Job 15 25

Job 15:25 kjv

For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.

Job 15:25 nkjv

For he stretches out his hand against God, And acts defiantly against the Almighty,

Job 15:25 niv

because he shakes his fist at God and vaunts himself against the Almighty,

Job 15:25 esv

Because he has stretched out his hand against God and defies the Almighty,

Job 15:25 nlt

For they shake their fists at God,
defying the Almighty.

Job 15 verses

Job 15 25 Meaning

Job 15:25 describes a profound and aggressive act of defiance by a wicked individual against God. According to Eliphaz, this person directly challenges the Divine, expressing bold self-assertion and hostility toward the all-powerful Creator. It signifies a complete rejection of divine authority, stemming from pride and rebellion.

Job 15 25 Context

Job 15:25 is part of Eliphaz the Temanite's second discourse to Job. Having already accused Job of impiety in his first speech (Job 4-5), Eliphaz doubles down on his argument that suffering is a direct consequence of sin. He dismisses Job's complaints as rebellious and then portrays the universal experience of a wicked man, who he believes typifies Job's true character. This verse depicts such a man as directly defying God. Eliphaz's theology, shared by Job's other friends, posits a strict doctrine of divine retribution, claiming the truly righteous do not suffer greatly, and intense suffering, like Job's, must therefore be proof of secret or overt wickedness, characterized by this direct defiance. While Eliphaz describes a general truth about wicked hearts, he gravely errs in applying it to Job.

Job 15 25 Word analysis

• For he stretches out: (וְיִשְׁלַח, wəyišlaḥ). From the Hebrew root shalach (שָׁלַח), meaning "to send," but often implying "to stretch out," "to put forth," or "to send forth." In this context, it suggests an intentional, aggressive, and forceful act. It is not a casual gesture but a deliberate motion of antagonism, signaling readiness to attack or challenge.

• his hand: (יָדוֹ, yadō). Yad (יָד) signifies "hand," representing power, action, intent, or capacity. Stretching out the hand, especially "against," denotes an act of confrontation, a gesture of opposition, or an attempted exertion of power. It indicates the wicked person's active participation in this rebellion.

• against God: (אֶל-אֵל, ’el-’El). 'El (אֵל) is a common Semitic term for God or a deity, used here to refer to the one true God. The preposition 'el (אֶל) indicates direction, motion toward, or opposition against. This phrase specifies the direct and primary target of the rebellion: God Himself, not merely His commands or people.

• and shows himself defiant: (וְאֶל-שַׁדַּי יִתְגַּבָּר, wə’el-Šadday yitgabbār). The word yitgabbār is the Hithpael imperfect form of gābar (גָּבַר), meaning "to be strong," "to prevail," "to be mighty." The Hithpael conjugation indicates a reflexive or intensive action: "to make oneself strong," "to show oneself strong," or "to act with pride/strength." Here it conveys actively empowering oneself to oppose, challenging God's authority by puffing oneself up, or behaving arrogantly and defiantly.

• against the Almighty: (עַל-שַׁדַּי, ‘al-Šadday). Šadday (שַׁדַּי) is a prominent biblical name for God, often translated "Almighty" or "All-Sufficient." It emphasizes God's immense power, omnipotence, and His absolute sovereignty and might. The preposition 'al (עַל) means "over," "upon," or "against." This phrase highlights the utter folly and audacity of this defiance, as the wicked man pits himself against the very source of all power and authority, emphasizing the incredible disproportion between the creature and the Creator.

• "he stretches out his hand against God": This phrase paints a vivid picture of direct, hostile confrontation. It is not passive resistance but an active, aggressive movement toward God. It signifies a refusal to acknowledge divine sovereignty and a direct challenge to God's reign, as if a puny human could genuinely contend with the Most High. This action is the ultimate blasphemy and act of rebellion.

• "shows himself defiant against the Almighty": This elaborates on the nature of the "stretching out of the hand." It reveals the inner disposition: a prideful self-exaltation against infinite power. The individual does not merely oppose, but he fortifies himself or acts powerfully against God, displaying arrogant self-confidence in their futile resistance. This shows a deep-seated spiritual rebellion, driven by pride, where the creature seeks to assert its own will and strength over the Creator's.

Job 15 25 Bonus section

Eliphaz's words, while accurately describing the core nature of true wickedness as rebellion against God, also expose a key theological error within the book of Job. He projects his understanding of typical human defiance onto Job, assuming Job's extreme suffering must be evidence of this kind of egregious sin. This verse highlights the danger of human presumption and judgmentalism in trying to interpret divine actions, especially in matters of suffering. Job, far from stretching his hand against God, grappled honestly with Him, yet still submitted, declaring "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15). This provides a sharp contrast between genuine faith enduring trial and the "wicked man's" active rebellion as described by Eliphaz. The true measure of righteousness is not absence of suffering, but integrity of heart in relationship with the Almighty.

Job 15 25 Commentary

Eliphaz, in his characteristic legalistic theology, describes the archetypal wicked individual whose heart is utterly set against God. The imagery of "stretching out his hand against God" is a stark portrayal of active, rather than passive, defiance. It implies a readiness for conflict, a rebellious gesture meant to challenge divine authority. This is not mere disobedience but overt, hostile antagonism. The subsequent phrase, "shows himself defiant against the Almighty," amplifies this. It implies that the wicked person not only opposes God but self-aggrandizes, mustering inner strength or pride to make a stand against the ultimate power. They imagine themselves capable of resisting or even overthrowing divine order. Eliphaz means to illustrate that such insolence, directed at El (God) and specifically at Shaddai (the Almighty), reveals a profound spiritual disease, and he implicitly, though mistakenly, ties Job's suffering to this kind of presumed inner defiance. Ultimately, this defiance of the Infinite by the finite is an act of utter futility, guaranteeing their eventual ruin.