Job 11:13

Authorized King James Version

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If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;

Original Language Analysis

אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 1 of 7
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אַ֭תָּ֗ה H859
אַ֭תָּ֗ה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 2 of 7
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
הֲכִינ֣וֹתָ If thou prepare H3559
הֲכִינ֣וֹתָ If thou prepare
Strong's: H3559
Word #: 3 of 7
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
לִבֶּ֑ךָ thine heart H3820
לִבֶּ֑ךָ thine heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 4 of 7
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וּפָרַשְׂתָּ֖ and stretch H6566
וּפָרַשְׂתָּ֖ and stretch
Strong's: H6566
Word #: 5 of 7
to break apart, disperse, etc
אֵלָ֣יו H413
אֵלָ֣יו
Strong's: H413
Word #: 6 of 7
near, with or among; often in general, to
כַּפֶּֽיךָ׃ out thine hands H3709
כַּפֶּֽיךָ׃ out thine hands
Strong's: H3709
Word #: 7 of 7
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

Analysis & Commentary

Zophar counsels: 'If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him.' The verb kun (כּוּן, prepare) means to establish, make ready, or set in order. Paras (פָּרַשׂ, stretch out) describes spreading hands in prayer—a posture of supplication. Zophar assumes Job hasn't properly repented, urging preparation of heart and prayer. The counsel is good in appropriate contexts but misapplied here—Job has already prayed and maintained integrity. Zophar's error demonstrates pastoral malpractice: giving correct general advice inappropriate for specific situations.

Historical Context

Stretching hands toward heaven was common ancient prayer posture, seen throughout Scripture (Exodus 9:29, 1 Kings 8:22, Psalm 88:9). Zophar's counsel reflects genuine piety but wrong diagnosis. He cannot accept that Job's suffering might not require repentance from specific sin. The advice would comfort someone convicted of sin but torments an innocent sufferer.

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