King James Version

What Does Job 13:27 Mean?

Job 13:27 in the King James Version says “Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of ...” — study this verse from Job chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet. lookest: Heb. observest heels: Heb. roots”

Job 13:27 · KJV

Context

25

Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?

26

For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.

27

Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet. lookest: Heb. observest heels: Heb. roots

28

And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.

Read Job 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.' 'Ten times' (זֶה עֶשֶׁר פְּעָמִים, zeh eser pe'amim) may be literal or idiomatic for 'many times.' They've 'reproached' (תַחְפְּרוּנִי, tachperuni—insulted, humiliated) and 'make strange' (תַּכְלִימוּנִי, takhlimuni—deal cruelly, abuse). The friends' increasing cruelty shows how ideological commitment can override compassion. They value doctrinal purity over friendship. Job's pain at this abandonment echoes Psalm 41:9 and anticipates Christ's betrayal. True theology should increase compassion, not justify its abandonment. The Reformed emphasis on community and bearing one another's burdens condemns the friends' behavior.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern friendship carried obligations of loyalty and support. The friends' abandonment of Job in favor of doctrinal accusations would be recognized as betrayal of sacred friendship bonds.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does commitment to theological correctness sometimes override basic compassion?
  2. What are the limits of confrontation even when we believe someone is wrong?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְתָ֘שֵׂ֤ם1 of 10

“Thou puttest”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

בַּסַּ֨ד׀2 of 10

“also in the stocks”

H5465

the stocks

רַ֝גְלַ֗י3 of 10

“my feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

וְתִשְׁמ֥וֹר4 of 10

“and lookest narrowly”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

כָּל5 of 10
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אָרְחוֹתָ֑י6 of 10

“unto all my paths”

H734

a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan

עַל7 of 10
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שָׁרְשֵׁ֥י8 of 10

“upon the heels”

H8328

a root (literally or figuratively)

רַ֝גְלַ֗י9 of 10

“my feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

תִּתְחַקֶּֽה׃10 of 10

“thou settest a print”

H2707

to carve; by implication, to delineate; also to entrench

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 13:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 13:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 33:11Acts 16:242 Chronicles 16:10-12Job 10:6Job 14:16Job 2:7

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