Job 33:11
He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
Original Language Analysis
יָשֵׂ֣ם
He putteth
H7760
יָשֵׂ֣ם
He putteth
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 6
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
רַגְלָ֑י
my feet
H7272
רַגְלָ֑י
my feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
3 of 6
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר
he marketh
H8104
יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר
he marketh
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
Historical Context
Imprisonment in stocks was common punishment in the ancient Near East for criminals, rebellious slaves, or prisoners of war (Jeremiah 20:2, 29:26, Acts 16:24). Job, formerly respected and honored (chapter 29), now felt reduced to criminal status. His physical suffering—boils, loss of family and wealth—seemed like divine punishment without cause. Elihu's task: reframe Job's suffering from punishment to purification, from enmity to education.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you felt God was restricting or watching you suspiciously—how did that affect your faith?
- How can we distinguish between God's protective boundaries and our perception of imprisonment?
- What does Psalm 139 teach about God's constant observation of our lives—is it comforting or threatening?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
He putteth my feet in the stocks (יָשֵׂם בַּסַּד רַגְלַי, yasem bassad raglai)—Job had complained that God imprisoned him like a criminal (13:27). סַד (sad, 'stocks') refers to wooden devices that confined feet, preventing movement—punishment for prisoners or slaves. יָשֵׂם (yasem, 'putteth') suggests deliberate placement. Job felt trapped, unable to escape his suffering or understand its purpose.
He marketh all my paths (יִשְׁמֹר כָּל־אָרְחוֹתָי, yishmor kol-orchotai)—שָׁמַר (shamar, 'marketh/watcheth') means to guard, observe, or scrutinize. אֹרַח (orach, 'path') refers to one's way of life or conduct. Job perceived God's watchfulness as suspicious surveillance rather than loving care (7:17-20, 10:14). The irony: God does watch His children constantly—but for protection and guidance, not condemnation (Psalm 139:1-18). Job's suffering had distorted his perception of divine providence.
Elihu quotes these complaints to demonstrate Job's theological error: attributing malicious motives to God's sovereign purposes. The same divine actions Job interpreted as hostile imprisonment are actually loving boundaries and attentive care. Suffering had temporarily blinded Job to God's benevolent character.