Job 21:27

KJV

¶ Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices [which] ye wrongfully imagine against me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, I know {H3045} your thoughts {H4284}, and the devices {H4209} which ye wrongfully imagine {H2554} 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 21:27 powerfully encapsulates Job's profound insight and deep frustration as he confronts his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. After enduring unimaginable personal suffering, Job also bears the crushing weight of their persistent accusations and rigid theological pronouncements. In this verse, he pierces through their pious facade, declaring that he fully comprehends their underlying motives and the malicious schemes they are unjustly devising against him, designed to condemn rather than truly comfort.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Job's final and most extensive monologue (chapters 21-26), specifically serving as his direct rebuttal to Zophar's third and final speech in [Job 20](/job/20 "Job 20 - Zophar's Third Speech"). Throughout this section, Job systematically dismantles the conventional wisdom espoused by his friends, which rigidly asserts that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin. In [Job 21](/job/21 "Job 21 - Job's Reply to Zophar"), Job presents compelling counter-evidence, observing that the wicked often prosper and live long lives, while the righteous frequently endure hardship. This challenges the very foundation of his friends' arguments, which are predicated on the assumption that Job's immense suffering *must* signify his profound sinfulness. Verse 27 serves as a climactic moment within this discourse, where Job moves beyond merely refuting their arguments to directly exposing what he perceives as their malevolent intent, revealing his awareness of their true disposition beneath their theological rhetoric.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, friendship carried significant social and moral obligations, including offering comfort and counsel in times of distress. Job's friends initially fulfilled this role by sitting with him in silence for seven days ([Job 2:13](/job/2-13 "Job 2:13 - Friends Sit with Job")). However, their subsequent speeches reveal a rigid adherence to a retribution theology, a common belief that divine justice operates on a strict quid pro quo basis: righteousness brings blessing, and wickedness brings suffering. This cultural framework, while providing a sense of order and predictability, left no room for innocent suffering. Thus, when confronted with Job's inexplicable plight, their cultural and theological conditioning compelled them to interpret his suffering as proof of hidden sin. Their "devices" were not merely personal opinions but reflections of a deeply ingrained societal and religious worldview that struggled to reconcile innocent suffering with a just God, leading them to misdiagnose and condemn Job rather than empathize with him.
* **Key Themes:** Job 21:27 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Book of Job. It highlights the profound **misunderstanding and false accusation** Job endures, not from strangers, but from those who should have been his closest allies and comforters. Job's declaration underscores the theme of **discerning true motives**, as he sees beyond their pious words to the underlying desire to justify their own theological framework and condemn him. This verse also amplifies the **burden of human suffering**, demonstrating that the pain of unjust accusation and betrayal can be as grievous as physical affliction, adding to Job's already immense anguish. Furthermore, it subtly critiques the limitations of **human wisdom** and rigid theological dogma, showing how adherence to simplistic formulas can blind individuals to complex realities and God's mysterious ways, as seen throughout the book, particularly when God speaks from the whirlwind in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God Answers Job").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Thoughts (Hebrew, _machăshâbâh'_):** From H4284, this noun refers to a contrivance, intention, or plan. While it can be neutral or even positive, in this context, especially when paired with "devices," it carries a negative connotation of premeditated intentions or calculations. Job is not merely saying he knows what they *feel*, but what they have *conceived* or *designed* in their minds. It implies a deliberate, internal process of formulation, often with a specific, underlying purpose.
* **Devices (Hebrew, _mᵉzimmâh'_):** From H4209, this noun is consistently used in the Old Testament to denote evil intentions, malicious schemes, wicked plots, or cunning designs. It goes beyond mere "thoughts" to imply concrete, often malevolent, plans or purposes. The word suggests a calculated strategy aimed at achieving a specific, harmful outcome. For Job, these are not accidental misinterpretations but deliberate machinations against him.
* **Wrongfully Imagine (Hebrew, _châmaç'_):** From H2554, this primitive root means "to be violent; by implication, to maltreat; to violate, do violence, wrong, imagine wrongfully." The KJV's addition of "wrongfully" accurately captures the implied moral judgment inherent in Job's accusation. It's not just that they are thinking or devising, but that their thinking and devising are unjust, morally corrupt, or aimed at an unrighteous end. This highlights the ethical dimension of their actions, emphasizing that their mental processes are not merely mistaken but actively malicious and contrary to justice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, I know your thoughts,"**: Job begins with a powerful interjection, "Behold" (הֵן, _hen_), drawing immediate attention to his declaration. He asserts a deep, intuitive understanding of his friends' inner workings, not just their spoken words. This suggests Job has perceived their true disposition and underlying assumptions, which have shaped their arguments and accusations against him. It's a claim to insight beyond the superficial, revealing Job's spiritual discernment of their hidden agenda.
* **"and the devices [which] ye wrongfully imagine against me."**: This clause elaborates on the nature of their "thoughts," specifying them as "devices" (_mezimmot_) – calculated, often malevolent, schemes. The phrase "wrongfully imagine" underscores Job's conviction that these "devices" are not merely misguided but are morally unjust and aimed directly at his detriment. Job perceives their theological arguments and persistent demands for confession as a deliberate strategy to condemn him, strip him of his integrity, and validate their own rigid worldview, rather than offering genuine comfort or seeking truth.

#### Literary Devices
Job 21:27 employs several potent literary devices. The opening "Behold" serves as an **Exclamatory Interjection**, immediately capturing attention and signaling a profound declaration. Job's assertion, "I know your thoughts," functions as **Direct Address** and **Psychological Insight**, demonstrating his keen perception of his friends' hidden motives, cutting through their superficial piety to expose their true intentions. The use of "thoughts" and "devices" creates a powerful **Parallelism** (specifically, **Synonymous Parallelism**), where "devices" amplifies and clarifies the negative nature of "thoughts," moving from internal conception to active, malevolent design. The phrase "wrongfully imagine against me" employs **Accusation** and **Moral Judgment**, directly indicting his friends not just for error, but for active injustice. This verse is also rich in **Irony**, as those who came to comfort Job have become his accusers, and their "wisdom" has devolved into "wrongful devices" against an innocent man.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 21:27 stands as a powerful testament to the pain of false accusation and the profound insight of one who suffers unjustly. Theologically, it challenges simplistic notions of divine retribution, asserting that human suffering is not always a direct consequence of sin, and that those who claim to speak for God can often misrepresent His character and purposes. Job's ability to discern the "devices" of his friends highlights the importance of spiritual discernment in relationships, urging believers to look beyond outward appearances to the true intentions of the heart. This verse also foreshadows the suffering of the righteous at the hands of the self-righteous, a theme prevalent throughout biblical narrative, where the innocent are often maligned by those who believe themselves to be upholding divine truth.

* [Psalm 35:11](/psalms/35-11 "Psalm 35:11 - False Witnesses Rise Up")
* [Proverbs 12:2](/proverbs/12-2 "Proverbs 12:2 - A Good Man Obtains Favor from the Lord")
* [Matthew 5:11](/matthew/5-11 "Matthew 5:11 - Blessed are You When Others Revile You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 21:27 offers profound lessons for navigating complex human relationships and theological understanding. It calls us to cultivate empathy and humility, especially when encountering those in distress. Instead of rushing to judgment or imposing our preconceived theological frameworks, we are challenged to listen deeply, offer genuine comfort, and acknowledge the mysterious nature of suffering. Job's discernment reminds us to be aware of the potential for self-righteousness and hidden agendas, both in ourselves and in others. When we see others suffering, our primary call is to compassion, not to play the role of divine prosecutor. This verse also validates the pain of being misunderstood and falsely accused, reminding us that such experiences are deeply wounding and require grace, patience, and often, the courage to speak truth to those who misjudge us, trusting that ultimate vindication belongs to God alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How often do I approach someone in suffering with a predetermined theological answer rather than an open heart of compassion?**
* **In what ways might my own "thoughts" or "devices" unintentionally or intentionally "wrongfully imagine" against others, particularly those whose experiences challenge my worldview?**
* **What is the practical difference between offering comfort and offering condemnation when someone is enduring hardship?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment to perceive the true motives, both my own and others', in difficult conversations?**

### FAQ
**Why does Job accuse his friends of "wrongfully imagining" against him? Aren't they just trying to help?**

Answer: Job accuses his friends because he perceives their "help" as a form of condemnation, rooted in a rigid and ultimately flawed theological framework. While they may believe they are upholding God's justice, their arguments consistently imply that Job's suffering is proof of his sin, despite his vehement denials. Job sees through their pious rhetoric to a deeper, more insidious motive: a desire to force his experience into their preconceived theological box, to justify their own understanding of divine retribution, and perhaps even to preserve their own comfort by blaming him. He feels their "devices" are not born of genuine empathy or truth-seeking, but of a need to prove him wrong and to maintain their own theological certainty, even at the expense of his dignity and integrity. Job understands that their "imagining" is "wrongful" because it is based on a false premise, leads to unjust accusations, and adds to his immense suffering rather than alleviating it, as seen in their relentless accusations throughout [Job 4-25](/job/4 "Job 4 - Eliphaz's First Speech").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 21:27, with its poignant portrayal of an innocent man enduring false accusations and the "wrongful devices" of those who should have been his allies, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. Like Job, Christ was the perfectly righteous one who suffered immensely, not for His own sin, but for the sins of the world ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). He faced the "wrongful imaginings" and malicious "devices" of religious leaders who, clinging to their own rigid interpretations of the law, sought to condemn Him ([Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59 "Matthew 26:59-60 - False Witnesses Against Jesus")). They devised schemes, bore false witness, and ultimately orchestrated His crucifixion, believing they were upholding God's will, much like Job's friends believed they were defending divine justice. Yet, through His innocent suffering and unjust death, Jesus became the ultimate vindication of the righteous, demonstrating that God's ways transcend human understanding and rigid theological frameworks. His resurrection is the ultimate "Behold, I know your thoughts" to all who wrongly imagine against God's chosen, revealing the triumph of divine love and justice over human malice and misunderstanding ([Acts 2:23-24](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23-24 - Jesus Delivered Up by God's Plan")). Just as Job was eventually vindicated and restored by God ([Job 42:10](/job/42-10 "Job 42:10 - The Lord Restores Job's Fortunes")), Christ's suffering and resurrection provide the pathway to vindication and eternal life for all who believe, transforming the "wrongful imaginings" of humanity into the glorious plan of salvation.

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

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?