Job 18:7 (KJV)

What does Job 18:7 mean?

Job 18:7 says that a strong person's progress will be hindered, and their own plans or advice will end up causing their downfall. The verse paints a picture of someone whose power and decisions ultimately work against them.

In this part of the book, Bildad is speaking to Job, warning that those who seem powerful can find their way blocked and be brought low by their own actions. Bildad is arguing that suffering is the result of a person's own choices, and he uses vivid language to describe how even the mighty can stumble because of their own decisions.

The Hebrew behind Job 18:7

• "steps" (פָּעַם, paʿam): This word often refers to footsteps or movements, suggesting the person's daily actions or progress in life. The use here highlights how even the basic movements of a strong person can become restricted.
• "strength" (אוֹן, ʾon): This word means strength, power, or vigor. Bildad is focusing on someone who seems secure and powerful, emphasizing that even such a person's strength is not enough to guarantee success.
• "straitened" (צָרַר, tsarar): This word means to be restricted, cramped, or hemmed in. The idea is that the person's path becomes narrow or difficult, showing a loss of freedom or ability.
• "counsel" (עֵצָה, ʿetsah): This refers to advice, plans, or strategies. The verse suggests that the person's own wisdom or planning leads to their downfall, not just outside forces.
• "down" (שָׁלַךְ, shalak): This word means to throw down or cast away. It gives a strong image of being forcefully brought low, not just stumbling but being actively thrown down by one's own choices.

Why Job 18:7 matters

• Job 18:7 challenges the idea that strength and clever planning always lead to success, showing that even the powerful can be undone by their own actions.
• The verse connects to Bildad’s larger argument that suffering is a result of personal failure, which is a key theme in the debate between Job and his friends.
• Understanding the original words helps clarify that the verse is not just about physical stumbling, but about a person's whole way of life being restricted and brought down by their own decisions.