Job 11:14

KJV

If iniquity [be] in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.

KJV (with Strong's)

If iniquity {H205} be in thine hand {H3027}, put it far away {H7368}, and let not wickedness {H5766} dwell {H7931} in thy tabernacles {H168}.

Complete Jewish Bible

if you will put your iniquity at a distance and not let unrighteousness remain in your tents,

Berean Standard Bible

if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,

American Standard Version

If iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, And let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 11:14 presents Zophar the Naamathite's direct exhortation to Job, urging him to decisively remove all iniquity from his life and household. Within Zophar's rigid framework of retribution theology, this call to repentance is presented as the prerequisite for Job's restoration and the return of divine favor, reflecting a belief that Job's immense suffering must be a direct consequence of unconfessed sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded in the second of Zophar's two speeches to Job, found in Job 11. It immediately follows Job's lament in Job 10, where Job expresses his deep anguish, questions God's justice, and pleads for understanding. Zophar, like Eliphaz and Bildad, operates from a fixed theological premise: suffering is always a direct result of sin. His speech is characterized by harsh accusations and a dogmatic insistence on Job's guilt, even suggesting that God is being lenient with Job (Job 11:6). Verse 14 is a direct, imperative command, part of Zophar's counsel for Job to repent, which he believes will lead to Job's prosperity and peace (Job 11:15-19). This exhortation, though containing a universal truth about the nature of sin, is tragically misapplied to Job, whose suffering is revealed by the broader narrative to be for reasons other than personal wickedness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is a masterpiece of ancient Near Eastern (ANE) wisdom literature, exploring profound questions about suffering, divine justice, and human righteousness. In the ANE, a prevalent belief was that the gods directly rewarded the righteous and punished the wicked, often through material prosperity or calamity. This "retribution theology" forms the bedrock of the friends' arguments. The concept of the "tabernacle" (Hebrew: *'ohel*) refers to a tent or dwelling, common among nomadic or semi-nomadic peoples. It signifies not just a physical structure but the entire household, including family members, possessions, and reputation. The call for purity to extend to one's "tabernacles" reflects an ancient understanding of corporate responsibility, where the moral standing of the head of the household impacted the entire family unit and its dwelling.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several key themes within the Book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Primarily, it highlights the theme of **repentance and purity**, albeit from a flawed perspective. Zophar's insistence that Job "put it far away" underscores the biblical call for decisive action against sin. It also touches on **personal and household holiness**, emphasizing that righteousness should permeate not just the individual but their entire sphere of influence, a principle found throughout Scripture (e.g., [Joshua 24:15](/joshua/24-15 "Joshua 24:15 - As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord")). Furthermore, the verse, through Zophar's misguided application, serves to illuminate the complex theme of **suffering and divine justice**. While Zophar rigidly asserts that Job's suffering is due to sin, the narrative ultimately reveals God's affirmation of Job's blamelessness ([Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Blamelessness")) and His rebuke of the friends' faulty theology ([Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God Rebukes Job's Friends")). Thus, the verse, despite its immediate misdirection, points to the universal biblical truth that God desires His people to be free from sin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _'avon'_):** This term carries a multifaceted meaning, encompassing not only "wickedness" or "sin" but also the "guilt" or "punishment" associated with it. When Zophar speaks of "iniquity in thine hand," he implies not merely the presence of sin but an active holding, engaging in, or even possessing sinful deeds. It suggests a deep personal responsibility and culpability for wrongdoing.
* **Put it far away (Hebrew, _rachaq'_):** The verb *rachaq* denotes "to be far," "to remove," or "to distance oneself." The imperative mood here signifies a strong, decisive, and intentional act of separation. It's not a passive acknowledgment of sin but an active, deliberate choice to cast it off and create a significant distance between oneself and the wrongdoing.
* **Tabernacles (Hebrew, _'ohel'_):** While literally meaning "tent" or "dwelling," *'ohel* in this context extends metaphorically to encompass one's entire household, family, and sphere of influence. The command "let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles" therefore broadens the scope of the call for purity beyond the individual to their entire living environment and those within it, emphasizing a holistic approach to holiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If iniquity [be] in thine hand":** This opening clause establishes a conditional premise, serving as Zophar's accusation. The phrase "in thine hand" suggests not just the existence of sin but an active engagement with it, a grasping or holding onto it. Zophar implies that Job is actively participating in or clinging to some wrongdoing, which he believes is the cause of his suffering.
* **"put it far away":** This is a direct, emphatic command. It calls for a decisive and complete separation from the identified "iniquity." It demands a proactive, intentional act of renunciation and removal, signifying a turning away from sin and a commitment to righteousness.
* **"and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles":** This second imperative extends the call for purity beyond the individual to their entire household and sphere of influence. "Wickedness" (Hebrew: *'awlah*, meaning injustice or perversity) must not be allowed to reside or find a home within one's dwelling. This emphasizes the comprehensive nature of holiness, requiring that one's entire environment reflects a commitment to God's standards.

#### Literary Devices
Job 11:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey Zophar's message. The verse is structured as a **Conditional Statement**, implying that Job's current suffering (unspoken but understood) is a direct result of his alleged "iniquity," and that a positive outcome (restoration, as promised in subsequent verses) depends on his obedience to the command. **Metonymy** is evident in the phrase "in thine hand," where "hand" represents one's actions, deeds, or active involvement, rather than merely the physical limb. Similarly, "tabernacles" functions as **Synecdoche**, standing for the entire household, family, and sphere of influence, not just the physical tent. The use of the **Imperative Mood** in "put it far away" and "let not wickedness dwell" creates a sense of urgency and direct command, reflecting Zophar's authoritative and unyielding stance. Finally, the two clauses exhibit a form of **Parallelism**, reinforcing the central theme of purging sin from both personal life and one's dwelling, emphasizing a comprehensive call to purity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Zophar's application of this counsel to Job was fundamentally flawed, based on a rigid and incomplete understanding of divine justice, the underlying principle of Job 11:14 resonates deeply with universal biblical truth. God consistently calls His people to holiness and separation from sin. The exhortation to "put it far away" and "let not wickedness dwell" reflects God's unchanging desire for a pure and sanctified people, both individually and corporately. This verse, therefore, serves as a powerful reminder of the active role believers must play in pursuing righteousness, intentionally removing known sin from their lives and ensuring their homes and spheres of influence reflect God's standards. It underscores the importance of a decisive break with sin, not merely a passive acknowledgment, and highlights the comprehensive nature of true repentance that extends to all areas of one's existence.

* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Confession and Forsaking Sin")
* [Isaiah 1:16](/isaiah/1-16 "Isaiah 1:16 - Wash Yourselves Clean")
* [2 Corinthians 7:1](/2_corinthians/7-1 "2 Corinthians 7:1 - Cleansing from Defilement")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Though Zophar's words were misdirected at a righteous man, the enduring biblical principle embedded within Job 11:14 remains profoundly relevant for every believer. This verse challenges us to engage in honest self-examination, asking ourselves if there is any "iniquity in our hand"—any known sin, habit, or attitude that we are actively clinging to or refusing to release. The command to "put it far away" is a call to decisive action, not passive regret. It demands intentional steps to separate ourselves from sin, which might involve changing relationships, adjusting our media consumption, or even relocating from environments that foster unrighteousness. Furthermore, the extension of this command to "let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles" compels us to consider the spiritual atmosphere of our homes and the influence we exert within our families and communities. Are our homes places where righteousness is cultivated, where God is honored, and where sin is actively resisted? This verse is a powerful summons to personal and corporate holiness, urging us to pursue purity in every facet of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "iniquity in your hand" might God be calling you to "put far away" today?**
* **In what ways can you ensure that "wickedness" does not "dwell in your tabernacles" (your home, your sphere of influence)?**
* **How does understanding Zophar's flawed theology help us apply this verse discerningly to our own lives?**

### FAQ
**Was Zophar's advice to Job accurate?**

Answer: While the *principle* of forsaking sin is a universal biblical truth, Zophar's *application* of this advice to Job was inaccurate and unjust. Zophar, like Job's other friends, operated under a rigid retribution theology, believing that Job's immense suffering *must* be a direct consequence of his sin. However, the book's prologue ([Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Blamelessness")) explicitly states that Job was "blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil." Ultimately, God Himself rebukes the friends for not speaking what was right about Him ([Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God Rebukes Job's Friends")), confirming that their assessment of Job's guilt was incorrect. Thus, while the call to purity is always valid, Zophar's counsel was misapplied to Job's unique situation.

**What does "tabernacles" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Job 11:14, "tabernacles" (Hebrew: *'ohel*) refers to one's tent or dwelling. However, its meaning extends beyond a mere physical structure. In this context, it broadly signifies one's entire home, household, family, and all that falls within their sphere of influence. It emphasizes that the call to purity and the removal of wickedness are not limited to the individual's personal actions but must permeate their entire living environment and those under their care or influence. It underscores the ancient concept of corporate holiness, where the spiritual state of the head of the household impacts the entire family unit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 11:14 issues a stern Old Testament call to remove sin, its ultimate fulfillment and enablement are found in Christ. The "iniquity in thine hand" that Zophar speaks of is the very sin that separates humanity from God, a burden too heavy for any individual to "put far away" on their own. Jesus Christ, the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled the demand for holiness and offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to cleanse us from all sin ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing Conscience by Christ's Blood")). Through His atoning work, believers are not merely commanded to put sin away, but are empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to do so. The New Covenant provides a new heart and spirit, enabling a decisive break from the dominion of sin ([Romans 6:1-14](/romans/6 "Romans 6 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ")). The call to "let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles" finds its deepest meaning in the Christian's identity as a temple of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple")), where Christ's presence sanctifies not only the individual but transforms their home and sphere of influence into places where His righteousness dwells and shines. In Christ, the impossible demand of the law becomes a Spirit-empowered reality, allowing believers to truly live lives set apart for God's glory.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 22:23

If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

Ezekiel 18:30

¶ Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn [yourselves] from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

Ezekiel 18:31

Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

James 4:8

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

Job 22:5

¶ [Is] not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?

Job 34:32

[That which] I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.