Job 15:25
For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָטָ֣ה
For he stretcheth out
H5186
נָטָ֣ה
For he stretcheth out
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
2 of 8
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אֵ֣ל
against God
H410
אֵ֣ל
against God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
4 of 8
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
יָד֑וֹ
his hand
H3027
יָד֑וֹ
his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 8
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Cross References
Psalms 73:9They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.Psalms 52:7Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.Job 9:4He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?Job 36:9Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.Malachi 3:13Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?1 Samuel 6:6Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?Daniel 5:23But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern texts depicted divine-human conflict as rebellion against cosmic order. Israel's tradition included both unacceptable rebellion (Korah, Absalom) and acceptable struggle (Jacob wrestling, prophets questioning). Eliphaz conflates these categories.
Questions for Reflection
- What distinguishes honest wrestling with God from rebellious opposition to Him?
- How do we maintain appropriate reverence while engaging in bold prayer and questioning?
- What biblical figures demonstrated that struggling with God can coexist with deep faith?
Analysis & Commentary
The wicked oppose God: 'For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.' This describes active rebellion—the wicked don't just fail morally but defiantly oppose God. The imagery of stretching out the hand suggests aggressive attack. Strengthening oneself against God indicates prideful self-reliance. Eliphaz implies Job's questioning constitutes such rebellion. But Scripture distinguishes wrestling with God (Jacob, Job) from rebelling against Him.