Job 22:10
Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee;
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֭ן
H3651
כֵּ֭ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
סְבִיבוֹתֶ֣יךָ
are round about
H5439
סְבִיבוֹתֶ֣יךָ
are round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
3 of 7
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
וִֽ֝יבַהֶלְךָ
troubleth
H926
וִֽ֝יבַהֶלְךָ
troubleth
Strong's:
H926
Word #:
5 of 7
to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e., (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously
Historical Context
The 'therefore' (al-ken) formula was used in ancient legal reasoning to connect crime to punishment. Eliphaz uses prosecutorial logic: observed punishment, therefore hidden crime. This retribution principle dominated ancient wisdom literature but is precisely what the book of Job challenges.
Questions for Reflection
- How does simple cause-and-effect theology fail to account for the complexity of suffering in a fallen world?
- When has 'logical' theological reasoning led you to wrong conclusions about someone's circumstances?
- How does the cosmic perspective of Job 1-2 completely reframe the meaning of Job's suffering that Eliphaz cannot see?
Analysis & Commentary
Therefore snares are round about thee (עַל־כֵּן סְבִיבוֹתֶיךָ פַחִים)—Eliphaz argues Job's suffering (pachim, traps/snares) proves the accusations. The Hebrew savivoteycha (round about you) pictures complete encirclement with no escape—exactly Job's experience (3:23, 19:8).
Sudden fear troubleth thee (וִיבַהֶלְךָ פַּחַד פִּתְאֹם)—Pitom (suddenly) describes the unexpected nature of Job's calamities. Eliphaz correctly describes Job's condition but wrongly attributes it to Job's sin rather than the cosmic test of Job 1-2. The friends' theology cannot account for righteous suffering, so it must deny the possibility.