Job 41:5

Hebrew Bible (Masoretic) numbering: 40:29

הַֽתְשַׂחֶק בּ֭וֹ כַּצִּפּ֑וֹר וְ֝תִקְשְׁרֶ֗נּוּ לְנַעֲרוֹתֶֽיךָ

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

Connections

מִבְּכִי נְהָרוֹת חִבֵּשׁ וְתַעֲלֻמָהּ יֹצִא אֽוֹר׃

He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light.

וַֽיְהִי ‫(כי)‬ ‫(טוב)‬ כְּיטוֹב לִבָּם וַיֹּאמְרוּ קִרְאוּ לְשִׁמְשׁוֹן וִישַֽׂחֶק-לָנוּ וַיִּקְרְאוּ לְשִׁמְשׁוֹן מִבֵּית ‫(האסירים)‬ הָאֲסוּרִים וַיְצַחֵק לִפְנֵיהֶם וַיַּֽעֲמִידוּ אוֹתוֹ בֵּין הָֽעַמּוּדִֽים׃

And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.

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Job 41:5

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Cantillation

Masoretic Phrasing

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.

הַֽתְשַׂחֶק בּ֭וֹ Dechi — a lesser break כַּצִּפּ֑וֹר Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְ֝תִקְשְׁרֶ֗נּוּ Revia Mugrash — a lesser break לְנַעֲרוֹתֶֽיךָ Silluq — end of the verse

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Word Parts

הַֽ תְשַׂחֶק

הַֽ

Prefix — question marker turns the sentence into a question

תְשַׂחֶק

Root word laugh, play, played, sport, scorneth, …

Dictionary form: שָׂחַק · saw-HAHK

Vowels & Accents

הַ

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 "?".

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ti/Vpi2ms

Verb — Piel, Imperfect (Yiqtol), second person masculine singular intensive — "he really / thoroughly did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "you"

הַֽ	Speech Particle Type Interrogative
תְשַׂחֶק	Speech Verb Stem Piel Type Imperfect (Yiqtol) Person Second Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: wilt thou play

of them that make merry ×2 played ×2 rejoicing ×2 shall laugh ×2 and play ×1 and playing ×1 and shall laugh ×1 and she shall rejoice ×1

More options

laugh — Core meaning; use for joyful or scornful laughter alike.

play — Preferred for festive, physical, or performative contexts.

rejoice — Emphasizes celebratory, exuberant joy over mere amusement.

mock — Use when the tone is contemptuous or derisive.

deride — Stronger than mock; scornful laughter directed at someone.

frolic — Captures lighthearted, carefree play in festive scenes.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB8199 H7832

שָׂחַק verb laugh (|| צהק, q. v.; Late Hebrew שָׂחַק, סָחַק; Ethiopic ); —

QalPerfect 3 masculine singular ׳וְשׂ consecutive Prov 29:9 3 plural שָֽׂחֲקוּ Lam 1:7; Job 30:1 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשְׂחַק Job 39:7 +, etc.; Infinitive construct שְׂחוֺק Judg 16:24; Eccl 3:4 —

l. a. laugh at, usually in contempt, derision, with עַל person Job 30:1; Ps 52:8 עַל of thing Lam 1:7 with ל person God subject Ps 37:13; Ps 59:9 (|| לָעַג); with ל of thing or person= have no fear of, Hab 1:10; Job 5:22; Prov 31:25 also, figurative, of noble animals Job 39:7; Job 39:18; Job 39:22; Job 41:21 absolute, Prov 29:9 (opposed to רָגַז), of ׳י Ps 2:4 (|| לָעֵג), of wisdom Prov 1:26 (ב temporal; || id.).

b. with אֶל person, apparently of friendly laugh Job 29:24 in general Eccl 3:4 (opposed to בָּכָה).

2. sport, play, Judg 16:27. Pi`el Perfect 1 singular וְשִׂחַקְתִּ֫י 1Sam 6:21 Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיְשַׂחֶקֿ Judg 16:25, etc.; Infinitive construct לְשֵׂחֶקֿ Ps 104:26 Participle מְשַׂחֵק Prov 26:19; 1Chr 15:29, feminine מְשֵׂחֶ֫קֶת Prov 8:30; Prov 8:31 plural מְשַׂחֲקִים 2Sam 6:5 +, מְשַׂחֲקוֺת 1Sam 18:7 —

1. make sport, Judg 16:25 (ל person) 2Sam 2:14 (לִפְנֵי person; in tournament), Prov 8:30 (לִפְנֵי), vProv 8:31 ב loc).

2. jest, Prov 26:19.

3. play: including instrumental music, singing and dancing 1Sam 18:7, c ׳לִפְנֵי י. 2Sam 6:5 (ב instrumental), = 1Chr 13:8; 2Sam 6:21; 1Chr 15:29 ( + מְרַקֵּד); of merry-making Jer 15:17 (|| עָלַז), Jer 30:19; Jer 31:4 of children's sport Zech 8:5 of beasts Job 40:20; Ps 104:25 of man, play with (ב) crocod, Job 40:29. Hiph`il (declar.) Participle. plural מַשְׂחִיקִים 2Chr 30:10 they uttered mockery עֲלֵיהֶם (|| מַלְעִנִים).

Strong's Definition H7832

laugh, play, played, sport, scorneth, …

śāḥaq

to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play

to laugh, play, mock

(Qal)

to laugh (usually in contempt or derision)

to make sport

Variations 29 forms of this word

Translations 32 English renderings

Word Parts

בּ ֭וֹ

בּ

Preposition in, at, by, with

֭וֹ

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Sp3ms

Preposition

בּ	Speech Preposition
וֹ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

In English

it ×144 him ×95 them ×83 thee ×59 me ×53 unto him ×35 you ×28 he ×22

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Word Parts

כַּ צִּפּ֑וֹר

כַּ

Prefix — preposition like, as + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)

צִּפּ֑וֹר

Root word bird, birds, fowl, sparrow, fowls

Dictionary form: צִפּוֹר · tsip-PORE

Vowels & Accents

כַּ

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

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Rd/Ncbsa

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

כַּ	Speech Preposition Type Definite Article
צִּפּוֹר	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Both Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: with him as with a bird

bird ×8 as a bird ×5 birds ×4 fowl ×4 of the bird ×3 of the birds ×2 the birds ×2 a birds ×1

More options

bird — Most universal, neutral term; suits nearly any context.

sparrow — Prefer when smallness or vulnerability is emphasized.

songbird — Highlights melodic or delicate species; poetic contexts.

winged creature — Broader, vivid; good for lists or creation passages.

fowl — Modernized KJV rendering; fits domestic or sacrificial birds.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB7211 H6833

I. צִפּוֺר, צִפֹּר₄₀ noun feminine^{Amos 3:5} (masculine Ps 102:8, compare Kö^{Synt § 252 a}, so Ps 104:17, yet compare Albr^{ZAW xvi (1896). 71}), bird; — absolute צִפּוֺר Hos 11:11 + 15 t., צִפֹּר Gen 15:10 + 11 t., construct צִפּוֺר Deut 4:17 + 5 t., צִפֹּרֹ Ps 8:9 plural צִפְָּרִים Lev 14:4 + 5 t.; —

1. single bird, Amos 3:5; Hos 11:11 (simile; || יוֺנָה), Lam 3:52; Job 40:29; Ps 102:8; Ps 124:7; Prov 6:5; Prov 7:23; Prov 26:2; Prov 27:8 (all simile), Lev 14:5 + 10 t. Lev 14 ׳בָּנָף כָּלצֿ Deut 4:17, טְהוֺרָה ׳כָּלצֿ Deut 14:11 (כל distributive); ׳קַןצֿ Deut 22:6 bird's nest, ׳קוֺל הַצּ Eccl 12:4 plural Isa 31:5 (simile), Neh 5:18; Lev 14:4 (שְׁתֵּי צִפְָּרִים, in purify.; compare We^{Heid. 2.171} RS^{Semitic i. 402, 2nd ed. 422}), vLev 14:49 (id.), Ps 104:17; Eccl 9:12.

2. less often collective, either def. Gen 15:10 (two), or indefinite Ps 11:1 (figurative), צִפֹּר שָׁמַיִם Ps 8:9, especially כָּלכָּֿ֠נָף ׳צ Ezek 39:17; Ps 148:10, כָּלכָּֿנָף ׳כֹּל צ Ps 17:23; Gen 7:14, also redund. with עַיִט, כָּלכָּֿנָף ׳עֵיט צ Ezek 39:4 birds of prey of all kinds.

BDB9844 H6833 H6853

[צִפַּר] noun feminine^{Dan 4:18} (compare K^{p. 165, Anm. 3}) bird (see Biblical Hebrew II. צפר); — plural absolute צִפֲּרִין Dan 4:30, emphatic צִפְּרַיָּא v.Dan 4:11, construct צִפֲּרֵי) v.Dan 4:9 v.Dan 4:18.

Strong's Definition H6833

bird, birds, fowl, sparrow, fowls

ṣippôr

a little bird (as hopping)

bird, fowl

bird (singular)

Variations 17 forms of this word

Translations 19 English renderings

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Word Parts

וְ ֝תִקְשְׁרֶ ֗נּוּ

וְ

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

֝תִקְשְׁרֶ

Root word conspired, bind, made, bound, stronger, …

֗נּוּ

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Dictionary form: קָשַׁר · kaw-SHAHR

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vqi2ms/Sp3ms

Verb — Qal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), second person masculine singular simple action — "he did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "you"

וְ	Speech Conjunction
תִקְשְׁרֶ	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Imperfect (Yiqtol) Person Second Person Gender Masculine Number Singular
נּוּ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: or wilt thou bind

conspired ×8 and bind ×2 bind ×2 canst thou bind ×2 hath conspired ×2 them that had conspired ×2 and bound ×1 and conspired ×1

More options

bind — Core physical sense; tying or fastening something.

conspire — Political/treacherous plotting; preferred in narrative contexts.

tie — Everyday physical fastening; more casual than 'bind'.

plot — Scheming against authority; less formal than 'conspire'.

knit together — Figurative unity or close joining of persons or things.

fasten — Secure attachment; suits instructional or legal contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB7646 H7194

קָשַׁר verb bind, league together, conspire (Late Hebrew id., bind, join, קֶשֶׁר knot; ᵑ7 קְטַר, Syriac bind (ט for ת after ק) Nö^{ZMG xi.735}, who compare also ('perhaps') Arabic force to do a thing, Ethiopic bind); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular קָשַׁר Amos 7:10; 1Kgs 16:16 2 masculine singular suffix וּקְשַׁרְתָּם consecutive Deut 6:8, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיִּקְשֹׁר 1Kgs 15:27 +, וַיִּקְשָׁרֿ 2Kgs 15:30, etc.; Imperative masculine singular suffix קָשְׁרֵם Prov 3:3 +; Participle active plural קשְׁרִים 2Sam 15:31 +; passive feminine singular קְשׁוּרָה Gen 44:30; Prov 22:15 plural קְשֻׁרִים Gen 30:42 —

1. bind:
a. literal, with accusative of thing + עַל Gen 38:28 (J), Jer 51:63, + ב, Josh 2:18; Josh 2:21 (JE); bind, confine, with accusative רֵים Job 39:10 (+ בְּתֶלֶם), accusative of crocodile Job 40:29.
b. figurative, with accusative + עַל Deut 6:8; Deut 11:18; Prov 3:3; Prov 6:21; Prov 7:3 (all of religious and moral precepts); with ב, נַפְשׁוֺ קְשׁוּרָה בְנַפְשׁוֺ Gen 44:30 his life is bound up with his [namely the boy's] life (J; of strong affection); בְלֶבנָֿ֑עַר ׳אִוֶּלֶת ק Prov 22:15.
c. passive participle vigorous (properly well- knit; opposed to עֲטֻפִים) Gen 30:42 (J).

2. league together, conspire: with עָ person against 1Sam 22:8; 1Sam 22:13; 1Sam 1:27; 1Sam 16:9; 1Sam 2:9; 1Sam 15:10; 2Kgs 21:24 = 2Chr 33:24; 2Chr 33:25; 2Chr 24:21 with accusative of congnate meaning with verb קֶשֶׁר, 1Kgs 16:20; 2Kgs 12:21; 2Kgs 15:15, + עַל person 2Kgs 14:19 = 2Chr 25:27; 2Kgs 15:30 absolute 1Kgs 16:16; Neh 4:2 (+ infinitive purpose); with עִם, together with, 2Sam 15:31. Niph`al Perfect 3 feminine singular נִקְשְׁרָה 1Sam 18:1 the life of Jonathan was bound up with the life of David (Qal 1 b); Imperfect 3 feminine singular וַתִּקָּשֵׁר כָּלהַֿחוֺמָה Neh 3:38 all the wall was joined together (the circuit complete). Pi`el Imperfect

1. bind on (as ornament), 2 feminine singular suffix וּתְקַשְּׁרִים Isa 49:18 (figurative; || תִּלְבְּשִׁי).

2. bind fast, 2 masculine singular תְקַשּׁר (הַ) מַעֲדַנּוֺת כִּימָה Job 38:31 canst thou bind fast the bands of the Pleiades? Pu`al Participle הַצּאִן הַמְּקֻשָּׁרוֺת Gen 30:41 (J), = Qal 1 with Hithpa`el conspire: Perfect 3 plural הִתְקַשְּׁרוּ עַלֿ 2Chr 24:25 (|| 2Kgs 12:21 Qal 2); Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיִּתְקַשּׁר אֶלֿ 2Kgs 9:14 Participle plural הַמִּתְקַשְּׁרִים עָלָיו 2Chr 24:26.

Strong's Definition H7194

conspired, bind, made, bound, stronger, …

qāšar

to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league)

to bind, tie, bind together, league together, conspire

(Qal)

to bind, confine

to bind on

Variations 28 forms of this word

Translations 32 English renderings

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Word Parts

לְ נַעֲרוֹתֶֽי ךָ

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

נַעֲרוֹתֶֽי

Root word damsel, maidens, damsels, maid, young, …

ךָ

Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)

Dictionary form: נַעֲרָה · na-uh-RAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncfpc/Sp2ms

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

לְ	Speech Preposition
נַעֲרוֹתֶֽי	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Plural State Construct
ךָ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Second Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: him for thy maidens

the damsel ×6 damsel ×5 and the damsel ×3 maidens ×3 of the damsel ×3 the damsels ×3 young ×3 a damsel ×2

More options

young woman — Broadest, neutral modern default for the lemma.

girl — Informal; suits younger or lower-status figures.

maiden — Modernized KJV form; retains unmarried/virginal connotation.

servant girl — Use when context indicates a household attendant.

adolescent girl — Emphasizes age range when narrative stresses youth.

maidservant — Formal register; highlights subordinate social role.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB5279 H5291

II. נַעֲרָה noun feminine girl, damsel; — absolute ׳נ Judg 19:3 + 22 t., also Qr Gen 24:14 + 20 t. Genesis, Deuteronomy (נַעֲרָה Kt in Pentateuch only Deut 22:19, see below); plural absolute נְעָרוֺת 1Sam 9:11 +, construct נַעֲרוֺת Esth 4:4 suffix נַעֲרוֺתָיו Ruth 2:22; Ruth 3:2, נַעֲרֹתֶיהָ Gen 24:61; Exod 2:5, etc.; —

1. girl, damsel; קְטַנָּה ׳נ little girl only 2Kgs 5:2, compare v2Kgs 5:4, perhaps = young daughters Job 40:29 elsewhere = young woman 1Sam 9:11 especially as marriageable, Gen 24:14; Gen 24:16; Gen 24:28; Gen 24:55; Gen 24:57; Gen 34:3; Gen 34:12 (all J), Deut 22:15 (twice in verse); Deut 22:16; Deut 22:19; Deut 22:20; Deut 22:21; Deut 22:24; Deut 22:26 (twice in verse); Deut 22:29; 1Kgs 1:3; 1Kgs 1:4; Esth 2:4; Esth 2:7; Esth 2:8; Esth 2:9; Esth 2:12 (twice in verse); Esth 2:13 specifically virgin בְּתוּלָה ׳נ Judg 21:12; Deut 22:23; Deut 22:28; 1Kgs 1:2; Esth 2:2; Esth 2:3 (compare Deut 22:15b; Deut 22:20); מְאֹרָשָׂה ׳נ betrothed girl Deut 22:25; Deut 22:27 young widow Ruth 2:6; Ruth 4:12 of a concubine Judg 19:3; Judg 19:4; Judg 19:5; Judg 19:6; Judg 19:8; Judg 19:9, a prostitute Amos 2:7.

2. of female attendants, maids (always plural), Gen 24:61 (J), Exod 2:5 (E), 1Sam 25:42; Prov 9:3; Prov 27:27; Prov 31:15; Esth 2:9 (twice in verse); Esth 4:4; Esth 4:16 gleaners Ruth 2:5; Ruth 2:8; Ruth 2:22; Ruth 2:23; Ruth 3:2. —

Note. נער Kt in Pentateuch as feminine (Qr נַעֲרָ֯) is probably not original; it is not found in Sam. Pentateuch, and feminine plural נַעֲרֹתֶיהָ occurs Genesis, Exodus; compare Ges^{«GKC:2n»§§ 2n}, «GKC:17c»17c.

Strong's Definition H5291

damsel, maidens, damsels, maid, young, …

naʿărâ

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

girl, damsel, female servant

girl, damsel, little girl

of young woman, marriageable young woman, concubine, prostitute

Variations 29 forms of this word

Translations 41 English renderings

Damsel Maiden

Job 41:4

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Job 41:6