Job 11 11

Job 11:11 kjv

For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

Job 11:11 nkjv

For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it?

Job 11:11 niv

Surely he recognizes deceivers; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?

Job 11:11 esv

For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?

Job 11:11 nlt

For he knows those who are false,
and he takes note of all their sins.

Job 11 verses

Job 11 11 Meaning

Job 11:11 asserts God's complete and intimate knowledge of humanity, specifically highlighting His discernment of those who are worthless or false and His clear perception of all iniquity. Despite any apparent delay in visible judgment, God never disregards or fails to deeply consider the wickedness He observes.

Job 11 11 Context

Job 11:11 is part of Zophar the Naamathite's first speech in response to Job's laments and protests of innocence. Zophar, like Bildad and Eliphaz, rigidly adheres to the traditional retribution theology, believing that suffering is a direct consequence of sin. In this chapter, he forcefully argues for God's immeasurable wisdom, perfect justice, and comprehensive knowledge, implying that Job's suffering must be due to hidden transgressions. This verse, therefore, serves as Zophar's direct assertion that God sees Job's wickedness, even if Job denies it, and that God's awareness of it is total and unwavering, thus justifying Job's plight from Zophar's perspective. The cultural context emphasizes that the God of Israel is not like the blind or capricious gods of surrounding pagan nations, but is sovereign, righteous, and fully aware of human conduct. Zophar's polemic implicitly challenges any notion of divine ignorance or indifference.

Job 11 11 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): This conjunction introduces a foundational reason or explanation. It signals that what follows is the justification for Zophar's preceding arguments about God's perfect justice.

• He (הוּא - hu): Refers directly and emphatically to God, the divine subject of Zophar's discourse.

• knows (יָדַע - yada): More than mere intellectual acquaintance, yada denotes intimate, experiential, and discerning knowledge. God possesses complete and profound understanding of all things, especially the innermost being of humanity. It implies recognition and discernment of character, not just superficial observation.

• false men (מְתֵי שָׁוְא - mete-i shav):

  • מְתֵי (metei): A construct plural of 'men' (metim or anat).
  • שָׁוְא (shav): This is a significant term, carrying various meanings: "worthlessness, emptiness, vanity, falsehood, deceit, delusion." It often implies moral vacuity, futility, or what is baseless and untrue. It can refer to idolatry (taking the Lord's name in vain - Exod 20:7) or deceptive actions/intentions. Thus, "false men" indicates individuals whose character, intentions, or deeds are corrupt, worthless, or deceitful.

• and sees (וַיַּרְא - va-yare): The consecutive perfect here functions as a simple assertion, emphasizing direct and clear perception. God doesn't just know generally, but He visually perceives.

• iniquity (אָוֶן - aven): A strong word for evil, often conveying wickedness, trouble, sorrow, or injustice. It can refer to the practice of evil, especially that which causes suffering or societal disruption. It includes malicious and harmful deeds.

• though He does not seem to observe it / He does not disregard it (וְלֹא יִתְבּוֹנָן - ve-lo yitbonan): This phrase is highly debated due to the verb yitbonan, a Hithpael imperfect from the root בּין (bin).

  • וְלֹא (ve-lo): "And not," or "though not."
  • יִתְבּוֹנָן (yitbonan): The Hithpael stem can mean "to observe for oneself," "to discern," "to consider carefully," "to gain understanding."
    • Interpretation 1 (e.g., ESV, NIV, NET): "though He does not seem to observe it," or "whether he pays attention or not." This suggests God sees the evil but does not always overtly "react" to it in a way humans expect or that is immediately obvious. The emphasis is on His knowing even when His observation isn't manifested in immediate judgment. This could be misleading in some contexts if misunderstood as divine indifference.
    • Interpretation 2 (e.g., KJV, NASB, Septuagint): "He does not disregard it," or "He will not observe it so as to pass it by." This implies that God, far from ignoring sin, pays full and complete attention to it. He observes thoroughly and discerningly, leaving nothing unchecked. This understanding aligns better with Zophar's broader argument for God's unerring justice. It would mean that His seeing aven means He fully comprehends and registers it, without overlooking or missing any detail. The phrasing emphasizes God's non-passivity regarding iniquity.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "For He knows false men, and sees iniquity": This powerful parallelism affirms God's total awareness on two levels: of character (who people truly are - "false men") and of action ("iniquity"). His knowledge is comprehensive, encompassing both the inner being and outward deeds.
  • "though He does not seem to observe it" / "He does not disregard it": This final clause clarifies the nature of God's observation. It assures that His perception is neither passive nor forgetful. Even if His actions aren't immediate or transparent to human eyes (as Job perceives), His complete knowledge and discernment remain constant. The preferred understanding (does not disregard/overlook) reinforces the point that every wicked deed and person is thoroughly noted by divine omniscience, ensuring eventual accountability.

Job 11 11 Bonus section

• The phrase "מְתֵי שָׁוְא (metei shav)" "men of emptiness/falsehood," resonates with other biblical concepts of vanity (Koheleth's use of "hevel" in Ecclesiastes for futility), or the worship of idols which are "empty" and "worthless." Such men live a life devoid of true substance before God, focused on transient or deceitful pursuits.
• The Hithpael stem of bin (yitbonan) suggests reflexive or intensive action. When applied to God, "He will not discern/consider for Himself" in a passive way. It's often interpreted in a privative sense when paired with 'lo', thus "He does not refrain from understanding it for Himself," reinforcing thoroughness. The Hithpael can also imply an intense focus, suggesting that God deeply considers or applies His full discernment to evil. This profound level of awareness ensures no sin escapes His notice or understanding, even if the visible consequence is not immediate.
• While Zophar applies this truth to condemn Job, the universal principle of God's omniscience, justice, and non-disregard of evil is a foundational truth. This forms part of the basis for future judgment and redemption throughout the Bible. For instance, God’s seeing the affliction of His people leads to deliverance (Exod 3:7), and His seeing wickedness leads to ultimate reckoning (Rev 20:12).

Job 11 11 Commentary

Job 11:11 stands as Zophar's forceful declaration of God's unimpeachable omniscience and unwavering justice. In this assertion, Zophar's words contain a foundational truth about God that resonates throughout Scripture: God truly knows and sees all things, especially the hidden nature of "false men" (those whose core is deceitful or empty) and every act of "iniquity." His sight penetrates beyond outward appearance into the heart's true condition.

The difficult final phrase, often rendered as "though He does not seem to observe it," can lead to confusion, potentially implying divine detachment. However, within Zophar's overall argument for divine retribution, the stronger and more coherent interpretation suggests that God's seeing is not merely observational but discerning and non-disregarding. It means He does not miss or overlook it; His gaze on evil is one of complete attention and awareness, which necessitates a response in His due time. Zophar aims to assure Job (and himself) that God cannot be deceived and is meticulously aware of Job's supposed hidden sins.

The practical application of this verse, while flawed in Zophar's immediate context towards Job, reinforces a core biblical principle: there is nothing hidden from God. Our character and deeds are transparent before Him. This understanding can evoke reverence and lead to a life of integrity, knowing that God discerns true motives and actions, and will ultimately bring all things into judgment. It is a reminder for the righteous of divine approval, and a warning for the wicked of inevitable accountability.