This verse underscores the peril of attributing suffering solely to moral failure.
Eliphaz the Temanite, speaking sometime during Job’s era (often dated around 2000-1800 BC during the patriarchal period), uses vivid imagery when he says, “Or darkness, so that you cannot see, and an abundance of water covers you” (v.11). He paints a picture of utter despair, where darkness represents a deprivation of hope and clarity, and where being overtaken by water suggests feeling overwhelmed by adversity. This aligns with other biblical expressions of distress that compare hardship to deep waters, symbolizing trials that seem too great to bear. Eliphaz is not simply describing natural phenomena here—his words accuse Job of suffering the consequences of wrongdoing, and he alludes to such dire imagery to emphasize how grave Job’s situation appears.
The phrase “darkness, so that you cannot see” (v.11) can also point to spiritual blindness, implying that Job is separated from God’s guidance or is unable to perceive His light. Throughout Scripture, darkness often denotes a lack of divine truth or moral clarity. In John’s Gospel, Jesus refers to Himself as the Light of the world, inviting those lost in darkness to follow Him. Eliphaz, however, takes a different angle—he seems to believe that Job’s troubles reveal a spiritual deficit, rather than a path toward redemption. This indictment challenges Job’s relationship with God, making the need for divine reassurance more acutely felt.
When Eliphaz further describes “an abundance of water” (v.11) covering Job, he uses language that conjures images of floods and overwhelming chaos. Throughout the Old Testament, raging waters frequently serve as symbolism for deep troubles and forces beyond human control. In the New Testament, Jesus’ calming of the storm demonstrates that God holds power over every tempest life can bring. Yet Eliphaz suggests Job is drowning spiritually because of hidden sins. His words misjudge Job's innocence, but underscore how fear and presumption can cloud our perception of another person’s adversity.
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Job 22:11 meaning
Eliphaz the Temanite, speaking sometime during Job’s era (often dated around 2000-1800 BC during the patriarchal period), uses vivid imagery when he says, “Or darkness, so that you cannot see, and an abundance of water covers you” (v.11). He paints a picture of utter despair, where darkness represents a deprivation of hope and clarity, and where being overtaken by water suggests feeling overwhelmed by adversity. This aligns with other biblical expressions of distress that compare hardship to deep waters, symbolizing trials that seem too great to bear. Eliphaz is not simply describing natural phenomena here—his words accuse Job of suffering the consequences of wrongdoing, and he alludes to such dire imagery to emphasize how grave Job’s situation appears.
The phrase “darkness, so that you cannot see” (v.11) can also point to spiritual blindness, implying that Job is separated from God’s guidance or is unable to perceive His light. Throughout Scripture, darkness often denotes a lack of divine truth or moral clarity. In John’s Gospel, Jesus refers to Himself as the Light of the world, inviting those lost in darkness to follow Him. Eliphaz, however, takes a different angle—he seems to believe that Job’s troubles reveal a spiritual deficit, rather than a path toward redemption. This indictment challenges Job’s relationship with God, making the need for divine reassurance more acutely felt.
When Eliphaz further describes “an abundance of water” (v.11) covering Job, he uses language that conjures images of floods and overwhelming chaos. Throughout the Old Testament, raging waters frequently serve as symbolism for deep troubles and forces beyond human control. In the New Testament, Jesus’ calming of the storm demonstrates that God holds power over every tempest life can bring. Yet Eliphaz suggests Job is drowning spiritually because of hidden sins. His words misjudge Job's innocence, but underscore how fear and presumption can cloud our perception of another person’s adversity.