King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices [which] ye wrongfully imagine against me.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Look, I know what you are thinking and your plans to do me wrong.
Berean Standard Bible:
Behold, I know your thoughts full well, the schemes by which you would wrong me.
American Standard Version:
Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices wherewith ye would wrong me.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Behold, I know{H3045} your thoughts{H4284}, and the devices{H4209} which ye wrongfully imagine{H2554} against me.
Cross-References (KJV):
Luke 5:22
- But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
Psalms 119:86
- All thy commandments [are] faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
Job 42:7
- ¶ And it was [so], that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me [the thing that is] right, as my servant Job [hath].
1 Peter 2:19
- For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
Job 20:29
- This [is] the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.
Job 32:3
- Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and [yet] had condemned Job.
Job 8:3
- Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Job 21:27
Job 21:27 is a part of the dialogue within the Book of Job, a poetic and philosophical exploration of the problem of evil and human suffering. The verse is spoken by Job, a man who has lost everything—his wealth, his children, and his health—and is engaged in a heated debate with three friends who have come to "comfort" him. These friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, insist that Job's suffering must be a punishment for some hidden sin, adhering to the conventional wisdom of the time that linked personal suffering with personal guilt.
In this particular verse, Job is directly addressing his friends, asserting that he understands the nature of their thoughts and the schemes they are concocting against him. The "devices" refer to the arguments or accusations that they have been crafting, which Job perceives as unjust and wrongfully imagined. Job is aware that his friends are trying to find reasons within their moral framework to explain his suffering, and he accuses them of doing so in a way that is not only incorrect but also malicious.
The historical context of the Book of Job is somewhat uncertain, with estimates of its composition ranging from the second millennium BCE to as late as the Persian period (539-332 BCE). The narrative is set in the land of Uz, which is traditionally associated with the region of Edom, southeast of Israel. The character of Job is depicted as a man of great integrity and piety, and his story challenges the simplistic cause-and-effect relationship between sin and suffering that was prevalent in the ancient Near East.
In summary, Job 21:27 reflects the tension between Job and his friends, highlighting the accusatory and speculative nature of their dialogue. Job's statement underscores the theme of misunderstanding and misjudgment by others in the face of unexplained suffering. It also touches on the broader theological question of why the righteous suffer, a question that resonates throughout the book and remains relevant in philosophical and theological discussions today.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3045
There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָדַע
Transliteration: yâdaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. - Strong's Number: H4284
There are 52 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַחֲשָׁבָה
Transliteration: machăshâbâh
Pronunciation: makh-ash-aw-baw'
Description: or מַחֲשֶׁבֶת; from חָשַׁב; a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice); cunning (work), curious work, device(-sed), imagination, invented, means, purpose, thought. - Strong's Number: H4209
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְזִמָּה
Transliteration: mᵉzimmâh
Pronunciation: mez-im-maw'
Description: from זָמַם; a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity); (wicked) device, discretion, intent, witty invention, lewdness, mischievous (device), thought, wickedly. - Strong's Number: H2554
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָמַס
Transliteration: châmaç
Pronunciation: khaw-mas'
Description: a primitive root; to be violent; by implication, to maltreat; make bare, shake off, violate, do violence, take away violently, wrong, imagine wrongfully.