Lexical Summary kidor: Generation Original Word: כִּידוֹר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance battle Of uncertain derivation; perhaps tumult -- battle. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition onset NASB Translation attack (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs כִּידוֺר noun [masculine] onset, ׳מֶלֶךְ עָתִיד לַכּ Job 15:24 a king ready for the onset. Topical Lexicon Biblical contextכִּידוֹר appears a single time in the canonical text, in Job 15:24, within the second speech of Eliphaz the Temanite. Addressing what he perceives to be the inevitable end of the wicked man, Eliphaz declares: “Distress and anguish terrify him; they overwhelm him like a king poised for attack” (Job 15:24). The word pictures the terrifying moment when a monarch and his army stand in full formation, ready to encircle and crush an opponent. By invoking such imagery, Eliphaz seeks to underline the certainty and thoroughness of divine retribution—though, in Job’s case, his application is misguided (Job 42:7-8). Military imagery and ancient warfare In the ancient Near East, kings rarely ventured into battle without meticulous preparation: reconnaissance, arrayed troops, and layered lines designed to surround and subdue. The single word Eliphaz uses evokes this entire scene—spears gleaming, chariots ready, infantry poised to advance—heightening the emotional force of his accusation. For the original audience, the prospect of an encircling army was synonymous with hopeless vulnerability; cities fell, fields were burned, exile followed. Thus, כִּידוֹר communicates not merely combat but inescapable encirclement, the closing of every avenue of escape. Theological themes 1. Divine justice portrayed through warfare Scripture often employs martial language to describe the Lord’s judgment (Isaiah 29:3; Jeremiah 21:4-5). Eliphaz taps into this tradition, albeit imperfectly, to insist that moral law governs the universe and that rebellion invites an overwhelming counter-attack. 2. The terror of unrepentant guilt Even when the word is misapplied by Eliphaz, the principle stands: inward guilt grows into outward dread (Proverbs 28:1). כִּידוֹר crystallizes the moment when hidden sin meets unavoidable consequence. 3. God’s sovereignty in human conflict The larger book of Job affirms that all forces—natural or military—remain under God’s ultimate control (Job 12:14-23). No army encircles unless the Lord permits, and no servant of God is abandoned in the face of such assault (Job 42:10-17). Pastoral and ministry application • Warning the unrepentant: The image cautions unbelievers that judgment, though unseen for a season, is thorough and certain—“like a king poised for attack.” Related biblical motifs Deuteronomy 32:35 – “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay.” Psalm 18:4 – “The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me.” Isaiah 29:3 – “I will camp in a circle around you; I will besiege you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:3 – “While people are saying, ‘Peace and security,’ destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” Revelation 19:11-16 – Christ as the conquering King whose approach dwarfs every earthly battle plan. Christological insight The terror symbolized by כִּידוֹר ultimately drives the reader to seek refuge in a greater King. Jesus Christ, once encircled by foes at Calvary (Psalm 22:16), triumphed over every hostile power (Colossians 2:15). Those who shelter in Him will never face the terrifying encirclement of final judgment; instead they will look upon the true King who fought on their behalf and secured eternal peace. Forms and Transliterations לַכִּידֽוֹר׃ לכידור׃ lak·kî·ḏō·wr lakkiDor lakkîḏōwrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 15:24 HEB: כְּמֶ֤לֶךְ ׀ עָתִ֬יד לַכִּידֽוֹר׃ NAS: him like a king ready for the attack, KJV: ready to the battle. INT: A king ready the attack 1 Occurrence |
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