Job 11:9 - Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

Generated Verse: Job 11:9

What does "Job 11:9" mean?


The verse "Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea" in Job 11:9, is part of a speech given by Zophar, one of Job's friends. In this context, "it" refers to God's wisdom, knowledge, understanding, or power – specifically, the immensity and incomprehensibility of God's attributes.

Here's a breakdown of the meaning:

"Its measure is longer than the earth": This emphasizes the vast extent of God's wisdom and knowledge. It extends beyond anything we can conceive of on earth.
"and broader than the sea": This reinforces the idea of immeasurable scope. The sea, vast and deep, cannot contain or define the limits of God's understanding.

Essentially, Zophar is arguing that God's ways are beyond human comprehension. He is using figurative language to convey the idea that Job cannot possibly understand God's reasons for allowing him to suffer, because God's perspective is infinitely grander than Job's.

In other words, the verse means:

God's wisdom, power, or understanding is limitless and incomprehensible to human beings.
We, as humans, are limited in our ability to grasp God's grand designs and purposes.
It's presumptuous to think we can fully understand why God does what He does.

Zophar uses this argument to suggest that Job's suffering is part of a greater, divine plan that Job cannot possibly fathom. He wrongly assumes Job's suffering is due to some hidden sin. While the first two points are valid, Zophar's assumption that Job's suffering is due to sin is eventually challenged throughout the book.

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