Job 36 8

Job 36:8 kjv

And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;

Job 36:8 nkjv

And if they are bound in fetters, Held in the cords of affliction,

Job 36:8 niv

But if people are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction,

Job 36:8 esv

And if they are bound in chains and caught in the cords of affliction,

Job 36:8 nlt

If they are bound in chains
and caught up in a web of trouble,

Job 36 verses

Job 36 8 Meaning

Job 36:8 declares that if individuals, whether due to their transgressions or for divine purposes, find themselves subjected to severe hardship and restriction, God orchestrates these circumstances. It speaks of a state where people are "bound in fetters" and "caught in the cords of affliction," indicating physical and metaphorical confinement, limitation, or suffering. This is presented as a part of God's sovereign administration, not necessarily as arbitrary punishment but as a potential means for instruction and bringing about awareness.

Job 36 8 Context

Job 36:8 is part of Elihu’s discourse to Job and his three friends (Job 32-37). Elihu presents himself as a younger man who has waited respectfully to speak, and his main contention is that God is always just, often using suffering not as punitive justice for specific sin (as Job’s friends argued), nor as arbitrary punishment (as Job sometimes felt), but as a means of correction, instruction, and purification. Elihu believes God teaches humanity through affliction. This specific verse introduces the way God might choose to instruct—through being bound by hardship. Elihu posits that God often allows good individuals, not just the wicked, to suffer afflictions so they might gain understanding and turn from any pride or presumption. He shifts the perspective on suffering from solely punishment to potentially an instrument of divine discipline and grace, leading to humility, reflection, and spiritual growth.

Job 36 8 Word analysis

• And if they are bound: (Hebrew: וְאִם יֵאָסְרוּ, v'im ye'asru) The Hebrew verb ye'asru is from the root אָסַר ('asar), meaning "to bind," "to tie," "to imprison." It is in the Niphal stem (passive voice), indicating that they are acted upon, highlighting an external agent, namely God, is the one causing the binding. The conditional "if" (וְאִם, v'im) acknowledges that this is a potential, not universal, experience for all.
• in fetters: (Hebrew: בַּזִּקִּים, ba-zziqqim) The word זִקִּים (ziqqim) refers to "chains," "shackles," or "fetters," implying a severe form of physical restraint or imprisonment. It conveys the idea of being utterly restricted, incapable of free movement or escape. It vividly depicts a state of confinement and helplessness.
• And caught: (Hebrew: יִלָּכְדוּ, yilakhdu) From the root לָכַד (lakad), meaning "to catch," "to seize," "to ensnare." Like "bound," it's in the Niphal (passive voice), signifying that they are trapped by an outside force. This emphasizes a lack of agency in their plight, highlighting God's sovereign control over circumstances.
• in the cords: (Hebrew: בְּחַבְלֵי, be-chavlei) The word חֲבָלִים (chabalim) denotes "ropes" or "cords." In this context, it often refers to snares or traps, symbolizing entanglements and difficult circumstances. It suggests a binding that, while potentially less severe than iron fetters, is equally effective in holding one captive.
• of affliction: (Hebrew: עֹנִי, oni) This noun means "affliction," "misery," "suffering," or "oppression." It encompasses distress, hardship, and a state of lowliness. It signifies the difficult experience that brings about a state of bondage.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And if they are bound in fetters": This phrase speaks of an involuntary and severe physical or circumstantial captivity. The "fetters" signify absolute restriction and a lack of freedom, often a consequence of divine intervention or allowance. It sets the scene for a painful experience of confinement.
• "And caught in the cords of affliction": This parallel phrase deepens the image of being ensnared by suffering. "Cords" implies a trap or entanglement, and "affliction" identifies the nature of the binding—it is suffering itself that holds them captive. Together, these phrases depict a state where one is physically, emotionally, or spiritually trapped within a season of hardship. Elihu argues that these harsh circumstances are not without divine purpose.

Job 36 8 Bonus section

This verse underscores the profound biblical principle that God's involvement in human lives extends beyond simple blessings to include the painful yet purposeful experience of hardship. Elihu’s argument broadens the scope of divine interaction beyond immediate punishment, emphasizing that affliction can be a form of profound instruction (עֹנִי, oni, relates to humility and lowliness, which often accompanies learning in the Bible). It highlights the paradox of divine love: that a loving God may allow or orchestrate intense suffering to draw His children closer or correct them. This perspective is vital for understanding Job's plight and applies broadly to Christian theology concerning suffering and discipline. It implies an active, teaching God who uses even chains and ropes to shape character and reveal truth, contrasting sharply with the view of suffering as merely fate or human error.

Job 36 8 Commentary

Job 36:8 concisely introduces Elihu's argument that suffering, symbolized by being "bound in fetters" and "caught in cords of affliction," is a divinely permitted or imposed state. Far from being random or purely punitive, this binding by hardship serves a purpose: it is God's method of discipline, a way to gain an individual's attention, to correct their path, humble their spirit, and lead them towards repentance and a deeper understanding of His ways. This verse emphasizes God's sovereign hand over the direst human circumstances, viewing even intense suffering as an instrument of divine instruction rather than mere retribution.