Lexical Summary regeb: clod, clump of earth Original Word: רֶגֶב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance clod From an unused root meaning to pile together; a lump of clay -- clod. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a clod (of earth) NASB Translation clods (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [רֶ֫גֶב] noun masculine clod of earth; — plural רְגָכִים יְדֻבָּ֑קוּ Job 38:38 clods are joined together; construct רְגְבֵי נָחַ֑ל Job 21:33 clods of (the) wady. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery The noun רֶגֶב evokes the picture of a small lump of earth, a clod that has been moistened, pressed together, and then hardened by the elements. In the world of the ancient Near East, such lumps were familiar sights in plowed fields, on burial sites, and after heavy rains had compacted loose dust. Scripture uses this mundane image to communicate truths about mortality and divine governance. Occurrences and Literary Context 1. Job 21:33 – “The clods of the valley will gently cover him; moreover, all men will follow after him, innumerable before him.” In Job’s lament, the clod becomes a poetic symbol of the grave. As the valley’s earth settles over the dead, Job observes that the same fate awaits all people. The imagery stresses the universal reach of death and its seeming tranquility for the wicked, sharpening Job’s question about divine justice. 2. Job 38:38 – “when the dust hardens into a mass and the clods of earth stick together?” The Lord’s interrogation of Job points to natural processes that lie beyond human control. The hardening of dust into clods underscores God’s silent but comprehensive rule over the inanimate creation. What is effortless for the Creator remains inscrutable for His creatures. Spiritual Lessons on Human Mortality • The clod in Job 21:33 anchors the biblical teaching that “to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). The fragile lump of soil mirrors human frailty (Psalm 103:14), calling each generation to sober reflection on life’s brevity and the certainty of judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Divine Sovereignty Over Creation • Job 38:38 links the clod’s formation to God’s providential oversight. Rain, evaporation, and compression obey His command (Psalm 147:8). The verse reinforces the doctrine that every corner of the natural order—down to a single lump of dirt—answers to the Creator (Colossians 1:16-17). Historical and Cultural Background Agrarian societies watched freshly plowed soil turn to clods under the sun, then break apart again under the plow or after rainfall. Farmers judged soil health by the size and texture of these lumps, knowing that good seedbeds required the right moisture balance. The Bible’s use of רֶגֶב therefore resonated with everyday experience, providing a concrete metaphor for both burial practices and seasonal cycles. Practical Application for Believers • Funerals and graveside services often include reminders that the body returns to the earth. Job’s language encourages pastors to couple such reminders with hope in the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). Related Biblical Motifs Dust: Genesis 2:7; Ecclesiastes 3:20 Grave imagery: Isaiah 14:11; Ezekiel 32:23 Rain and soil: Deuteronomy 11:14; Isaiah 55:10 Summary רֶגֶב, though appearing only twice, supplies Scripture with a vivid emblem of life’s transience and God’s meticulous rule. From the grave to the field, the humble clod calls hearts to face mortality, marvel at the Creator’s handiwork, and rest in His sovereign purposes. Forms and Transliterations וּרְגָבִ֥ים ורגבים רִגְבֵ֫י רגבי riḡ·ḇê riḡḇê rigVei ū·rə·ḡā·ḇîm ūrəḡāḇîm uregaVimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 21:33 HEB: מָֽתְקוּ־ ל֗וֹ רִגְבֵ֫י נָ֥חַל וְ֭אַחֲרָיו NAS: The clods of the valley KJV: The clods of the valley shall be sweet INT: will gently the clods of the valley after Job 38:38 2 Occurrences |