Job 15 12

Job 15:12 kjv

Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at,

Job 15:12 nkjv

Why does your heart carry you away, And what do your eyes wink at,

Job 15:12 niv

Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash,

Job 15:12 esv

Why does your heart carry you away, and why do your eyes flash,

Job 15:12 nlt

What has taken away your reason?
What has weakened your vision,

Job 15 verses

Job 15 12 Meaning

Eliphaz accuses Job of an agitated spirit, suggesting that Job's inner self and outward expressions are leading him astray. His heart is seen as carrying him away into a volatile and misguided state, and his eyes betray an agitated, impatient, or defiant inner disposition. The verse questions the source of Job's contentious attitude and lamentations, implying a foundational issue within him, rather than solely a response to his suffering.

Job 15 12 Context

Job 15 initiates Eliphaz's second speech, marking a turning point from mere counsel to more pointed accusations against Job. Having listened to Job's raw lament and persistent claims of innocence, Eliphaz dismisses Job's words as vain, uninspired by God, and even dangerous (vv. 2-6). This verse (15:12) acts as the foundation for his ensuing argument, characterizing Job's distressed utterances as products of an unruly spirit. Eliphaz believes Job's suffering must be a consequence of hidden wickedness, aligning with the prevailing wisdom tradition that strictly correlated suffering with sin. Thus, Job's heart and eyes, perceived as agitated and defiant, are interpreted as outward evidence of his sin. Historically and culturally, such intense disputations were common in ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, where maintaining one's theological perspective against challenges was crucial. Eliphaz’s speech here implicitly carries a polemic against Job's radical questioning of traditional divine justice, suggesting Job's challenge itself is evidence of an errant and impious disposition, reflecting a misunderstanding of divine providence.

Job 15 12 Word analysis

• "Why does" (מַה - mah): An interrogative particle acting as an accusatory rhetorical question. It implies Eliphaz's indignation and bewilderment, not seeking information but expressing condemnation of Job's behavior.
• "your heart" (לִבְּךָ֙ - libbəḵā): Refers to the Hebrew lev/levav, encompassing intellect, will, emotions, and the conscience – the core of one's being. It signifies Job's innermost thoughts, intentions, and character. Eliphaz suggests Job’s very core is corrupted or misguided. Biblically, the heart is where moral and spiritual life originates, where God writes His laws, and from which sin often springs.
• "carry you away" (יִקָּחֲךָ֔ - yiqāḥăḵā): From the root לָקַח (laqach), meaning "to take," "to grasp," "to lead away," or "to carry off." Here, it implies an impulsive, uncontrolled, or even involuntary pull by internal forces that are leading Job astray from proper thought or conduct. It signifies a loss of inner control and a departure from wisdom.
• "and what" (וּמַה - umah): Another interrogative particle, connecting the second part of the accusation to the first, reinforcing the accusatory tone.
• "do your eyes" (עֵינֶ֔יךָ - ‘êneyḵā): From Hebrew ayin (eye). Beyond literal sight, the eyes represent perception, focus, attention, and often inner desire or intention. They are seen as windows to the soul. Eliphaz implies that Job’s eyes are external indicators of his problematic internal state.
• "blink at" (תִרְזְמֶ֣ן - tirzĕmen): From the verb רָזַם (razam). This word is open to multiple interpretations, including "to blink," "to wink," "to glance furtively," "to scowl," or "to flash/sparkle." Given the context of accusation, it strongly suggests a malicious, impatient, defiant, or scornful eye movement, reflecting an agitated or even rebellious inner spirit. It is an outward, often subtle, physical manifestation of inner turmoil or contempt.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Why does your heart carry you away": This phrase directly assaults Job’s integrity at the deepest level. It suggests that Job's internal disposition, his core being, is not guided by sound wisdom or reverence for God, but is rather impulsively leading him to contentious and impious utterances. It portrays Job as being swept away by his own thoughts and feelings rather than anchored in truth.
• "and what do your eyes blink at": This second part serves as an observation of the physical manifestation of the inner problem. It points to Job's external expressions—specifically, his eye movements—as evidence of an agitated, perhaps scornful, or rebellious state. Combined with the heart’s disarray, this forms a comprehensive indictment of Job's entire being, both his inner spiritual state and its outward behavioral display, portraying him as resisting divine truth or proper counsel.

Job 15 12 Bonus section

• The rhetorical structure of Job 15:12 is a leading question, not seeking information but intending to corner Job and establish Eliphaz’s interpretation of Job's conduct as impious.
• This verse directly sets up Eliphaz's argument in the following verses (15:13ff) where he connects Job's impious words and opposition to God with his internal state ("turn your spirit against God and let such words go out of your mouth").
• The imagery of the heart and eyes as critical organs influencing one's moral and spiritual life is pervasive throughout wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs 6:12-14 describes a "worthless person" whose "perverse heart" plans evil and "winks with his eyes" as a sign of mischief).
• Eliphaz, claiming to represent ancient wisdom (Job 15:7-8), frames Job's distress as a deviation from sound doctrine, suggesting Job has succumbed to folly rather than exhibiting true understanding or righteous endurance.

Job 15 12 Commentary

Job 15:12 encapsulates Eliphaz's stern rebuke of Job, diagnosing Job's vocal laments and perceived challenges to divine justice not as expressions of genuine suffering, but as symptomatic of an ungodly inner disposition. Eliphaz asserts that Job's "heart" is the primary instigator, carrying him away from appropriate humility and piety towards God. This "carrying away" speaks to a loss of control, where internal unrest drives one to err. Furthermore, Job's "eyes" are presented as external evidence of this inner turmoil—perhaps displaying impatience, anger, or even subtle defiance towards the wisdom offered by his friends and implied divine order. Eliphaz implies that Job’s expressions of grief are rooted in pride and rebellion against God, a failure to accept his suffering as divinely ordained or justly deserved. This viewpoint reflects the friends' limited theological framework that struggles to accommodate innocent suffering and highlights the vast divide between their conventional wisdom and Job’s profound, inexplicable anguish.