Job 39:20

הְֽ֭תַרְעִישֶׁנּוּ כָּאַרְבֶּ֑ה ה֖וֹד נַחְר֣וֹ אֵימָֽה
Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

הְֽ֭ תַרְעִישֶׁ נּוּ
הְֽ֭
Prefix — question marker turns the sentence into a question
תַרְעִישֶׁ
Root word shake, trembled, tremble, shook, moved, …
נּוּ
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: רָעַשׁ · raw-ASH

הְ
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 "?".

Verb — Hiphil, Imperfect (Yiqtol), second person masculine singular causative — "he made (someone) do" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "you"

In the KJV here: canst thou make him afraid
shall shake ×4 shall tremble ×3 and trembled ×2 is moved ×2 shake ×2 trembled ×2 will shake ×2 and i will shake ×1
More options
shake — Most versatile; fits earth, mountains, armies.
tremble — Emphasizes fearful, uncontrolled shuddering motion.
quake — Strong, sudden convulsion; ideal for earthquakes.
shudder — Evokes visceral, whole-body reaction; good for living things.
rattle — Vivid for objects or structures vibrating noisily.
convulse — Intense, violent movement; suits cosmic or battle scenes.

BDB8039 H7493

BDB8038 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8040

[רָעַשׁ] verb quake, shake, intransitive (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew, so Aramaic (rare), and (once) רְשְַׁ toss, rage (of sea); Arabic , usually , , (loan-word?), tremble, quiver, quake; compare perhaps Assyrian rêšu, exult); —

Qal Perfect 3 feminine singular רָעֲשָׁה Jer 8:16; Jer 49:21, רָעָ֑שָׁה Judg 5:4; Ps 68:9 3 plural רָעֲשׁוּ Joel 2:10 +, etc. Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִרְעַשׁ Ps 72:16, 3 feminine plural תִּרְעַשְׁנָה Ezek 26:10, etc.; Participle plural רֹעֲשִׁים Jer 4:24 — quake, shake, of earth Judg 5:4 = Ps 68:9, 2Sam 22:8 (|| רגז) = Ps 18:8 (|| id.), Ps 77:19 (+ רגז), also Isa 13:13 (with עַלכֵּֿן, + מִמְּקוֺמוֺ, pregnantly; || רָגַז), Jer 51:29 with מִן causative Jer 8:16; Jer 10:10; Jer 49:21 of מוֺסְדֵי אָ֑רֶץ Isa 24:18 of heavens Joel 2:10 (לִפְנֵי causative; || רָגַז); heavens and earth Joel 4:16 mountains Jer 4:24; Nah 1:5 (מִן person causative ), Ps 46:4 (ב causative ); walls Ezek 26:10 (מִן causative ); אִיִּים vEzek 26:15 (id.); מִגְרשׁוֺת Ezek 27:28 (ל causative ); הַסִּפִּים Amos 9:1 all living things Ezek 38:20 (מִפָּנַי causative ); of waving grain Ps 72:16. Niph`al נִרְעֲשָׁה הָאָרֶץ Jer 50:46 is made to quake (מִקּוֺל). Hiph`il Perfect 2 masculine singular הִרְעַשְׁתָּה Ps 60:4 1 singular הַרְעַשְׁתִּי Ezek 31:16 ׳וְהִר consecutive Hag 2:7 Imperfect 2 masculine singular suffix 3 masculine singular (הֲ)תַרְעִישֶׁנּוּ Job 39:20 Participle מַרְעִישׁ Isa 14:16 + 2 t.; —
1. cause to quake, subject ׳י, with accusative of heavens, earth, nations, etc., Hag 2:6; Hag 2:7; Hag 2:21, compare Ps 60:4 nations + מִקּוֺל Ezek 31:16 subject man, with accusative of kingdoms Isa 14:16 (|| מַרְגִּיז).
2. cause (horse) to spring, leap (like locust), man subject, Job 39:20.

shake, trembled, tremble, shook, moved, …
rāʿaš
to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifically, to spring (as a locust)
  • to quake, shake
    • (Qal) to quake, shake
      • "(Niphal) to be made to quake"(Hiphil)
      • to cause to quake
        • "to cause to spring or leap (of horse)

כָּ אַרְבֶּ֑ה
כָּ
Prefix — preposition like, as + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
אַרְבֶּ֑ה
Root word locusts, locust, grasshoppers, grasshopper
Dictionary form: אַרְבֶּה · ar-BEH

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

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: as a grasshopper
the locusts ×4 the locust ×3 and the locusts ×2 locust ×2 locusts ×2 and that which the locust ×1 are as the locusts ×1 as a grasshopper ×1
More options
locust — Standard modern term; singular/collective, widely understood.
swarm locust — Highlights the gregarious, swarming phase of the insect.
migratory locust — Precise biological term; good for scientific-register translations.
grasshopper — Use when context stresses smallness or individual insect, not plague.
locust swarm — Emphasizes collective devastation; suits plague or judgment contexts.

BDB7708 H697

BDB7707 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7709

אַרְבֶּה noun masculineExod 10:19 a kind of locust (usually interpreted as the multitudinous, but DlHWB 126 as = Assyrian âribu, êribu, êribû, locust-swarm, from ארב devastate); — always absolute ׳(הָ)א; — usually collective locust-swarm, in simile of swarm of invaders Judg 6:5; Judg 7:12 often apparently the common species (|| other species, compare לְמִינוֺ Lev 11:22): Jer 46:23; Nah 3:15 (simile of multitude; || יֶלֶק); as destructive Exod 10:4; Exod 10:12; Exod 10:13; Exod 10:14 (twice in verse); Exod 10:19a (all J), Ps 105:34 (|| יֶלֶק), Deut 28:38 (verb תסל), 1Kgs 8:37 = 2Chr 6:28; Ps 78:46 (all + תָסִיל), Joel 1:4 (twice in verse) (|| גָּזָם, יֶלָק, חָסִיל), Joel 2:25 (|| id.); as disappearing suddenly (simile) Nah 3:17 (|| גּוֺב גּוֺבַי); as edible Lev 11:22 (H; || סָלְעָם, חִרְגֹּל, חָגָב); as well organized Prov 30:27 (compare Joel 2:7; Joel 2:8); of single locust, אֶחָד ׳א Exod 10:19b (J), as leaping (simile) Job 39:20, as shaken out of garment (simile) Ps 109:23 (see II. נָעַר). — compare DrJoel 82 ff.

locusts, locust, grasshoppers, grasshopper
ʾarbe
a locust (from its rapid increase)
  • a kind of locust, locust swarm (collective)

ה֖וֹד
ה֖וֹד
Root word glory, honour, majesty, beauty, comeliness, …
Dictionary form: הוֹד · hode

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

In the KJV here: the glory
his glory ×3 honour ×2 majesty ×2 the glory ×2 and his beauty ×1 and the majesty ×1 glory ×1 his glorious ×1
More options
majesty — Best for royal or divine grandeur contexts.
splendor — Vivid, contemporary; suits poetic or liturgical passages.
glory — Modernizes frequent KJV rendering; broad theological use.
honor — Modernizes KJV 'honour'; fits social or dignitary contexts.
radiance — Emphasizes luminous, outward beauty or brilliance.
grandeur — Conveys impressive scale or stateliness; slightly formal.

BDB2090 H1935

BDB2089 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2091

I. הוֺד noun masculineJob 37:22 splendour, majesty, vigour (chiefly in poetry) (Late Hebrew id.) — ׳ה absolute Job 37:22 + 8 t. (׳הַה 1Chr 29:11); construct Isa 30:30 + 3 t.; suffix הוֺדִי Dan 10:8 הוֺדְךָ Num 27:20 + 2 t.; הוֺדֶ֑ךָ Prov 5:9; Ps 145:4 הוֺדוֺ Hos 14:7 + 3 t.; הֹדֹה Jer 22:18 —

1. splendour, majesty, of king הוֺדְךָ וַהֲדָרֶ֑ךָ Ps 45:4 הוֺד וְהָדָר תְּשַׁוֶּה עָלָיו Ps 21:6, subject ׳י (|| גָּדוֺל כְּבוֺדוֺ בִּישׁוּעָתֶ֑ךָ); foretold of the צֶמַח Zech 6:13 וְהוּאיִֿשָּׂא הוֺד וְיָשַׁב וּמָשַׁל עַלכִּֿסְאוֺ; compare וַיִּתֵּן עָלָיו הוֺד מַלְכוּת 1Chr 29:25 (׳י confers on Solomon); ׳וְלֹא ָ˜נתְנוּ עָלָיו ה מַלְכוּת Dan 11:21 (of usurper); see also וְהוֺי הֹדֹה Jer 22:18 in lament for king. Hence also
2. divine splendour, majesty, light & glory which God wears as king: הוֺד וְהָדָר לָבָ֑שְׁתָּ Ps 104:1 (7 t. joined with הָדָר); compare Job 40:10 where ׳י addresses Job in irony: עַלאֱֿלוֺהַּ נוֺרָא הוֺד Job 37:22 וְהָדָר לְפָנָיו ׳ה Ps 96:6 = 1Chr 16:26 also הַגְּדֻלָּה ׳וְהַגְּבוּרָה וְהַתִּפְאֶרֶת וְהַנֵּצַח וְהַה 1Chr 29:11 see further כִּסָּה שָׁמַיִם הוֺדוֺ Hab 3:3 (|| וּתְהִלָּתוֺ מָֽלְאָה הָאָ֑רֶץ); אֲשֶׁרתְּֿנָה הוֺדְךָ עַלהַֿשָּׁמַיִם Ps 8:2 (|| בְּכָלהָֿאָ֑רֶץ מָהאַֿדִּיר שִׁמְךָ); also הוֺדוֺ עַלאֶֿרֶץ וְשָׁמָ֑יִם Ps 148:13 (|| נִשְׁגָּב שְׁמוֺ לְבַדּוֺ); הֲדַר כְּבוֺד הוֺדֶ֑ךָ Ps 145:4 of Yahweh's actions הוֺד וְהָדָר פָּעֳלוֺ Ps 111:3 of his voice אֶתהֿוֺד קוֺלוֺ ׳זְהִשְׁמִיעַ י Isa 30:30.
3. a. splendour of Israel under divine blessing וִיהִי כַזַּיִת הוֺדוֺ Hos 14:7.
  b. majesty, dignity, authority of Moses Num 27:20 (P; only here in Hexateuch) וְנָתַתָּ מֵהוֺדְךָ עָלָיו. Also,
  c. manly vigour לַאֲחֵרִים הוֺדֶ֑ךָ פֶּןתִּֿתֵּן Prov 5:9, in warning against licentiousness; as displayed in outward appearance וְהוֺדִי נֶהְפַּךְ עָלַי לְמַשְׁחִית Dan 10:8 (|| כֹּחַ).
4. of a horse, majesty, majestic force הוֺד נַחְרוֺ אֵימָה Job 39:20 the majesty of his snorting (majestic snorting, VB) is a terror; also in simile of Yahweh's dealings with Judah, וְשָׂם אוֺתָם כְּסוּס הוֺדוֺ בַּמִּלְחָמָה Zech 10:3 and he will make them like the horse of his majesty in battle.

glory, honour, majesty, beauty, comeliness, …
hôd
grandeur (i.e., an imposing form and appearance)
  • splendor, majesty, vigour

נַחְר ֣וֹ
נַחְר
Root word nostrils, snorting
֣וֹ
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: נַחַר · na-HAHR

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

In the KJV here: of his nostrils
of his nostrils ×1 the snorting ×1
More options
snorting — Best for animal or battle imagery; vivid and dynamic.
nostrils — Anatomical sense; fits descriptions of breathing or anger.
nasal blast — Emphasizes the forceful expulsion of breath.
flaring nostrils — Captures both anatomy and emotional intensity.

BDB5130 H5170

BDB5129 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5131

[נַ֫חַר] noun [masculine] a snorting; suffix נַחְרוֺ Job 39:20 (of horse).

BDB5131 H5170

BDB5130 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5132

[נַחֲרָה] noun feminine id.; — construct נַחֲרַת סוּסָיו Jer 8:16.

nostrils, snorting
naḥar
a snorting
  • snorting

אֵימָֽה
אֵימָֽה
Root word fear, terror, terrors, terrible, horror, …
Dictionary form: אֵימָה · ay-MAW

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: is terrible
fear ×2 an horror ×1 and terror ×1 are terrible ×1 his fear ×1 is terrible ×1 me and the terrors ×1 my fear ×1
More options
terror — Strongest rendering; fits contexts of overwhelming dread.
dread — Slightly more internal/psychological; good for personal fear.
horror — Emphasizes visceral, gut-level reaction; vivid in narrative.
awe-inspiring dread — Use when the source is divine or majestic.
fear — Broader, milder; suits less intense or generalized contexts.
dread-inspiring presence — Captures the noun's occasional sense of a fearsome entity.

BDB382 H367 H368

BDB381 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB383

אֵימָה17 noun feminine terror, dread (Talmud id., compare Assyrian imtu, DlW) — ׳א Gen 15:12 +; אֵימָ֫תָה Exod 15:16 (compare Ges«GKC:90»§ 90, 2 R. b); construct אֵימַת Prov 20:2 suffix אֵימָתִי Exod 23:27 אֵמָתִי Job 33:7, etc.; plural אֵימִים Jer 50:38 אֵמִים Job 20:25 אֵימוֺת Ps 55:5 suffix אֵמֶיךָ Ps 88:16 — terror, dread (mostly in poetry), inspired by ׳י Exod 15:16 (song in E || פַּחַד) Exod 23:27 (E) Deut 32:25; Job 9:34; Job 13:21 compare Job 33:7; Job 20:25; Ps 88:16 (|| חֲרוֺנִים, בִּעוּתִים vPs 88:17); compare Gen 15:2 אֵימָה חֲשֵׁכָה גְדוֺלָה; occasioned by enemies Josh 2:9; Isa 33:18; Ezra 3:3 by king Prov 20:2 compare Ps 55:5 אֵימוֺת מָוֶת (|| יִרְאָה, רַעַד, פַּלָּצוּת vPs 55:6); predicate of snorting of a war-horse Job 39:20, of teeth of crocodile Job 41:6 plural figurative = idols (i.e. dreadful, shocking things) Jer 50:38 (|| פּסלים).

BDB9295 H574 H367

BDB9294 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9296

[אֵימְתָן D§ 35, 1 θ] adjective terrible (ᵑ7 אֵימְתָן, from אֵימְתָא = Biblical Hebrew אֵימָה, q. v. √ אים); — feminine singular absolute אֵימְתָנִי (K§ 61, 5)) Dan 7:7 (on form see PrätZMG lvi (1902), 156 NöBSSW 51, Anm. 3).

fear, terror, terrors, terrible, horror, …
ʾêmâ
fright; concrete, an idol (as a bugbear)
  • terror, dread

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.
הְֽ֭תַרְעִישֶׁנּוּ Dechi — a lesser break כָּאַרְבֶּ֑ה Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here ה֖וֹד נַחְר֣וֹ אֵימָֽה Silluq — end of the verse

הְֽתַרְעִישֶׁנּוּ כָּאַרְבֶּה הוֹד נַחְרוֹ אֵימָֽה׃
20
Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
Cross References

Jeremiah 8:16

מִדָּן נִשְׁמַע נַחְרַת סוּסָיו מִקּוֹל מִצְהֲלוֹת אַבִּירָיו רָעֲשָׁה כָּל-הָאָרֶץ וַיָּבוֹאוּ וַיֹּֽאכְלוּ אֶרֶץ וּמְלוֹאָהּ עִיר וְיֹשְׁבֵי בָֽהּ׃
16
The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.

Job 41:20

מִנְּחִירָיו יֵצֵא עָשָׁן כְּדוּד נָפוּחַ וְאַגְמֹֽן׃
20
Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.

Joel 2:5

כְּקוֹל מַרְכָּבוֹת עַל-רָאשֵׁי הֶֽהָרִים יְרַקֵּדוּן כְּקוֹל לַהַב אֵשׁ אֹכְלָה קָשׁ כְּעַם עָצוּם עֱרוּךְ מִלְחָמָֽה׃
5
Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
Job 39:19
Read Job 39
Job 39:21