Job 22:11
New International Version
why it is so dark you cannot see, and why a flood of water covers you.

New Living Translation
That is why you cannot see in the darkness, and waves of water cover you.

English Standard Version
or darkness, so that you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you.

Berean Standard Bible
it is so dark you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you.

King James Bible
Or darkness, that thou canst not see; and abundance of waters cover thee.

New King James Version
Or darkness so that you cannot see; And an abundance of water covers you.

New American Standard Bible
Or darkness, so that you cannot see, And a flood of water covers you.

NASB 1995
Or darkness, so that you cannot see, And an abundance of water covers you.

NASB 1977
Or darkness, so that you cannot see, And an abundance of water covers you.

Legacy Standard Bible
Or darkness, so that you cannot see, And an abundance of water covers you.

Amplified Bible
Or darkness, so that you cannot see, And a flood of water covers you.

Christian Standard Bible
or darkness, so you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
or darkness, so you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you.

American Standard Version
Or darkness, so that thou canst not see, And abundance of waters cover thee.

Contemporary English Version
blinded by darkness, and drowned in a flood.

English Revised Version
Or darkness, that thou canst not see, and abundance of waters cover thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[That is why] darkness surrounds you and you cannot see and a flood of water covers you.

Good News Translation
It has grown so dark that you cannot see, and a flood overwhelms you.

International Standard Version
you see nothing but darkness, and a flood of troubles drowns you."

Majority Standard Bible
it is so dark you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you.

NET Bible
why it is so dark you cannot see, and why a flood of water covers you.

New Heart English Bible
or darkness, so that you can not see, and floods of waters cover you.

Webster's Bible Translation
Or darkness, that thou canst not see; and abundance of waters cover thee.

World English Bible
or darkness, so that you can not see, and floods of waters cover you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Or darkness—you do not see, "" And abundance of waters covers you.

Young's Literal Translation
Or darkness -- thou dost not see, And abundance of waters doth cover thee.

Smith's Literal Translation
Or darkness thou wilt not see; and abundance of waters shall cover thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And didst thou think that thou shouldst not see darkness, and that thou shouldst not be covered with the violence of overflowing waters?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And did you think that you would not see darkness and that you were not to be overwhelmed by the on-rush of overflowing waters?

New American Bible
Or darkness—you cannot see! A deluge of waters covers you.

New Revised Standard Version
or darkness so that you cannot see; a flood of water covers you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Where is the darkness, that you cannot see; and the flood of water that covers you?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
From where the darkness is, you have not seen, and pouring forth of waters will cover you
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Or darkness, that thou canst not see, And abundance of waters cover thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The light has proved darkness to thee, and water has covered thee on thy lying down.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Eliphaz Exhorts Job
10Therefore snares surround you, and sudden peril terrifies you; 11 it is so dark you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you. 12Is not God as high as the heavens? Look at the highest stars, how lofty they are!…

Cross References
Psalm 69:14-15
Rescue me from the mire and do not let me sink; deliver me from my foes and out of the deep waters. / Do not let the floods engulf me or the depths swallow me up; let not the Pit close its mouth over me.

Isaiah 59:9-10
Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in gloom. / Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; among the vigorous we are like the dead.

Psalm 18:4-5
The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me. / The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.

Psalm 42:7
Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me.

Lamentations 3:54
The waters flowed over my head, and I thought I was going to die.

Isaiah 8:22
Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness.

Psalm 88:6
You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths.

Psalm 107:10-14
Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains, / because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. / He humbled their hearts with hard labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. ...

Isaiah 50:10
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God.

Jeremiah 13:16
Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.

Matthew 8:24-26
Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves. But Jesus was sleeping. / The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” / “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.

Luke 8:23-25
As they sailed, He fell asleep, and a windstorm came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. / The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. / “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”

Mark 4:37-39
Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped. / But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?” / Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm.

John 12:35
Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

Or darkness, that you can not see; and abundance of waters cover you.

darkness

Job 18:6,18
The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him…

Job 19:8
He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.

Proverbs 4:19
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

abundance

Psalm 42:7
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

Psalm 69:1,2
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul…

Psalm 124:4
Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:

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Abundance Cover Covered Covers Dark Darkened Darkness Flood Floods Light Mass Unable Water Waters
Job 22
1. Eliphaz shows that man's goodness profits not God
5. He accuses Job of various sins
21. He exhorts him to repentance, with promises of mercy














it is so dark you cannot see
This phrase reflects the spiritual and emotional darkness that can envelop a person during times of intense suffering or divine judgment. In the context of Job, Eliphaz is accusing Job of being in such a state due to his alleged sins. Darkness in the Bible often symbolizes chaos, evil, or the absence of God's presence (Genesis 1:2, Exodus 10:21-23). It can also represent a lack of understanding or insight (Isaiah 9:2). Theologically, this darkness can be seen as a metaphor for the separation from God that sin causes, a theme that runs throughout Scripture (Isaiah 59:2, John 3:19-20).

and a flood of water covers you
Flood imagery in the Bible often signifies overwhelming trouble or judgment. The flood in Genesis 6-9 is the most prominent example, where water is used as a means of divine judgment. In the Psalms, floods are frequently used metaphorically to describe overwhelming distress or the threat of destruction (Psalm 69:1-2, Psalm 124:4-5). In the context of Job, Eliphaz suggests that Job is being overwhelmed by divine judgment due to his supposed unrighteousness. This imagery also connects to the New Testament, where Jesus calms the storm (Mark 4:35-41), symbolizing His power over chaos and His ability to bring peace amidst life's storms.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A wealthy and righteous man from the land of Uz, who undergoes severe trials and suffering. The book of Job explores his dialogues with friends and his struggle to understand his suffering.

2. Eliphaz the Temanite
One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In this chapter, Eliphaz accuses Job of wickedness and suggests that his suffering is due to his sins.

3. Teman
A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz, being a Temanite, is considered to be a man of wisdom.

4. Darkness and Flood
Metaphorical elements used by Eliphaz to describe Job's situation, symbolizing overwhelming trouble and confusion.

5. The Dialogue
The ongoing conversation between Job and his friends, which forms the central part of the book, focusing on themes of suffering, justice, and divine sovereignty.
Teaching Points
Understanding Misplaced Accusations
Eliphaz's accusations remind us to be cautious in attributing suffering to personal sin without understanding God's broader purposes.

The Reality of Spiritual Darkness
Spiritual darkness can obscure our vision and understanding, but we are called to seek God's light through prayer and His Word.

Trusting God in Overwhelming Circumstances
Like Job, we may face situations that feel like a flood, but we are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness.

The Importance of Compassionate Counsel
Eliphaz's approach highlights the need for empathy and wisdom when offering counsel to those in distress.

God's Sovereignty Over Suffering
The book of Job ultimately points to God's control and purpose in suffering, encouraging believers to trust in His divine plan.Verse 11. - Or darkness, that thou canst not see. Job had complained of the "darkness" that was "set in his paths" (Job 19:8), meaning probably his inability to discover the cause of his afflictions. And abundance of waters cover thee. The comparison of severe affliction to an overwhelming flood is very common in Scripture (see Psalm 42:7; Psalm 69:1-3, 14, 15; Psalm 124:4, 5; Lamentations 3:54, etc.). So Shakespeare speaks of "a sea of troubles."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
it is so dark
חֹ֥שֶׁךְ (ḥō·šeḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2822: The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

you cannot
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

see,
תִרְאֶ֑ה (ṯir·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

and a flood
וְֽשִׁפְעַת־ (wə·šip̄·‘aṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8229: Abundance, quantity

of water
מַ֥יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

covers you.
תְּכַסֶּֽךָּ׃ (tə·ḵas·se·kā)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover


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OT Poetry: Job 22:11 Or darkness so that you can not (Jb)
Job 22:10
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