Job 11:1-7

Zophar Rebukes Job

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,
2 "Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, And a 1talkative man be acquitted?
3 "Shall your boasts silence men? And shall you 2scoff and none rebuke?
4 "For 3you have said, 'My teaching is pure, And 4I am innocent in your eyes.'
5 "But would * that God might speak, And open His lips against you,
6 And show you the secrets of wisdom! For sound wisdom 5has two sides. Know then that God forgets a part of 6your iniquity.
7 "7Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty?

Job 11:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 11

In this chapter Zophar the Naamathite, Job's third friend, attacks him, and the with great acrimony and severity, and with much indecency; he charges him not only with loquacity, and vain babbling, but with lying, and with scoffing at God, and good men, Job 11:1-3; which he attempts to support by some things Job had said, misrepresented by him, Job 11:4; and wishes that God would take him in hand, and convince him of the wisdom of the divine proceedings with him, and of his lenity and mercy to him, Job 11:5,6; and then discourses of the unsearchableness of God in his counsels, and conduct; of his sovereignty, and of his power, and of the vanity and folly of men, Job 11:7-19; and as his friends before him, having insinuated that Job was guilty of some heinous sin, or sins, and especially of hypocrisy, advises him to repentance and reformation, and then it would be well with him; and he should enjoy much comfort, peace, and safety, even to old age, Job 11:13-19; and concludes it should go ill with the wicked man and the hypocrite, such as he suggests Job was, Job 11:20.

Cross References 7

  • 1. Job 8:2; Job 15:2; Job 18:2
  • 2. Job 17:2; Job 21:3
  • 3. Job 6:10
  • 4. Job 10:7
  • 5. Job 9:4
  • 6. Job 15:5; Job 22:5
  • 7. Job 33:12, 13; Job 36:26; Job 37:5, 23; Romans 11:33

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Lit "answered and said"
  • [b]. Lit "is double"
  • [c]. Lit "causes to be forgotten for you"
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