Question 1

What does Job 11:14 mean?

Accepted Answer

Job 11:14 urges the listener to remove any wrongdoing from their life and not allow evil to remain in their home or personal life. The verse is a call to turn away from sin and ensure that wickedness does not have a place in one’s daily living. In this verse, Zophar, one of Job’s friends, is speaking to Job during their discussion about suffering and righteousness. Zophar is challenging Job to examine his actions and household, suggesting that if Job truly turns from any possible sin, God will respond favorably. The language reflects the idea of taking active steps to distance oneself from wrongdoing, both personally (“in thine hand”) and in one’s environment (“thy tabernacles”).

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Job 11:14

Accepted Answer

The word “iniquity” is עָוֹן (ʿavon), which often refers to guilt or moral wrongdoing, not just a single act but a pattern or state of guilt. Zophar’s use of this word points to a deep, underlying issue rather than a minor mistake. “Hand” is יָד (yad), which in Hebrew often symbolizes personal actions or responsibility. The phrase “iniquity be in thine hand” suggests wrongdoing that one is actively involved in or responsible for. “Wickedness” is עַוְלָה (ʿavlah), a word that emphasizes injustice or moral wrong. Its use here highlights not just personal sin, but also unfairness or corruption that might exist in one’s life or household. “Tabernacles” is אֹהֶל (ohel), meaning tents or dwellings. In this context, it refers to one’s home or household, broadening the call to purity beyond just individual actions to include the environment one controls.

Question 3

Why Job 11:14 matters

Accepted Answer

Job 11:14 clarifies that Zophar believes suffering may be connected to hidden wrongdoing, and he urges Job to examine both his actions and his household for any trace of sin. The verse emphasizes personal responsibility (“hand”) and the influence of one’s environment (“tabernacles”), showing that righteousness is not just about private behavior but also about what is allowed to persist in one’s home. This verse helps explain the mindset of Job’s friends, who consistently assume that suffering must be the result of personal or household sin, a theme that runs throughout their speeches.

Job 11:14 (KJV)