Job 7:2

כְּעֶ֥בֶד יִשְׁאַף צֵ֑ל וּ֝כְשָׂכִ֗יר יְקַוֶּ֥ה פָֽעֳלֽוֹ

As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

יִשְׁאַף

Root word up, swallow, desire, desireth, devour, …

Dictionary form: שָׁאַף · shaw-AP

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

In the KJV here: earnestly desireth

and devour ×1 and hasteth ×1 and panted ×1 and swallowed you up ×1 desire ×1 earnestly desireth ×1 o ye that swallow ×1 of him that would swallow me up ×1

More options

pant after — Best for longing or craving; vivid, visceral desire.

gasp for — Suits breathless, urgent yearning or desperate need.

crave — Broad modern term for strong desire; fits most contexts.

gulp down — Prefer when the sense is literal or figurative consuming.

devour — Strong; use for hostile swallowing or overwhelming force.

eagerly desire — Explicit about intensity; good for didactic or prose contexts.

BDB8379 H7602

I. שָׁאַף verb gasp, pant, pant after, long for (so ᵑ7 Job 7:2); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular וְשָׁאַף consecutive Job 5:5, 3 feminine singular שָֽׁאֲפָה Jer 2:24, 3 plural שָֽׁאֲפוּ Jer 14:6 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשְׁאַף Job 7:2, etc.; Participle active שׁוֺאֵף Eccl 1:5 —

1. gasp, as a woman in travail, figurative of ׳י, Isa 42:14 (|| נָשַׁם); pant after, snuff up the wind (accusative), of wild ass Jer 2:24; Jer 14:6 construction praegn.׳וְאֶלמְֿקוֺמוֺ שׁ Eccl 1:5 unto his place he panteth (comes panting), of sun under figure of racer.

2. gasp or pant with desire Ps 119:131 (|| יָאַב); pant after, be eager for, with accusative Job 5:5 (compare צַמִּים p. 855:b), Job 7:2 (|| יְקַוֶּה), Job 36:20 (but obscure in context).

BDB8380 H7602

II. [שָׁאַף] verb crush, trample upon (|| form of שׁוּף (q. v.), if pointing right, compare Kö^{i. 439}; We Now read שָׁאפִים, etc., from שׁוּף, compare Ges^{«GKC:72p»§ 72p}; perhaps originally pulverize by rubbing, but also apparently by pounding, stamping, treading, Levy^ChWB שׁוּף, Jastr^Dict.שׁוּף, שׁאף; — most make = I. שׁאף, but Vrss render as above); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular suffix שְׁאָפַ֫נִי Ps 56:2, 3 plural שָֽׁאֲפוּ vPs 56:3 ,Infinitive absolute שָׁאֹף Ezek 36:3 Participle suffix שֹׁאֲפִי Ps 57:4 plural שֹׁאֲפִים Amos 2:7; Amos 8:4 — trample upon, crush (the poor, etc.), figurative, with accusative of person Amos 8:4 strangely Amos 2:7 (We Now Marti strike out לְַעֲֿפַראֶֿרֶץ, which Torrey^{JBL xv (1896), 152 explained as old doublet,} compare ᵐ5 ᵑ6; AV RV pant after the dust, etc., hyperb. for extreme avarice, compare Hi Dr; but Dr thinks ᵑ9 possibly original: crush the heads of the poor upon the dust [compare Isa 3:15], in any case strike out בְּ after ׳שׁ crush); אֶתְכֶם מִסָּבִיב ׳שַׁמּוֺת וְשׁ Ezek 36:3; Ps 56:2; Ps 57:4 and (accusative omitted) Ps 56:3.

up, swallow, desire, desireth, devour, …

šāʾap

to inhale eagerly; figuratively, to cover; by implication, to be angry; also to hasten

to gasp, pant, pant after, long for, breathe heavily

(Qal)

to gasp, pant after, snuff up

(Qal) to trample upon, crush

צֵ֑ל

Root word shadow, defence, shade

Dictionary form: צֵל · tsale

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: the shadow

the shadow ×5 in the shadow ×4 under his shadow ×4 are as a shadow ×3 under the shadow ×3 a shadow ×2 is a defence ×2 with the shadow ×2

More options

shadow — Most versatile; literal shade or figurative fleeting quality.

shade — Prefer when physical coolness or shelter from sun is meant.

shelter — Emphasizes protection; good for metaphors of divine refuge.

protection — Abstract register; suits defensive or military imagery.

cover — Informal; highlights concealment or shielding aspect.

BDB7079 H6738 H6752

צֵל noun masculine^{Ps 144:4} shadow; — ׳צ absolute 2Kgs 20:9 +, construct Gen 19:8 +; suffix צִלְךָ Ps 121:5, צִלּוֺ Ezek 31:6 +, also צִלְלוֺ Job 40:22, etc.; plural צְלָלִים Song 2:17; Song 4:6 construct צִלְלֵי Jer 6:4 —

1. shadow on dial 2Kgs 20:9; 2Kgs 20:10 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 20:11 || Isa 38:8 צִלְלֶיעָֿ֑רֶב Jer 6:4, compare Song 2:17; Song 4:6 of mountain Judg 9:36.

2. shadow, shade, as protection (from sun): of branches, Judg 9:15 (in allegory), Hos 4:13; Job 40:22; Jonah 4:5; Jonah 4:6 and (in figurative) Hos 14:8; Ezek 17:23; Ezek 31:6; Ezek 31:12; Ezek 31:17; Ps 80:11; Song 2:3 (of refreshment, delight); of rock Isa 32:2 (simile); קֹרָתִי ׳צ Gen 19:8 shadow of my roof; of cloud Isa 25:4 and (figurative of ׳י's protection) Isa 4:6; Isa 25:4, so probably Isa 16:3 כְּנָפֶיךָ ׳צ shadow of thy wings, figurative of ׳י's protection Ps 17:8; Ps 36:8; Ps 57:2; Ps 63:8 shade, in general, Job 7:2, figurative of ׳י Ps 121:5 hence = protection, defence, of city (wall) Jer 48:45 of ׳י Num 14:9 (JE), Ps 91:1 (see also proper name בְּצַלְאֵל), compare צֵל יָדוֺ Isa 49:2 (covering prophet, under figure of sword), Isa 51:16 (covering people); of human ally Isa 30:2; Isa 30:3, of king Lam 4:20 also of wisdom Eccl 7:12, money vEccl 7:12. — בְּצִלָּהּ Isa 34:15 apparently reference to קִפּוֺז, but improbable; read perhaps בֵּצֶיהָ her eggs Du Che^Hpt (Che^Heb Hpt transpose וּבָֽקְעָה וְדָֽגְרָה).

3. shadow as symbol of transitoriness of life Job 8:9; Job 14:2; Ps 144:4 (כְּצֵל עוֺבֵר), Eccl 6:12; Eccl 8:13 כְּצֵל נָטוּי of an individual Life near its end Ps 102:12, So כְּצֵל כִּנְטוֺתוֺ Ps 109:23 in simile of emaciated members, וִיצֻרַי כַּצֵּל Job 17:7.

BDB7083 H6738

צִלְלוֺ, צְלָלִים, צִלְלֵי see צֶל. above

shadow, defence, shade

ṣēl

shade, whether literal or figurative

shadow, shade

shadow (on dial)

וּ ֝כְ שָׂכִ֗יר

וּ

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

֝כְ

Prefix — preposition like, as

שָׂכִ֗יר

Root word servant, hireling, hired, men

Dictionary form: שָׂכִיר · saw-KEER

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: and as an hireling

of an hireling ×3 hired servant ×2 an hired servant ×1 and an hired servant ×1 and as an hireling ×1 and for thy hired servant ×1 as an hireling ×1 be an hired ×1

More options

hired worker — Most natural modern term; broadly applicable.

day laborer — Emphasizes short-term, wage-based work arrangement.

wage earner — Highlights the payment aspect over role or status.

hired hand — Informal; suits agricultural or rural contexts well.

laborer for hire — More formal; useful in legal or contractual passages.

mercenary worker — Stresses transactional loyalty; fits polemical contexts.

BDB8248 H7916 H7917

שָׂכִיר adjective hired; — absolute ׳שׂ Exod 14:45 +, feminine שְׂכִירָה Isa 7:20 construct שְׂכֹיר Lev 25:53 suffix שְׂכִירְךָ vLev 25:6 plural suffix שְׂכִרֶיהָ Jer 46:21 —

1. hired, of beast Exod 22:14 (E), razor Isa 7:20 (figurative).

2. usually as substantive hireling, hired labourer Deut 15:18; Deut 24:14; Lev 19:13; Lev 22:10; Lev 25:6; Lev 25:40; Lev 25:53 (all H), Exod 12:45; Lev 25:50 (both P), Mal 3:5; Job 7:1; Job 7:2; Job 14:6 ׳כִּשְׁנֵי שׂ Isa 16:14 years like a hireling's years (reckoned strictly), so Isa 21:16 mercenaries Jer 46:21.

יִשָּׂשׂכָר see above

servant, hireling, hired, men

śākîr

a man who is hired by the day or year

hired

hired (of animal)

mercenary

יְקַוֶּ֥ה

Root word wait, waited, looked, look, looketh, …

Dictionary form: קָוָה · kaw-WAW

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

In the KJV here: looketh for

wait ×4 shall wait ×2 we have waited ×2 and he looked ×1 and i looked ×1 and i will look for him ×1 and wait ×1 and while ye look ×1

More options

wait — Most common rendering; fits patient, hopeful expectation.

hope — Emphasizes forward-looking trust, good for poetic contexts.

look eagerly — Highlights active longing; suits urgent or emotional passages.

expect — Neutral, modern tone; fits anticipatory or predictive contexts.

long for — Captures yearning nuance; suits lament or desire passages.

gather — Rare secondary sense; use only when context implies assembly.

BDB7345 H6960

I. [קָוָה] verb wait for (probably originally twist, stretch, then of tension of enduring, waiting: Assyrian ‡ûû II, I. wait, ‡û, cord; Arabic be strong, strength, also strand of rope; Syriac endure, remain, await, threads, so ᵑ7 קַוִּין spider's threads, web); —

Qal Participle plural those waiting for (׳י): construct ׳קוֵי י Ps 37:9 so Isa 40:31 van d. H., and Kt Baer Gi (Qr קוֺיֵי); suffix קִוָ֑י Isa 49:23, קֹוֶיךָ Ps 25:3; Ps 69:7 קִוָיו Lam 3:35 Qr (Kt קוו, i.e. קֹווֺ). Pi`el Perfect 3 feminine singular קִוְּתָה Ps 130:5 1 singular קִוִּיתִי Gen 49:18 + 5 t., קִוֵּיתִי Isa 5:4, ׳וְק consecutive Isa 8:17 suffix קִוִּיתִיךָ Ps 25:21 3 plural קִוּוּ Ps 56:7 +, etc.; Imperfect יְקַוֶּה Mic 5:6; Job 7:2, jussive יְקַו Job 3:9, וַיְקַו Isa 5:2; Isa 5:7, etc.; Imperative masculine singular קַוֵּה Hos 12:7 +; Infinitive absolute קַוֺה Ps 40:2, קַוֵּה Jer 8:15; Jer 14:19 —

1. wait, or look eagerly, for, with ל of thing Isa 5:7; Isa 59:9; Isa 59:11; Jer 8:15; Jer 13:16; Jer 14:19; Job 3:9; Job 6:19 לִישׁוּעָֽתְךָ Gen 49:18 with accusative of thing Lam 2:16 (suffix), Job 7:2; Job 30:26; Ps 39:8 object of thing omitted Isa 64:2 followed by infinitive Isa 5:2; Isa 5:4; Ps 69:21 absolute Job 17:13 with accusative ׳י Isa 26:8 (suffix), Ps 25:5; Ps 25:21 (suffix), Ps 40:2 (+ infinitive absolute), Ps 130:5, accusative omitted vPs 130:5, accusative שִׁמְךָ Ps 52:11 (but read probably אֲחַוֶּה, Hi Che Bae and others, see חוה); with ל of ׳י Isa 8:17; Isa 25:9 (twice in verse); Isa 33:2; Isa 60:9 (but read probably צִיִּים יִקָּווּ ships shall gather (II. קוה), so Du Che^Hpt Di-Kit Marti, compare Skinner (also Luzz Gei Oort), Jer 14:22; Prov 20:22 with אֶלאֱֿלֹהִים Hos 12:7, ׳אֶליֿ Isa 51:5; Ps 27:14 (twice in verse); Ps 37:34.

2. lie in wait for, followed by נַפְשִׁי Ps 56:7 followed by ל person Ps 119:95 (+ infinitive purpose).

3. wait (linger) for with ל of man Mic 5:6 (|| יְיַחֵל).

BDB7353 H6960

II. [קָוָה] verb collect (Late Hebrew Hiph`il collect); —

Niph`al be collected, Perfect 3 plural וְנִקְווּ consecutive Jer 3:17 (of nations); Imperfect 3 masculine plural יִקָּווּ Gen 1:9 (P; of waters; both with אֶל location); so probably of ships (with ל person) Isa 60:9 (for ᵑ0 יְקַוּוּ), see I. קזה

Pi`el 1.

wait, waited, looked, look, looketh, …

qāwâ

to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect

to wait, look for, hope, expect

(Qal) waiting (participle)

to wait or look eagerly for

(Niphal) to be collected

פָֽעֳלֽ וֹ

פָֽעֳלֽ

Root word work, works, acts, deeds, do, …

וֹ

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Dictionary form: פֹּעַל · poh-AL

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

In the KJV here: the reward of his work

his work ×5 the work ×5 thy work ×3 acts ×2 them according to their deeds ×2 a work ×1 according to his work ×1 according to his works ×1

More options

deed — Most natural modern term; suits narrative and poetic contexts.

work — Modernized KJV form; good for labor or divine activity.

act — Prefer for single, decisive or dramatic actions.

action — Slightly more formal; suits ethical or legal contexts.

achievement — Highlights a positive or accomplished outcome.

doing — Colloquial; captures ongoing or habitual behavior well.

BDB6712 H6467

פֹּ֫עַל₃₇ noun masculine^{Prov 20:11} doing, deed, work (in poetry and late, nearly = מַעֲשֶׂה); — ׳פ absolute Hab 1:1; Ps 44:2, construct Deut 33:11 +; suffix פָּעֳלוֺ Deut 32:4 +, פֹּעֲלוֺ Isa 1:31 (Kö^ii.1,35,493 Ges^{«GKC:93q»§ 93q}, see below), Jer 22:13 פָּעָלְכֶם Isa 41:24, etc.; plural פְּעָלִים 2Sam 23:20; 1Chr 11:22 —

1. deed, thing done:
a. of God, פָּעֳלוֺ his work in providence Deut 32:4; Isa 5:12; Job 36:24 in deliverance Ps 44:2 (as accusative of congnate meaning with verb), Ps 77:13 + 5 t.; in judgment Ps 64:10; Ps 95:9, as accusative of congnate meaning with verb Hab 1:5.
b. of false gods Isa 41:24.
c. of men, daily toil Job 24:5; Ps 104:23 specific act Ruth 2:12 יָדָיו ׳פ of sacrificing Deut 33:11 plural of achievements 2Sam 23:20 = 1Chr 11:32 action as having moral quality Job 34:11; Prov 20:11; Prov 24:12; Prov 24:29, evil implied Jer 25:14; Jer 50:29; Job 36:9; Ps 28:4, כַּפָּיו ׳פ Ps 9:17 חָמָס ׳פ Isa 59:6 good action Prov 21:8.

2. work, thing made:
a. by hands of God Isa 45:9; Isa 45:11 (of men).
b. by man Isa 1:31 (i.e. probably his idol Ges Che^comm. Di and others; > read בַּעֲלוֺ Lag^{Semitic i. 5} Sta^{ZAW iii (1888), 12f.}).

3. wages of work Jer 22:13; Job 7:2.

4. acquisition of treasures Prov 21:6.

work, works, acts, deeds, do, …

pōʿal

an act or work (concretely)

work, deed, doing

deed, thing done

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.

כְּעֶ֥בֶד יִשְׁאַף צֵ֑ל Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וּ֝כְשָׂכִ֗יר Revia Mugrash — a lesser break יְקַוֶּ֥ה פָֽעֳלֽוֹ Silluq — end of the verse

כְּעֶבֶד יִשְׁאַף-צֵל וּכְשָׂכִיר יְקַוֶּה פָֽעֳלֽוֹ׃

As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:

Cross References

Leviticus 19:13

לֹֽא-תַעֲשֹׁק אֶת-רֵֽעֲךָ וְלֹא תִגְזֹל לֹֽא-תָלִין פְּעֻלַּת שָׂכִיר אִתְּךָ עַד-בֹּֽקֶר׃

Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

Deuteronomy 24:15

בְּיוֹמוֹ תִתֵּן שְׂכָרוֹ וְֽלֹא-תָבוֹא עָלָיו הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ כִּי עָנִי הוּא וְאֵלָיו הוּא נֹשֵׂא אֶת-נַפְשׁוֹ וְלֹֽא-יִקְרָא עָלֶיךָ אֶל-יְהוָה וְהָיָה בְךָ חֵֽטְא׃

At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.

Malachi 3:5

וְקָרַבְתִּי אֲלֵיכֶם לַמִּשְׁפָּט וְהָיִיתִי׀ עֵד מְמַהֵר בַּֽמְכַשְּׁפִים וּבַמְנָאֲפִים וּבַנִּשְׁבָּעִים לַשָּׁקֶר וּבְעֹשְׁקֵי שְׂכַר-שָׂכִיר אַלְמָנָה וְיָתוֹם וּמַטֵּי-גֵר וְלֹא יְרֵאוּנִי אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאֽוֹת׃

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

James 5:4

ἰδού ὁ μισθὸς τῶν ἐργατῶν τῶν ἀμησάντων τὰς χώρας ὑμῶν ὁ ἀπεστερημένος ἀφ' ὑμῶν κράζει καὶ αἱ βοαὶ τῶν θερισάντων εἰς τὰ ὦτα κυρίου Σαβαὼθ εἰσεληλύθασιν

Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Jeremiah 6:4

קַדְּשׁוּ עָלֶיהָ מִלְחָמָה קוּמוּ וְנַעֲלֶה בַֽצָּהֳרָיִם אוֹי לָנוּ כִּי-פָנָה הַיּוֹם כִּי יִנָּטוּ צִלְלֵי-עָֽרֶב׃

Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.

Psalms 143:6

פֵּרַשְׂתִּי יָדַי אֵלֶיךָ נַפְשִׁי׀ כְּאֶֽרֶץ-עֲיֵפָה לְךָ סֶֽלָה׃

I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

Psalms 119:131

פִּֽי-פָעַרְתִּי וָאֶשְׁאָפָה כִּי לְמִצְוֹתֶיךָ יָאָֽבְתִּי׃

131

I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

Job 7:1

Read Job 7

Job 7:3

Job 7:2

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R/Ncmsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5650

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Vqi3ms

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7602

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6738

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar C/R/Ncmsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7916

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Vpi3ms

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6960

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmsc/Sp3ms

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6467

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV