Job 36:8
And if men are bound with chains, caught in cords of affliction,
And if men are bound with chains
The phrase "bound with chains" evokes a vivid image of captivity and restraint. In the Hebrew context, the word for "chains" (עֲבוֹת, 'avoth) can refer to physical bindings or metaphorically to spiritual or moral constraints. Historically, chains were used to imprison or enslave, symbolizing a loss of freedom and autonomy. In the spiritual sense, this can represent the bondage of sin or the consequences of turning away from God. Theologically, this phrase suggests that God allows such binding as a means of correction or discipline, drawing individuals back to Him. It reflects the conservative Christian belief in God's sovereignty and His use of trials to refine and restore His people.

caught in cords of affliction
The term "caught" implies being ensnared or trapped, suggesting a lack of escape or control over one's circumstances. The "cords of affliction" (חֶבֶל, chevel) can be understood as the trials and sufferings that entangle a person. In ancient times, cords were used for various purposes, including binding and measuring, symbolizing both restriction and judgment. Affliction, in this context, is not merely physical suffering but encompasses emotional and spiritual distress. From a conservative Christian perspective, this phrase underscores the belief that God uses affliction to teach, correct, and ultimately bring about spiritual growth and dependence on Him. It serves as a reminder of the redemptive purpose behind suffering, encouraging believers to trust in God's wisdom and timing.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A righteous man tested by God through severe trials, including loss of wealth, health, and family.

2. Elihu
A younger friend of Job who speaks in Job 36, offering his perspective on Job's suffering and God's justice.

3. God
The sovereign Creator who allows Job's trials and ultimately restores him.

4. Chains and Cords of Affliction
Metaphorical expressions representing the trials and sufferings that people endure.
Teaching Points
Understanding Affliction
Recognize that afflictions can be a tool used by God to teach, correct, and refine us. They are not always a sign of divine displeasure but can be a means of drawing us closer to Him.

God's Sovereignty in Suffering
Trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom, even when we do not understand the reasons behind our suffering. He is in control and has a purpose for every trial.

Responding to Discipline
Embrace God's discipline as an expression of His love and desire for our growth. Reflect on how we can learn and grow through our challenges.

Seeking Deliverance
In times of affliction, turn to God in prayer and seek His deliverance, trusting that He hears and responds to the cries of His people.

Community Support
Encourage one another in times of trial, offering support and reminding each other of God's faithfulness and promises.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the purpose of affliction change your perspective on personal trials?

2. In what ways can you see God's hand at work in your life during times of suffering?

3. How can the account of Job and the insights from Elihu help you support others who are experiencing hardship?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to seek God's deliverance and comfort during afflictions?

5. How can you apply the lessons from Job 36:8 to strengthen your faith and trust in God's sovereignty?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 107:10-14
This passage speaks of those who sit in darkness and chains due to rebellion, but God delivers them when they cry out. It parallels the theme of affliction and divine deliverance.

Hebrews 12:5-11
Discusses God's discipline as a form of love, similar to how afflictions can be seen as a means for spiritual growth and correction.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Paul speaks of a "thorn in the flesh" given to him to prevent pride, illustrating how God uses afflictions for a greater purpose.
The Perfectness of the Divine WaysR. Green Job 36:5-17
People
Elihu, Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Affliction, Afflictions, Bound, Captured, Caught, Chains, Cords, Fast, Fetters, Held, Holden, Prisoned, Prisoners, Trouble
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 36:8

     5507   rope and cord

Job 36:8-9

     5251   chains
     5290   defeat
     5793   arrogance

Job 36:8-13

     6169   godlessness
     8846   ungodliness

Library
Whether by his Passion Christ Merited to be Exalted?
Objection 1: It seems that Christ did not merit to be exalted on account of His Passion. For eminence of rank belongs to God alone, just as knowledge of truth, according to Ps. 112:4: "The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens." But Christ as man had the knowledge of all truth, not on account of any preceding merit, but from the very union of God and man, according to Jn. 1:14: "We saw His glory . . . as it were of the only-Begotten of the Father, full of grace and of truth."
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Christ Acquired his Judiciary Power by his Merits?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ did not acquire His judiciary power by His merits. For judiciary power flows from the royal dignity: according to Prov. 20:8: "The king that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look." But it was without merits that Christ acquired royal power, for it is His due as God's Only-begotten Son: thus it is written (Lk. 1:32): "The Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His father, and He shall reign in the house of Jacob for
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Christ Will Judge under the Form of his Humanity?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ will not judge under the form of His humanity. For judgment requires authority in the judge. Now Christ has authority over the quick and the dead as God, for thus is He the Lord and Creator of all. Therefore He will judge under the form of His Godhead. Objection 2: Further, invincible power is requisite in a judge; wherefore it is written (Eccles. 7:6): "Seek not to be made a judge, unless thou have strength enough to extirpate iniquities." Now invincible power
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Old Law was from God?
Objection 1: It would seem that the Old Law was not from God. For it is written (Dt. 32:4): "The works of God are perfect." But the Law was imperfect, as stated above [2060](A[1]). Therefore the Old Law was not from God. Objection 2: Further, it is written (Eccles. 3:14): "I have learned that all the works which God hath made continue for ever." But the Old Law does not continue for ever: since the Apostle says (Heb. 7:18): "There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Man Can Know that He Has Grace?
Objection 1: It would seem that man can know that he has grace. For grace by its physical reality is in the soul. Now the soul has most certain knowledge of those things that are in it by their physical reality, as appears from Augustine (Gen. ad lit. xii, 31). Hence grace may be known most certainly by one who has grace. Objection 2: Further, as knowledge is a gift of God, so is grace. But whoever receives knowledge from God, knows that he has knowledge, according to Wis. 7:17: The Lord "hath given
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Judicial Power Corresponds to Voluntary Poverty?
Objection 1: It would seem that the judicial power does not correspond to voluntary poverty. For it was promised to none but the twelve apostles (Mat. 19:28): "You shall sit on twelve seats, judging," etc. Since then those who are voluntarily poor are not all apostles, it would seem that the judicial power is not competent to all. Objection 2: Further, to offer sacrifice to God of one's own body is more than to do so of outward things. Now martyrs and also virgins offer sacrifice to God of their
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Hypocrisy is the Same as Dissimulation?
Objection 1: It seems that hypocrisy is not the same as dissimulation. For dissimulation consists in lying by deeds. But there may be hypocrisy in showing outwardly what one does inwardly, according to Mat. 6:2, "When thou dost an alms-deed sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do." Therefore hypocrisy is not the same as dissimulation. Objection 2: Further, Gregory says (Moral. xxxi, 7): "Some there are who wear the habit of holiness, yet are unable to attain the merit of perfection.
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Great Teacher
Teaching was the great business of the life of Christ during the days of his public ministry. He was sent to teach and to preach. The speaker in the book of Job was thinking of this Great Teacher when he asked--"Who teacheth like him?" Job xxxvi: 22. And it was he who was in the Psalmist's mind when he spoke of the "good, and upright Lord" who would teach sinners, if they were meek, how to walk in his ways. Ps. xxv: 8-9. And he is the Redeemer, of whom the prophet Isaiah was telling when he said--He
Richard Newton—The Life of Jesus Christ for the Young

"That which was from the Beginning,"
1 John i. 1.--"That which was from the beginning," &c. Things are commended sometimes, because they are ancient, especially doctrines in religion, because truth is before error, and falsehood is but an aberration from truth and therefore there is so much plea and contention among men, about antiquity, as if it were the sufficient rule of verity. But the abuse is, that men go not far enough backward in the steps of antiquity, that is, to the most ancient rule, and profession, and practice of truth
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Whether Hypocrisy is Always a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It seems that hypocrisy is always a mortal sin. For Jerome says on Is. 16:14: "Of the two evils it is less to sin openly than to simulate holiness": and a gloss on Job 1:21 [*St. Augustine on Ps. 63:7], "As it hath pleased the Lord," etc., says that "pretended justice is no justice, but a twofold sin": and again a gloss on Lam. 4:6, "The iniquity . . . of my people is made greater than the sin of Sodom," says: "He deplores the sins of the soul that falls into hypocrisy, which is a greater
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether those to whom Christ's Birth was Made Known were Suitably Chosen?
Objection 1: It would seem that those to whom Christ's birth was made known were not suitably chosen. For our Lord (Mat. 10:5) commanded His disciples, "Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles," so that He might be made known to the Jews before the Gentiles. Therefore it seems that much less should Christ's birth have been at once revealed to the Gentiles who "came from the east," as stated Mat. 2:1. Objection 2: Further, the revelation of Divine truth should be made especially to the friends of God,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Divine Grace.
GRACE, LOYE, AND MERCY. I FIND that the goodness of God to his people is diversely expressed in his word, sometimes by the word grace, sometimes by the word love, and sometimes by the word mercy. When it is expressed by that word grace, then it is to show that what he doeth is of his princely will, his royal bounty, and sovereign pleasure. When it is expressed by that word love, then it is to show us that his affection was and is in what he doeth, and that he doeth what he doeth for us with complacency
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan

Messiah's Easy Yoke
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. T hough the influence of education and example, may dispose us to acknowledge the Gospel to be a revelation from God; it can only be rightly understood, or duly prized, by those persons who feel themselves in the circumstances of distress, which it is designed to relieve. No Israelite would think of fleeing to a city of refuge (Joshua 20:2.
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Epistle v. To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor.
To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor. Gregory to Theoctista, &c. With how great devotion my mind prostrates itself before your Venerableness I cannot fully express in words; nor yet do I labour to give utterance to it, since, even though I were silent, you read in your heart your own sense of my devotion. I wonder, however, that you withdrew your countenance, till of late bestowed on me, from this my recent engagement in the pastoral office; wherein, under colour of episcopacy, I have been brought
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Greatness of the Soul,
AND UNSPEAKABLENESS 0F THE LOSS THEREOF; WITH THE CAUSES OF THE LOSING IT. FIRST PREACHED AT PINNER'S HALL and now ENLARGED AND PUBLISHED FOR GOOD. By JOHN BUNYAN, London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1682 Faithfully reprinted from the Author's First Edition. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Our curiosity is naturally excited to discover what a poor, unlettered mechanic, whose book-learning had been limited to the contents of one volume, could by possibility know
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Job 36:8 NIV
Job 36:8 NLT
Job 36:8 ESV
Job 36:8 NASB
Job 36:8 KJV

Job 36:8 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Job 36:7
Top of Page
Top of Page