Job 27 7

Job 27:7 kjv

Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.

Job 27:7 nkjv

"May my enemy be like the wicked, And he who rises up against me like the unrighteous.

Job 27:7 niv

"May my enemy be like the wicked, my adversary like the unjust!

Job 27:7 esv

"Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.

Job 27:7 nlt

"May my enemy be punished like the wicked,
my adversary like those who do evil.

Job 27 verses

Job 27 7 Meaning

Job 27:7 is a solemn declaration by Job, expressing his fervent wish that his adversaries—those who unjustly oppose or accuse him—would suffer the fate and consequences traditionally reserved for the wicked and unrighteous. This statement functions as a powerful affirmation of his own blamelessness and an invocation of divine justice, reflecting his unwavering confidence that true wickedness will ultimately meet its deserved retribution.

Job 27 7 Context

Job 27 marks a significant part of Job’s final major speech in the book, serving as a powerful reaffirmation of his innocence and unwavering integrity amidst his prolonged suffering. After possibly concluding parts of a broader debate in earlier chapters, Job forcefully reasserts his unique theological stance beginning in 27:1. He pledges, swearing by the Almighty, that he will uphold his blamelessness until his dying breath (27:2-6). In this light, verse 7 directly follows his oath of integrity. It underscores Job’s confidence in his own moral standing by invoking the well-understood biblical principle of retribution: that the wicked inevitably face divine judgment and destruction. By wishing this fate upon his "enemies" and "those who rise up against" him (likely his accusing friends), Job implies that they, by falsely condemning an innocent man, are acting in an unrighteous manner, thereby making them deserving of the wicked’s fate, not him. It’s Job's way of distinguishing himself from those who would mistakenly label him wicked, and trusting that God's justice will ultimately discern between the truly wicked and the unjustly accused.

Job 27 7 Word analysis

• May (יְהִי - yehi): This is the jussive form of the Hebrew verb "to be" (hayah). It functions as a wish or an imprecation, conveying Job’s strong desire and fervent prayer for a particular outcome to occur. It indicates not a mere statement, but an active invocation for divine justice.
• my enemy (אֹיְבִי - oy'vi): Derived from the Hebrew root for "to be hostile," this term denotes a personal adversary, one who holds animosity or acts against another. In Job's context, this applies primarily to his three friends, who have unjustly attacked his character and integrity, serving as his theological adversaries, but also broadly to anyone aligned against him.
• be as (כְרָשָׁע - k'rashá'): The prefix "כְ" (k') means "as" or "like," making a comparison. "רָשָׁע" (rashá') is a core biblical term for "wicked," "guilty," or "evil." It refers to someone whose character or actions are contrary to God's law and righteous standards, destined for divine condemnation. Job wishes his enemies to share the ultimate consequence or destiny of such a person.
• and he that riseth up against me (וּמִתְקוֹמְמִי - u'mitqom'mi): This phrase describes an active and aggressive opponent. The root "קוּם" (qum) means "to rise" or "to stand," and in this reflexive-causative form, implies someone who actively sets himself up against another, indicating hostile confrontation or legal challenge. It signifies an antagonist who directly opposes or confronts Job.
• as the unrighteous (כְעַוָּל - k'awál): Again, the prefix "כְ" (k') means "as." "עַוָּל" (awwál) translates to "unrighteous," "unjust," "perverse," or "violent." It emphasizes ethical corruption and one who deviates from justice or acts oppressively. This parallelism with "wicked" reinforces the severity and clarity of the desired judgment upon those opposing Job.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "May my enemy be as the wicked": This clause encapsulates Job's central imprecation. It invokes the widely accepted wisdom principle that the wicked face inevitable divine judgment and ruin. Job channels this universal truth to apply specifically to his personal adversaries, asserting that their unjust actions against him render them deserving of the very fate they mistakenly ascribed to him.
• "and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous": This parallel statement strongly reiterates the first clause, providing further clarity and emphasis typical of Hebrew poetry. "He that riseth up against me" underscores active opposition and challenge, possibly implying a legal or confrontational stance. To be "as the unrighteous" specifies that their unjust acts of accusation against Job align them with those deserving of moral condemnation and ultimate consequence. The two phrases combined reveal Job's deep conviction in a moral universe where justice, though delayed, will certainly be executed, distinguishing his suffering from true wickedness.

Job 27 7 Bonus section

The legalistic phrasing of Job 27:7 ("riseth up against me") reflects ancient Near Eastern legal and dispute resolution contexts, where someone "rising up" against another could indicate an accuser in a court or an enemy in conflict. Job is essentially stating, "If I am guilty, then I deserve the wicked’s fate. But I am not. Therefore, let my unjust accusers suffer it." This strategic use of an imprecation is not about seeking personal revenge, but about asserting and praying for the uphold of God's universal moral order against what Job perceived as a violation of that order by his friends' judgmental theology. While the New Testament calls believers to love and pray for their enemies (Matt 5:44), Job's cry aligns with an Old Testament understanding of divine justice where the obliteration of evil is part of God’s holy character and a vindication for the righteous. This distinction highlights the progressive revelation of God's will and the nuanced applications of His righteous character across biblical covenants.

Job 27 7 Commentary

Job 27:7 is a critical pivot in Job’s defense, allowing him to use his friends' own theological framework against them. Far from being a personal vindictive curse, it's a profound prayer for justice consistent with Old Testament thought, rooted in his conviction of God’s ultimate righteousness. Job affirms the truth that the truly wicked will perish, but he applies it to his accusers, challenging them to consider that if he (the righteous man suffering unjustly) does not fit the description of the "wicked," then they, through their false accusations and opposition, may well be. This is Job’s unwavering trust in God’s justice to sort out who is truly righteous and who is unrighteous. The verse is a testament to Job’s unwavering integrity, emphasizing his distinction from the ungodly and placing the expectation of judgment where he believes it rightfully belongs—on those who are spiritually perverse and morally unjust.

• Facing False Accusations: This verse provides a pattern for those unjustly accused: confident appeal to God for ultimate vindication, trusting in His justice when human systems fail.
• Maintaining Integrity: It encourages perseverance in blamelessness, even when one’s circumstances or critics suggest otherwise, by firmly standing on divine truth.
• Understanding Divine Justice: It reminds believers that God’s justice, though sometimes slow, is certain, distinguishing between true righteousness and unrighteousness and delivering deserved outcomes.