King James Version

Job 23:9

On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

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Hebrew

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שְׂמֹ֣אולsemovlleftשְׂמֹאולnoun, common, masculine, singular, absolute — “left”, the ordinary formH8040properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left handleft (hand, side).בַּעֲשֹׂת֣וֹbaasotvoin doעָשָׂהpreposition, verb, qal, infinitive construct, suffix, pronominal, 3rd person, masculine, singular — “in do”, the to-form of the verbH6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest applicationaccomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, f…וְלֹאveloand no , -r,לֹאconjunction, particle, negative — “and no , -r,”H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles[idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as trul…אָ֑חַזachazbeholdחָזָהverb, qal, imperfect, 1st person, common, singular — “behold”, an unfinished actionH2372to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have avision ofbehold, look, prophesy, provide, see.יַעְטֹ֥ףyatofcoverעָטַףverb, qal, imperfect, 3rd person, masculine, singular — “cover”, an unfinished actionH5848to shroud, i.e. clothe (whether transitive or reflex.); hence (from the idea of darkness) to languishcover (over), fail, faint, feebler, hide self, be overwhelmed, swoon.יָ֝מִ֗יןyaminrightיָמִיןnoun, common, feminine, singular, absolute — “right”, the ordinary formH3225the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south[phrase] left-handed, right (hand, side), south.וְלֹ֣אveloand no , -r,לֹאconjunction, particle, negative — “and no , -r,”H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles[idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as trul…אֶרְאֶֽהerehseeרָאָהverb, qal, imperfect, 1st person, common, singular — “see”, an unfinished actionH7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), m…

Jewish translation (JPS 1917)

On the left hand, when He doth work, but I cannot behold Him, He turneth Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.

Compare Public-Domain Translations

The King James Version remains the text of this page and the canonical URL.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Young’s Literal Translation

[To] the left in His working — and I see not, He is covered [on] the right, and I behold not.

World English Bible

He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

Darby Translation

On the left hand, where he doth work, but I behold [him] not; he hideth himself on the right hand, and I see [him] not.

Douay-Rheims

If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.

Jewish Publication Society (1917)

On the left hand, when He doth work, but I cannot behold Him, He turneth Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.

Brenton’s Septuagint (1851), English

When he wrought on the left hand, then I observed it not: his right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see it .

Septuagint (Brenton’s Greek, 1851)

Ἀριστερὰ ποιήσαντος αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐ κατέσχον, περιβαλεῖ δεξιὰ καὶ οὐκ ὄψομαι·