Job 11:1-7

1 Then Zophar (the) Naamathite answered, and said,

2 Whether he, that speaketh many things, shall not also hear? either a man full of words shall be made just? (Shall he, who saith many things, not also listen? or is a man so full of words always right, or correct?)

3 Shall men be still to thee alone? and when thou hast scorned other men, shalt thou not be overcome of any man? (Shall people hold their peace for thee alone? and when thou hast scorned other people, shalt thou not be rebuked by anyone?)

4 For thou saidest, My word is clean, and I am clean in thy sight.

5 And I would, that God spake with thee, and opened his lips to thee; (And I wish, that God spoke with thee, and opened his lips to talk to thee;)

6 to show to thee the privates of wisdom, and that his law is manyfold, and thou shouldest then understand, that thou art required of God to pay much less things, than thy wickedness deserveth. (to show thee the secrets of wisdom, and that his Law is manifold, and then thou wouldest understand, that thou art required by God to pay much less, than thy wickedness deserveth.)

7 In hap thou shalt comprehend the steps of God, and thou shalt find Almighty God unto perfection. (Perhaps thou shalt be able to comprehend the steps of God, and thou shalt discover the perfection of Almighty God!)

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.