Job 23:8

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Behold, I go forward, but he is not [there]; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

הֵ֤ן קֶ֣דֶם אֶהֱלֹ֣ךְ וְאֵינֶ֑נּוּ וְ֝אָח֗וֹר וְֽלֹא־אָבִ֥ין לֽוֹ׃

Transliteration

hēn qedem ʾehĕlōk wə-ʾênennu wə-ʾāḥôr wə-lōʾ-ʾābîn lô

Grammar Details

*hēn*: interjection - behold/look
*qedem*: noun, masculine singular - east/forward
*ʾehĕlōk*: Qal imperfect, 1st person singular - I go
*wə-ʾênennu*: conjunction + particle of negation + 3rd masculine singular suffix - and he is not
*wə-ʾāḥôr*: conjunction + noun, masculine singular - and backward/west
*wə-lōʾ-ʾābîn*: conjunction + negative particle + Qal imperfect, 1st person singular - and I do not perceive
*lô*: preposition + 3rd masculine singular suffix - for him/to him

Word Meanings

*qedem*: east, forward, former time, ancient time
*hālak*: to go, walk, come, depart
*ʾayin*: nothing, non-existence, absence
*ʾāḥôr*: behind, backward, west
*bîn*: to discern, understand, consider, perceive

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

Job 9:11 : 11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: He passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
Ps 10:1 : 1 Why standest thou afar off, O Jehovah? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
Job 35:14 : 14 How much less when thou sayest thou beholdest him not, The cause is before him, and thou waitest for him!
1 Tim 6:16 : 16 who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honor and power eternal. Amen.
Ps 13:1-3 : 1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. How long, O Jehovah? wilt thou forget me for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider [and] answer me, O Jehovah my God: Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the [sleep of] death;
Isa 45:15 : 15 Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Job 23:9-11
3 verses
86%
9On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.
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11My foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside.
Job 9:11-12
2 verses
82%
11Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: He passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
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Job 23:7
78%
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Job 19:7-8
2 verses
75%
7Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry for help, but there is no justice.
8He hath walled up my way that I cannot pass, And hath set darkness in my paths.
Job 23:3
75%
3Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
Job 8:18
74%
18If he be destroyed from his place, Then it shall deny him, [saying], I have not seen thee.
Job 16:22
74%
22For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
Job 38:19
74%
19Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
Job 7:8
74%
8The eye of him that seeth me shall behold me no more; Thine eyes shall be upon me, but I shall not be.
Job 31:4
73%
4Doth not he see my ways, And number all my steps?
Job 23:17
73%
17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
Job 10:21
73%
21Before I go whence I shall not return, [Even] to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death;
Ps 37:36
73%
36But one passed by, and, lo, he was not: Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Job 34:21
73%
21For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, And he seeth all his goings.
Ps 139:7
72%
7Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Job 6:13
71%
13Is it not that I have no help in me, And that wisdom is driven quite from me?
Job 23:13-15
3 verses
71%
13But he is in one [mind], and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
14For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him.
15Therefore am I terrified at his presence; When I consider, I am afraid of him.
Job 35:14
71%
14How much less when thou sayest thou beholdest him not, The cause is before him, and thou waitest for him!
Lam 3:2
71%
2He hath led me and caused me to walk in darkness, and not in light.
Job 34:32
71%
32That which I see not teach thou me: If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more?
Exod 33:23
71%
23and I will take away my hand, and thou shalt see my back; but my face shall not be seen.
Job 14:3
71%
3And dost thou open thine eyes upon such a one, And bringest me into judgment with thee?
Job 9:32
71%
32For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, That we should come together in judgment.
Job 4:16
71%
16It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance thereof; A form was before mine eyes: [There was] silence, and I heard a voice, [saying],
Job 5:8
70%
8But as for me, I would seek unto God, And unto God would I commit my cause;
Job 37:23
70%
23[ Touching] the Almighty, we cannot find him out: He is excellent in power; And in justice and plenteous righteousness he will not afflict.
Job 23:5
70%
5I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me.
Job 28:23
70%
23God understandeth the way thereof, And he knoweth the place thereof.
Job 30:20
70%
20I cry unto thee, and thou dost not answer me: I stand up, and thou gazest at me.
Job 19:27
70%
27Whom I, even I, shall see, on my side, And mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. My heart is consumed within me.
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70%
19If [we speak] of strength, lo, [he is] mighty! And if of justice, Who, [saith he], will summon me?
Job 7:21
70%
21And 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.
Job 9:28
70%
28I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
Job 33:10-11
2 verses
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10Behold, he findeth occasions against me, He counteth me for his enemy:
11He putteth my feet in the stocks, He marketh all my paths.
Isa 40:27
70%
27Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from Jehovah, and the justice [due] to me is passed away from my God?
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70%
25Now my days are swifter than a post: They flee away, they see no good,
Isa 38:11
70%
11I said, I shall not see Jehovah, [even] Jehovah in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.
Jer 23:23
70%
23Am I a God at hand, saith Jehovah, and not a God afar off?
Isa 59:9
70%
9Therefore is justice far from us, neither doth righteousness overtake us: we look for light, but, behold, darkness; for brightness, but we walk in obscurity.
Eccl 7:23
70%
23All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
Job 20:9
70%
9The eye which saw him shall see him no more; Neither shall his place any more behold him.
Job 3:23
70%
23[ Why is light given] to a man whose way is hid, And whom God hath hedged in?
Job 42:3
70%
3Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that which I understood not, Things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.