Lexical Summary athod: He-goat, buck Original Word: עָתַד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance make fit, be ready to become A primitive root; to prepare -- make fit, be ready to become. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be ready NASB Translation destined (1), make it ready (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [עָתֹד] verb be ready (Late Hebrew adjective עָתִיד future (as prepared); Arabic  be ready, prepared (also great, bulky); Syriac  , ᵑ7 in derived species and derivatives ); — Pi`el Imperative masculine singular suffix וְעַתְּדָהּ Proverbs 24:27 and make it ready i. e. thy work ("" הָכֵן). Hithpa`el Perfect3pluralהִתְעַתְּדוּ לִגַלִּים Job 15:28 which [houses] were prepared (destined) for (i.e. to be) heaps of ruin. [עֲתִיד] adjective ready (see Biblical Hebrew I. עתד); — plural עֲתִידִין Daniel 3:15, followed by clause with דִּי. Topical Lexicon Overview The Hebrew verb עָתַד (ʿāthad) conveys the idea of making something ready—laying careful plans in advance so that an intended goal may be reached without delay. Though it appears only twice in the Old Testament, the contexts in which it is employed illuminate how Scripture views foresight, responsibility, and the contrast between godly preparation and the futility of earthly schemes. Scriptural Usage 1. Job 15:28 – Eliphaz describes the wicked man: “He dwells in ruined cities, in abandoned houses destined to become rubble.” The participial form portrays judgment as something already “prepared” for the evildoer; his downfall is no accident but the inevitable outcome of divine justice. Contextual Insights Job 15 contrasts human presumption with God’s unsearchable wisdom. Eliphaz’s speech, though flawed in its accusation against Job, still reflects a Scriptural principle: rebellion stores up ruin. The participle “destined” underscores that the collapse of ungodly enterprises is not merely possible; it is prepared in advance by the moral governance of God. Proverbs 24:27 comes in a section addressing social responsibility and personal industry. Ancient Israelite households were agricultural; the field ensured food and income, whereas the house represented security and status. The proverb teaches that solid provision must precede personal advancement. The verb עָתַד anchors the lesson: deliberate preparation stands behind enduring success. Historical and Cultural Background In agrarian societies of the Ancient Near East, plowing, sowing, and fencing fields required seasonal timing. Delay could mean a lost harvest. Conversely, building projects could often wait. The wise observer understood that creation itself rewards foresight and punishes negligence. Scripture’s sparse but pointed use of עָתַד resonates with this daily reality, elevating an everyday concept into a spiritual principle. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty in Judgment – Job 15:28 shows that consequences for sin are not random. The ruin is “prepared,” reflecting God’s orderly rule over moral cause and effect (compare Galatians 6:7). Practical Ministry Application • Personal Planning: Believers are encouraged to mirror God’s orderly character by strategic living—budgeting, skill development, and family leadership that looks beyond immediate gratification. Summary Though brief in appearance, עָתַד speaks volumes. It reminds readers that God prepares both blessing and judgment, and that human flourishing under His covenant requires foresight aligned with His purposes. To ignore preparation is to court collapse; to practice it in faith is to live wisely within the gracious order God has established. Forms and Transliterations הִתְעַתְּד֣וּ התעתדו וְעַתְּדָ֣הּ ועתדה hiṯ‘attəḏū hiṯ·‘at·tə·ḏū hitatteDu veatteDah wə‘attəḏāh wə·‘at·tə·ḏāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 15:28 HEB: לָ֑מוֹ אֲשֶׁ֖ר הִתְעַתְּד֣וּ לְגַלִּֽים׃ NAS: Which are destined to become ruins. KJV: which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps. INT: inhabit Which are destined ruins Proverbs 24:27 2 Occurrences |
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