What Does Job 34:37 Mean in the King James?
For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verse’s force is in “addeth”: rebellion does not replace the sin, but is laid on top of it until the wrong becomes public and louder.
THE MEANING
Here, a wrong does not remain a single act: rebellion is added to sin, hands clap among others, and words multiply against God. The verse holds this escalation together as one movement, from breach to public defiance to more speech.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that a wrong remains isolated once committed is undone here: the verse shows it gathering rebellion, public gesture, and multiplied words.
THE ROOT
יֹסִיף
yôsîp
GROWS FROM
יסף
yasaph
To add, increase, or do again.
“addeth” in this verse is yôsîp. The root יסף (yasaph) can mean both adding and continuing. The verse’s escalation is built into that verb: what is already present gets more laid upon it.
ALSO GROWS
hosif: To add or increase.
הוֹסִיף
It makes clear that the verse describes an accumulation, not a replacement of one wrong by another.
Yosef: Joseph; the name is linked with “may he add” in Genesis 30:24.
יוֹסֵף
The name preserves the same root’s sense of addition, showing how the root can carry the idea of increase into a person’s name.
פֶּשַׁע
pesha
GROWS FROM
פשע
pasha
To revolt or break away; rebellion or breach.
The root פשע (pasha) carries the sense of revolt or breach, giving “rebellion” a relational edge beyond a general failure. Paired with חַטָּאתוֹ (chatato), it depicts a breach being added to an already named wrong.
ALSO GROWS
pesha'im: Rebellions or breaches.
פְּשָׁעִים
The plural shows how the root can name repeated or accumulated acts of revolt.
poshea: A rebel; one who breaks away.
פֹּשֵׁעַ
This branch names the person through the same breach expressed by “rebellion” in the verse.
חַטָּאתוֹ
chatato
GROWS FROM
חטא
chata
To miss or go wrong; the resulting wrong or offense.
The root חטא (chata) holds the sense of missing alongside the wrong that results. The verse preserves a distinction: rebellion is added to the sin, so the added breach does not erase the first failure.
ALSO GROWS
chatat: Sin, offense; also an offering associated with sin.
חַטָּאת
It shares the verse’s word for the wrong that rebellion is added to.
chote: One who sins or misses.
חוֹטֵא
This form describes the one associated with the wrong, connecting the missed mark to the person’s action.
THE PATTERN
When a breach is answered with more defiance or more speech, it compounds instead of closing.
Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!THE THREAD
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.“Rebellion” in Job and “transgressions” in this verse share the Hebrew root פשע (pasha), carrying the sense of revolt or breach. Job names the breach being compounded; this verse brings that same breach into view.
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