Job 18:11
Terrors frighten him on every side, and chase him at his heels.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Job 18:11
Terrors frighten him on every side, and chase him at his heels.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just about feeling scared; it paints a picture of terror that's so overwhelming it feels like a physical force, "chasing him at his heels." It suggests that for the wicked, their anxieties aren't just thoughts; they become a relentless, terrifying pursuit that never lets them find safety or rest.
Bildad is continuing his harsh accusations against Job, painting a grim picture of the wicked man's fate. He's arguing that Job's immense suffering is proof of his hidden sin, and now he describes the constant, paralyzing fear that supposedly haunts the ungodly. Bildad implies this terrifying insecurity is what Job himself must be experiencing, driving him toward inevitable destruction.
Ever felt like something is chasing you, even when nothing is there? This verse paints a vivid picture of internal torment that feels chillingly real.
Bildad describes the wicked person as being relentlessly hounded by "terrors." These aren't just abstract fears; they're presented as active pursuers, like shadowy figures constantly at his heels.
An Unquiet Mind
Think of it like an amplified, terrifying soundtrack to your life, playing on repeat. This is the inner turmoil of a guilty conscience, where every shadow seems to hold a threat.
Always Looking Over Your Shoulder
The text suggests these terrors are "on every side" and "chase him at his heels." This isn't a fleeting worry; it's a constant state of alarm, a perpetual sense of being hunted. There's no escape, no safe place to hide from yourself.
Imagine running as fast as you can, but never getting anywhere. That's the desperate, futile motion described here.
The phrase "drive him to his feet" (or more accurately, "chase him at his heels") captures a sense of panicked flight. It's the desperate urge to escape, to flee from the terrors that surround him.
Constant Motion, No Peace
This isn't a strategic retreat; it's a frantic scramble. He's always on the move, trying to outrun his fears, but he's never safe because the source of the terror is within him.
A Futile Chase
He runs "at his heels" – meaning, the terrors are right behind him, constantly closing in. There's no distance gained, no moment of respite. It’s a chase where the pursuer is always gaining ground, leading to a life of constant, unproductive motion.
Understand the original words
ballahah · Hebrew Noun
A strong, overwhelming feeling of dread, fear, or alarm, often associated with divine judgment or the consequences of sin. In Scripture, it represents the psychological and spiritual distress caused by external threats or internal guilt.
This passage describes Jeremiah being renamed 'Magor-missabib,' meaning 'Terror-all-around,' highlighting the overwhelming fear and anxiety that can plague individuals, mirroring the terrors Job describes.
Psalm 88:15The psalmist cries out, 'I suffer your wrath; your raging waves overwhelm me,' showing that even the righteous can experience overwhelming terrors and feel besieged by God's judgment, challenging the idea that such fear is exclusive to the wicked.
Proverbs 28:1This verse states, 'The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion,' directly contrasting the fearful flight of the wicked with the confidence of the righteous, which aligns with Bildad's portrayal of the wicked being chased by terrors.
Matthew 27:5Judas, overwhelmed by guilt and terror after betraying Jesus, threw down the silver and 'went away and hanged himself,' illustrating how paralyzing fear and inner torment can lead to despair and self-destruction.
jfbJob 18:11: "Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet."
- Terrors—often mentioned in this book (Job 18:14; 24:17; &c.). The terrors excited through an evil conscience are here personified. "Magor-missabib" (Jer 20:3).drive … to his feet—rather, "shall pursue" (literally, "scatter," Hab 3:14) him close "at his heels" (literally, "immediately after his feet," Hab 3:5; 1Sa 25:42; Hebrew). The image is that of a pursuing conqueror who scatters the enemy [Umbreit…
barnesJob 18:11: "Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet."
Terrors shall make him afraid - He shall be constantly subject to alarms, and shall never feel secure. "Terrors here are represented as allegorical persons, like the Furies in the Greek poets." Noyes. The idea here is substantially the same as that given by Eliphaz, Job 15:21-22 . And shall drive him to his feet - Margin, scatter. This is a literal translation of the Hebrew. The idea is, that he will be a…
This verse isn't just about feeling scared; it paints a picture of terror that's so overwhelming it feels like a physical force, "chasing him at his heels." It suggests that for the wicked, their anxieties aren't just thoughts; they become a relentless, terrifying pursuit that never lets them find safety or rest.
Bildad is continuing his harsh accusations against Job, painting a grim picture of the wicked man's fate. He's arguing that Job's immense suffering is proof of his hidden sin, and now he describes the constant, paralyzing fear that supposedly haunts the ungodly. Bildad implies this terrifying insecurity is what Job himself must be experiencing, driving him toward inevitable destruction.
Bildad is continuing his harsh accusations against Job, painting a grim picture of the wicked man's fate. He's arguing that Job's immense suffering is proof of his hidden sin, and now he describes the constant, paralyzing fear that supposedly haunts the ungodly. Bildad implies this terrifying insecurity is what Job himself must be experiencing, driving him toward inevitable destruction.
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"Terrors frighten him on every side, and chase him at his heels." — This verse isn't just about feeling scared; it paints a picture of terror that's so overwhelming it feels like a physical force, "chasing him at his heels." It suggests that for the wicked, their anx…