Job 15:25

KJV

For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.

KJV (with Strong's)

For he stretcheth out {H5186} his hand {H3027} against God {H410}, and strengtheneth {H1396} himself against the Almighty {H7706}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"He raises his hand against God and boldly defies Shaddai,

Berean Standard Bible

For he has stretched out his hand against God and has vaunted himself against the Almighty,

American Standard Version

Because he hath stretched out his hand against God, And behaveth himself proudly against the Almighty;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 15:25 captures Eliphaz the Temanite's harsh accusation that Job, through his lamentations and refusal to confess sin, is defiantly challenging God. This verse paints a vivid picture of human arrogance, asserting that the wicked "stretch out their hand against God" and "strengthen themselves against the Almighty," implying a futile and foolish rebellion against divine sovereignty. Eliphaz uses this imagery to condemn Job's perceived impudence, arguing that such defiance inevitably leads to ruin, thereby reinforcing his conventional theological framework that suffering is a direct consequence of sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 15:25 is situated within Eliphaz's second discourse (Job 15:1-35), following Job's passionate defense of his innocence and his desire to plead his case before God (Job 13-14). Eliphaz, the first of Job's three friends to speak, consistently represents the traditional wisdom theology, which posits a direct correlation between righteousness and prosperity, and wickedness and suffering. In this chapter, Eliphaz intensifies his attack, moving from veiled suggestions to direct accusations that Job's suffering is a clear sign of his wickedness. He describes the fate of the wicked in detail, implicitly applying these characteristics to Job, particularly highlighting their arrogance and defiance toward God, culminating in the imagery of Job 15:25. This speech sets the stage for Zophar's subsequent, equally condemnatory address in [Job 20](/job/20 "Job 20 - Zophar's Second Discourse").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a region likely east of Palestine, and reflects a patriarchal society where wisdom traditions were highly valued. The friends' arguments are rooted in a common ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine justice, where the gods were believed to reward the righteous and punish the wicked in this life. This "retribution theology" was a dominant worldview, offering a seemingly rational explanation for suffering. The concept of "stretching out the hand" against a superior was a powerful cultural symbol of open rebellion or a direct challenge to authority, often punishable by severe consequences. The friends, including Eliphaz, operate within this framework, unable to conceive of righteous suffering or a God whose ways transcend human understanding of justice, as ultimately revealed in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Book of Job. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Human Arrogance vs. Divine Sovereignty**, portraying the ultimate futility of human defiance against an omnipotent God. Eliphaz's words highlight the immense chasm between human weakness and divine power, a contrast that God Himself will later emphasize. Secondly, it exemplifies the **Misinterpretation of Suffering**, as Eliphaz wrongly attributes Job's suffering to his supposed rebellion, rather than understanding it as a test of faith or part of a larger divine purpose. This reflects the friends' limited theological perspective and their inability to grapple with suffering that does not fit their rigid framework. Thirdly, it highlights the **Limits of Conventional Wisdom**, demonstrating how traditional theological constructs can fail to adequately explain complex realities like innocent suffering, leading to false accusations and a profound lack of empathy, a central tension throughout the book, especially when contrasted with Job's persistent pleas for justice as seen in [Job 23](/job/23 "Job 23 - Job's Desire to Find God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yād_):** While the KJV translates "stretcheth out his hand" (יָדוֹ פָּרַשׂ, _yado paras_), the core word "hand" (_yād_) here is significant. In Hebrew idiom, the hand often symbolizes power, action, or intention. To "stretch out the hand against" (פָּרַשׂ יָד, _paras yād_) is a strong gesture of open hostility, aggression, or defiance, implying a direct challenge or even an attempt to strike. It moves beyond mere verbal complaint to an act of physical or symbolic opposition.
* **Strengtheneth himself (Hebrew, _yitgabber'_):** This verb (יִתְגַּבֵּר, _yitgabber_) comes from the root _gabar_, meaning "to be strong, mighty, prevail." In the Hithpael stem, as used here, it conveys a reflexive or intensive sense: "to make oneself strong," "to show oneself mighty," or "to act mightily." It implies a deliberate, self-willed exertion of power or defiance, a conscious effort to assert one's strength or will against another, in this case, against the Almighty.
* **Almighty (Hebrew, _Shaddai'_):** This is one of the most ancient and profound names for God in the Old Testament (שַׁדַּי, _Shaddai_). Its precise etymology is debated, but it is often associated with God's overwhelming power, self-sufficiency, and ability to fulfill His purposes, particularly in the context of covenant promises and blessings (e.g., [Genesis 17:1](/genesis/17-1 "Genesis 17:1 - God's Covenant with Abraham")). To "strengthen oneself" against _Shaddai_ underscores the utter futility and absurdity of such a human endeavor, highlighting the infinite disparity between human weakness and divine omnipotence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he stretcheth out his hand against God":** This clause describes an act of open, aggressive defiance. The imagery of "stretching out the hand" is a powerful metaphor for a direct challenge, an attempt to engage in conflict, or to strike out against a superior power. In Eliphaz's accusation, this is Job's perceived sin—his complaints, his insistence on his innocence, and his questioning of divine justice are interpreted as an act of rebellion, a direct confrontation with the divine will and authority.
* **"and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty":** This second clause intensifies the first, emphasizing the foolishness and futility of such an act. To "strengthen oneself" against God, particularly against "the Almighty" (_Shaddai_), implies a deliberate, self-reliant effort to resist, overcome, or challenge the One who possesses all power and sufficiency. Eliphaz suggests that Job is not merely complaining but actively trying to assert his own will or righteousness in opposition to God's unquestionable authority, an act that is both arrogant and doomed to fail.

#### Literary Devices
Eliphaz's statement in Job 15:25 is rich in literary devices, primarily employing **Symbolism** and **Hyperbole**. The act of "stretching out his hand against God" is highly **Symbolic**, representing not a literal physical assault but a profound act of defiance, rebellion, and open challenge to divine authority. It vividly portrays an inner posture of insolence and opposition. This symbolic action is further amplified by **Hyperbole**, as Eliphaz exaggerates the extent of the wicked person's (and implicitly, Job's) audacity. No human can literally "strengthen himself against the Almighty"; the phrase is an overstatement designed to convey the extreme foolishness and ultimate powerlessness of such an endeavor. The use of the divine name **Shaddai** ("Almighty") further underscores the vast, unbridgeable gap between human weakness and God's infinite might, making the human attempt to "strengthen oneself" against Him seem all the more absurd and deserving of punishment in Eliphaz's view.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 15:25 speaks to the profound theological truth of God's absolute sovereignty and the inherent folly of human rebellion. While Eliphaz misapplications this truth to Job, the principle remains: any attempt to defy, challenge, or assert human will against the divine Creator is ultimately futile and evidences a deep-seated pride. This verse highlights the danger of human arrogance, which elevates self-righteousness or perceived wisdom above God's inscrutable ways, leading to a posture of opposition rather than humble submission. It underscores that true wisdom lies not in questioning God's justice from a position of perceived superiority, but in acknowledging His boundless power and wisdom, even amidst incomprehensible suffering.

* [Psalm 115:3](/psalm/115-3 "Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.")
* [Isaiah 45:9](/isaiah/45-9 "Isaiah 45:9 - Woe to him who strives with his Maker!")
* [Romans 9:20](/romans/9-20 "Romans 9:20 - Who are you, O man, to answer back to God?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 15:25, though spoken by a misguided friend, serves as a powerful mirror for self-examination, calling us to reflect on our own posture before God, especially in times of adversity. It challenges us to consider whether our reactions to suffering, unanswered prayers, or perceived injustices ever border on defiance or an attempt to "strengthen ourselves" against the Almighty. True faith, as exemplified by Job's ultimate surrender and trust, even amidst his questions, is not about understanding all of God's ways, but about humbly submitting to His sovereign will and goodness, knowing that His wisdom far surpasses our own. This verse reminds us that while it is human to question and lament, our ultimate response should be one of trust and humility, recognizing the infinite gap between our finite understanding and God's infinite wisdom and power. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of dependence, acknowledging that our strength and wisdom are nothing compared to His.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, subtly or overtly, "stretch out my hand against God" when circumstances don't align with my expectations or desires?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of humility and submission to God's sovereignty, even when I don't understand His purposes?**
* **What is the difference between honest lament or questioning God from a place of faith, and defiant rebellion against Him?**

### FAQ
**Why does Eliphaz accuse Job of defying God?**

Answer: Eliphaz accuses Job of defying God because his theological framework, common in his time, dictates that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin. Since Job is suffering intensely, Eliphaz concludes that Job must have committed grievous sins. Job's refusal to confess sin, his persistent declarations of innocence, and his impassioned pleas for God to answer him are interpreted by Eliphaz as acts of rebellion and arrogance—a "stretching out of his hand against God" and "strengthening himself against the Almighty." Eliphaz believes Job is challenging divine justice and refusing to humble himself, which, in his view, is the ultimate defiance. He cannot conceive of righteous suffering or God's purposes extending beyond a simple retribution principle, as later revealed in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches").

**Is it ever right to question God during suffering?**

Answer: The Book of Job itself demonstrates that questioning God during suffering is not inherently wrong, provided it stems from a place of genuine faith and a desire for understanding, rather than outright rebellion. Job himself pours out his heart to God, questioning His justice, lamenting his fate, and longing for an explanation (e.g., [Job 7:17-21](/job/7-17 "Job 7:17-21 - Job's Lament and Questioning")). The Psalms also contain numerous examples of honest lament and questioning (e.g., [Psalm 22:1](/psalm/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?")). The key distinction is between a faith-filled wrestling with God, which seeks His presence and understanding even in pain, and a defiant, arrogant challenging of His authority, as Eliphaz wrongly accuses Job of doing in [Job 15:25](/job/15-25 "Job 15:25 - Eliphaz's Accusation of Defiance"). God welcomes our honest cries and questions, but calls us to ultimately trust in His wisdom and goodness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Eliphaz's accusation in Job 15:25 wrongly condemns Job, it paradoxically highlights the profound contrast between fallen humanity's tendency toward rebellion and the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. Humanity, in its pride, often "stretches out its hand against God," seeking autonomy and asserting its will against the Creator, a rebellion evident from the fall in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Humanity"). We "strengthen ourselves against the Almighty" through self-righteousness, self-sufficiency, and a refusal to submit to divine authority. Yet, Jesus, the Son of God, perfectly embodied the opposite. He never stretched out His hand in defiance but always in submission, famously praying in Gethsemane, "Not my will, but yours, be done" ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). He did not "strengthen himself" against the Father but humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Christ, the true Lamb of God, absorbed the wrath due to humanity's defiance, offering perfect obedience where we offered rebellion. His victory over sin and death was achieved not through human strength against God, but through divine strength perfectly yielded to the Father's will, securing reconciliation for all who believe and trust in His perfect submission, rather than their own futile defiance ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")).

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

Psalms 52:7

Lo, [this is] the man [that] made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, [and] strengthened himself in his wickedness.

Job 36:9

Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.

Daniel 5:23

But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath [is], and whose [are] all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

Psalms 73:9

They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

Malachi 3:13

¶ Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken [so much] against thee?

Job 9:4

[He is] wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened [himself] against him, and hath prospered?

1 Samuel 6:6

Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?