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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Job 13:23–28. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here, I. Job enquires after his sins, and begs to have them discovered to him. He looks up to God, and asks him what was the number of them (How many are my iniquities?) and what were the particulars of them: Make me to know my transgressions, Job 13:23. His friends were ready enough to tell him how numerous and how heinous they were, Job 22:5. "But, Lord," says he, "let me know them from thee; for thy judgment is according to truth, theirs is not." This may be taken either, 1. As a passionate complaint of hard usage, that he was punished for his faults and yet was not told what his faults were. Or, 2. As a prudent appeal to God from the censures of his friends. He desired that all his sins might be brought to light, as knowing they would then appear not so many, nor so mighty, as his friends suspected him to be guilty of. Or, 3. As a pious request, to the same purport with that which Elihu directed him to, Job 34:32. That which I see not, teach thou me. Note, A true penitent is willing to know the worst of himself; and we should all desire to know what our transgressions are, that we may be particular in the confession of them and on our guard against them for the future.
II.He bitterly complains of God's withdrawings from him (Job 13:24):
Wherefore hidest thou thy face? This must be meant of something more than his outward afflictions; for the loss of estate, children, health, might well consist with God's love; when that was all, he blessed the name of the Lord; but his soul was also sorely vexed, and that is it which he here laments.
1.That the favours of the Almighty were suspended. God hid his face as one strange to him, displeased with him, shy and regardless of him.
2.That the terrors of the Almighty were inflicted and impressed upon him. God held him for his enemy, shot his arrows at him (Job 6:4), and set him as a mark, Job 7:20. Note, The Holy Ghost sometimes denies his favours and discovers his terrors to the best and dearest of his saints and servants in this world. This case occurs, not only in the production, but sometimes in the progress of the divine life. Evidences for heaven are eclipsed, sensible communications interrupted, dread of divine wrath impressed, and the returns of comfort, for the present, despaired of, Psa 77:7-9; Psa 88:7, Psa 88:15, Psa 88:16. These are grievous burdens to a gracious soul, that values God's loving-kindness as better than life, Pro 18:14. A wounded spirit who can bear? Job, by asking here, Why hidest thou thy face? teaches us that, when at any time we are under the sense of God's withdrawings, we are concerned to enquire into the reason of them - what is the sin for which he corrects us and what the good he designs us. Job's sufferings were typical of the sufferings of Christ, from whom not only men hid their faces (Isa 53:3), but God hid his, witness the darkness which surrounded him on the cross when he cried out, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? If this were done to these green trees, what shall be done to the dry? They will for ever be forsaken.
III.He humbly pleads with God his own utter inability to stand before him (Job 13:25):
"Wilt thou break a leaf, pursue the dry stubble? Lord, is it for thy honour to trample upon one that is down already, or to crush one that neither has nor pretends to any power to resist thee?" Note, We ought to have such an apprehension of the goodness and compassion of God as to believe that he will not break the bruised reed, Mat 12:20.
IV.He sadly complains of God's severe dealings with him.
He owns it was for his sins that God thus contended with him, but thinks it hard,
1.That his former sins, long since committed, should now be remembered against him, and he should he reckoned with for the old scores (Job 13:26): Thou writest bitter things against me. Afflictions are bitter things. Writing them denotes deliberation and determination, written as a warrant for execution; it denotes also the continuance of his affliction, for that which is written remains, and, "Herein thou makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth," that is, "thou punishest me for them, and thereby puttest me in mind of them, and obligest me to renew my repentance for them." Note,
(1.)God sometimes writes very bitter things against the best and dearest of his saints and servants, both in outward afflictions and inward disquiet; trouble in body and trouble in mind, that he may humble them, and prove them, and do them good in their latter end.
(2.)That the sins of youth are often the smart of age both in respect of sorrow within (Jer 31:18, Jer 31:19) and suffering without, Job 20:11. Time does not wear out the guilt of sin.
(3.)That when God writes bitter things against us his design therein is to make us possess our iniquities, to bring forgotten sins to mind, and so to bring us to remorse for them as to break us off from them. This is all the fruit, to take away our sin.
2.That his present mistakes and miscarriages should be so strictly taken notice of, and so severely animadverted upon (Job 13:27): "Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, not only to afflict me and expose me to shame, not only to keep me from escaping the strokes of thy wrath, but that thou mayest critically remark all my motions and look narrowly to all my paths, to correct me for every false step, nay, for but a look awry or a word misapplied; nay, thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet, scorest down every thing I do amiss, to reckon for it; or no sooner have I trodden wrong, though ever so little, than immediately I smart for it; the punishment treads upon the very heels of the sin. Guilt, both of the oldest and of the freshest date, is put together to make up the cause of my calamity." Now,
(1.)It was not true that God did thus seek advantages against him. He is not thus extreme to mark what we do amiss; if he were, there were no abiding for us, Psa 130:3. But he is so far from this that he deals not with us according to the desert, no, not of our manifest sins, which are not found by secret search, Jer 2:34. This therefore was the language of Job's melancholy; his sober thoughts never represented God thus as a hard Master.
(2.)But we should keep such a strict and jealous eye as this upon ourselves and our own steps, both for the discovery of sin past and the prevention of it for the future. It is good for us all to ponder the path of our feet.
V.He finds himself wasting away apace under the heavy hand of God, Job 13:28.
He (that is, man) as a rotten thing, the principle of whose putrefaction is in itself, consumes, even like a moth-eaten garment, which becomes continually worse and worse. Or, He (that is, God) like rottenness, and like a moth, consumes me. Compare this with Hos 5:12, I will be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness; and see Psa 39:11. Note, Man, at the best, wears fast; but, under God's rebukes especially, he is soon gone. While there is so little soundness in the soul, no marvel there is so little soundness in the flesh, Psa 38:3.
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
63. God ‘set man’s foot in the stocks,’ in that he bound fast his wickedness with the strong sentence of His severity. And He ‘looketh narrowly into all his paths,’ in that He judges with minute exactness all the several particulars that belong to him. For a ‘path’ is usually narrower than a ‘way;’ but as by ‘ways’ we understand actions, so by ‘paths’ we not unjustly understand the mere thoughts of them. So God ‘looketh narrowly into all our paths,’ in that in all our several actions He takes account of the thoughts of the heart too; and He ‘marketh the prints of our feet,’ in that He examineth the intentions [i] of our works, how far they are placed aright, lest that which is done a good work, be not done with a right object. But it is possible that by the prints of the feet the several things done badly may be understood. For a foot in the body is a print in the way. And very commonly, when we do some things wrong, whereas our brethren see it, we are setting them a bad example, and our foot being as it were turned out of the way, we leave to those that follow our footsteps all awry, while by our own deeds we lead the way for other men’s consciences to stumble. But it is very hard for man to keep on his guard, that he never presume to do evil, that in his good actions he be not unsteady in the intention, and amidst upright deeds let no wrong purpose deceive him. Yet all these particulars Almighty God minutely examines, and weighs each one of them in judgment. But when can man, bound about as he is by the frailty of the flesh, have power to rise up against all of them with exact particularity, and to maintain the line of uprightness with the thought of the heart unmoved?
“You observe the strength of my feet.” The words “you observe” signify God’s consideration, because we keep our eye on what we care for. And the words “my feet” refer to the firmness, because feet are supports. But these words are also analogous to the roots of the plants. That is, you have sent me tribulations and imposed them on me with force and care.
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Summary
Job 13:27 captures the patriarch Job's profound and desperate plea to God, articulating his overwhelming sense of being unjustly confined, meticulously observed, and inescapably marked by the Almighty. He perceives God not as a benevolent comforter but as an oppressive adversary, who has subjected him to the humiliation of imprisonment, scrutinizes his every movement with relentless intensity, and has branded him with an indelible sign of judgment or inescapable surveillance, leaving him with no avenue for freedom or relief from his suffering.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is a poignant part of Job's third speech, specifically his direct and impassioned address to God in Job 13 and Job 14. Following the second cycle of dialogues with his friends, whom he has dismissed as "worthless physicians" and purveyors of "worthless proverbs" in Job 13:4, Job turns his fervent lament and defense of his integrity directly to the divine. He has already expressed a profound desire to plead his case before God, declaring, "Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!" in Job 23:3, and even proclaimed unwavering trust despite his suffering: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" in Job 13:15. In this verse, Job's language escalates, portraying God as an oppressive force, meticulously seeking fault, rather than a compassionate sovereign. This section immediately precedes Job's desperate plea for God to withdraw His hand and cease terrifying him, as seen in Job 13:21, underscoring his profound desire for relief and understanding.
Historical & Cultural Context
The imagery employed in Job 13:27 is deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern judicial and punitive practices. The "stocks" (Hebrew: sad) were a common instrument of public restraint and humiliation, typically fashioned from wood, used to immobilize prisoners by their feet or neck. This practice was designed to inflict discomfort and public shame, often reserved for criminals. The concept of "looking narrowly" or "setting a print" evokes the meticulous surveillance and the practice of branding or marking individuals—such as slaves, criminals, or even animals—to signify ownership, guilt, or inescapable tracking. These practices were widely understood in the ancient world, and Job's use of them powerfully conveys his feeling of being treated as a criminal or property, rather than a righteous man. The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a non-Israelite context, yet it engages with a universal wisdom tradition that grappled with fundamental questions of divine justice, human suffering, and the nature of righteousness.
Key Themes
Job 13:27 significantly contributes to several core themes woven throughout the Book of Job. Firstly, it starkly highlights the theme of divine hiddenness and perceived injustice. Job grapples with the profound dissonance between God's character, as he understood it, and his inexplicable, crushing suffering. He perceives God as an adversary rather than a comforter, a radical departure from the traditional understanding of God's benevolence. Secondly, the verse vividly portrays the intensity of human suffering and lament, giving voice to the raw, unvarnished emotions of one utterly overwhelmed by pain, confusion, and despair. Job's courageous ability to express such profound anguish directly to God, even in accusation, is a testament to the book's theological depth and its embrace of authentic faith. Finally, it touches upon the theme of divine sovereignty and human accountability, albeit from Job's profoundly distorted perspective. While Job acknowledges God's immense power, he misinterprets its application to his own life, believing God is actively seeking his downfall, rather than allowing a test of his faith, a truth revealed only to the reader in the book's opening chapters, particularly Job 1 and Job 2.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term (H5465) refers to a wooden instrument of restraint, typically used for the feet, designed for public humiliation and torture. It signifies complete immobilization, acute discomfort, and a profound loss of freedom, often associated with criminal punishment. Job's use of this word conveys his feeling of being treated as a criminal, unjustly confined, and stripped of his inherent dignity by God's seemingly oppressive actions.
While shâmar (H8104) generally means "to guard," "to watch," or "to preserve," in this specific context, it carries a distinctly oppressive and hostile connotation. It implies a vigilant, meticulous, and almost malevolent observation. Job perceives that God is scrutinizing his every movement and thought, not for protection or care, but with the intent to find fault, to ensure his continued confinement, or to prolong his suffering.
This verb (H2707) means "to carve," "to engrave," "to inscribe," "to delineate," or "to decree." When combined with "heels of my feet," it suggests an indelible mark, a fixed boundary, or a decreed path. It powerfully conveys Job's profound sense that God has branded him, perhaps with a sign of guilt or inescapable tracking, or has irrevocably decreed a fixed, painful trajectory for his life from which he cannot deviate, leaving him with no possibility of escape.
Verse Breakdown
"Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks"
Job directly accuses God of being the agent of his confinement, employing the vivid and humiliating imagery of a public punishment device. This signifies a complete loss of freedom, mobility, and dignity, portraying God as the direct cause of his physical and existential imprisonment, as if Job were a common criminal deserving of such public shame and restraint.
"and lookest narrowly unto all my paths"
This clause emphasizes God's intense, oppressive, and relentless surveillance. Job feels that God is not merely observing but meticulously scrutinizing every aspect of his life, every step he takes, with an intent to discover fault or to ensure that he cannot escape his suffering, leaving no action, no matter how small, unexamined or unjudged.
"thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet"
This final clause powerfully reinforces the pervasive theme of inescapable confinement and indelible marking. Whether it implies a brand of guilt, a divinely decreed and unalterable path, or an inescapable trace of his movements, it conveys Job's profound conviction that God has sealed his fate, leaving him no room for escape, no possibility of privacy, and marking his very identity with the burden of his suffering.
Literary Devices
Job 13:27 is exceptionally rich in Imagery, vividly portraying Job's agonizing suffering through concrete, physical actions and sensory details. The "stocks" evoke a painful, humiliating, and immobilizing imprisonment, while "looking narrowly" suggests an oppressive, almost predatory surveillance. The phrase "settest a print upon the heels of my feet" functions as a powerful Metaphor or Symbolism, representing an inescapable mark of divine judgment, a divinely decreed path of suffering, or a brand of ownership and guilt that Job cannot shed. The direct address "Thou" employs Apostrophe, as Job speaks directly to God, who is present but remains silent and seemingly unresponsive to his pleas. This direct, confrontational address amplifies the raw emotion and Job's profound sense of perceived injustice. The verse also utilizes Hyperbole to express Job's extreme and overwhelming sense of confinement and scrutiny; while God is indeed omniscient, Job perceives this omniscience as an active, malevolent force specifically directed against him.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Job's agonizing lament in Job 13:27 profoundly illuminates the human struggle with suffering and the often-perplexing perception of divine justice. It powerfully underscores the biblical theme that even righteous individuals can experience immense, inexplicable pain, thereby challenging simplistic theological frameworks that directly link suffering to personal sin. Job's raw honesty in questioning God, rather than abandoning Him, serves as a compelling model for authentic faith in the midst of profound crisis, demonstrating that a true relationship with God can encompass lament, protest, and even accusation. This passage implicitly raises fundamental questions about God's sovereignty and His mysterious methods, questions that are ultimately addressed in the book's profound conclusion, revealing a divine wisdom far beyond human comprehension and inviting a trust that transcends immediate understanding.
Reflection and Application
Job's agonizing portrayal of divine scrutiny and confinement in Job 13:27 offers a profound and vital space for reflection on our own experiences of suffering and our perception of God's role within them. In moments of deep distress, it is profoundly natural to feel trapped, misunderstood, or even targeted by circumstances that seem entirely beyond our control. This verse powerfully validates the human experience of profound lament, reminding us that the biblical narrative gives ample voice to raw, unfiltered pain and questioning, even when directed at God Himself. It challenges us to critically examine how we interpret God's sovereignty and His active presence during our trials. Do we perceive His omniscience as a comforting, protective embrace, or as an oppressive, judgmental gaze? Job's arduous journey, though marked by bitter complaint and profound confusion, ultimately leads him to a deeper, more humble, and ultimately more authentic understanding of God's character and His inscrutable ways. His experience urges us to cultivate a trust in God's ultimate goodness that transcends our immediate comprehension, finding solace in His unwavering love despite our limited human understanding. Our faith is not diminished by honest questioning, but rather can be profoundly refined and strengthened through it, as we learn to lean into God's immutable character rather than our fleeting and painful circumstances.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does Job's accusation mean he lost his faith in God?
No, Job's accusations, while undeniably harsh and filled with profound anguish, do not signify a loss of faith but rather a deep, wrestling, and persistent faith. Throughout his unimaginable ordeal, Job never abandons his fundamental belief in God's existence, His ultimate power, or His role as sovereign. In fact, just two verses earlier, he famously declares, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" Job 13:15. His complaints are born out of a desperate desire for understanding and vindication from the very God he trusts, not from a rejection of Him. The Book of Job powerfully demonstrates that authentic faith can indeed encompass lament, protest, and even argument with God, as long as it remains rooted in a fundamental trust in His sovereignty and His ultimate character. Job's struggle ultimately leads him to a deeper, more humble, and more profound relationship with God, as seen in his confession in Job 42:5-6.
What is the significance of "stocks" and "setting a print" in this verse?
The imagery of "stocks" and "setting a print upon the heels of my feet" in Job 13:27 is profoundly significant for conveying Job's overwhelming sense of confinement, humiliation, and inescapable scrutiny. "Stocks" (Hebrew: çad, H5465) were instruments of physical restraint and public humiliation, commonly used for criminals. This signifies Job's feeling of being treated as a guilty party, unjustly imprisoned and stripped of all dignity. "Setting a print" (Hebrew: châqâh, H2707) combined with "heels of my feet" suggests an indelible mark, a brand, or a fixed boundary from which there is no escape. It implies that God has either branded Job with a sign of guilt, decreed a fixed and painful path for him, or is meticulously tracking his every movement, leaving no possibility of escape or privacy. Both images powerfully communicate Job's perception of God as an oppressive, scrutinizing adversary who has sealed his fate and severely limited his freedom in every conceivable way.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Job's lament in Job 13:27 articulates intense suffering and a perception of divine antagonism, it finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in God inflicting such pain, but in Christ Himself willingly enduring it on behalf of fallen humanity. Jesus, the perfectly innocent Son of God, was truly "put in stocks" in a spiritual and physical sense, confined by the limitations of human flesh and bearing the immense, crushing weight of the world's sin. He was ultimately bound, led to unjust trials, and subjected to crucifixion Matthew 27:2. He was "looked narrowly unto all His paths" by those who sought relentlessly to trap and accuse Him, meticulously scrutinizing His every word and deed for fault, yet finding none Luke 11:53-54. And in His crucifixion, a "print was set upon the heels of His feet"—the indelible nail prints in His hands and feet, the permanent mark of His sacrifice, signifying the complete, inescapable, and redemptive path He walked for our salvation John 20:25. Unlike Job, who was righteous but suffered inexplicably, Jesus was perfectly righteous and willingly endured the ultimate "stocks" and "scrutiny" of divine judgment, not for His own sin, but to take away the sin of the world John 1:29. Thus, Job's cry, though born of personal anguish, powerfully foreshadows the innocent suffering of the Lamb of God, whose "print" on Calvary's hill secured our freedom from the stocks of sin and death, offering true liberation, healing, and eternal life.