Job 11:5-15

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!)
8 He is higher than heaven, and what shalt thou do? he is deeper than hell, and whereof shalt thou know? (It is higher than heaven, so what shalt thou do? it is deeper than Sheol, or hell, so what shalt thou know?)
9 His measure is longer than the earth (Its measurement is wider than the earth), and broader than the sea.
10 If he destroyeth all things, either driveth them straitly into one, who shall against-say him? (who shall say against him?) Either who may say to him, Why doest thou so?
11 For he knoweth the vanity of men; and whether he seeing, beholdeth not wickedness? (For he knoweth the emptiness, and futility, of some people's lives; and when he seeth wickedness, shall he not assay it?/and when he looketh, shall he not see their wickedness?)
12 A vain man is raised (up) into pride; and he guesseth himself born free, as the colt of a wild ass (like the colt of a wild donkey).
13 But thou hast made steadfast thine heart, and hast spread abroad thine hands to him.
14 If thou doest away from thee the wickedness, that is in thine hand, and if unrightwiseness dwelleth not in thy tabernacle, (If thou doest away from thee the wickedness, that is in thy hand, and if unrighteousness dwelleth not in thy home,)
15 then thou shalt raise up thy face without wem, and thou shalt be steadfast, and thou shalt not dread. (then thou shalt raise up thy face without blemish, or without fault, and thou shalt be strong, and thou shalt not have fear.)

Job 11:5-15 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.

Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.