Job 11:17
And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
Original Language Analysis
וּֽ֭מִצָּהֳרַיִם
than the noonday
H6672
וּֽ֭מִצָּהֳרַיִם
than the noonday
Strong's:
H6672
Word #:
1 of 6
a light (i.e., window); dual double light, i.e., noon
יָק֣וּם
shall be clearer
H6965
יָק֣וּם
shall be clearer
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
2 of 6
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
חָ֑לֶד
And thine age
H2465
חָ֑לֶד
And thine age
Strong's:
H2465
Word #:
3 of 6
life (as a fleeting portion of time); hence, the world (as transient)
תָּ֝עֻ֗פָה
thou shalt shine forth
H5774
תָּ֝עֻ֗פָה
thou shalt shine forth
Strong's:
H5774
Word #:
4 of 6
to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning)
Cross References
Psalms 37:6And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.Proverbs 4:18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.Hosea 6:3Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
Historical Context
Light and darkness metaphors were central to ancient Near Eastern thought. Zophar's promise of increasing light would resonate as a return to divine favor and blessing, the reversal of Job's dark night.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we offer hope without making false promises about God's timeline?
- What is the difference between biblical hope and optimistic presumption?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Zophar's promises escalate: Job's 'age' (חֶלֶד, cheled—life, world) shall be 'clearer than noonday' (מִצָּהֳרַיִם, mi-tsahorayim), he shall 'shine forth' (תָּעֻפָה, ta'ufah—fly up, shine), becoming 'as the morning' (כַּבֹּקֶר, kaboqer). The imagery moves from darkness to increasing light—noonday clarity, shining, dawn's brightness. This echoes biblical promises of restoration (Psalm 37:6, Proverbs 4:18). The language is beautiful and theologically sound for describing ultimate redemption. Zophar's error is offering guaranteed immediate application contingent on Job's repentance. He peddles false hope based on presumed diagnosis. True hope rests on God's character, not our complete understanding of circumstances.