Job 33:11

Authorized King James Version

He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יָשֵׂ֣ם
He putteth
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#2
בַּסַּ֣ד
in the stocks
the stocks
#3
רַגְלָ֑י
my feet
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#4
יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר
he marketh
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#5
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
אָרְחֹתָֽי׃
all my paths
a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection