Job 41:11

Authorized King James Version

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Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.

Original Language Analysis

מִ֣י H4310
מִ֣י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 1 of 8
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
הִ֭קְדִּימַנִי Who hath prevented H6923
הִ֭קְדִּימַנִי Who hath prevented
Strong's: H6923
Word #: 2 of 8
to project (one self), i.e., precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten, meet (usually for help)
וַאֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם me that I should repay H7999
וַאֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם me that I should repay
Strong's: H7999
Word #: 3 of 8
to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate
תַּ֖חַת H8478
תַּ֖חַת
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 4 of 8
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 5 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם him whatsoever is under the whole heaven H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם him whatsoever is under the whole heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 6 of 8
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
לִי H0
לִי
Strong's: H0
Word #: 7 of 8
הֽוּא׃ H1931
הֽוּא׃
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 8 of 8
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

Analysis & Commentary

God asks: 'Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.' The verb qadam (קָדַם, prevented) means to meet, confront, or anticipate—'who has given to me first that I should repay him?' The rhetorical question establishes that God owes nothing to anyone; all creation belongs to Him. The phrase tachat kol-hashamayim li-hu (תַּחַת כָּל־הַשָּׁמַיִם לִי־הוּא, whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine) asserts absolute divine ownership. Paul quotes this verse in Romans 11:35 when discussing God's sovereign grace. God isn't indebted to creatures; all blessings are grace, not payment owed.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern religions often portrayed gods as needing humans for food, service, or worship. Biblical theology uniquely affirms God's self-sufficiency—He needs nothing from creatures (Psalm 50:10-12, Acts 17:24-25). The question addresses Job's implied claim that his righteousness deserved better treatment. God reframes the issue: even Job's righteousness (genuine as it is) doesn't create divine obligation. All blessing is grace; suffering doesn't violate justice because God owes nothing.

Questions for Reflection

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