3981. maamats
Lexical Summary
maamats: Strength, effort, exertion

Original Word: מַאֲמָץ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ma'amats
Pronunciation: mah-ah-MATS
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-am-awts')
KJV: force
NASB: forces
Word Origin: [from H553 (אָמַץ - courageous)]

1. strength, i.e. (plural) resources

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
force

From 'amats; strength, i.e. (plural) resources -- force.

see HEBREW 'amats

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from amets
Definition
power, strength, force
NASB Translation
forces (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[מַאֲמָץ] noun [masculine] power, strength, force, plural construct מַאֲמַצֵּיכֹֿחַ Job 36:19.

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Overview

מַאֲמָץ appears only once in the Old Testament, in Job 36:19. In that solitary occurrence it designates the sum total of a person’s self-generated power—material resources, personal energy, and every human “backup plan” marshalled in moments of crisis. Elihu’s question confronts Job’s assumption that some combination of riches or resolve might shield him from affliction. By framing human effort in the singular noun, Scripture places the whole weight of self-reliance on a single term, then shows its inadequacy before the sovereignty of God.

“Would your wealth relieve your distress, or all your mighty effort, so that you would not be in anguish?” (Job 36:19)

Context in Job 36

Elihu is urging Job to recognize that suffering may serve corrective, not merely punitive, purposes. Verses 17–21 warn against bargaining with God by appealing to status or accomplishments. The rhetorical force of Job 36:19 is heightened by using מַאֲמָץ as a collective noun; even if Job could pile every asset and ounce of strength on one side of the scale, divine judgment would still outweigh it (Job 36:18). Thus the term punctures self-confidence and turns attention to humble repentance and dependence on grace (Job 36:10–12).

Historical and Cultural Insights

In the Ancient Near East, displays of wealth and military prowess often served as proof of divine favor. Kings advertised “mighty works” to secure loyalty. By contrast, Job’s account unravels that cultural norm. Elihu’s challenge exposes the frailty of every earthly reserve—cattle herds (Job 1:3), household servants (Job 1:15), familial networks (Job 1:18-19), and even inner fortitude (Job 3:26). The Hebrew word’s rarity itself underlines how ephemeral human might is when measured against God’s eternal strength (Job 36:22-23).

Theological Significance

1. Limitation of Human Strength: مַאֲמָץ encapsulates humanity’s best attempts to engineer security. Scripture consistently warns that such reliance is misplaced (Psalm 33:16-17; Proverbs 11:4).
2. Divine Sufficiency: The verse prepares the ground for God’s speeches in Job 38–41, where true power is revealed in the Creator alone.
3. Grace over Merit: Elihu implies that deliverance is granted by God’s mercy, not purchased by human resources. This anticipates the New Testament theme that salvation is “not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:9).

Related Old Testament Parallels

Deuteronomy 8:17 reminds Israel not to say, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.”
1 Chronicles 29:12 acknowledges that “wealth and honor come from You.”
Isaiah 40:29 teaches that God “gives power to the faint,” contrasting divine enablement with human exhaustion.

New Testament Resonance

The apostle Paul echoes the lesson of מַאֲמָץ when he boasts in weakness so that Christ’s power may rest on him (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Similarly, James cautions the wealthy not to rely on riches that will “rot” and “corrode” (James 5:1-3). In each case, earthly effort is dethroned to exalt divine grace.

Ministry Application

• Pastoral Counseling: When believers face trials, Job 36:19 serves as a diagnostic question—are they leaning on resources or on God?
• Stewardship Teaching: Wealth and ability are gifts to be managed, not shields against hardship (Proverbs 3:9-10).
• Prayer and Worship: Adoration should center on God’s omnipotence, confessing the inadequacy of personal מַאֲמָץ.

Summary

מַאֲמָץ stands as a biblical monument to the futility of self-reliance. Whether expressed in finances, influence, or sheer determination, human strength cannot secure deliverance from the deepest pains of life. Job 36:19 redirects the reader from trusting in accumulated might to resting in the all-sufficient power and wisdom of the LORD.

Forms and Transliterations
מַאֲמַצֵּי־ מאמצי־ ma’ămaṣṣê- ma·’ă·maṣ·ṣê- maamatztzei
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Englishman's Concordance
Job 36:19
HEB: בְצָ֑ר וְ֝כֹ֗ל מַאֲמַצֵּי־ כֹֽחַ׃
NAS: Or all the forces of [your] strength?
KJV: [no], not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
INT: gold all the forces of strength

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 3981
1 Occurrence


ma·’ă·maṣ·ṣê- — 1 Occ.

3980
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