Job 11:14 (KJV)

What does Job 11:14 mean?

Job 11:14 records Zophar telling Job to remove any wrongdoing under his control and keep wickedness out of his household. Zophar presents this as a condition for the secure future he describes to Job, who has been suffering and defending himself.

The phrase “in thine hand” pictures wrongdoing as something Job may possess or control. “Thy tabernacles” refers to tents or dwellings, extending Zophar’s demand from Job’s own actions to the place where he lives.

The Hebrew behind Job 11:14

• “iniquity” — אָוֶן (ʾaven): The word can refer to wrongdoing or evil. Here it names the wrong Zophar tells Job to put far away if it is in his hand.
• “tabernacles” — אֹהֶל (ʾohel): The word means a tent or dwelling. The KJV’s “tabernacles” pictures living places, rather than necessarily a place of worship.

Why Job 11:14 matters

• The words belong to Zophar’s speech, not a direct verdict about Job. Zophar begins with “if,” addressing the possibility that wrongdoing is in Job’s hand.
• Zophar’s advice rests on his judgment of Job’s situation. Earlier, Zophar says that God has exacted less from Job than his wrongdoing deserves (Job 11:6).
• The story later challenges the reliability of Zophar’s judgment. God tells Job’s three friends that they have not spoken rightly about him as Job has (Job 42:7).