Job 21:28

"“Behold, I know your thoughts, the plans with which you would wrong me."

Key Reflection

In Job 21:28, Eliphaz asserts that he understands the thoughts and schemes of Job's accusers, suggesting they are plotting to harm him unjustly. This statement underscores the intense psychological pressure Job’s friends are placing on him, implying a deep-seated belief in his guilt despite his protestations of innocence. Such an accusation reflects the cultural context where maintaining social order was paramount, and any perceived injustice could lead to communal suspicion and hostility.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? -That is, you maintain that the house of the wicked man, in a high station, will be certainly over thrown. The parallelism, as well as the whole connection, requires us to understand the word “prince” here as referring to a “wicked” ruler. The word used (נדיבnâdı̂yb) properly means, one willing, voluntary, prompt; then, one who is liberal, generous, noble; then, one of noble birth, or of elevated rank; and then, as princes often had that character, it is used in a bad sense, and means a “tyrant.” SeeIsaiah 13:2.

More from Job 21

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion