Bible Strands
Job 18:7
His vigorous stride is shortened, and his own schemes trip him up.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Bildad addresses Job in a discourse describing the downfall of the wicked. The speech captures a moment where physical collapse and strategic failure are being detailed.
The words — The Hebrew יֵֽ֭צְרוּ (ye.tze.ru) literally means "they are restricted," modifying צַעֲדֵ֣י (tza.'a.dei) "his steps." The clause וְֽ/תַשְׁלִיכֵ֥/הוּ עֲצָתֽ/וֹ (ve.tash.li.che.hu a.tza.to) states that "his own plan throws him down."
The thread — The theme of thwarted human planning appears in Psalms 33:10, where the LORD thwarts the devices of peoples. The motif of clear, unimpeded movement is paralleled in Proverbs 4:12 and Psalms 18:36, which describe divine guidance keeping the path open.
Why it lands — The text records the physical shortening of stride and the failure of personal schemes without assigning immediate moral blame. It asks the reader to observe how self-directed strength and planning collapse when the path is constrained.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 4:12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble.
- Psalms 18:36 You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not give way.
- Psalms 33:10 The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples.
- 2 Samuel 15:31 Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”
- 2 Samuel 17:14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.
- Job 5:12 He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success.
- Job 15:6 Your own mouth, not mine, condemns you; your own lips testify against you.
- Job 20:22 In the midst of his plenty, he will be distressed; the full force of misery will come upon him.
- Job 36:16 Indeed, He drew you from the jaws of distress to a spacious and broad place, to a table full of richness.
- Proverbs 1:30 They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof.