1 Is there not a warfare to man upon earth? And are not his days like the days of a hireling?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- not an appointed time H6635 (צָבָא) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, h…
- to man H582 (אֱנוֹשׁ) — properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
- upon earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
- his days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- also like the days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- of an hireling H7916 (שָׂכִיר) — a man at wages by the day or year
2 As a servant that earnestly desireth the shadow, And as a hireling that looketh for his wages:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- As a servant H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- earnestly desireth H7602 (שָׁאַף) — to inhale eagerly; figuratively, to cover; by implication, to be angry; also to hasten
- the shadow H6738 (צֵל) — shade, whether literal or figurative
- and as an hireling H7916 (שָׂכִיר) — a man at wages by the day or year
- looketh H6960 (קָוָה) — to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect
- his work H6467 (פֹּעַל) — an act or work (concretely)
3 So am I made to possess months of misery, And wearisome nights are appointed to me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- So am I made to possess H5157 (נָחַל) — to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
- months H3391 (יֶרַח) — a lunation, i.e. month
- of vanity H7723 (שָׁוְא) — evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also…
- and wearisome H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
- nights H3915 (לַיִל) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity
- are appointed H4487 (מָנָה) — properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll
4 When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? And I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- When I lie down H7901 (שָׁכַב) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
- I say H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- When shall I arise H6965 (קוּם) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
- and the night H6153 (עֶרֶב) — dusk
- be gone H4059 (מִדַּד) — flight
- and I am full H7646 (שָׂבַע) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
- of tossings to and fro H5076 (נָדֻד) — properly, tossed; abstractly, a rolling (on the bed)
- unto the dawning of the day H5399 (נֶשֶׁף) — properly, a breeze, i.e. (by implication) dusk (when the evening breeze prevails)
5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; My skin closeth up, and breaketh out afresh.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- My flesh H1320 (בָּשָׂר) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
- is clothed H3847 (לָבַשׁ) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
- with worms H7415 (רִמָּה) — a maggot (as rapidly bred), literally or figuratively
- and clods H1487 (גּוּשׁ) — a mass of earth
- of dust H6083 (עָפָר) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
- my skin H5785 (עוֹר) — skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather
- is broken H7280 (רָגַע) — properly, to toss violently and suddenly (the sea with waves, the skin with boils); figuratively (in a favorable manner) to settle, i.e. quiet; specifically, to…
- and become loathsome H3988 (מָאַס) — to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
6 My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, And are spent without hope.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- My days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- are swifter H7043 (קָלַל) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
- than a weaver’s shuttle H708 (אֶרֶג) — a weaving; a braid; also a shuttle
- and are spent H3615 (כָּלָה) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
- without H657 (אֶפֶס) — cessation, i.e. an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or foot
- hope H8615 (תִּקְוָה) — literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy
7 Oh remember that my life is a breath: Mine eye shall no more see good.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- O remember H2142 (זָכַר) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
- that my life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
- wind H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
- mine eye H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- shall no more H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
- see H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
8 The eye of him that seeth me shall behold me no more; Thine eyes shall be upon me, but I shall not be.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The eye H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- of him that hath seen H7210 (רֳאִי) — sight, whether abstractly (vision) or concretely (a spectacle)
- me shall see H7789 (שׁוּר) — to spy out, i.e. (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for
- thine eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
9 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away, So he that goeth down to Sheol shall come up no more.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- the cloud H6051 (עָנָן) — a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. the nimbus or thunder-cloud
- is consumed H3615 (כָּלָה) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
- and vanisheth away H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
- so he that goeth down H3381 (יָרַד) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively,…
- to the grave H7585 (שְׁאוֹל) — hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
- shall come up H5927 (עָלָה) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
10 He shall return no more to his house, Neither shall his place know him any more.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He shall return H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
- no more to his house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- neither shall his place H4725 (מָקוֹם) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
- know H5234 (נָכַר) — properly, to scrutinize, i.e. look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (with suspic…
11 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Therefore I will not refrain H2820 (חָשַׂךְ) — to restrain or (reflex.) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe
- my mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- I will speak H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
- in the anguish H6862 (צַר) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble (as in 6864); (transitive) an opponent (as crowding)
- of my spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
- I will complain H7878 (שִׂיחַ) — to ponder, i.e. (by implication) converse (with oneself, and hence, aloud) or (transitively) utter
- in the bitterness H4751 (מַר) — bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly
- of my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
12 Am I a sea, or a sea-monster, That thou settest a watch over me?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I a sea H3220 (יָם) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin…
- or a whale H8577 (תַּנִּין) — a marine or land monster, i.e. sea-serpent or jackal
- that thou settest H7760 (שׂוּם) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
- a watch H4929 (מִשְׁמָר) — a guard (the man, the post or the prison); a deposit (figuratively); also (as observed) a usage (abstractly), or an example (concretely)
13 When I say, My bed shall comfort me, My couch shall ease my complaint;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- When I say H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- My bed H6210 (עֶרֶשׂ) — a couch (properly, with a canopy)
- shall comfort H5162 (נָחַם) — properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to av…
- me, my couch H4904 (מִשְׁכָּב) — a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
- shall ease H5375 (נָשָׂא) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
- my complaint H7879 (שִׂיחַ) — a contemplation; by implication, an utterance
14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, And terrifiest me through visions:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Then thou scarest H2865 (חָתַת) — properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
- me with dreams H2472 (חֲלוֹם) — a dream
- and terrifiest H1204 (בָּעַת) — to fear
- me through visions H2384 (חִזָּיוֹן) — a revelation, expectation by dream
15 So that my soul chooseth strangling, And death rather than these my bones.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- So that my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- chooseth H977 (בָּחַר) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select
- strangling H4267 (מַחֲנַק) — choking
- death H4194 (מָוֶת) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
- rather than my life H6106 (עֶצֶם) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame
16 I loathe my life; I would not live alway: Let me alone; for my days are vanity.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I loathe H3988 (מָאַס) — to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
- I would not live H2421 (חָיָה) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
- alway H5769 (עוֹלָם) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially…
- let me alone H2308 (חָדַל) — properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
- for my days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
17 What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him, And that thou shouldest set thy mind upon him,Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- man H582 (אֱנוֹשׁ) — properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
- that thou shouldest magnify H1431 (גָּדַל) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
- him? and that thou shouldest set H7896 (שִׁית) — to place (in a very wide application)
- thine heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
18 And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, And try him every moment?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- thou shouldest visit H6485 (פָּקַד) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.
- him every morning H1242 (בֹּקֶר) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
- try H974 (בָּחַן) — to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate
- him every moment H7281 (רֶגַע) — a wink (of the eyes), i.e. a very short space of time
19 How long wilt thou not look away from me, Nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- How long H4100 (מָה) — properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even rela…
- wilt thou not depart H8159 (שָׁעָה) — to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or bewildered
- from me, nor let me alone H7503 (רָפָה) — to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
- till I swallow down H1104 (בָּלַע) — to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy
- my spittle H7536 (רֹק) — spittle
20 If I have sinned, what do I unto thee, O thou watcher of men? Why hast thou set me as a mark for thee, So that I am a burden to myself?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I have sinned H2398 (חָטָא) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
- what shall I do H6466 (פָּעַל) — to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
- unto thee, O thou preserver H5341 (נָצַר) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
- of men H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- why hast thou set H7760 (שׂוּם) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
- me as a mark H4645 (מִפְגָּע) — an object of attack
- against thee, so that I am a burden H4853 (מַשָּׂא) — a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
21 And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust; And thou wilt seek me diligently, but I shall not be.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And why dost thou not pardon H5375 (נָשָׂא) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
- my transgression H6588 (פֶּשַׁע) — a revolt (national, moral or religious)
- and take away H5674 (עָבַר) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation…
- mine iniquity H5771 (עָוֺן) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil
- for now shall I sleep H7901 (שָׁכַב) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
- in the dust H6083 (עָפָר) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
- and thou shalt seek me in the morning H7836 (שָׁחַר) — properly, to dawn, i.e. (figuratively) be (up) early at any task (with the implication of earnestness); by extension, to search for (with painstaking)