Job 11:16
Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
Original Language Analysis
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָמָ֣ל
thy misery
H5999
עָמָ֣ל
thy misery
Strong's:
H5999
Word #:
3 of 7
toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
תִּשְׁכָּ֑ח
Because thou shalt forget
H7911
תִּשְׁכָּ֑ח
Because thou shalt forget
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
4 of 7
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
כְּמַ֖יִם
it as waters
H4325
כְּמַ֖יִם
it as waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
5 of 7
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Cross References
Isaiah 65:16That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.Ecclesiastes 5:20For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.John 16:21A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.Isaiah 54:4Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.Isaiah 54:9For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern wisdom often promised quick relief for the repentant. The book of Job subverts this prosperity gospel by showing that God's ways are more mysterious and His purposes deeper than simple cause-and-effect.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we balance hope for relief with patient endurance when suffering continues?
- What false timelines do we impose on God's promises?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Zophar promises Job will 'forget' (תִּשְׁכַּח, tishkach) his misery (עָמָל, amal—toil, trouble), remembering it only 'as waters that pass away' (מַיִם עָבְרוּ, mayim avru). The imagery suggests suffering becoming like floodwaters that recede, leaving only a memory. This contains truth—God does heal and restore (Revelation 21:4, Isaiah 65:17). However, Zophar's timeline is wrong; he promises immediate relief upon repentance. The reality is more complex: God does eventually wipe away all tears, but often through suffering, not around it. Job's restoration comes in God's timing, not according to Zophar's formula. The Reformed doctrine of providence affirms God's good purposes work through, not despite, our afflictions.