Read & explore together
Zophar Rebukes Job
In Job 11:1–20, Zophar answers Job with a severe rebuke. He attacks Job’s words, speaks about God’s unsearchable wisdom, urges Job to remove iniquity, and ends by contrasting hoped-for safety with the end of the wicked.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage is wisdom and dialogue, presented as Zophar the Naamathite’s reply to Job. Within these verses, Zophar moves in order from accusation, to claims about God’s wisdom and power, to a call to set the heart right and put away iniquity, and finally to a closing warning.
Job 11:1–20Main takeaway
This passage records Zophar’s forceful argument that God’s wisdom is beyond human reach and that turning from iniquity is the path he says leads to security rather than ruin.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Zophar opens with accusationZophar begins by challenging Job’s speech. He asks whether a flood of words should go unanswered and whether a man full of talk should be shown right.
Explanation
Zophar begins by challenging Job’s speech. He asks whether a flood of words should go unanswered and whether a man full of talk should be shown right. He also treats Job’s words as boasting and mocking, and quotes Job as saying his teaching is pure and he is clean.
02God’s wisdom cannot be measured by peopleZophar says he wishes God would speak and reveal the secrets of wisdom, adding that true wisdom has “two sides”.
Explanation
Zophar says he wishes God would speak and reveal the secrets of wisdom, adding that true wisdom has “two sides”. He then asks whether anyone can fathom the mystery of God or probe the Almighty’s limits. His comparisons stress vastness beyond heaven, Sheol, earth, and sea.
03Zophar describes God’s authority and knowledgeThe speech continues with God’s unmatched authority. If he passes by, confines, or convenes a court, no one can oppose him.
Explanation
The speech continues with God’s unmatched authority. If he passes by, confines, or convenes a court, no one can oppose him. Zophar says God knows false men and sees iniquity. His saying about an empty-headed man and a wild donkey’s colt is a cutting proverb within the rebuke.
04A call to remove iniquity, with promise and warningZophar urges Job to set his heart aright, stretch out his hands toward God, and put iniquity far away.
Explanation
Zophar urges Job to set his heart aright, stretch out his hands toward God, and put iniquity far away. He says this would lead to confidence, forgotten misery, brightness, hope, rest, and safety. He ends by contrasting that picture with the wicked, whose hope fails altogether.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which words in the opening show that Zophar sees Job’s speech as guilty rather than harmless?
02How does Zophar describe God as beyond human understanding?
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Job 11:1–20
1Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,
2“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?
3Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?
4For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’
5But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,
6that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.
7“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
8They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?
9Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?
11For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.
12An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
13“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.
14If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.
15Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,
16for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.
17Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.
18You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.
19Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor.
20But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”