Job 4:21
הֲלֹא־נִסַּ֣ע יִתְרָ֣ם בָּ֑ם יָ֝מ֗וּתוּ וְלֹ֣א בְחָכְמָֽה׃
Focus on the Passive Niphal: נִסַּ֣ע
The verb נִסַּ֣ע is in the Niphal stem, which often expresses passive or reflexive action. Derived from the root נ־ס־ע (“to journey,” “to depart,” or “to pull up tent pegs”), the Niphal form here implies “was pulled away” or “was removed.” This metaphor evokes the image of a tent being uprooted — a powerful symbol of impermanence in Biblical Hebrew, especially in wisdom literature like Job.
Syntax Spotlight: הֲלֹא־נִסַּע
The verse opens with הֲלֹא, a rhetorical interrogative meaning “Is it not?” or “Have they not?” — indicating the speaker is expecting an affirmative answer. This interrogative, paired with the perfect passive נִסַּע, suggests something completed: “Have they not been removed?” This invites reflection, lament, or subtle accusation.
Word Study: יִתְרָם
יִתְרָם is a compact form that poses some textual and interpretive challenges. Most likely derived from the noun יֶתֶר (“cord,” “remainder”), it is usually understood here as “their cord” or “their tent cord.” The syntax יִתְרָם בָּם (“their cord within them”) continues the tent metaphor: once the cord is removed, the tent collapses — a poetic way of speaking about death or the end of life’s stability.
Plural Verb: יָמ֗וּתוּ
יָמ֗וּתוּ is a Qal imperfect 3rd person plural verb from the root מ־ו־ת (“to die”). It indicates future or potential action: “they will die.” Placed after the description of collapse (נִסַּע… יִתְרָם), it creates a clear cause-effect structure in poetic form: once the support is removed, death follows. The shift from passive to active verbal structures also enhances the flow and impact of the imagery.
Final Phrase: וְלֹ֣א בְחָכְמָֽה
This final phrase — וְלֹ֣א בְחָכְמָֽה — means “and not with wisdom.” It functions as a tragic commentary on the entire clause: not only do they die, but they die without wisdom. The use of בְחָכְמָֽה (“with wisdom”) here serves as an adverbial prepositional phrase. Its negation introduces irony, futility, or critique — hallmarks of Job’s speeches and dialogues.
Parsing Table: Key Forms in Job 4:21
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| נִסַּע | נ־ס־ע | Niphal perfect (3ms) | “Was removed” — passive image of collapse |
| יִתְרָם | י־ת־ר | Noun with suffix (3mp) | “Their cord” — metaphor for life support |
| יָמ֗וּתוּ | מ־ו־ת | Qal imperfect (3mp) | “They will die” — result of disintegration |
| בְחָכְמָה | ח־כ־ם | Noun in construct (with preposition) | “With wisdom” — adverbial idea, negated |
The Tent Collapses in Silence
This poetic line from Job uses a tent metaphor to describe the frailty of life and the tragic end of the unwise. The verbs shift between passive and active, rhetorical and declarative, to guide the reader into meditating on death not as a moment, but a process: removal, collapse, expiration — and all without wisdom. The beauty of Biblical Hebrew lies in such compressed brilliance, where a single line houses theology, poetry, grammar, and existential weight.
