Job 15:8
Have you listened in the council of God? And do you limit wisdom to yourself?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Eliphaz isn't just asking if Job knows God's secrets; he's sarcastically questioning if Job was present in God's most intimate council. The verse implies that only those present in God's divine assembly could possibly have the full picture, and Eliphaz is essentially accusing Job of acting as if he were there, hoarding that exclusive wisdom for himself.
Eliphaz launches a second, more aggressive round of argument against Job, accusing him of impiety and arrogance. He sarcastically questions if Job was privy to God's divine deliberations and claims to possess all wisdom exclusively, essentially accusing Job of thinking he alone understands God's justice and purposes. This comes as Job continues to lament his suffering and question God's fairness, pushing back against the friends' insistence that his pain must be due to hidden sin.
Eliphaz sarcastically asks if Job has been privy to God's most secret plans. What does it mean to be part of God's 'council'?
Eliphaz is throwing serious accusations at Job. He's essentially saying, 'Did you get a front-row seat in heaven when God was making the big decisions? Did you hear all the insider details about why this suffering is happening?'
The phrase 'secret of God' or 'council of God' refers to the intimate, hidden deliberations of the Almighty. It's a concept that conjures up an image of God surrounded by His heavenly court, making plans for the universe.
Eliphaz is challenging Job's understanding and pronouncements. He's implying that unless Job was literally present in these divine discussions, he has no right to speak with such conviction about God's justice or the reasons for his suffering.
Eliphaz accuses Job of hoarding wisdom. What does it look like when someone believes they alone possess all understanding?
The second part of Eliphaz's question, 'And do you limit wisdom to yourself?', is a sharp jab at Job's perceived pride. Eliphaz isn't just saying Job thinks he's wise; he's saying Job is acting as if all wisdom belongs only to him, and that no one else (especially Eliphaz and his friends) has any right to offer their insights.
This points to a dangerous spiritual arrogance:
Eliphaz is mirroring the charge he believes Job has leveled against his friends in an earlier chapter (Job 12:2). It's a cycle of accusation and counter-accusation fueled by pride.
Understand the original words
sod · Hebrew Noun
A formal assembly, gathering, or secret meeting of divine beings or heavenly council; it implies access to the divine perspective or God's secret counsel.
chokmah · Hebrew Noun
The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; in scripture, it is often tied to the fear of the Lord and the ability to discern God's ways and live uprightly.
This passage echoes Eliphaz's question, asking who has stood in God's council and heard His word, highlighting the exclusivity of divine knowledge.
Amos 3:7This verse presents a contrasting idea, stating that God reveals His plans to His servants the prophets, suggesting that while not everyone is privy to God's counsel, He does share His purposes with select individuals.
John 15:15Jesus tells His disciples that He no longer calls them servants but friends, because a servant does not know his master's plans, directly addressing the idea of intimate knowledge of God's counsels being a mark of close relationship.
Job 12:2This verse is important because it's what Eliphaz is essentially retorting to Job; Job had previously accused his friends of being the only ones with wisdom, mirroring the charge Eliphaz now levels against Job.
Romans 11:34This New Testament passage directly quotes Isaiah and marvels at the unfathomable nature of God's wisdom and judgments, reinforcing the idea that human understanding is limited when it comes to divine counsel.
pooleJob 15:8: "Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?"
Hath God acquainted thee with all his secret counsels, whereby he governs the world, that thou dost pass so bold a censure upon all his designs and actions? Art thou the only wise man in the world, and we and all others but fools?
clarkeJob 15:8: "Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?"
Hast thou heard the secret of God? - "Hast thou hearkened in God's council?" Wert thou one of the celestial cabinet, when God said, Let Us make man in Our image, and in Our likeness? Dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself? - Dost thou wish us to understand that God's counsels were revealed to none but thyself? And dost thou desire that we should give implicit credence to whatsoever thou art pleased to speak?…
Eliphaz isn't just asking if Job knows God's secrets; he's sarcastically questioning if Job was present in God's most intimate council. The verse implies that only those present in God's divine assembly could possibly have the full picture, and Eliphaz is essentially accusing Job of acting as if he were there, hoarding that exclusive wisdom for himself.
Eliphaz launches a second, more aggressive round of argument against Job, accusing him of impiety and arrogance. He sarcastically questions if Job was privy to God's divine deliberations and claims to possess all wisdom exclusively, essentially accusing Job of thinking he alone understands God's justice and purposes. This comes as Job continues to lament his suffering and question God's fairness, pushing back against the friends' insistence that his pain must be due to hidden sin.
Eliphaz launches a second, more aggressive round of argument against Job, accusing him of impiety and arrogance. He sarcastically questions if Job was privy to God's divine deliberations and claims to possess all wisdom exclusively, essentially accusing Job of thinking he alone understands God's justice and purposes. This comes as Job continues to lament his suffering and question God's fairness, pushing back against the friends' insistence that his pain must be due to hidden sin.
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"Have you listened in the council of God? And do you limit wisdom to yourself?" — Eliphaz isn't just asking if Job knows God's secrets; he's sarcastically questioning if Job was present in God's most intimate council. The verse implies that only those present in God's divine a…
