Job 23:9

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

שְׂמֹ֣אול בַּעֲשֹׂת֣וֹ וְלֹא־אָ֑חַז יַעְטֹ֥ף יָ֝מִ֗ין וְלֹ֣א אֶרְאֶֽה׃

Transliteration

śəmōʾwl baʿăśōtô wə-lōʾ-ʾāḥaz yaʿṭōp yāmîn wə-lōʾ ʾerʾeh

Grammar Details

*śəmōʾwl*: noun, feminine singular - left/north
*baʿăśōtô*: preposition + Qal infinitive construct + 3rd masculine singular suffix - in his working/when he acts
*wə-lōʾ-ʾāḥaz*: conjunction + negative particle + Qal imperfect, 1st person singular - and I do not grasp/perceive
*yaʿṭōp*: Hiphil imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - he covers/veils himself
*yāmîn*: noun, feminine singular - right/south
*wə-lōʾ*: conjunction + negative particle - and not
*ʾerʾeh*: Qal imperfect, 1st person singular - I see

Word Meanings

*śəmōʾwl*: left, left hand, north
*ʿāśâ*: to do, make, accomplish, work
*ʾāḥaz*: to grasp, seize, hold, perceive
*ʿāṭap*: to cover, enwrap, veil, hide, turn aside
*yāmîn*: right, right hand, south
*rāʾâ*: to see, perceive, look, observe

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Ps 89:46 : 46 How long, O Jehovah? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? [How long] shall thy wrath burn like fire?
Isa 8:17 : 17 And I will wait for Jehovah, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.

Similar Verses (AI)

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