בְּעֵט־בַּרְזֶ֥ל וְעֹפָ֑רֶת לָ֝עַ֗ד בַּצּ֥וּר יֵחָצְבֽוּן׃
(Job 19:24)
This poetic line from the Book of Job expresses a longing for permanence—words written so they could never be erased. It uses vivid imagery of engraving into rock with metal and lead. The verse is beautifully constructed and introduces vocabulary from the world of ancient inscriptions. Let’s dig in!
English Translation (Literal and Clear)
With an iron stylus and lead, forever they would be carved in the rock.
Job wishes his words would be permanently recorded—not just written in ink, but engraved in stone with iron and filled with lead to last forever.
Sentence Structure: Wishing for Permanence
This verse likely continues from the previous one and reflects a poetic wish. It’s written as a passive action with vivid imagery:
- Tools: בְּעֵט־בַּרְזֶל וְעֹפָרֶת — with an iron stylus and lead
- Duration: לָעַד — forever
- Location and action: בַּצּוּר יֵחָצְבוּן — in the rock they would be carved
Word-by-Word Breakdown
| Hebrew Word | Meaning | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| בְּעֵט־ | with a stylus | עֵט means “stylus” or “engraving tool.” The prefix בְּ = “with.” A compound expression with the next word. |
| בַּרְזֶל | iron | Material of the stylus. Often represents strength or durability in Hebrew poetry. |
| וְעֹפָרֶת | and lead | Used in ancient inscription techniques—molten lead could be poured into carved letters to make them stand out. |
| לָעַד | forever | A temporal adverb. Emphasizes the permanence of the desired inscription. |
| בַּצּוּר | in the rock | צוּר means “rock” or “cliff.” The definite article בַּ = “in the.” This is the medium being carved. |
| יֵחָצְבוּן | they would be carved | Imperfect, passive verb from חָצַב (“to cut” or “hew”). 3rd person masculine plural. Refers to “the words” implied from the context. |
Visual: Inscription Imagery in Hebrew Poetry
| Tool / Material | Function | Symbolic Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| עֵט־בַּרְזֶל | Engraving stylus | Strength, permanence |
| עֹפָרֶת | Molten lead | Fills engraved letters; adds weight and visibility |
| בַּצּוּר | Rock or stone | Durability, lasting testimony |
What We Learned from This Sentence
- You saw how Hebrew uses material imagery (iron, lead, rock) to express deep longing and permanence.
- You learned the passive verb יֵחָצְבוּן (“they would be carved”), a 3rd person plural imperfect form.
- You encountered poetic tools like לָעַד (“forever”) to stretch meaning beyond the immediate line.
- You discovered how Hebrew can imply the subject (“words”) without stating it explicitly, relying on context.
In a single poetic verse, Job gives us the language of memory, grief, and desire for eternal witness. You’ve now seen how Hebrew carves these feelings into stone—just as Job hoped his words would be.
