Because he has stretched out his hand against God and defies the Almighty, running stubbornly against him with a thickly bossed shield;
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's not just about sinning; this verse highlights how prosperity can enable a person to act with blatant, almost physical defiance against God, as if they're wielding a weapon against the Almighty. This bold arrogance, born from a false sense of security, is what the text emphasizes as the root of such deep-seated opposition to God.
Because he has stretched out his hand against God and defies the Almighty, running stubbornly against him with a thickly bossed shield;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Eliphaz is explaining to Job why wicked people experience such severe judgment. He argues that Job's suffering is a direct consequence of his past actions, not his present piety, because Job, like others who fall away, has boldly sinned against God. This verse lays the groundwork for Eliphaz's assertion that such proud defiance ultimately leads to destruction.
Ever feel like the world's problems are too big to even face, let alone solve? This verse shows us a shocking picture of someone who does face them – but in the most destructive way possible.
A Bold and Presumptuous Sin
The commentators highlight a powerful image here: a person reaching out their hand against God. This isn't just a passive dislike; it's an active defiance. It’s like raising a fist or wielding a weapon.
This action is described as being done with a "high and outstretched hand," meaning it’s bold, public, and without shame. It's sin committed presumptuously, as if the person neither seeks God's favor nor fears His anger.
The Illusion of Power
The phrase "strengtheneth himself against the Almighty" is key. It paints a picture of someone bolstering their defenses, gathering their forces, as if preparing to fight God Himself. This is the height of folly – a weak, mortal being pitting himself against the omnipotent Creator. It reveals a deep-seated rebellion where prosperity and pride have blinded and hardened the heart.
We often think of sin as breaking rules, but this verse offers a more radical perspective. What if our sins are more than just mistakes – what if they're acts of war?
All Sin is Against God
While we might sin against others or ourselves, at its core, every sin is an act of rebellion against God. It goes against His very nature, His will, His law, and His loving instructions for our lives.
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Degrees of Defiance
Some sins, however, are more daring and impudent than others. They strike at God's character, His providential rule over the world, or His established ways of salvation. Rejecting the Gospel or trampling on Christ's sacrifice, for instance, are seen as open acts of hostility, inviting severe judgment.
The Folly of the Heart
'Strengthening oneself against the Almighty' can manifest as hardening one's heart, putting on a brave face of defiance, or even forming alliances with the world's ways. It's a foolish and mad attempt to oppose the One who can utterly crush us. This opposition isn't just foolish; it's self-destructive, like a fragile pot trying to fight a consuming fire.
Understand the original words
El · Hebrew Noun
The creator and sustainer of all things, the covenant God of Israel who is personal, holy, and the judge of all mankind.
Shaddai · Hebrew Noun
The title 'Shaddai', emphasizing God as the All-Sufficient One, the source of all power, blessing, and sustenance, often invoked in contexts of His sovereignty.
yithgabbar · Hebrew Verb
To act with arrogant contempt or hostility against a superior; in a biblical context, it refers to the prideful rebellion of a creature against the Creator.
tsavva'ar (neck) · Hebrew Noun (in this context, functioning as an adverbial construct)
In a biblical context, refers to a reckless, arrogant, or rebellious attitude toward God, often involving a conscious choice to defy divine authority or moral order. It implies a hardened heart that stubbornly persists in its own way regardless of the consequences.
magen · Hebrew Noun
A piece of defensive armor used in battle, often used metaphorically in Scripture to represent God’s protection, or, as here, the false security and vanity of the wicked who try to protect themselves against divine judgment.
Pharaoh's defiant 'Who is the Lord?' echoes the sentiment of strengthening oneself against the Almighty, showing a pattern of earthly rulers presuming power against God.
Psalm 10:4This Psalm describes the wicked as 'high in his pride, he does not seek the Lord,' which directly parallels the audacious defiance against God mentioned in Job.
Proverbs 16:18The proverb 'Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall' captures the ultimate futility and doom awaiting those who 'stretch out their hand against God.'
Isaiah 27:4The image of God asking 'Where is my fury against the briers and thorns?' likens confronting rebellious humanity to battling thorns, highlighting the vast power imbalance when people defy the Almighty.
Romans 1:30This New Testament passage lists 'defiance of God' as a characteristic of sinful humanity, showing that this defiant posture against God is a persistent theme throughout Scripture.
clarkeJob 15:25: "For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty."
He stretcheth out his hand against God - While in power he thought himself supreme. He not only did not acknowledge God, by whom kings reign, but stretched out his hand - used his power, not to protect, but to oppress those over whom he had supreme rule; and thus strengthened himself against the Almighty.
bensonJob 15:25: "For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty."
Job 15:25 . For he stretcheth out his hand against God — He sinned against him with a high and outstretched hand; that is, boldly and presumptuously, as one that neither desired his favour, nor feared his anger. Thus he gives the reason of the fore-mentioned calamities that befell him, which was his great wickedness in the time of his peace and prosperity. And strengthened himself against th…
It's not just about sinning; this verse highlights how prosperity can enable a person to act with blatant, almost physical defiance against God, as if they're wielding a weapon against the Almighty. This bold arrogance, born from a false sense of security, is what the text emphasizes as the root of such deep-seated opposition to God.
Eliphaz is explaining to Job why wicked people experience such severe judgment. He argues that Job's suffering is a direct consequence of his past actions, not his present piety, because Job, like others who fall away, has boldly sinned against God. This verse lays the groundwork for Eliphaz's assertion that such proud defiance ultimately leads to destruction.
Eliphaz is explaining to Job why wicked people experience such severe judgment. He argues that Job's suffering is a direct consequence of his past actions, not his present piety, because Job, like others who fall away, has boldly sinned against God. This verse lays the groundwork for Eliphaz's assertion that such proud defiance ultimately leads to destruction.
"Because he has stretched out his hand against God and defies the Almighty, running stubbornly against him with a thickly bossed shield;" — It's not just about sinning; this verse highlights how prosperity can enable a person to act with blatant, almost physical defiance against God, as if they're wielding a weapon against the Almighty.…
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Last reviewed October 2026