Job 13:27 - Job Reproves His Friends

You put my feet in the stocks
In ancient times, stocks were a form of punishment and restraint, often used to immobilize prisoners. This imagery reflects Job's feeling of being trapped and restricted by his suffering. Biblically, stocks are mentioned in Jeremiah 20:2, where the prophet Jeremiah is placed in stocks for prophesying against Jerusalem. This connection highlights the theme of righteous individuals enduring unjust suffering. Theologically, Job's use of this metaphor suggests a deep sense of divine discipline or testing, as he perceives God as the one who has placed him in this position.

and stand watch over all my paths;
This phrase indicates a sense of surveillance and control over Job's life. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, the idea of a deity watching over human actions was common, but Job's lament suggests a more oppressive oversight. Theologically, this can be seen as Job's struggle with the concept of God's omniscience and omnipresence, which is also reflected in Psalm 139:3, where God is described as being familiar with all paths. Job feels scrutinized, which adds to his sense of being unjustly targeted.

You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
Here, Job expresses the idea that God has predetermined the boundaries of his life and suffering. This reflects the biblical theme of God's sovereignty and control over human affairs, as seen in passages like Proverbs 16:9, which speaks of the Lord establishing a person's steps. The phrase can also be interpreted as Job's acknowledgment of God's ultimate authority, even in his distress. Theologically, it raises questions about human free will and divine predestination, themes that are explored throughout the book of Job. This limitation can also be seen as a type of Christ, who willingly submitted to the limitations of human form and suffering for a greater purpose.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. In this verse, Job is speaking to God, expressing his feelings of being trapped and scrutinized.

2. God
The Almighty, whom Job addresses directly. Job perceives God as the one who has placed him in a restrictive situation, observing his every move.

3. The Stocks
A device used in ancient times to restrain prisoners, symbolizing Job's feeling of being confined and limited in his actions.

4. Paths
Represents the course of Job's life and actions, which he feels are under constant surveillance by God.

5. Soles of My Feet
A metaphor for Job's freedom and ability to move, which he feels is restricted by God.

Teaching Points

Understanding God's Sovereignty
Recognize that God is in control of all circumstances, even when we feel restricted or confined. Trust in His greater plan and purpose.

Perception of Trials
Trials can feel like imprisonment, but they are often opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God. Reflect on how God might be using your current situation for your spiritual development.

God's Watchful Care
While Job feels scrutinized, remember that God's watchfulness is also a sign of His care and concern for us. He is intimately involved in our lives.

Limits and Freedom
Consider how perceived limitations can lead to greater freedom in Christ. Sometimes, God sets boundaries to protect us and guide us toward His will.

Faith in Uncertainty
Like Job, we may not understand why we face certain trials, but maintaining faith and integrity is crucial. Trust that God is working all things for good.

(27) Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks.--This is illustrated by the language of the Psalms (Psalm 88:8; Psalm 142:7, &c.). There is a difficulty in these two verses, arising from the pronouns. Some understand the subject to be the fetter: "Thou puttest my feet in the fetter that watcheth over all my paths, and imprinteth itself upon the roots of my feet, and it (the foot) consumeth like a rotten thing, and like a garment that is moth-eaten." Others refer the "he" to Job himself; and others to man, the subject of the following chapter. In the Hebrew future tense the third person feminine and the second person masculine are alike, and the word for fetter, which is only found here and at Job 33:11, where Elihu quotes these words, may possibly be feminine in this place, though it is clear that Elihu understood Job to be speaking of God. Probably by the "he" introduced so abruptly is meant the object of all this watching and persecution.

Verse 27. - Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks (comp. Job 33:11). The punishment is said to be still in use among the Bedouin Arabs. It was well known to the Israelites (Proverbs 7:22; Jeremiah 20:2; Jeremiah 29:26), to the Greeks (Herod., 9:87), and to the Romans (Acts 16:24). And lookest narrowly unto all my paths. Not allowing me to escape thee. Thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet; rather, upon the soles of my feet. The "print" intended is probably a mark which the stocks were in the habit of making (see Professor Sayee, in Sunday at Home December, 1890, p. 125). Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

You put
וְתָ֘שֵׂ֤ם (wə·ṯā·śêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

my feet
רַגְלַ֗י (raḡ·lay)
Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

in the stocks
בַּסַּ֨ד ׀ (bas·saḏ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5465: Stocks (for securing feet of prisoners)

and stand watch
וְתִשְׁמ֥וֹר (wə·ṯiš·mō·wr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

over all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

my paths;
אָרְחוֹתָ֑י (’ā·rə·ḥō·w·ṯāy)
Noun - common plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 734: A well-trodden road, a caravan

You set a limit
תִּתְחַקֶּֽה׃ (tiṯ·ḥaq·qeh)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2707: To carve, to delineate, to entrench

for
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the soles
שָׁרְשֵׁ֥י (šā·rə·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8328: A root

of my feet.
רַ֝גְלַ֗י (raḡ·lay)
Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

Links

Job 13:27 NIV
Job 13:27 NLT
Job 13:27 ESV
Job 13:27 NASB
Job 13:27 KJVJob 13:27 BibleApps.com
Job 13:27 Biblia Paralela
Job 13:27 Chinese Bible
Job 13:27 French Bible
Job 13:27 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Job 13:27 You also put my feet (Jb)