Loading...

Change Translation

Loading...
  • Recent Translations
  • All Translations

Job 27:11-23

Listen to Job 27:11-23
11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; 1what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.
12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain?
13 2“This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that 3oppressors receive from the Almighty:
14 If his 4children are multiplied, it is for 5the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.
15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his 6widows do not weep.
16 Though he 7heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,
17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and 8the innocent will divide the silver.
18 He builds his 9house like a moth’s, like 10a booth that 11a watchman makes.
19 He goes to bed rich, but will 12do so no more; he opens his eyes, and 13his wealth is gone.
20 14Terrors overtake him like 15a flood; in the night a whirlwind 16carries him off.
21 17The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it 18sweeps him out of his place.
22 It[a] hurls at him 19without pity; he flees from its[b] power in headlong flight.
23 It 20claps its hands at him and 21hisses at him from its place.

Job 27:11-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 27

Though Job's friends were become silent, and dropped the controversy with him, he still continued his discourse in this and the four following chapters; in which he asserts his integrity; illustrates and confirms his former sentiments; gives further proof of his knowledge of things, natural and divine; takes notice of his former state of prosperity, and of his present distresses and afflictions, which came upon him, notwithstanding his piety, humanity, and beneficence, and his freedom from the grosser acts of sin, both with respect to God and men, all which he enlarges upon. In this chapter he gives his word and oath for it, that he would never belie himself, and own that he was an hypocrite, when he was not, but would continue to assert his integrity, and the righteousness of his cause, as long as he lived, Job 27:1-6; for to be an hypocrite, and to attempt to conceal his hypocrisy, would be of no advantage to him, either in life, or in death, Job 27:7-10; and was this his character and case, upon their principles, he could expect no other than to be a miserable man, as wicked men are, who have their blessings turned into curses, or taken away from them, and they removed out of the world in the most awful and terrible manner, and under manifest tokens of the wrath and displeasure of God, Job 27:11-23.

Unlock Deeper Insights: Get Over 20 Commentaries with Plus! Subscribe Now

Cross References 21

  • 1. 27:11 ch. 10:13; 23:14
  • 2. 27:13 ch. 20:29; [ch. 18:21; 31:2]
  • 3. 27:13 ch. 6:23; 15:20
  • 4. 27:14 Deut. 28:41; Hos. 9:13, 16
  • 5. 27:14 Jer. 15:2
  • 6. 27:15 Ps. 78:64
  • 7. 27:16 Zech. 9:3
  • 8. 27:17 [Prov. 13:22; Eccles. 2:26]
  • 9. 27:18 ch. 8:14, 15
  • 10. 27:18 Isa. 1:8
  • 11. 27:18 Song 1:6; 8:11, 12
  • 12. 27:19 Jer. 8:2; Ezek. 29:5
  • 13. 27:19 ch. 24:24
  • 14. 27:20 See ch. 18:11
  • 15. 27:20 See ch. 22:11
  • 16. 27:20 ch. 34:20, 25; 36:20
  • 17. 27:21 [ch. 30:22]
  • 18. 27:21 ch. 8:18
  • 19. 27:22 ch. 16:13
  • 20. 27:23 Lam. 2:15; Ezek. 25:6; Nah. 3:19
  • 21. 27:23 [2 Chr. 29:8; Jer. 49:17; Lam. 2:15; Ezek. 27:36; Zeph. 2:15]

Footnotes 2

  • [a] 27:22 Or 'He' (that is, God); also verse 23
  • [b] 27:22 Or 'his'; also verse 23
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025

Study Tools

PLUS

Unlock Notes

This feature is for PLUS subscribers only. Join PLUS today to access these tools and more.

JOIN PLUS

Unlock Highlights

This feature is for PLUS subscribers only. Join PLUS today to access these tools and more.

JOIN PLUS

Unlock Bookmarks

This feature is for PLUS subscribers only. Join PLUS today to access these tools and more.

JOIN PLUS

Track Your Reading

Create a free account to start a reading plan, or join PLUS to unlock our full suite of premium study tools.

Already have an account? Sign in