Job 13:27
Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.
Original Language Analysis
וְתָ֘שֵׂ֤ם
Thou puttest
H7760
וְתָ֘שֵׂ֤ם
Thou puttest
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 10
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
רַ֝גְלַ֗י
my feet
H7272
רַ֝גְלַ֗י
my feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
3 of 10
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
וְתִשְׁמ֥וֹר
and lookest narrowly
H8104
וְתִשְׁמ֥וֹר
and lookest narrowly
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אָרְחוֹתָ֑י
unto all my paths
H734
אָרְחוֹתָ֑י
unto all my paths
Strong's:
H734
Word #:
6 of 10
a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern friendship carried obligations of loyalty and support. The friends' abandonment of Job in favor of doctrinal accusations would be recognized as betrayal of sacred friendship bonds.
Questions for Reflection
- How does commitment to theological correctness sometimes override basic compassion?
- What are the limits of confrontation even when we believe someone is wrong?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.' 'Ten times' (זֶה עֶשֶׁר פְּעָמִים, zeh eser pe'amim) may be literal or idiomatic for 'many times.' They've 'reproached' (תַחְפְּרוּנִי, tachperuni—insulted, humiliated) and 'make strange' (תַּכְלִימוּנִי, takhlimuni—deal cruelly, abuse). The friends' increasing cruelty shows how ideological commitment can override compassion. They value doctrinal purity over friendship. Job's pain at this abandonment echoes Psalm 41:9 and anticipates Christ's betrayal. True theology should increase compassion, not justify its abandonment. The Reformed emphasis on community and bearing one another's burdens condemns the friends' behavior.