Job 38:38

בְּצֶ֣קֶת עָ֭פָר לַמּוּצָ֑ק וּרְגָבִ֥ים יְדֻבָּֽקוּ

When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

בְּ צֶ֣קֶת

בְּ

Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with

צֶ֣קֶת

Root word cast, pour, poured, out, molten, …

Dictionary form: יָצַק · yaw-TSAHK

Verb — Qal, Infinitive Construct, construct state simple action — "he did" try "to ___" or "___ing"

In the KJV here: groweth

and pour ×5 and he cast ×4 and he poured ×3 and poured ×3 cast ×3 a molten ×2 and thou shalt cast ×2 i will pour ×2

More options

pour — Best for liquid contexts; most common everyday usage.

cast — Use for molten metal shaped in a mold.

mold — Emphasizes shaping; good for metalworking passages.

flow — Highlights continuous or uncontrolled outpouring.

solidify — Captures the 'firm/hard' sense; use for hardening passages.

set firm — For contexts stressing rigidity or being fixed in place.

BDB3671 H3332

יָצַק verb pour, cast, flow (Talmud id.) —

Qal Perfect יְצַק Lev 8:15+ 2 t.; וְיָצַק consecutive Lev 2:1; Lev 14:15 suffix יְצָקָם 1Kgs 7:46; 2Chr 4:17, etc.; Imperfect יִצֹּק Lev 14:26; Num 5:15 וַיִּצֹּק Gen 28:18 + 8 t.; וַּ֫יִּצֶק 1Kgs 22:35 (intransitive sense); 3 feminine singular וַתִּצֹּק 2Sam 13:9 אֶצֹק Isa 44:3אֶצָּקֿ vIsa 44:3 וַיִּצְקוּ 2Kgs 4:40 Imperative יְצֹק Ezek 24:3 צַק 2Kgs 4:41 יִצְקוּ 1Kgs 18:34 Infinitive צֶ֫קֶת Exod 38:27; Job 38:38 Participle Pass. יָצוּק Job 28:2 + 5 t.; plural יְצוּקִים 2Chr 4:3 יְצֻקִים 1Kgs 7:24 יְצֻקוֺת v1Kgs 7:30 —

1. pour, pour out, oil, in anointing, followed by accusative (שׁמן) + על Gen 28:18 (E), Gen 35:14 (J); followed by מִשֶּׁמֶן + לְ Lev 8:12 (P); followed by על (שׁמן implied from context) Exod 29:7 (P), 1Sam 10:1; 2Kgs 9:3 followed by שֶׁמֶן + אֶלֿ v2Kgs 9:6 figurative, with רוּחִי + על Isa 44:3 oil in sacrifice, + על Lev 2:1; Lev 2:6; Num 5:15 in cleansing, + על Lev 14:15; Lev 14:26 (upon his plam; all P); oil into (על) vessels 2Kgs 4:4 water, for washing, + על 2Kgs 3:11 for drenching, + על 1Kgs 18:34 for boiling (into (בְּ) the caldron), symbolic, Ezek 24:3; Ezek 24:3 for satisfying thirst (figurative) + על Isa 44:3 blood (of sacrifice) + אֶליְֿסוֺד Lev 8:15; Lev 9:9 (P); pottage, for eating, 2Kgs 4:40; 2Kgs 4:41 cakes (לְבִבוֺת) 2Sam 13:9 figurative of disease יָצוּק בּוֺ Ps 41:9 infused into him (al. less probably as 3 molten, i.e. fixed upon).

2. cast (objects of metal) Exod 25:12; Exod 26:37; Exod 36:36; Exod 37:3; Exod 37:13; Exod 38:5; Exod 38:27 (all P), 1Kgs 7:46 = 2Chr 4:17; 1Kgs 7:24; 1Kgs 7:30; 2Chr 4:3.

3. Passive participle as adjective figurative cast, hard, of crocodile's scales Job 41:15 of crocodile's heart v.Job 41:16 v.Job 41:16 (as stone).

4. intransitive flow, pour, only וַיִּ֫צֶק 1Kgs 22:35 (of blood), Job 38:38 בְּצֶקֶת עָפָר לַמּוּצָק Hiph`il Imperfect וַיַּצִּ֫קוּ 2Sam 15:24 וַיַּצִּקֻם Josh 7:23 Participle f. מֹי֯צָ֑קֶת 2Kgs 4:5 — pour (oil) 2Kgs 4:5, figurative of shekels of silver, etc., pour out Josh 7:23 of the ark, 2Sam 15:24 set down (?); but read וַיַצִּיגוּ (Dr Gr). Hoph`al Perfect הוּצַק Ps 45:3Imperfect יוּצַק Lev 21:10; Job 22:16 Participle מוּצָ֑ק 1Kgs 7:23; 1Kgs 7:33; 2Chr 4:2; Job 37:18 מֻצָק Job 11:15 construct מֻצַּק 1Kgs 7:16 —

1. be poured, subject שֶׁמֶן followed by לְ (in anointing), Lev 21:10 (H); figurative of foundation of wicked Job 22:16, see Di; of grace חֵן on lips, Ps 45:3 (followed by ב), see Che.

2. Participle = cast, molten ׳הים המ 1Kgs 7:23 = 2Chr 4:2 as predicate 1Kgs 7:33 construct as substantive מֻצַּק נְחשֶׁת 1Kgs 7:16.

3. Participle, figurative firmly established, predicate of person, ׳וְהָיִיתָ מ Job 11:15 and thou shalt be established (|| לֹא תִירָא).

cast, pour, poured, out, molten, …

yāṣaq

properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard

to pour, flow, cast, pour out

(Qal)

to pour, pour out

to be poured

עָ֭פָר

Root word dust, earth, powder, rubbish, morter, …

Dictionary form: עָפָר · aw-PAWR

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: when the dust

the dust ×23 dust ×13 in the dust ×6 out of the dust ×5 as the dust ×4 and dust ×3 of the dust ×3 and the dust ×2

More options

dust — Modernized KJV core rendering; most universally applicable.

dirt — Earthy, tangible feel; suits lowliness or humble origins.

soil — Prefer when ground/earth sense is primary.

earth — Cosmic or poetic contexts, e.g. 'from earth to earth'.

powder — Best for fine, crushed, or scattered material.

rubble — Suits contexts of ruin, debris, or destruction.

BDB6257 H6083

עָפָר noun masculine^{Lev 14:42} dry earth, dust; — absolute ׳ע Gen 2:7 +, construct עֲפַר Gen 13:16 +; suffix עֲפָרֵךְ Ezek 26:12, עֲפָרוֺ Deut 9:21, etc.; plural construct עַפְרֹת Job 28:6; Prov 8:26 —

1. literally:
a. dry, loose earth, thrown (in malice) 2Sam 16:13 (|| אֲבָנִים); עַלרֿאֹשׁ ׳וַיַעֲלוּ ע Josh 7:6 (J E; sign of grief), so Ezek 27:30; Lam 2:10, and (with זָרַק) Job 2:12 loose earth (on surface of ground) 1Kgs 18:38; Amos 2:7; Mic 1:10; Isa 34:7; Isa 34:9; Lev 17:13 (H) Ezek 24:7 (in figurative), Num 5:17; Job 14:19; Job 38:38; Job 39:14; Gen 26:15 (R), made into siege works Hab 1:10 of sand-storm Deut 28:24 (+ אָבָק); as serpent's food, token of punishment and humiliation, Gen 3:14 (J) Isa 65:25 (compare Mic 7:17 2 e below); ׳זֹחֲלֵי ע Deut 32:24 (poem; compare 2 e).
b. specifically as material of human body Gen 2:7; Gen 3:19 (J), Eccl 3:20, compare Job 4:19; Job 8:19; Ps 103:14, to which it returns (שׁוּב אֶלֿ) Gen 3:19; Job 10:9; Ps 104:29; Eccl 3:20 so (with עַל) Job 34:15; Eccl 12:7.
c. = surface of ground Exod 8:12; Exod 8:13 (twice in verse); (P; הָאָרַץ ׳ע), Job 19:25; Isa 25:12; Isa 26:5 (both || אֶרֶץ), surface of (whole) earth Job 41:25, ׳מְחִלוֺת ע Isa 2:19 (for hiding), so ׳ע alone vIsa 2:10, compare ׳חֹרֵי ע Job 30:6 = soil, Job 5:6; Job 14:8.
d. powder of anything pulverized Deut 9:21 (twice in verse) (compare דָּ֑ק || Exod 32:20), 2Kgs 23:6 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 23:12; 2Kgs 23:15, so in simile 2Sam 22:43 = Ps 18:43, hence = ashes vPs 18:4; Num 19:17.
e. debris, of ruined city 1Kgs 20:10; Ezek 26:4; Ezek 26:12; Neh 3:34; Neh 4:4; Ps 102:15. The following are late: feminine earth of the grave: אֶשְׁכַּב ׳לֶע Job 7:21, so (with עַל) Job 20:11; Job 21:26, compare Job 17:16 ׳יוֺרְדֵי ע Ps 22:30, ׳שֹׁכְנֵי ע Isa 26:19, ׳יְשֵׁנֵי אַדְמַתעֿ Dan 12:2 עֲפַרמָֿוֶת Ps 22:16 ׳ע in figure Ps 30:10.
g. mortar (i.e. dried mud) for plastering houses Lev 14:41; Lev 14:42; Lev 14:45 (P).
h. (iron-) ore Job 28:2 עַפְרֹת זָהָב vJob 28:6 gold-dust (but see סַפִּיר).
i. material of earth Isa 40:12, compare ראֹשׁ עַפְרֹת תֵּבֵל Prov 8:26 the first of the earth particles of the world.

2. figurative:
a. of abundance Gen 13:16 (twice in verse); Gen 28:14 (all J) 2Chr 1:9; Job 27:16; Ps 78:27 (|| חוֺל יַמִּים), compare עֲפַר יַעֲקֹב Num 23:10 (JE); with added idea of commonness, worthlessness Zeph 1:7; Zech 9:3.
b. of worthlessness (alone) Job 22:24.
c. simile of the scattered, dispersed 2Kgs 13:7 ׳כֶּע Isa 41:2 (so van d. H. Ginsb; Baer ׳כֵּע; on meaning see Du Che, reading תְּשִׂימֵם for יִתֵּן).
d. of self-abasement Gen 18:27 (+ אֵפַר), ׳וְנִחַמְתִּי עַלעֿ וָאֵפֶר Job 42:6, פִּיהוּ ׳יִתֵּן בֶּע Lam 3:29.
e. of humiliation (sitting or lying in dust) Isa 47:1 compare Isa 29:4 (twice in verse), Job 16:15; Job 40:13; Ps 7:6; Ps 44:26; Ps 119:25, simile Job 30:19 licking dust Ps 72:9; Isa 49:23; Mic 7:17, compare Tel Amarna tikalu ipra (of enemies, see Wkl^{Altor. Forsch. iii. 291}; also of serpent 1 a above); of ׳י raising from the dust 1Sam 2:8 = Ps 113:7, 1Kgs 16:2 of lifting oneself Isa 52:2.

dust, earth, powder, rubbish, morter, …

ʿāpār

dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish

dry or loose earth

לַ מּוּצָ֑ק

לַ

Prefix — preposition to, for + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)

מּוּצָ֑ק

Root word casting, hardness

Dictionary form: מוּצָק · moo-TSAWK

לַ

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

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: into hardness

casting ×1 into hardness ×1

More options

casting — Prefer when referring to molten metal being poured/formed.

molded work — Emphasizes the finished cast object or artifact.

hardness — Use when context stresses rigidity or solidity.

solid mass — Highlights the dense, unyielding physical quality.

poured metal — Concrete rendering; suits metallurgical or craft contexts.

BDB3673 H4165

I. מוּצָק noun masculine a casting; אֶחָד ׳מ 1Kgs 7:37 (of metal); of dust compactged into clod בְּצֶקֶת עָפָר לַמּוּצָק Job 38:38. — II. מוצק see below צוק

BDB7004 H4164 H4165

II. מוּצָק, מוּצָק noun [masculine] constraint, distress; — absolute מוּצָק Isa 8:23 distress; absolute also מוּצָק Job 36:16, of distress as constraint (opposed to רַחַב); רֹחַב מַיִם בְּמוּצָ֑ק Job 37:10, literally in constraint (i.e. frozen). — 1. מוּצָק see יצק.

casting, hardness

mûṣāq

properly, fusion, i.e., literally, a casting (of metal); figuratively, a mass (of clay)

a casting

וּ רְגָבִ֥ים

וּ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

רְגָבִ֥ים

Root word clods

Dictionary form: רֶגֶב · reh-ɡEB

Noun — Common, masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: and the clods

and the clods ×1 the clods ×1

More options

clod — Modernized KJV form; most recognized equivalent.

lump of earth — Clear and descriptive for general audiences.

dirt clump — Casual register; suits informal or accessible translations.

soil clod — Precise agricultural context; good for farming imagery.

BDB7735 H7263

[רֶ֫גֶב] noun masculine clod of earth; — plural רְגָכִים יְדֻבָּ֑קוּ Job 38:38 clods are joined together; construct רְגְבֵי נָחַ֑ל Job 21:33 clods of (the) wady.

clods

regeb

a lump of clay

clod (of earth)

יְדֻבָּֽקוּ

Root word cleave, cleaveth, clave, hard, overtook, …

Dictionary form: דָּבַק · daw-BAHK

Verb — Pual, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine plural intensive passive — "it was thoroughly done" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: cleave fast together

cleave ×6 cleaveth ×6 clave ×3 and to cleave ×2 followed hard ×2 shall keep ×2 abide ×1 and clave ×1

More options

cling — Best general choice; implies loyal, persistent attachment.

hold fast — Emphasizes firmness; good for covenantal or determined contexts.

stick — Vivid, physical closeness; suits literal adhesion contexts.

follow closely — Prefer when subject is pursuing or keeping up with another.

be joined — Relational or permanent union; suits marriage or alliance contexts.

stay close — Informal, spatial nearness; good for narrative prose.

BDB1812 H1692

דָּבַק, דָּבֵק verb cling, cleave, keep close (Late Hebrew id., Arabic Aramaic דְּבֵק, דְּבַק , ) —

Qal Perfect דָּבַק 1Kgs 11:2 + 2 t.; וְדָבַק consecutive Gen 2:24 דָּבֵ֑ק 2Kgs 3:3 3 feminine singular דָּֽבְקָה Ruth 1:14 + 5 t.; דָּבֵ֑קָה Job 29:10 1 singular דָּבַקְתִּי Ps 119:31 3 plural דָּֽבְקוּ 2Sam 20:2 וְדָֽבְקוּ consecutive Deut 28:60 דָּבֵ֑קוּ Job 41:15 וּדְבַקְתֶּם consecutive Josh 23:12 Imperfect יִדְבַּק Deut 13:18 + 3 t.; 3 feminine singular תִּדְבַּק 2Kgs 5:27; Ps 137:6 וַתִּדְבַּק Gen 34:3 + 2 t.; suffix תִּדְבָּקַנִי Gen 19:19 2 masculine singular תִּדְבָּ֑ק Deut 10:20; Ezek 29:4 (strike out B Co); 2 feminine singular תִּדְבָּקִין Ruth 2:8; Ruth 2:21 3 plural יִדְבְּקוּ Num 36:7; Num 36:9 2 masculine plural תִּדְבָּ֑קוּ Josh 23:8 תִּדְבָּקוּ֑ן Deut 13:5 Infinitive construct וּלְדָבְקָהבּֿוֺ Deut 11:22 + 2 t.; — in Hexateuch only J D, except Num 36:7; Num 36:9 (P); —

1. cling, cleave to,
a. literally followed by בְּ Job 19:20 (bone to skin), so followed by לְ Ps 102:6 followed by אֶל 2Sam 23:10 (hand to sword; accidentally omitted with other words 1Chr 11:13 compare Dr 2Sam 23:11), Jer 13:11 (girdle to loins), Lam 4:4 (tongue to roof of mouth, in thirst), so followed by לְ Job 29:10; Ps 137:6 (as a judgment); so also in metaphor Ps 44:26 דָּֽבְקָה לָאָרֶץ בִּטְנֵנוּ our belly cleaveth to the earth (|| שָׁחָה לֶעָפָר נַפְשֵׁנוּ), Ps 119:25 דָּֽבְקָה לֶעָפָר נַפְשִׁי; fish to scales of crocodile (figurative of Pharaoh), followed by בְּ Ezek 29:4 (but compare above); absolute (reciprocal) of folds of crocodile's belly Job 41:15 further of the חֵרֶם remaining in (sticking to) the hand followed by בְּ Deut 13:18 so of spot, stain Job 31:7
b. so also of abiding on the land of one's tribe Num 36:7; Num 36:9 (followed by בְּ).
c. = remain with, close to followed by עִם Ruth 2:8; Ruth 2:21 followed by בְּ vRuth 2:23.

2. cling, cleave to,
a. figurative of loyalty, affection etc., sometimes with idea of physical proximity retained, followed by בְּ Gen 2:24 (J; man to wife) compare Gen 34:3 (J) 1Kgs 11:2; Josh 23:12 (D); further Ruth 1:14 (Ruth to Naomi); 2Sam 20:2 (people to king); especially (followed by בְּ) of cleaving to ׳י Deut 11:22 (|| אָהֵב, הָלַךְ בְּכָלדְּֿרָכָיו) Deut 30:20 (|| אָהֵב, שָׁמַע בְּקֹלוֺ), Josh 22:5 (|| אָהֵב, ׳הָלַךְ וגו, שָׁמַר מִצְוֺתָיו); compare further Deut 10:20; Deut 13:5; Josh 23:8 (all D), 2Kgs 18:6; Ps 63:9 (followed by אַחֲרֵי) & Ps 119:31 דָּבַקְתּי בְֵעדְוֺתֶ֑יךָ; so
b. of the opposite בְּחַטּאֹות יָָֽרָבְעָם ֗֗֗ דָּבֵ֑ק 2Kgs 3:37,
c. subject disease, calamity, followed by בְּ person Deut 28:60; 2Kgs 5:27 followed by אַחֲרֵי Jer 42:16 followed by accusative Gen 19:19 (J); subject sin Ps 101:3 (followed by בְּ person) Pu`al Imperfect 3 masculine plural יְדֻבָּ֑קוּ passive of Hiph`il 1 followed by בְּ, of crocodile's scales, they are joined together Job 41:9 (|| יִתְלַכְּדוּ); absolute of earth-clods Job 38:38. Hiph`il Perfect 3 feminine singular suffix הִדְבִּיקָ֑תְהוּ Judg 20:42 3 plural suffix הִדְבִּיקֻהוּ 2Sam 1:6 1 singular הִדְבַּקְתִּי Jer 13:11 וְהִדְבַּקְתִּ֫י Ezek 29:4 Imperfect jussive יַדְבֵּק Deut 28:21 וַיַּדְבֵּק Gen 31:23 אַדְבִּיק Ezek 3:26 וַיַּדְבִּיקוּ Judg 18:22; Judg 20:45 וַיַּדְבְּקוּ 1Sam 14:22 + 2 t. (compare Ges^{«GKC:53»§ 53} R 4 Kö^{i. 210}).

1. cause to cling or cleave to, followed by accusative + אֶל, literally וּלְשׁוֺנְךָ אַדְבִּיק אֶלחִֿכֶּ֑ךָ Ezek 3:26 see also Ezek 29:4 (followed by accusative + בְּ; literal, but in metaphor); figurative of causing to cleave to ׳י Jer 13:11 (followed by accusative + אֶל); compare further Deut 28:21 (subject ׳י, followed by accusative of disease + בְּ).

2. pursue closely, followed by אַחֲרֵי Judg 20:45; 1Sam 14:22; 1Chr 10:2 = 1Sam 31:2 (followed by accusative); so also 2Sam 1:6 (followed by accusative)

3. overtake, followed by accusative Gen 31:23 (E), Judg 18:22 compare Judg 20:42 (subject הַמִּלְחָמַה). Hoph`al Participle וּלְשׁוֺנִי מֻדְבָּק מַלְקוֺחָ֑י Ps 22:16 and my tongue is made to cleave (to) my gums; compare below

Qal 1.

BDB9427 H1692 H1693

[דְּבֵק] verb cling (Biblical Hebrew); —

Pe`al Participle plural דָּֽבְקִין דְּנָה עִםדְּֿנָה Dan 2:43.

cleave, cleaveth, clave, hard, overtook, …

dābaq

properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit

to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch

(Qal)

to cling, cleave to

to cause to cleave to

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.

בְּצֶ֣קֶת עָ֭פָר Dechi — a lesser break לַמּוּצָ֑ק Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וּרְגָבִ֥ים יְדֻבָּֽקוּ Silluq — end of the verse

בְּצֶקֶת עָפָר לַמּוּצָק וּרְגָבִים יְדֻבָּֽקוּ׃

When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?

Job 38:37

Read Job 38

Job 38:39

Job 38:38

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R/Vqc

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H3332

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6083

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Rd/Ncmsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H4165

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar C/Ncmpa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7263

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar VPi3mp

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H1692

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV