H1978 H1978
steps, footsteps — used figuratively for one's life-path
A plural noun meaning steps or footsteps, used figuratively in Job's description of his former prosperity. The image of steps bathed in cream (or butter) expresses extraordinary abundance and wealth — every step Job took led through rich blessing. This hyperbolic language captures the memory of days when God's favor was manifest in every aspect of his life.
Senses
1. sense 1 — All translations preserve the possessive form 'my steps.' The Hebrew uses a first-person suffix on the plural noun. Job 29:6 employs this vivid image alongside other metaphors of abundance — rock pouring out oil, God's lamp shining overhead — to describe the dramatic contrast between his former prosperity and present suffering. 1×
AR["خُطواتِي"]·ben["আমার-পথগুলো"]·DE["[הליכי]"]·EN["my-steps"]·FR["mon-הליכי-moi"]·heb["הליכותי"]·HI["मेरे-कदमों-को"]·ID["langkah-langkahku"]·IT["my-steps-mio"]·jav["lampah-kula"]·KO["나의-발걸음을"]·PT["meus-passos"]·RU["ступни-мои"]·ES["mis-pasos"]·SW["hatua-zangu"]·TR["adımlarımı"]·urd["قدموں-میرے"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† [הָלִיךְ] n.[m.] step, only pl. sf. בִּרְחֹץ הֲלִיכַי בְּחֵמָה Jb 29:6 when my steps were bathed in cream (חֵמָה = חֶמְאָה) hyperb. of abundance, wealth.