Lexical Summary ahal: To shine, to be clear, to be bright Original Word: אָהַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance shine A primitive root; to be clear -- shine. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be clear, shine NASB Translation has...brightness (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. [אָהַל] verb Hiph`il be clear, shine, Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַאֲהִיל (subject moon יָרֵחַ) Job 25:5 ("" זַכּוּ subject כוכבים, compare also יִזְכֶּה Job 25:4) (= יָהֵל, from הלל; by textual error ?) compare Di so ᵐ5 > = I. אָהַל KöI, 373, after Ki). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Usage The term conveys the idea of giving light or shining. It is employed only once in the Hebrew Scriptures, in Job 25:5, where Bildad the Shuhite declares that even the moon fails to “shine” with sufficient splendor before the God who is sovereign in holiness. Context in Job 25 Job 25 forms Bildad’s brief final speech. He underscores human smallness by contrasting it with God’s transcendent majesty. The unique verb paints a vivid picture: the very luminaries that govern night are inadequate beacons when measured against the Lord’s radiance. “If even the moon does not shine and the stars are not pure in His sight” (Job 25:5) sets up his conclusion that “man, who is a maggot… who is a worm” (Job 25:6) possesses no inherent righteousness before his Maker. Theological Themes 1. Divine Holiness and Transcendence: The verse magnifies the qualitative difference between Creator and creation. Celestial bodies, symbols of steadfast order and brilliance (Genesis 1:14–18), become illustrations of relative dimness. Connections with Other Scriptures • Psalm 19:4–6 portrays the sun as a bridegroom rejoicing to run its course, yet even such grandeur pales when Isaiah sees the LORD’s glory fill the temple (Isaiah 6:1–5). Practical Ministry Insights • Preaching: Job 25:5 invites exposition on the doctrine of sin and the holiness of God without descending into hopelessness, for Scripture moves from exposure of darkness to the offer of redemptive light in Jesus Christ. Christological Significance The Gospel of John introduces Jesus as “the true Light that gives light to every man” (John 1:9). By calling even the moon’s brilliance insufficient, Job 25 sets a prophetic backdrop for the incarnate Light who alone fully manifests the Father (John 1:18). Christ answers the dilemma posed by Bildad: humanity cannot brighten itself, but God sends the Light into the world so that “whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Devotional Implications Believers are reminded to view personal righteousness as borrowed radiance, like the moon reflecting the sun. The passage nurtures humility, awe, and longing for eternal fellowship with the One whose glory outshines every created light. It calls the church to live as “children of light” (Ephesians 5:8), transparently dependent on the divine brilliance that alone can dispel darkness. Forms and Transliterations יַאֲהִ֑יל יאהיל ya’ăhîl ya·’ă·hîl yaaHilLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 25:5 HEB: יָ֭רֵחַ וְלֹ֣א יַאֲהִ֑יל וְ֝כוֹכָבִ֗ים לֹא־ NAS: even the moon has no brightness KJV: Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars INT: the moon no has and the stars no 1 Occurrence |
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