Job 17 8

Job 17:8 kjv

Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.

Job 17:8 nkjv

Upright men are astonished at this, And the innocent stirs himself up against the hypocrite.

Job 17:8 niv

The upright are appalled at this; the innocent are aroused against the ungodly.

Job 17:8 esv

The upright are appalled at this, and the innocent stirs himself up against the godless.

Job 17:8 nlt

The virtuous are horrified when they see me.
The innocent rise up against the ungodly.

Job 17 verses

Job 17 8 Meaning

Job 17:8 articulates Job's expectation that his seemingly inexplicable suffering will elicit profound reactions from righteous observers. It anticipates that morally upright individuals will be bewildered and shocked by his predicament, which challenges their understanding of divine justice. Furthermore, it suggests that truly innocent people will not remain passive but will be roused to action, taking a firm stand against those who represent impiety or promote false interpretations of God's ways, implicitly referring to Job's friends and their retributive theology. Job envisions a future vindication where his plight inspires others to discern and defend true righteousness against superficial or ungodly reasoning.

Job 17 8 Context

Job chapter 17 is a continuation of Job's profound lament and bitter despair. Job feels completely abandoned, not only by his friends who have turned into accusers, but also by God Himself, whom he perceives as his assailant. He sees his body failing, his hope extinguished, and his reputation marred. He insists on his innocence, despairing of finding any human sympathy or vindication from his peers. Yet, within this darkness, Job maintains a fragile hope that future observers, "upright men" and "innocent" individuals, will witness his unmerited suffering and respond correctly, recognizing his integrity and standing in moral opposition to those, like his friends, who represent "the godless" through their misguided accusations. The verse acts as Job's prophetic anticipation of a future judgment or vindication that transcends his immediate circumstances. The broader historical and cultural context is the common Ancient Near Eastern belief in divine retribution, where prosperity signified God's favor and suffering denoted divine punishment for sin. Job's experience fundamentally challenged this widely accepted tenet, presenting a direct polemic against such simplistic, dogmatic interpretations of justice.

Job 17 8 Word analysis

• Upright (יְשָׁרִ֑ים - yesharim): Derived from the root yashar, meaning "straight" or "just." It refers to those who live with integrity, adherence to divine law, and moral consistency. It signifies spiritual rectitude, not merely outward compliance but an inward orientation towards truth and righteousness. The word implies a deep commitment to what is right in God's eyes.
• men (implicitly): The plural noun yesharim itself conveys "upright ones" or "upright people," denoting moral observers or members of the community who genuinely live by God's principles.
• are astonished (שָׁמְּמ֣וּ - shammu): From the verb shamem, which conveys strong emotions of shock, awe, horror, or desolation. It suggests bewilderment and utter dismay in the face of something profoundly inexplicable or disturbing. It's more than just surprise; it's a sense of utter bewilderment and moral disquiet, as their understanding of divine order is profoundly challenged by Job's suffering.
• at this (זֹאת - zot): Refers to Job's situation, specifically his severe and protracted suffering despite his proclaimed innocence and upright living. It points to the bewildering incongruity between his blameless life and his extraordinary affliction, which defies the standard wisdom of the time regarding sin and suffering.
• and (וְ - ve): A simple conjunction connecting the two clauses, highlighting the parallel yet distinct reactions.
• the innocent (וְנָקִ֖י - ve'naqi): From the root naqi, meaning "blameless," "pure," or "guiltless." It emphasizes freedom from wrongdoing or legal culpability. This term often appears in contexts of legal or moral vindication, asserting a state of being free from accusations, similar to how Job consistently maintains his blamelessness before God.
• stir themselves up (יִתְעוֹרֵ֥ר - yit'orer): From the root `uwr, meaning "to awaken," "rouse," or "stir up." It signifies an active and often indignant response, a transition from passive observation to proactive engagement. It implies a moral awakening that prompts action against perceived injustice or wrong. It is a forceful, energetic movement, reflecting deep moral indignation.
• against the godless (עַל־חָנֵֽף - al-chanef): Chanef denotes a "profane," "impious," or "hypocritical" person. It refers to those who are inwardly corrupt despite any outward appearance of religiosity, or those who display an arrogant, disrespectful attitude towards God's truth and justice. Job often labels his friends as chanef, implying their insincerity or false piety in their judgments. The preposition al here indicates opposition, "against" them.

• Words-group Analysis:
  • "Upright men are astonished at this": This phrase captures the profound theological crisis Job's suffering presents. It signifies that even those grounded in righteousness will find Job's plight deeply disquieting and contradictory to their conventional understanding of divine justice, prompting bewilderment rather than judgment. It foresees a challenge to the prevalent wisdom tradition.
  • "and the innocent stir themselves up against the godless": This expresses Job's hope for vindication and the moral outcome of his suffering. It anticipates a solidarity among the truly innocent, who will be roused to active resistance against those who pervert justice or cling to ungodly, hypocritical doctrines (like his friends) concerning suffering and sin. It points to a moral clarity emerging from his tribulation, leading to righteous indignation and a stand against error.

Job 17 8 Bonus section

This verse stands out as Job's prophetic appeal to an external jury of discerning observers. It goes beyond merely wishing for personal vindication; it expresses a belief that his suffering will reveal deeper truths about divine justice and the nature of righteousness. Job anticipates that his case will not be dismissed as a consequence of his own sin but will instead become a touchstone that exposes the limitations of simplistic retribution theology. It speaks to the ethical responsibility of righteous individuals to react to injustice and challenge falsehood, suggesting that true integrity necessitates active engagement against corrupt understanding or impious attitudes. This aligns with a broader biblical theme of discerning righteous judgment in a world where appearances can be deceiving and true wisdom often contradicts popular belief.

Job 17 8 Commentary

Job 17:8 encapsulates Job's deep longing for vindication, portraying a future scenario where his extreme, inexplicable suffering prompts a righteous re-evaluation of God's justice. The verse posits a dual reaction from observers: "upright men" will be deeply perplexed and appalled by the disparity between Job's piety and his affliction, disrupting their conventional theological frameworks. Simultaneously, "the innocent"—those who truly share Job's integrity—will not merely lament but will be actively provoked to oppose and challenge the "godless" (implying Job's friends and their false wisdom). This reflects Job's belief that his experience will ultimately serve as a catalyst for a clearer moral discernment, exposing superficial piety and affirming genuine righteousness against erroneous accusations. The verse affirms Job's hope that his witness will elicit a powerful and active solidarity from the morally sound against those who misrepresent divine truth or attribute suffering solely to sin.