Job 11:7-12

Job 11:7-12

[7] Canst thou by searching  find out  God?  canst thou find  out the Almighty  unto perfection?  [8] It is as high  as heaven;  what canst thou do?  deeper  than hell;  what canst thou know?  [9] The measure  thereof is longer  than the earth,  and broader  than the sea.  [10] If he cut off,  and shut up,  or gather together,  then who can hinder  [11] For he knoweth  vain  men:  he seeth  wickedness  also; will he not then consider  [12] For vain  man  would be wise,  though man  be born  like a wild ass's  colt. 

What does Job 11:7-12 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Eliphaz and Bildad had spoken mainly of God"s justice. Zophar extolled His wisdom. He rightly explained that God"s wisdom is unfathomable, but he inadvertently claimed to fathom it by saying Job deserved more punishment than he was getting. Job 11:12 may have been a proverb common in Job"s day. It means that it is harder for a fool (empty head) to learn wisdom than for a wild donkey, notorious for its stupidity, to give birth to a man. In Zophar"s view, Job was extremely foolish because he failed to see the truth of what Eliphaz and Bildad had said.