Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?

JOB 15:11KJV
Know the Bible

Job 15:11 (KJV)

What does Job 15:11 mean?

Job 15:11 records Eliphaz challenging Job with two questions. Eliphaz suggests that Job is treating God’s comfort as too little and asks whether Job has some secret reason for responding as he does.

Eliphaz is one of Job’s friends, speaking during a dispute about Job’s suffering. His questions press Job to account for his reaction to the words offered to him. Eliphaz presents his challenge as a question rather than a direct accusation.

The Hebrew behind Job 15:11

  • “consolations” — תַּנְחוּמוֹת (tanḥumot): The word means comforts or words of comfort. Eliphaz describes the comfort offered to Job as coming from God.
  • “secret” — לָאַט (laʾat): The word can carry the sense of something spoken quietly or gently. The KJV’s “secret thing” presents Eliphaz’s second question in terms of something hidden.

Why Job 15:11 matters

  • Eliphaz’s claim about comfort is part of the argument, not a neutral description of how Job has experienced his friends’ words. Job later calls them “miserable comforters” in Job 16:2.
  • The questions lead into Eliphaz’s challenge to Job’s conduct. In Job 15:12–13, Eliphaz asks why Job’s heart carries him away and why he turns his spirit against God.

Where else these words appear

“consolations” Hebrew H8575 · used in 5 verses

  • Job 21:2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
  • Psalms 94:19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
  • Isaiah 66:11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.

“secret” Hebrew H328 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 33:14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.
  • 2 Samuel 18:5 And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
  • Isaiah 8:6 Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;

“small” Hebrew H4592 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • 1 Samuel 14:29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
  • Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.