29:25; Exod 4:11 Who maketh dumb or deaf, etc. Do not I ? Exod 33:16; Judg 4:6; Judg 4:14; Judg 8:2; Judg 9:28; Judg 9:38; 1Sam 9:20; 1Sam 9:21; 1Sam 15:17 etc.; with a verb in 1 person, Josh 1:9 הלא צויתיך, Judg 6:14 הלא שׁלחתיך, 1Sam 20:30; 2Sam 19:23; Ruth 2:9: similarly in a poetical or rhetorical style, Judg 5:30 הלא ימצאו יחלקו שׁלל, Isa 8:19; Isa 10:8; Isa 10:9; Isa 10:11; Isa 28:25; Isa 29:17; Isa 40:21; Isa 40:23; Isa 42:24; Isa 43:19 etc., Job 4:6; Job 4:21; Job 7:1; Job 10:10; Job 10:20, etc. (β) it has a tendency to become little more than an affirm. particle, declaring with some rhetorical emphasis what is, or might be, well known: Deut 3:11 הֲלֹה הִיא בְרַבַּת בְּנֵי עַמּוֺן, Deut 11:30; 1Sam 21:12 הלוא ׳זה דוד וג (compare 1Sam 29:3; 1Sam 29:5; 2Sam 11:3), 2Sam 23:19; 2Sam 26:1; 2Sam 15:35 it is thus nearly = הִנֵּה (ᵐ5 sometimes represents it by ιδου, as Josh 1:9; Judg 6:14; Ruth 2:9; 2Sam 15:35); so especially in the phrase of the compiler of Kings, And the rest of the acts of . . ., הֲלֹא הֵם (הֵמָּה) כְּתוּבִים are they not written in, etc. ? 1Kgs 11:41; 1Kgs 14:29 + often (with which there interchanges הִנָּם כְּתוּבִים 1Kgs 14:19; 2Kgs 15:11; 2Kgs 15:26; 2Kgs 15:31, which is generally used by the Chronicles, 2Chr 16:11; 2Chr 20:34, etc.), Josh 10:13 (compare 2Sam 1:18 הִנֵּה), 1Kgs 8:53 ᵐ5, Esth 10:2; Ps 56:14 (strangely: contr. Ps 116:8). — הֲלֹא הִנֵּה Hab 2:13; 2Chr 25:26 (הִנָּם). — On Judg 14:15, see הֲ 1 end.


  c. וָלֹ֕א and not=and if not, 2Sam 13:26; 2Kgs 5:17. compare וָּיֵשׁ.
  d. כְּלוֺא Obad 1:16 והיו כלוא היו, poetic for כאשׁר, as though they had not been.


  e. לְלֹא without, literally in the condition of no . . . 2Chr 15:3 (compare לְאֵין, also in Chronicles). Elsewhere לא belongs to the following word, Amos 6:13; 2Chr 13:9; Isa 65:1 (twice in verse); Job 26:2; Job 26:3; Job 39:16 (see above 2 d).

Note. — Fifteen times, according to Masora (see DePs 100. 3 FrMM 247 StrProl. Cr. 84), לא is written by error for לוֺ, namely Exod 21:8; Lev 11:21; Lev 25:30; 1Sam 2:3; 2Sam 16:18; 2Kgs 8:10; Isa 9:2; Isa 63:9; Ps 100:3; Ps 139:16; Job 13:15; Job 41:4; Prov 19:7; Prov 26:2; Ezra 4:2 (always with Qr לוֺ). The passages must be considered each upon its own merits: in some לוֺ yields a preferable sense; but this is not the case in all. There is the same קרי (rightly) on Isa 49:5; 1Chr 11:20 but these were not considered to rest upon equal authority, and are hence not reckoned with the fifteen. — In Judg 21:22 (see GFM), 1Sam 13:13; 1Sam 20:14 (twice in verse), and in Job 9:33 לֹא יֵשׁ, read probably לֻא for לֹא.

BDB4344 H3808

BDB4343 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4345

לוֺ (Kt 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2), לוֺא, see לֹא.

BDB9632 H3808 H3809

BDB9631 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9633

לָא (לָה Dan 4:32) adverb not (Biblical Hebrew לא; Aramaic of Têma, Egyptian, etc., לא; Nerab ל (Lzb301 CookG1. 67); ᵑ7 לָא; Syriac ); — not Jer 10:11; Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:10, etc.; before a participle (so rarely in Biblical Hebrew, 1 b c), Dan 2:27; Dan 2:43; Dan 3:16; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15 +, so v.Dan 4:32 וְכָלדָּֿאְרֵי אַרְעָא כְּלָה חֲשׁיבִין; are as men not accounted of (so Bev Behrm Marti, compare Isa 53:8 ᵑ7 בסירין ולא חשׁיבין; > most 'accounted as nothing,' for which no analogy, yet compare Ps 39:6 ᵑ7); followed by אִיתַי, see אִיתַי. With infinitive and לְ Dan 6:9 דִּי לָא לִהַשְׁנָיָה which it is not to alter = which is not to be altered (compare v.Dan 6:16), Ezra 6:8 (K§ 67, 1 Dr§ 202, 2.; compare Isa 35:6 ᵑ7, DAramaic Dialektproben, p. 1). With interr. הֲלָא Dan 3:24; Dan 4:27; Dan 6:13.

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

BDB9639 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9641

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Gen 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke217, 219, 241 S-CPap. C 6, 7 +; lâinnî, however SocArab. Dial. see Marokko 44, Anm. 103; ᵑ7 אִילָּהֵין Gen 32:28; Gen 43:3 and elsewhere); —

1. after a negative (= Biblical Hebrew כִּי אִם, q. v.):
  a. except Dan 2:11; Dan 3:28; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:8.
  b. but (German sondern) Dan 2:30.
2. without a negative: however, but Ezra 5:12.

not, no, neither, nor, none, …
lōʾ
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
  • not, no
    • not (with verb—absolute prohibition)
      • "not (with modifier—negation)"nothing (subst)"without (with particle)"before (of time)

אֵ֥יד
אֵ֥יד
Root word calamity, destruction, calamities
Dictionary form: אֵיד · ade

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: destruction
of their calamity ×7 destruction ×2 of my calamity ×2 the calamity ×2 their calamity ×2 and destruction ×1 and your destruction ×1 at calamities ×1
More options
calamity — Most direct modern equivalent; fits most contexts well.
disaster — Slightly more vivid; good for sudden, catastrophic events.
ruin — Emphasizes the resulting state of devastation.
doom — Carries a sense of inevitable, fated destruction.
catastrophe — Strong register; use for large-scale or climactic contexts.
downfall — Highlights collapse of a person or group; relational nuance.

BDB171 H343

BDB170 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB172

אֵיד noun masculineJob 18:12 distress, calamity (under which one bends, compare Arabic burdening) BevJphil. xxvi. 302 derives from Arabic be strong [also oppress, burden], whence (or ) calamity. — ׳א Job 21:30 +; construct id. Job 31:23 +; אֵידי 2Sam 22:19 = Ps 18:19 etc.; — distress, calamity (in poetry chiefly Wisdom Literature & late); Prov 17:5; Prov 27:10.

1. national calam. of Israel (apostate) Jer 18:17; Ezek 35:5; Obad 1:13 (3 t. in verse); of Egypt Jer 46:21 Moab Jer 48:16 Edom (עֵשָׂו ׳א) Jer 49:8 Hazor vJer 49:32.
2. of righteous sufferer 2Sam 22:19 = Ps 18:19 compare אֵל ׳א i.e. from God Job 31:23 & אָרְחוֺת אֵידָם Job 30:12 their calamitous paths (suffix reference to bereavement, pain, etc.)
3. often of wicked Job 18:12; Job 21:17; Job 31:3; Prov 1:26; Prov 1:27 (wisd. mocks at; || פַּחַד) Prov 6:15; Prov 24:22 also ׳יוֺם א Deut 32:35; Job 21:30 (compare above 2Sam 22:19 = Ps 18:19; Prov 27:10; Jer 18:17; Jer 46:21; Obad 1:13 (3 t. in verse) where || יוֺם אֹבֶד יוֺם צָרה vJer 46:12 vJer 46:14, compare יוֺם יהוה vJer 46:15).

calamity, destruction, calamities
ʾêd
oppression; by implication misfortune, ruin
  • distress, burden, calamity
    • burden (of the righteous)
      • "calamity (of nation)"disaster (of wicked)"day of calamity

לְ עַוָּ֑ל
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
עַוָּ֑ל
Root word wicked, unjust, unrighteous
Dictionary form: עַוָּל · ah-WAWL

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: to the wicked
of the wicked ×2 but the unjust ×1 me as the unrighteous ×1 to the wicked ×1
More options
wrongdoer — Neutral, modern; fits narrative and legal contexts well.
unjust person — Emphasizes violation of fairness or legal norms.
unrighteous person — Moral/theological register; suits prophetic or wisdom texts.
evildoer — Strong moral condemnation; good for poetic parallelism.
corrupt person — Highlights moral or social decay; accessible to modern readers.
villain — Vivid and colloquial; use sparingly in narrative contexts.

BDB5886 H5767

BDB5885 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5887

עַוָּל noun masculine unjust, unrighteous one; — especially of oppressive ruler Zeph 3:5; Job 18:18; Job 27:7 (|| רָשָׁע), Job 29:17; Job 31:3 (|| פֹּעֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן); probably also Job 16:11 (for ᵑ0 עֲוִיל, so Di; || רְשָׁעִים).

I. [עוֺלָה] see II. עול. II. עוֺלָה see עלה. עוֺלֵל, עוֺלָל see II. עלל. עוֺלָם see עלם.

wicked, unjust, unrighteous
ʿawwāl
evil (morally)
  • unjust one, perverse one, unrighteous one

וְ ֝נֵ֗כֶר
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
֝נֵ֗כֶר
Root word strange
Dictionary form: נֶכֶר · neh-KER

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: and a strange
and a strange ×1
More options
foreign — Best for contexts of alien lands or peoples.
strange — Modernized KJV sense; use for unfamiliar or odd contexts.
alien — Emphasizes outsider or non-native status.
unfamiliar — Softer tone; good for abstract or emotional strangeness.
estranged — Highlights relational or covenantal distance.

BDB5209 H5235

BDB5208 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5210

נֶ֫כֶר, [נֹ֫כֶר noun [masculine] misfortune, calamity; — absolute נֶכֶר Job 31:3 calamity (|| אֵיד); suffix נָכְרוֺ Obad 1:12 his calamity.

strange
neker
something strange, i.e., unexpected calamity
  • calamity, disaster, misfortune

לְ פֹ֣עֲלֵי
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
פֹ֣עֲלֵי
Root word workers, wrought, work, do, worketh, …
Dictionary form: פָּעַל · paw-AL

Verb — Qal, Participle Active, masculine plural, construct state simple action — "he did" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: punishment to the workers
the workers ×9 and worketh ×2 do ×2 i have done ×2 i will work ×2 of the workers ×2 of them that work ×2 shall be to the workers ×2
More options
do — Broadest, most neutral everyday choice.
act — Emphasizes agency; suits formal or theological contexts.
work — Highlights effort or ongoing activity; modernizes KJV 'worketh'.
perform — Formal register; suits rituals, deeds, or deliberate actions.
carry out — Practical, action-oriented; good for specific commands or tasks.
make — Stresses a produced result; use when output/creation is in view.

BDB6711 H6466

BDB6710 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6712

פָּעַל57 verb do, make (in poetry for עָשָׂה) (Late Hebrew פּוֺעֵל workman, compare Jewish-Aramaic; Phoenician פעל = Biblical Hebrew (often); Arabic id.; Old Aramaic; פעל; Syriac in derived species and derivatives ); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular Deut 32:27 +, פָ֫עַל אֵל Num 23:23, 2 masculine singular פָּעַלְתָּ Exod 15:17 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִפְעַל Job 22:17 +; 2 masculine singular תִּפְעָלֿ Job 35:6, etc.; Infinitive construct לְפָעְָלָם Job 37:12 (see below); Participle active פֹּעֵל Ps 15:2+, plural construct פֹּעֲלֵי Ps 5:6 +, etc.; —
1. do:
  a. of God, with accusative (abstract) Num 23:23; Deut 32:27; Job 33:29, יְשׁוּעוֺת Ps 74:12 + ל person Ps 31:20; Ps 68:29; Isa 26:12; Job 22:17 with accusative of congnate meaning with verb פֹּעַל Ps 44:2; Hab 1:5 accusative omitted Isa 43:13, compare Isa 41:4.
  b. of men, with accusative Ps 11:3; Job 11:8, + ל person (God) Job 7:20, + ב person (God) Job 35:6 especially of doing evil, שָׁ֑קֶר Hos 7:1, עָוֶל Job 34:32, עַוְלָה Job 36:23; Ps 58:3; Ps 119:3, אָוֶן Prov 30:20, especially פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן Hos 6:8; Isa 31:2; Job 31:3; Job 34:8; Job 34:22; Ps 5:6 + 15 t. in Psalms, Prov 10:29; Prov 21:15, פֹּעֲלֵי רָע Mic 2:1 rarely of doing right, with accusative מִשְׁפָּטוֺ Zeph 2:3, צֶדֶק Ps 15:2.
  c. of clouds, with accusative Job 37:12 (disregarding ֑֯).
2. make;
  a. of God, with accusative concrete Exod 15:17 + ל of thing Prov 16:4, ל of 2nd object Ps 7:16 פֹּעֲלִי Job 36:3 my Maker.
  b. of man, with accusative concrete Isa 44:12; Isa 44:15 accusative omitted Isa 44:12; Ps 7:16. — Isa 1:31 see פֹּעַל.

workers, wrought, work, do, worketh, …
pāʿal
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
  • to do, make
    • (Qal)
      • to do
        • "to make

אָֽוֶן
אָֽוֶן
Root word iniquity, vanity, wicked, mischief, affliction, …
Dictionary form: אָוֶן · aw-WEN

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: of iniquity
of iniquity ×21 iniquity ×16 vanity ×5 wicked ×4 affliction ×3 mischief ×2 wickedness ×2 a wicked ×1
More options
evil — Broad, default choice; fits most moral contexts.
wickedness — Stronger moral weight; good for prophetic condemnation.
wrongdoing — Neutral, modern; suits legal or ethical contexts.
trouble — Captures the harm or affliction sense of the word.
idolatry — Specialized; use when context is clearly cultic or idolatrous.
emptiness — Reflects the vanity/futility nuance; suits wisdom literature.

BDB223 H205 H206 H204

BDB222 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB224

אָ֫וֶן85 noun masculineJob 5:6 trouble, sorrow, wickedness — absolute Num 23:21 +; suffix אוֺנִי Gen 35:18 etc.; plural אוֺנִים Hos 9:4 —

1. trouble, sorrow בֶּןאֿוֺנִי son of my trouble or sorrow Gen 35:18 (E); לֹא הִבִּיט אָוֶן בְּיַעֲקֹב Num 23:21 (song of Balaam), he doth not behold trouble in Jacob (|| he doth not see misery — עָמָל — in Isr); often || עָמָל Ps 7:15 (הִנֵּה יְחַבֶּלאָֿוֶן lo he travaileth with trouble || וְהָרָה עָמָל וְיָלַד שָׁ֑קֶר, yea he hath conceived misery & brought forth a lie), probably thence Job 15:35 (הָרהֹ עָמָל וְיָלֹד אָוֶן) = Isa 59:4 compare עָמָל וָאָוֶן Ps 10:7; Ps 55:11; Ps 90:10; Job 4:8; Job 5:6; Isa 10:1 (see עָמָל); also זוֺרֵעַ עַוְלָה יִקְצָראָֿוֶן Prov 22:8 the sower of iniquity shall reap trouble; in this sense elsewhere only Deut 26:14; Prov 12:21; Jer 4:15; Hab 3:7; Amos 5:5, plural intensive לֶחֶם אוֺנִים bread of trouble, sorrow, or mourning Hos 9:4.
2. idolatry Hos 12:12; Isa 41:29 אָוֶן וּתְרָפִים הַפְצַ֑ר stubbornness is idolatry & (the use of) teraphim 1Sam 15:23 (poetry source); אָוֶן בֵּית Hos 4:15 (for בֵּית אֵלbecause Bethel, house of God, is given over to idolatry) so also Hos 5:8; Hos 10:5 compare ׳בָּמוֺת א Hos 10:8 ׳בִּקְעַת א Amos 1:5 (Baalbek); ׳בַּחוּרֵי א read אוֺן, אֹן = On, Heliopolis Ezek 30:17 — abstract for concrete = idols Isa 66:3.
3. trouble of iniquity, wickedness, מְתֵי אָוֶן Job 22:15 ׳אַנְשֵׁי א Job 34:36 = men of trouble, troublers, wicked men; compare ׳אִישׁ א Prov 6:12; פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן workers of trouble, evil-doers, workers of iniquity Job 31:3; Job 34:8; Job 34:22; Ps 5:6 + (16 t. chiefly late Psalms) Prov 10:29; Prov 21:15; Isa 31:2; Hos 6:8 מַחְשְׁבוֺת אָוֶן thoughts of trouble, wicked imaginations Prov 6:18; Isa 59:7; Jer 4:14 often of words & thoughts Job 11:11 + (5 t.) Ps 36:5 + (9 t.) Prov 17:4; Prov 19:28; Prov 30:20; Isa 29:20; Isa 32:6; Isa 58:9; Isa 59:6; Ezek 11:2; Mic 2:1; Hab 1:3; Zech 10:2 לֹא אוּכַל אָוֶן וַעֲצָרָה Isa 1:13 I cannot bear iniquity with the solemn meeting (RV & most modern; AV it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting).

BDB572 H205

BDB571 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB573

אֹן sorrow, see אָוֶן.

iniquity, vanity, wicked, mischief, affliction, …
ʾāwen
strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
  • trouble, wickedness, sorrow
    • trouble, sorrow
      • "idolatry"trouble of iniquity, wickedness

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.
הֲלֹא אֵ֥יד לְעַוָּ֑ל Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְ֝נֵ֗כֶר Revia Mugrash — a lesser break לְפֹ֣עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן Silluq — end of the verse

הֲלֹא-אֵיד לְעַוָּל וְנֵכֶר לְפֹעֲלֵי אָֽוֶן׃
3
Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?
Cross References

Job 21:30

כִּי לְיוֹם אֵיד יֵחָשֶׂךְ רָע לְיוֹם עֲבָרוֹת יוּבָֽלוּ׃
30
That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.

Job 34:22

אֵֽין-חֹשֶׁךְ וְאֵין צַלְמָוֶת לְהִסָּתֶר שָׁם פֹּעֲלֵי אָֽוֶן׃
22
There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

Psalms 55:23

וְאַתָּה אֱלֹהִים׀ תּוֹרִדֵם׀ לִבְאֵר שַׁחַת אַנְשֵׁי דָמִים וּמִרְמָה לֹא-יֶחֱצוּ יְמֵיהֶם וַאֲנִי אֶבְטַח-בָּֽךְ׃
23
But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Matthew 7:13

Εἰσέλθετε διὰ τῆς στενῆς πύλης· ὅτι πλατεῖα ἡ πύλη καὶ εὐρύχωρος ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ ἀπάγουσα εἰς τὴν ἀπώλειαν καὶ πολλοί εἰσιν οἱ εἰσερχόμενοι δι' αὐτῆς·
13
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Romans 9:22

εἰ δὲ θέλων ὁ θεὸς ἐνδείξασθαι τὴν ὀργὴν καὶ γνωρίσαι τὸ δυνατὸν αὐτοῦ ἤνεγκεν ἐν πολλῇ μακροθυμίᾳ σκεύη ὀργῆς κατηρτισμένα εἰς ἀπώλειαν
22
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make known, his power endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

2 Thessalonians 1:9

οἵτινες δίκην τίσουσιν ὄλεθρον αἰώνιον ἀπὸ προσώπου τοῦ κυρίου καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς δόξης τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ
9
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

1 Thessalonians 5:3

ὅταν γὰρ λέγωσιν Εἰρήνη καὶ ἀσφάλεια τότε αἰφνίδιος αὐτοῖς ἐφίσταται ὄλεθρος ὥσπερ ἡ ὠδὶν τῇ ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσῃ καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐκφύγωσιν
3
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Jude 1:7

ὡς Σόδομα καὶ Γόμοῤῥα καὶ αἱ περὶ αὐτὰς πόλεις τὸν ὅμοιον τούτοις τρόπον ἐκπορνεύσασαι καὶ ἀπελθοῦσαι ὀπίσω σαρκὸς ἑτέρας πρόκεινται δεῖγμα πυρὸς αἰωνίου δίκην ὑπέχουσαι
7
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

2 Peter 2:1

Ἐγένοντο δὲ καὶ ψευδοπροφῆται ἐν τῷ λαῷ ὡς καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν ἔσονται ψευδοδιδάσκαλοι οἵτινες παρεισάξουσιν αἱρέσεις ἀπωλείας καὶ τὸν ἀγοράσαντα αὐτοὺς δεσπότην ἀρνούμενοι ἐπάγοντες ἑαυτοῖς ταχινὴν ἀπώλειαν
1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Proverbs 10:29

מָעוֹז לַתֹּם דֶּרֶךְ יְהוָה וּמְחִתָּה לְפֹעֲלֵי אָֽוֶן׃
29
The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

Proverbs 1:27

בְּבֹא ‫(כשאוה)‬ כְשׁוֹאָה׀ פַּחְדְּכֶם וְֽאֵידְכֶם כְּסוּפָה יֶאֱתֶה בְּבֹא עֲלֵיכֶם צָרָה וְצוּקָֽה׃
27
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

Psalms 73:18

אַךְ בַּחֲלָקוֹת תָּשִׁית לָמוֹ הִפַּלְתָּם לְמַשּׁוּאֽוֹת׃
18
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

Proverbs 21:15

שִׂמְחָה לַצַּדִּיק עֲשׂוֹת מִשְׁפָּט וּמְחִתָּה לְפֹעֲלֵי אָֽוֶן׃
15
It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

Isaiah 28:21

כִּי כְהַר-פְּרָצִים יָקוּם יְהוָה כְּעֵמֶק בְּגִבְעוֹן יִרְגָּז לַעֲשׂוֹת מַעֲשֵׂהוּ זָר מַעֲשֵׂהוּ וְלַֽעֲבֹד עֲבֹדָתוֹ נָכְרִיָּה עֲבֹדָתֽוֹ׃
21
For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
Job 31:2
Read Job 31
Job 31:4