Job 11:11

11 For he knows the works of transgressors; and when he sees wickedness, he will not overlook .

Job 11:11 Meaning and Commentary

Job 11:11

For he knoweth vain men
Or, "men of vanity" ^F16, as all men are; men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree a lie, and they are both lighter than vanity, ( Psalms 62:9 ) ; and the Lord knows them, and knows them to be so; he knows all men, and all that is in them; he knows the vanity of their minds, and the vain thoughts that are in them; all their vain and idle words, and their vain lives and conversations; and therefore it is no wonder he does the above things at his pleasure:

he seeth wickedness also;
the wickedness of their hearts and lives, their secret and open wickedness, their wicked thoughts, words, and actions; or, "men of wickedness"; even wicked men; they are all seen by him; nothing is or can be hid from him; he is God omniscient, the searcher of the hearts and trier of the reins of the children of men:

will he not then consider [it]?
so as to punish or correct for it? he will: or, "he does not consider" ^F17; he seems as if he did not; as if he took no notice of wicked men, and of their wickedness, because he does not immediately punish or correct for it; or, he has no need to take any time to consider thereof, he sees and knows at once what it is, and what men are: Gersom reads this clause in connection with the former; "he sees [the men] of wickedness", and him who does "not consider" the ways of the Lord; or, the man does not consider that God sees him; so Ben Melech.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 (awv ytm) "homines vanitatis", Vatablus, Drusius, Bolducius, Mercerus, Schmidt, Michaelis.
F17 (Knwbty alw) "et non cousiderat", Cocceius; "et non advertit", Schmidt.

Job 11:11 In-Context

9 Or longer than the measure of the earth, or the breadth of the sea.

10 And if he should overthrow all things, who will say to him, What hast thou done?

11 For he knows the works of transgressors; and when he sees wickedness, he will not overlook .

12 But man vainly buoys himself up with words; and a mortal born of woman like an ass in the desert.

13 For if thou hast made thine heart pure, and liftest up hands towards him;