Job 11:11 Meaning: What 'Does Not Consider' Means
For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.
For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
For he knoweth false men: He seeth iniquity also, even though he consider it not.
For he hath known men of vanity, And He seeth iniquity, And one doth not consider it !
For he knoweth vain men, and seeth wickedness when [man] doth not consider it;
Meaning in one sentence
Zophar says God knows false men and sees iniquity but doesn't consider it. Discover what this means about God's immediate knowledge of sin.
Context
Job chapter 11 records the second speech of Zophar, one of Job's three friends. Job had been insisting on his innocence and accusing God of being unfair. Zophar responds by declaring that God's wisdom is far beyond human reach, higher than heaven, deeper than Sheol. No one can oppose Him when He acts. Then comes verse 11: God knows people who are false, and He sees evil, yet He does not 'consider' it. Zophar is not saying God ignores sin. He means that God does not need time to examine or deliberate. His knowledge is immediate and complete. This sets the stage for Zophar's call for Job to repent and turn back to God, promising restoration if he does. The verse sits in a speech meant to humble Job by magnifying God's perfect understanding.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for 'knows' is yada, a deep, intimate knowing that goes beyond facts. When the Bible says God knows us, it means He truly understands who we are. The phrase 'false men' comes from shav, which suggests emptiness, worthlessness, or lying. It describes people who are hollow inside, pretending to be something they are not. And then there is the word 'consider' (bin), which means to pay attention or ponder something carefully. The verse says God does not do this with iniquity. Not because He is careless, but because He does not need to. He sees wickedness instantly, with no time required to figure it out. For Zophar, this is good news and bad news: God cannot be fooled by pretense, but He also sees every hidden motive without delay. There is no waiting period for God's understanding.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have understood this verse in a few ways. Some, like the Cambridge Bible, read 'does not consider it' as meaning God's knowledge is immediate, He sees without needing to reflect. Others, following the King James Version, read it as a question: 'Will He not then consider it?', meaning God will surely punish sin. This view emphasizes God's justice. Still others, like Albert Barnes, suggest that God appears to pass over sin but actually sees it perfectly. Across traditions, the common thread is that God's perception is complete. Whether one reads it as God's instant awareness or as a promise of judgment, the point remains: nothing escapes His notice. This should humble us and give us confidence that God truly knows us.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this verse and think God is indifferent to sin, that He 'does not consider' means He ignores it. But the Hebrew word bin means to pay close attention or ponder. The phrase is better understood as God not needing to examine sin carefully because He already sees it clearly. Far from being indifferent, God's insight is so complete that He has no need to deliberate. The mistake comes from reading 'does not consider' as neglect rather than perfect, immediate knowledge.
Living This Out
A friend told me she was afraid to pray about a painful habit because she thought God would be disappointed. But this verse shows that God already sees everything, not as a judge waiting to pounce, but as someone who knows us fully. This week, consider one area of your life you try to keep hidden. Instead of covering it, speak it plainly to God. He already knows. You are not informing Him of anything new. Bring it into the light not to earn relief, but because He sees it anyway and is already with you in it. His knowledge is not a threat; it is an invitation to stop pretending.
Main takeaway: God sees every hidden part of us with perfect clarity, and He does not need time to discover what He already knows completely.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God knows everything about you, even the things you try to hide. You never have to worry that He won't understand. He sees you clearly and loves you just as you are.
For ages 9, 12
Sometimes we think we can hide our mistakes from God, or that He needs time to figure out what we've done. But this verse says God sees sin immediately, He doesn't need to think about it. That's because His knowledge is perfect. It also means you can be honest with Him right away. You don't have to wait until you have the right words. He already knows, and He is ready to listen.
Questions People Ask
What does 'vain men' mean in Job 11:11?
The Hebrew word shav means emptiness, falsehood, or worthlessness. It describes people who are hollow or deceitful. Zophar is saying that God knows such people thoroughly, their inner emptiness cannot be hidden from Him.
Does God ignore sin according to Job 11:11?
No. The phrase 'does not consider it' means God does not need to ponder or examine sin carefully. His knowledge is immediate. He sees wickedness instantly without needing time to assess it. This is not neglect but perfect perception.
How do different Bible translations handle Job 11:11?
Some translations, like the KJV and BSB, read it as a question: 'Will He not then consider it?' This emphasizes that God will punish sin. Others, like the WEB and ASV, read it as a statement: He does not consider it. Both point to God's complete awareness, whether as immediate knowledge or as a certainty of judgment.
Why did Zophar say this to Job?
Job had been claiming innocence and questioning God's justice. Zophar responds by magnifying God's wisdom and knowledge, arguing that God sees things humans miss. He uses this verse to suggest that Job may be hiding sin without realizing it, and that God's instant perception exposes it.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study