Job 11 19

Job 11:19 kjv

Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

Job 11:19 nkjv

You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; Yes, many would court your favor.

Job 11:19 niv

You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.

Job 11:19 esv

You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor.

Job 11:19 nlt

You will lie down unafraid,
and many will look to you for help.

Job 11 verses

Job 11 19 Meaning

Job 11:19 is part of Zophar’s speech to Job, presenting a vision of profound security, peace, and restored honor that he believes Job will experience if Job genuinely repents and seeks God. It describes a life free from fear and agitation, where instead of being a marginalized figure, Job would become one whose wisdom, counsel, or resources are sought out by many.

Job 11 19 Context

Job 11:19 is delivered by Zophar of Naamath, the third of Job's three friends, during his first discourse (Job 11:1-20). Zophar is the most blunt and dogmatic of the friends. His speech reflects a rigid adherence to the traditional retribution theology, asserting that God's justice is impeccable and unknowable in its full extent, but that He unfailingly rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. Zophar accuses Job of speaking presumption and foolishness, and suggests that Job’s suffering is unequivocally a consequence of his hidden sins, despite Job’s vehement claims of innocence. The preceding verses (11:13-18) outline the specific conditions and promises: if Job truly repents, casts away his iniquity, and returns to God, then he will enjoy complete restoration. Verse 19 concludes this idyllic picture of blessedness, depicting a life free from fear, marked by undisturbed peace and widespread honor, implying that Job's current state of despair and isolation is directly opposite to what awaits him if he complies.

Job 11 19 Word analysis

• Thou shalt lie down: Hebrew: shakhav (שָׁכַב). Implies rest, sleep, and security. It denotes a state of profound calm and absence of distress, where one can repose safely without threat. This contrasts sharply with Job's sleepless nights and disquiet.
• and none shall make thee afraid: Hebrew: v'ein makharid (וְאֵין מַחֲרִיד). Literally "and there is no one making terrified" or "there is no terrifier." This signifies complete freedom from external threats or internal apprehension. The imagery conveys absolute security, protected by God's providence, echoing promises of peace and safety found in divine covenants.
• yea, many: Hebrew: v'rabbim (וְרַבִּים). "And many," indicating a multitude of people, not just a few. This emphasizes the wide extent of the recognition and interaction Job would receive.
• shall make suit unto thee: Hebrew: yekhallu phaneykha (יְחַלּוּ פָנֶיךָ). This idiom literally means "they will entreat your face" or "seek your favor/presence." In ancient Near Eastern cultures, to "seek one's face" was to come as a supplicant, requesting an audience, advice, help, or blessings from a person of status, wisdom, or authority. It indicates Job's social standing and influence would be completely restored, transforming him from a desolate outcast to a highly esteemed and sought-after individual.

Words-group analysis:

• "Thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid": This phrase paints a picture of ultimate peace and tranquility. It encompasses both physical rest (lying down) and mental/emotional security (no fear). This state of profound serenity is presented as a direct result of turning to God. It highlights a common biblical promise where divine favor leads to an undisturbed life.
• "yea, many shall make suit unto thee": This phrase describes the reversal of Job's social fortune. From being abandoned and despised, Job would become a person of influence, respect, and wisdom whose counsel or blessing is desired by many. This speaks to a restored social standing and reputation, indicative of divine blessing.

Job 11 19 Bonus section

Zophar's specific imagery of "lying down without fear" and "many seeking your face" reflects deeply rooted cultural aspirations for blessing, particularly a life free from turmoil and endowed with respect and influence within the community. His emphasis on fearlessness directly addresses Job's mental and emotional anguish, offering a tempting antidote if Job would only admit his sin. The promise of "many seeking your face" also hints at a restoration not just of personal comfort but of civic and societal standing, perhaps even prophetic influence, which was historically tied to receiving divine favor. However, the book of Job as a whole demonstrates that while these blessings can be true, God's ways are far more intricate than Zophar's simplistic cause-and-effect equation, showcasing a righteousness that endures suffering and a divine sovereignty that operates beyond human understanding or merit-based systems.

Job 11 19 Commentary

Zophar's counsel, encapsulated in Job 11:19, presents a simplistic, conditional theology that deeply permeated traditional wisdom: repent, and prosperity, security, and social honor will inevitably follow. He portrays a picture of idealized peace and influence for Job, asserting that true righteousness would immediately banish all fear and re-establish Job's prestige to the point where many would seek him out for counsel and favor. While the attributes described—peace, fearlessness, and respect—are indeed components of God's blessings, Zophar's error lies in his dogmatic assertion that they are always directly and immediately tied to human actions of sin or repentance, especially regarding Job's situation. The verse reveals Zophar's conventional understanding of divine justice, where suffering signifies sin and restoration depends on overt penitence. It is a promise, yet delivered without empathy, rooted in a limited view of God's ways and the complexities of human suffering, which the larger book of Job ultimately challenges.