Job 18:7

KJV

The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down.

KJV (with Strong's)

The steps {H6806} of his strength {H202} shall be straitened {H3334}, and his own counsel {H6098} shall cast him down {H7993}.

Complete Jewish Bible

His vigorous stride is shortened, his own plans make him trip and fall.

Berean Standard Bible

His vigorous stride is shortened, and his own schemes trip him up.

American Standard Version

The steps of his strength shall be straitened, And his own counsel shall cast him down.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 18:7, part of Bildad's second speech, starkly portrays the inevitable downfall of the wicked. Bildad asserts that the very path of a wicked person's power and prosperity will be constricted, and their own self-devised plans and wisdom will ultimately lead to their ruin. This verse encapsulates Bildad's rigid retribution theology, where ungodliness directly results in a self-inflicted and inescapable demise, serving as an implicit accusation against Job.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Bildad the Shuhite's second discourse to Job, found in [Job 18](/job/18 "Job 18 - Bildad's Second Speech"). Following Job's lament in [Job 17](/job/17 "Job 17 - Job's Despair and Plea"), Bildad responds with a harsh and unrelenting condemnation of the wicked, implicitly applying his descriptions to Job's situation. Bildad's speeches are characterized by a rigid adherence to the doctrine of divine retribution, which posits a direct, immediate correlation between sin and suffering, and righteousness and prosperity. In this chapter, Bildad paints a vivid and terrifying picture of the wicked's fate, employing a series of rhetorical questions and vivid imagery to describe their destruction, which he believes is self-inflicted and inescapable. [Job 18:5-21](/job/18-5 "Job 18:5-21 - The Fate of the Wicked") details this comprehensive picture of doom, with verse 7 specifically focusing on the internal and external mechanisms of their downfall.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East (ANE), wisdom literature, including the Book of Job, often explored the concept of divine justice and the consequences of human actions. A prevalent belief, particularly among Job's friends, was a straightforward retribution theology: the gods (or God) rewarded the righteous and punished the wicked. This worldview provided a sense of order and predictability in a chaotic world. "Strength" (אוֹן, _'on'_) in this context could encompass not only physical power but also wealth, influence, and even progeny, all seen as indicators of divine favor. "Counsel" (עֵצָה, _'etsah'_) referred to one's plans, strategies, or wisdom. The idea that one's own counsel could "cast him down" would have resonated with the ANE understanding of hubris and the dangers of relying solely on human cleverness without divine guidance or adherence to established moral codes. The imagery of a "straitened" path would evoke the loss of freedom, prosperity, and the ability to navigate life successfully, a dire outcome in a society where a clear, open path symbolized blessing and progress.
* **Key Themes:** Job 18:7 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Book of Job and biblical theology more broadly. Foremost is the theme of **retribution theology** and its limitations. While the verse accurately describes a general principle that sin has consequences, Bildad's application of this principle to Job is theologically flawed and insensitive, as the book ultimately challenges the simplistic notion that all suffering is a direct result of personal sin. Secondly, the verse highlights the **futility of self-reliance** and human wisdom apart from divine guidance. The wicked person's "own counsel" becomes the instrument of their downfall, underscoring the biblical emphasis on trusting in God's wisdom rather than one's own understanding, a theme beautifully articulated in [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord"). Lastly, the verse touches upon the theme of **divine justice**, albeit through Bildad's distorted lens. While the immediate and direct application of justice is questioned throughout Job, the underlying truth that actions have consequences and that ultimately God is just, remains a foundational biblical principle, even if its workings are often mysterious to human comprehension, as explored in passages like [Psalm 73](/psalm/73 "Psalm 73 - The Justice of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Straitened (Hebrew, _tsarar'_):** The Hebrew verb צָרַר (_tsarar_) means to be narrow, restricted, hemmed in, or distressed. It conveys a sense of being confined, oppressed, or in anguish. In this context, it vividly describes the wicked person's path becoming constricted, implying a loss of freedom, progress, and prosperity. Their former expansive "strength" (power, influence, resources) is now compressed and limited, leading to distress and inability to move forward.
* **Strength (Hebrew, _'on'_):** The Hebrew noun אוֹן (_'on_) refers to vigor, power, wealth, substance, or even progeny. It denotes the sum total of a person's vitality, resources, and capacity for action. When Bildad states "the steps of his strength," he is referring to the progress, trajectory, or manifestations of a wicked person's entire life force and resources. The idea is that the very things that constitute their power and ability to advance will be curtailed.
* **Counsel (Hebrew, _'etsah'_):** The Hebrew noun עֵצָה (_'etsah_) signifies advice, counsel, plan, or purpose. It refers to the deliberate schemes, strategies, and wisdom that a person employs. Bildad's assertion that "his own counsel shall cast him down" points to a tragic irony: the very intellectual and strategic efforts the wicked person uses to secure their position or advance their agenda will become the means of their undoing, demonstrating the futility of human wisdom when it operates independently of divine principles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The steps of his strength shall be straitened":** This clause paints a powerful picture of a person whose progress and vitality are severely hindered. "Steps" refers to the course or trajectory of one's life and endeavors. "His strength" encompasses all that contributes to his power, influence, and prosperity. To be "straitened" means this path, once perhaps broad and open, becomes narrow, difficult, and confining. It implies a loss of freedom, a reduction in resources, and an inability to achieve one's goals or maintain one's standing. The imagery suggests an inevitable decline where the wicked find their power and means of advancement progressively diminished and restricted.
* **"and his own counsel shall cast him down":** This second clause highlights the self-destructive nature of the wicked. "His own counsel" refers to their self-devised plans, strategies, and wisdom, often characterized by arrogance, self-reliance, and a disregard for divine principles. To "cast him down" means to cause his downfall, ruin, or destruction. The profound irony is that the very intellect and strategic thinking that the wicked person relies upon for success and security ultimately become the instrument of their own undoing. Their schemes, intended to elevate them, instead lead to their collapse, demonstrating the ultimate futility of human wisdom when it opposes or ignores God's ways.

#### Literary Devices
Job 18:7 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of the wicked's demise. The phrase "the steps of his strength shall be straitened" evokes the powerful image of a path that becomes increasingly narrow and restrictive, symbolizing the loss of freedom, progress, and vitality. This is a **Metaphor** where the "steps of strength" represent the course of a person's life and the exercise of their power, which is then likened to a path that is "straitened" or confined. There is also profound **Irony** in the second clause, "and his own counsel shall cast him down." The very plans and wisdom (counsel) that a wicked person devises for their own advancement and security are precisely what lead to their downfall. This highlights a tragic reversal where the source of perceived strength becomes the instrument of destruction, underscoring the futility of self-reliance apart from divine wisdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Bildad's pronouncement in Job 18:7, while part of a flawed argument against Job, articulates a principle found throughout Scripture: sin has consequences, and human wisdom apart from God often leads to ruin. The theological truth embedded here is that persistent wickedness and reliance on self-serving plans ultimately lead to a constricted life and downfall. However, the Book of Job itself serves as a profound critique of the simplistic retribution theology that Bildad espouses, demonstrating that suffering is not always a direct punishment for specific sins. Nevertheless, the verse powerfully conveys the biblical teaching that those who reject divine wisdom and rely solely on their own schemes often find their paths limited and their efforts self-defeating. It speaks to the inherent self-destructive nature of sin and rebellion against God's order, where the very choices made to gain power or independence paradoxically lead to a loss of true freedom and well-being.

* [Proverbs 1:31](/proverbs/1-31 "Proverbs 1:31 - Consequences of Rejecting Wisdom"): "Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices."
* [Psalm 1:6](/psalm/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Wicked Perishes"): "For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish."
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Reaping What You Sow"): "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While we must always be cautious not to apply Bildad's rigid and often cruel theology to individual suffering, Job 18:7 offers profound insights for personal reflection and spiritual growth. It serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of arrogance, self-sufficiency, and the pursuit of life apart from God's wisdom. When we rely solely on our own limited understanding, our own clever plans, and our own strength, we risk narrowing our spiritual path and ultimately bringing about our own undoing. True freedom and flourishing are found not in self-reliance, but in humble dependence on God, whose counsel is perfect and whose ways lead to life. This verse calls us to examine our own "counsel"—our plans, motivations, and sources of wisdom. Are we seeking God's guidance in all our steps, or are we trusting in our own abilities and schemes? The long-term trajectory of our lives is profoundly shaped by the counsel we heed and the source of our strength.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely solely on my "own counsel" rather than seeking divine wisdom?**
* **How might my current "steps of strength" be unknowingly leading me down a "straitened" path if not aligned with God's will?**
* **What does it truly mean to trust in the Lord with all my heart, and how can I practically apply this principle to my daily decisions?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 18:7 imply that all suffering is a direct result of personal sin?**

Answer: Not necessarily, and the Book of Job as a whole challenges this simplistic view. While Bildad, like Job's other friends, operates from a rigid retribution theology that links all suffering directly to sin, the larger narrative of Job demonstrates that righteous people can suffer immensely without having committed specific, egregious sins. Job 18:7 describes a general principle that a life lived in rebellion against God's ways and relying solely on self-serving plans will ultimately lead to negative consequences and a constricted existence. It highlights the self-destructive nature of wickedness. However, the book's ultimate message is that God's ways are often mysterious, and human suffering cannot always be explained by a direct cause-and-effect relationship with sin. We must be careful not to use this verse to judge or condemn those who are suffering, as Bildad did with Job. The verse serves more as a warning about the trajectory of a life lived apart from God's wisdom, rather than a definitive explanation for all instances of suffering.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 18:7, in its depiction of the futility of human strength and counsel apart from God, finds its ultimate fulfillment and counterpoint in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "steps of strength" of humanity, characterized by self-reliance and sinful rebellion, inevitably lead to a "straitened" path of spiritual death and separation from God, as [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin") declares, "For the wages of sin is death." Our "own counsel," born of fallen human wisdom, consistently "casts us down" into sin and its destructive consequences, proving itself utterly insufficient for salvation or true flourishing, as [1 Corinthians 1:21](/1_corinthians/1-21 "1 Corinthians 1:21 - The Wisdom of God") notes, "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God." In stark contrast, Jesus Christ embodies the perfect divine wisdom and strength. He did not rely on "his own counsel" in a self-serving way but perfectly submitted to the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility")). His path, though seemingly "straitened" by suffering and crucifixion, was in fact the broad way to eternal life for all who believe ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Through His sacrifice, He broke the power of sin that "straitens" humanity and redeemed us from the self-destructive "counsel" of our fallen nature. In Christ, our steps are no longer straitened by sin, but are set on a path of freedom and life, guided by His divine counsel and empowered by His resurrection strength ([Ephesians 2:4-6](/ephesians/2-4 "Ephesians 2:4-6 - God's Grace Through Christ")). He is the ultimate wisdom of God, through whom all who trust in Him are saved from their own ruin and given a new, expansive life.

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

Proverbs 4:12

When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

Psalms 18:36

Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

Hosea 10:6

It shall be also carried unto Assyria [for] a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

Job 5:12

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform [their] enterprise.

Job 5:13

He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

Job 20:22

In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him.

Job 36:16

Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait [into] a broad place, where [there is] no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table [should be] full of fatness.