Job 15:11
Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?
Original Language Analysis
מִ֭מְּךָ
H4480
מִ֭מְּךָ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
אֵ֑ל
of God
H410
אֵ֑ל
of God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
4 of 7
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
וְ֝דָבָ֗ר
thing
H1697
וְ֝דָבָ֗ר
thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
5 of 7
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom friends were expected to bring comfort. Eliphaz here claims to have fulfilled this role, reinterpreting his accusations as divine consolation Job rejects through stubbornness.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we recognize when 'comfort' is actually spiritual gaslighting?
- What distinguishes genuine consolation from platitudes that dismiss pain?
Analysis & Commentary
'Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?' Eliphaz asks if God's 'consolations' (תַּנְחֻמוֹת, tanchumot) are 'small' (מִמְּךָ מְעָט, mimkha me'at—too little) for Job. He implies the friends' words convey divine comfort Job arrogantly rejects. The second question suggests Job harbors 'secret' (לָאט, la'at) sins. This is gaslighting—reframing Job's legitimate pain as rejection of comfort and hinting at hidden evil. The friends' speeches haven't been consoling but accusatory. Calling spiritual abuse 'consolation' compounds harm. True comfort acknowledges pain (Romans 12:15, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4), not dismisses it. The Reformed pastoral tradition emphasizes genuine sympathy over pious platitudes.