Job 23 11

Job 23:11 kjv

My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

Job 23:11 nkjv

My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.

Job 23:11 niv

My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.

Job 23:11 esv

My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.

Job 23:11 nlt

For I have stayed on God's paths;
I have followed his ways and not turned aside.

Job 23 verses

Job 23 11 Meaning

Job 23:11 encapsulates Job's profound and steadfast declaration of personal integrity and unwavering devotion to God's moral and spiritual path, even amidst inexplicable suffering. He asserts that his life has been diligently aligned with God's directives and that he has maintained his righteousness without deviation, emphasizing his deliberate and continuous adherence to divine ways. This statement serves as a potent affirmation of his blameless character against the accusations of his friends.

Job 23 11 Context

Job 23 is part of Job's third discourse responding to his friends' accusations, specifically after Eliphaz's harsh words in chapter 22. In this chapter, Job longs for an audience with God to present his case and understands God's ultimate sovereignty and power, which transcends human comprehension. Despite his profound despair and inability to find God in his present distress, Job makes a bold declaration of his own righteousness and faithfulness. Verse 11, along with the subsequent verse, asserts his personal blamelessness in keeping God's ways, affirming that his current suffering is not a consequence of unrepentant sin as his friends suggest. Historically, the patriarchal setting implies a direct, unmediated relationship with God, where walking in "His way" would be based on revealed precepts and communal understanding of divine expectations, likely rooted in ancestral traditions and the fear of God.

Job 23 11 Word analysis

• My foot (רַגְלִי, rag·li): Emphasizes personal, active movement. It denotes a specific and intentional decision of one's life direction. It's not a casual stroll, but a deliberate journey. The singular form highlights individual responsibility and a dedicated, unyielding resolve.
• has held fast (אָחֲזָה, ’ā·ḥa·zāh): From the root אָחַז ('achaz), meaning "to grasp," "to seize," "to take hold of." In Qal perfect, it indicates a completed action with ongoing results, a firm, enduring grip. This implies an active, strong adherence, as one holding onto a rope for dear life in a torrent. It's a testament to Job's proactive and strong determination, not a passive acceptance.
• to His steps (בְּאַשֻּׁרָיו, bə·’aš·šu·rāw): The noun אַשֻּׁר (’ashur) refers to footsteps, walk, or path. "His" indicates God's steps. This signifies not merely abstract commands, but God's specific movements, His divine guidance, His example, or even the unfolding of His divine plan. Job has carefully observed and matched his life's progression to God's revealed patterns of action or instruction. It suggests a meticulous attention to how God moves and leads.
• I have kept (שָׁמַרְתִּי, šā·mar·tî): From the root שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning "to keep," "to guard," "to observe," "to preserve." Qal perfect, showing a sustained, diligent observance. This word highlights active obedience, safeguarding God's way as one would a precious treasure, suggesting careful preservation against external pressures or internal temptations to stray.
• His way (דַרְכּוֹ, dar·kōw): From דֶּרֶךְ (derek), meaning "way," "path," "road," or figuratively, "course of life," "conduct." "His" refers to God's way, which encompasses His moral law, His decrees, His revealed will, and His established principles of living righteously. It speaks to a holistic alignment of Job's conduct and character with God's perfect standard.
• and not turned aside (וְלֹא־נָטִית, wə·lō-nā·ṭîṯ): The root נָטָה (natah) means "to stretch out," "to incline," "to turn aside," "to deviate." The strong negation (וְלֹא, wə-lō) emphasizes that there has been no deviation whatsoever, neither to the right nor to the left, which is a common covenantal injunction found throughout Deuteronomy. This reinforces Job's claim of unyielding adherence and consistent rectitude, confirming his integrity from beginning to end, without wavering from the righteous path.

Job 23 11 Bonus section

• The phrasing in Job 23:11 carries a strong legal and moral weight, similar to how one might claim faithfulness to a covenant. Job's detailed defense speaks to the depth of his character, which stands in stark contrast to his friends' rigid, legalistic interpretation of divine justice.
• The term "steps" (אַשֻּׁרָיו) can also metaphorically imply divine prosperity or progress. By holding fast to God's "steps," Job might be asserting that he adhered to God's established order of cause and effect or His revealed ways of dealing with humanity, and therefore, he feels his suffering contradicts this observed order.
• Job's words foreshadow a deeper understanding of righteousness not solely as freedom from sin, but as a steadfastness that persists even when divine reasons are obscured, pointing toward a faith that endures beyond understanding.
• This verse contributes significantly to the theological understanding of human righteousness within biblical narrative. It raises the question: can human beings be truly righteous (or blameless) in God's eyes, independent of a specific deed, and based on their sustained disposition towards God? Job answers with an emphatic 'yes' through his life and declaration.
• The absence of turning "aside to the right hand or to the left" is a Deuteronomic principle of faithfulness, implying a covenantal adherence (Deut 5:32; 17:20; 28:14; Josh 1:7). Job aligns himself directly with this standard, declaring full obedience to what he knows of God's law.

Job 23 11 Commentary

Job 23:11 serves as a cornerstone in Job's self-vindication, asserting his unwavering fidelity to God amidst profound suffering. It is a powerful declaration of integrity, distinguishing Job from the theological assumptions of his friends, who believed his calamity was direct punishment for hidden sin. Job doesn't merely claim innocence; he affirms active, diligent obedience and unwavering commitment to God's path, viewing it as his life's fixed course. "My foot has held fast to His steps" speaks of an intimate, responsive following, not just formal observance but a heartfelt pursuit of God's ways. "I have kept His way and not turned aside" highlights conscious choice and sustained effort to avoid any deviation. This verse underscores the deep personal relationship Job has with God's commands, implying a life consistently directed by divine will, an ideal often upheld in biblical wisdom literature. For Job, his adherence was so ingrained that even amidst desolation, his core identity remained that of a righteous follower of God.

• Practical Example: A believer, facing overwhelming adversity or temptation, refuses to compromise their faith or moral principles, echoing Job's unwavering stance: "Though the path is dark and I cannot see God's hand, I will still walk according to His word." This commitment is seen in choosing integrity in business, purity in relationships, or honest confession in sin, rather than deviating for ease or temporary gain.