Job 11 10

Job 11:10 kjv

If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

Job 11:10 nkjv

"If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment, Then who can hinder Him?

Job 11:10 niv

"If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him?

Job 11:10 esv

If he passes through and imprisons and summons the court, who can turn him back?

Job 11:10 nlt

If God comes and puts a person in prison
or calls the court to order, who can stop him?

Job 11 verses

Job 11 10 Meaning

Job 11:10 asserts God's absolute sovereignty and irresistible power. It declares that when God chooses to act—whether to pass through in judgment, to confine and restrict, or to assemble for a purpose—no one has the authority, strength, or means to thwart His will or reverse His decree. The verse, spoken by Zophar, emphasizes the futility of questioning or resisting the Almighty, portraying God as supreme and unopposed in His operations.

Job 11 10 Context

Job 11:10 is part of Zophar the Naamathite's first speech to Job (Job 11:1-20). Zophar is the most blunt and arguably the most legalistic of Job's three friends. He accuses Job of empty talk and challenges Job's claim to be pure before God. Zophar, like the others, adheres to the conventional wisdom of his time: suffering is a direct consequence of sin, and prosperity is a sign of righteousness. He views Job's persistent assertion of innocence as arrogant and disrespectful to God.

In this specific passage (Job 11:7-12), Zophar extols God's unsearchable wisdom and incomprehensible knowledge, stating that God is far above human comprehension. Verse 10 specifically functions as a rhetorical punch, asserting God's absolute omnipotence and unchallenged authority. For Zophar, this divine might serves as a foundational argument against Job's perceived impudence in questioning divine justice. He implicitly suggests that since God is utterly beyond human control or questioning, Job should humble himself and repent, trusting in God's hidden wisdom rather than disputing his suffering.

The original audience, accustomed to societal structures where power flowed top-down and unchallenged kings held sway, would readily grasp the metaphor of God as an unassailable sovereign. This verse implicitly opposes any human notion of parity or resistance against the divine, directly addressing the kind of "litigation" Job was proposing against God in his laments.

Job 11 10 Word analysis

• If He passes by (וְאִם יַחֲלֹף - wə·’im yaḥă·lōp̄):

  • וְאִם (wə·’im): "And if" or "but if." It introduces a hypothetical or conditional clause, setting up a premise about God's actions.
  • יַחֲלֹף (yaḥă·lōp̄): From the root חָלַף (ḥālap̄), meaning "to pass through," "pass by," "pass on," or "vanish." In this context, it suggests God's movement or action that cannot be stopped. It can imply a swift, decisive, or even destructive passing, like a storm or a divine decree that sweeps through and affects all it encounters. It denotes an unhindered progression or execution of purpose.

• and shuts up (וְיִסְגּוֹר - wə·yis·gōr):

  • From the root סָגַר (sāgar), meaning "to shut," "close," "confine," "imprison," or "lock up." This indicates God's power to restrict, restrain, or put away. It implies control over freedom, access, or outcome. God can confine people, situations, or even the flow of events. This emphasizes God's power to intervene and limit, acting as a sovereign warden.

• or gathers together (וְיַקְהִיל - wə·yaq·hîl):

  • From the root קָהַל (qāhal), meaning "to assemble," "gather," "collect," or "call together." This points to God's authority over masses or the coordination of events. It can mean to call a meeting for judgment, to collect spoils, or to assemble people for any divine purpose. The specific implication of "judgment" is often inferred due to the context of divine power and punishment in Zophar's speech. God can compel individuals or nations to come together according to His will, whether for His praise, for a particular task, or for divine reckoning.

• then who can hinder Him? (וּמִי יְשִׁיבֶנּוּ - ū·mî yə·šî·ven·nū):

  • וּמִי (ū·mî): "And who?" or "but who?" This is a rhetorical question that powerfully expects the answer "No one."
  • יְשִׁיבֶנּוּ (yə·šî·ven·nū): From the root שׁוּב (šūḇ), meaning "to return," "turn back," "restore," or "reverse." In the Hiphil stem here, it means "to cause to return," "to turn back," "to hinder," "to revoke," or "to stop." The suffix "-en·nū" refers to "Him" (God). This part of the verse presents the climax of Zophar's assertion of divine sovereignty: if God undertakes any of these actions, no one in all creation can oppose, thwart, reverse, or stop His determined will.

• Words-group Analysis: "If He passes by and shuts up, or gathers together..."

  • This phrase presents a comprehensive picture of God's unrestrained and multi-faceted power. The verbs chosen (passing through, confining, gathering) cover a wide spectrum of divine activity—from swift intervention to careful imprisonment, to assembling and organizing. It showcases God's total command over freedom and movement, demonstrating that He initiates actions (pass by), controls their scope (shuts up), and directs collective entities (gathers together). It's not just a single power, but a suite of absolute capabilities that belong to God alone.

• Words-group Analysis: "...then who can hinder Him?"

  • This rhetorical question encapsulates the absolute and unchallenged nature of God's power. It challenges any being—human or angelic—to dare to stand against the Almighty. The implied answer, "No one," underscores the utter futility of resisting God's decrees, plans, or actions. It signifies divine omnipotence and sovereignty where all creation must yield to His will. This question serves to silence all argument and reinforce Zophar's stance on God's unquestionable authority, particularly directed at Job's perceived contention with God.

Job 11 10 Bonus section

• The phrasing "passes by," "shuts up," and "gathers together" could also be seen as reflecting aspects of God's judicial power. He "passes through" like a judge rendering a verdict, "shuts up" criminals in prison, or "gathers together" people for judgment. This adds to the strong theme of divine justice present in Zophar's discourse.
• Zophar's rhetorical question, "who can hinder Him?", resonates throughout the biblical narrative as a foundational truth that sets the one true God apart from idols and human rulers. Unlike limited human authorities, God's decrees are inherently unchallengeable.
• The three verbs used – ḥālap̄ (pass by/through), sāgar (shut/confine), and qāhal (gather/assemble) – present distinct yet complementary aspects of God's comprehensive control. They suggest God's freedom of movement, His power of limitation, and His ability to orchestrate collective events. No facet of reality escapes His sovereign sway.

Job 11 10 Commentary

Job 11:10, a forceful declaration by Zophar, encapsulates a profound theological truth about God's nature, even though Zophar misapplies it to Job's specific situation. The verse is an unshakeable affirmation of God's absolute sovereignty and irresistible will. Whether God's action is swift and pervasive ("passes by"), restrictive and confining ("shuts up"), or marshalling and purposeful ("gathers together" for judgment or any end), no created being possesses the ability or authority to resist, revoke, or redirect His course.

This statement is a core tenet of biblical theology: God is the supreme ruler, whose plans cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2; Isa 46:10). His decrees stand firm, and His power is without equal. Zophar employs this truth to humble Job, demanding submission rather than questioning. While Zophar's hermeneutic of suffering is flawed, his description of God's omnipotence is accurate. It reminds believers of the futility of human resistance against divine purposes and fosters a proper sense of awe and reverence for the Almighty. Ultimately, all things serve His ultimate design, and His hand is the decisive factor in all of creation and history.