Job 16:11
God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.
Original Language Analysis
אֵ֭ל
God
H410
אֵ֭ל
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
2 of 8
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְדֵ֖י
into the hands
H3027
יְדֵ֖י
into the hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
6 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
Historical Context
The verb 'deliver/hand over' (סָגַר/παραδίδωμι) creates a theological arc from Job to Christ. God 'delivered up' Israel to enemies as judgment (Judges 13:1), yet here delivers up the righteous Job. Paul's use in Romans 8:32 ('He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all') reveals God's ultimate pattern: the Innocent One handed over for the guilty.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's accusation that God 'delivered him' to the wicked anticipate the Father delivering the Son?
- What does it mean that God sometimes 'hands over' His faithful servants to suffering rather than shielding them?
- How does Romans 8:32 transform our understanding of being 'delivered into the hands' of adversity?
Analysis & Commentary
God hath delivered me to the ungodly (יַסְגִּירֵנִי אֵל אֶל־עֲוִיל, yasgireni 'El el-'avil)—The verb סָגַר (sagar, 'to deliver up, hand over') is covenant-betrayal language. God has handed Job over to the עֲוִיל ('avil, 'wicked, perverse ones'). This shocking accusation: the covenant-keeper has become covenant-breaker.
And turned me over into the hands of the wicked (וְעַל־יְדֵי רְשָׁעִים יִרְטֵנִי, ve'al-yedey resha'im yirteni)—The verb יָרַט (yarat) means 'to hurl, cast violently.' Job feels thrown to the רְשָׁעִים (resha'im, 'wicked'). Strikingly, this language anticipates Judas's betrayal (παραδίδωμι, paradidomi, 'to hand over') and God 'delivering up' Christ (Romans 8:32). Job's innocent suffering foreshadows the cross.