Job 23:14
in Job 23For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him.
KJV
For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.
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This verse in Job 23
Commentary
9 notes on this verseFor he performeth the thing that is appointed for me - Coverdale translates: - He rewardeth me into my bosome, and many other thinges mo doth he, as he maye by his power. חקי chukki may as well be translated bosom here as in Job 23:12; but probably it may mean a portion, lot, sufficiency: For he hath appointed me my lot; and like these there are multitudes with him. He diversifies human affairs: scarcely any two men have the same lot; nor has the same person the same portion at all times.
This site's exposition
But He is unchangeable
on Job 23:13-14
The chapter turns from Job's record to the will he cannot move: "But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him". "He does what He desires" reaches Job's case, "For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans". The decree will not bend to argument.
This site's exposition
He carries out His decree against me
The God of verse 13 who cannot be opposed is carrying out a decree against Job. Barnes reads the suffering as part of God's settled plan, whose reason Job cannot see. Gregory hears dread of further trials in the many plans.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church2 voices
Moreover, sometimes especially in the case of a wise man it happens he has ruled his own will according to his own virtue but cannot do anything else. But he disproves this is true in God when he says, "When he has accomplished his will …
For when He hath accomplished His will in me, there are many other such things with Him. But it is well to put the question amidst these words, and to say, 'O blessed Job, wherefore in the midst of such scourges dost thou dread still further afflictions?' Thou art already encompassed with sorrows, by innumerable calamities thou art already straitly beset. Misfortune is to be apprehended, which is not yet entered upon. Thou being in the midst of such great sorrow, what dost thou apprehend?
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
Prayer has prevailed to change God's way and his providence, but never was his will or purpose changed; for known unto God are all his works. That his power is irresistible: What his soul desires or designs even that he does, and nothing can stand in his way or put him upon new counsels.
This may silence us, for what is appointed cannot be altered. But to consider that, when God was appointing us to eternal life and glory as our end, he was appointing to this condition, this affliction, whatever it is, in our way, this may do more than silence us, it may satisfy us that it is all for the best; though what he does we know not now, yet we shall know hereafter.
For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me,....
1 more voice on this verse
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me - “I am now meeting only what has been determined by his eternal plan. I know not what is the “reason” why it was appointed; but I see that God had resolved to do it, and that it is vain to resist him.” So when we suffer, we may say the same thing. It is not by chance or hap-hazard that we are afflicted; it is because “God” has “appointed” that it should be so. It is not by passion or caprice on his part; not by sudden anger or wrath; but it is because he had determined to do it as a part of his eternal plan. It is much, when we are afflicted, to be able to make this reflection. I had rather be afflicted, feeling that it is “the appointment of God,” than feeling that it is “by chance” or “hap-hazard.” I had rather think that it is a part of a plan calmly and deliberately formed by God, than that it is the result of some unexpected and uncontrollable cause. In the one case, I see that mind and thought and plan have been employed, and I infer that there is a “reason” for it, though I cannot see it; in the other, I can see no proof of reason or of wisdom, and my mind finds no rest. The doctrine of divine purposes or decrees, therefore, is eminently adapted to give consolation to a sufferer. I had infinitely rather be under the operation of a plan or decree where there “may” be a reason for all that is done, though I cannot see it, than to feel that I am subject to the tossings of blind chance, where there can possibly be no reason. And many such things are with him - The purpose does not pertain to me alone. It is a part of a great plan which extends to others - to all things. He is executing his plans around me, and I should not complain that in the development of his vast purposes I am included, and that I suffer. […]
How the passage was read
What the Jewish commentators add
For He will complete my sentence I know that He will not draw back His hand until He completes the sentence of His decrees, the retribution that He has decreed against me.
1 more on this passage, in their own words ▾
But He Since He is One in the world and knows the knowledge and the thoughts of the creatures, and what they have to reply to Him, therefore replies are prepared before Him.
This section is reception history: how the passage was read and kept in the Jewish tradition. Where a reading parts from an essential of the Christian faith, the section says so at that point.
Texts and citation data: Sefaria; each excerpt follows its version’s licence. 5 further sources are cited on this chapter that carry no English text this site may quote or only restate the verse.
The words behind it
6 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| כִּ֭י | ki | for | H3588 → | 4482 times |
| יַשְׁלִ֣ים | yashlim | he performs | H7999 → | 116 times |
| חֻקִּ֑י | chuki | decree my | H2706 → | 127 times |
| וְכָהֵ֖נָּה | vekhahenah | and like them | ||
| רַבּ֣וֹת | rabot | many | H7227 → | 454 times |
| עִמּֽוֹ׃ | imo | [are] with him | H5973 → | 1050 times |
כִּ֭יfor
kiH3588 →4482 times
יַשְׁלִ֣יםhe performs
yashlimH7999 →116 times
חֻקִּ֑יdecree my
chukiH2706 →127 times
וְכָהֵ֖נָּהand like them
vekhahenah
רַבּ֣וֹתmany
rabotH7227 →454 times
עִמּֽוֹ׃[are] with him
imoH5973 →1050 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Thessalonians 5:9For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
it leads to
- 1 Thessalonians 1:10
and to await His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath.
- 1 Peter 2:10
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
- 2 Timothy 2:10
For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:10
Through
1 Thessalonians 3:3so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.
it leads to
- Acts 14:22
strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
- Romans 5:3
Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
- Acts 9:16
I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”
- John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
- Acts 14:22
Through
Psalms 97:2Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
it leads to
- Psalms 89:14
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You.
- Psalms 89:14
Where this verse is studied
About Job
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the Book of Job; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Book of Job; Gregory the Dialogist, Morals on the Book of Job; Gregory the Dialogist, Morals on the Book of Job, Book XVI; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Job.