וְיַגֶּד־לְךָ֨ תַּֽעֲלֻמֹ֣ות חָכְמָה֮ כִּֽי־כִפְלַ֪יִם לְֽת֫וּשִׁיָּ֥ה וְדַ֡ע כִּֽי־יַשֶּׁ֥ה לְךָ֥ אֱ֝לֹ֗והַ מֵעֲוֹנֶֽךָ׃
(Job 11:6)
And He would declare to you the hidden things of wisdom, for they are double for sound wisdom, and know that Eloah causes to forget for you part of your iniquity.
Job 11:6, spoken by Ṣofar the Naamathite, is one of the most syntactically compressed and theologically loaded statements in the Book of Job. The verse combines a jussive verbal wish, a causal clause, and a command to know followed by a subordinate כי-clause. Each segment contributes to a layered argument: divine wisdom is hidden, greater than human perception, and already mercifully restraining judgment.
The grammar unfolds in three movements:
- A desire/wish clause (jussive-like imperfect)
- A causal explanation introduced by כִּי
- An imperative insight clause with theological assertion
Volitional Opening: וְיַגֶּד־לְךָ
- וְיַגֶּד: Hiphil imperfect 3ms of נגד, “to declare, to reveal.”
- לְךָ: Preposition לְ + suffix 2ms, “to you.”
The verb יַגֶּד is formally an imperfect, but in this context it carries a jussive or optative force: “that He would declare to you.” The conjunction וְ connects it to the previous verse (Job 11:5), where Ṣofar expresses a wish that Eloah would speak. Thus, this clause continues that desire: that God would reveal what is currently hidden.
The Hiphil stem intensifies the verb’s meaning—this is not casual speech but authoritative disclosure. Grammatically, the clause expresses longing for revelation.
The Object of Revelation: תַּעֲלֻמוֹת חָכְמָה
- תַּעֲלֻמוֹת: Noun plural, “hidden things, secrets.”
- חָכְמָה: Noun, “wisdom.”
The phrase תַּעֲלֻמוֹת חָכְמָה forms a construct relationship: “the hidden things of wisdom.” The plural תַּעֲלֻמוֹת suggests multiplicity—wisdom is not a single concept but a layered reality, largely concealed from human perception.
The grammar here communicates epistemological limitation. What Job lacks is not sincerity, but access. The syntax places “hidden things” before “wisdom,” emphasizing concealment over comprehension.
Causal Clause: כִּי־כִפְלַיִם לְתוּשִׁיָּה
- כִּי: Conjunction, “for / because.”
- כִפְלַיִם: Dual noun, “double, twofold.”
- לְתוּשִׁיָּה: Preposition לְ + noun “sound wisdom, effective insight.”
The conjunction כִּי introduces explanation: why must wisdom be revealed? Because it is כִפְלַיִם—double. The dual form intensifies the concept beyond singular measure. Wisdom exceeds human grasp not by degree alone, but by multiplicative depth.
The preposition לְ in לְתוּשִׁיָּה can be understood as reference or relation: “with respect to sound wisdom.” The syntax is compressed, but the meaning is expansive—true wisdom operates on levels beyond human reasoning.
Imperative Insight: וְדַע
- וְדַע: Qal imperative 2ms of ידע, “and know!”
The tone shifts abruptly from wish to command. The imperative דַע demands cognitive submission. Ṣofar moves from hypothetical (“if God would reveal…”) to assertive (“you must know…”). The conjunction וְ marks progression, not mere addition.
Grammatically, this creates a rhetorical pivot: from desired revelation to required understanding.
The Subordinate Assertion: כִּי־יַשֶּׁה לְךָ אֱלוֹהַ מֵעֲוֹנֶךָ
- כִּי: Conjunction, introducing content clause (“that”).
- יַשֶּׁה: Piel imperfect 3ms of נשה, “to forget, to cause to be overlooked.”
- לְךָ: “for you.”
- אֱלוֹהַ: “Eloah” (God).
- מֵעֲוֹנֶךָ: Preposition מִן + “your iniquity.”
This clause expresses the theological core of Ṣofar’s argument. The verb יַשֶּׁה in the Piel stem conveys causative nuance—“to cause to forget” or “to overlook.” The preposition מִן (“from”) suggests partiality: Eloah has already withheld or overlooked some portion of Job’s iniquity.
The grammar implies a controversial claim: Job’s suffering is less than he deserves. The imperfect verb expresses ongoing or general truth, not a single event.
Syntactic Flow Overview
| Segment | Hebrew | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Wish | וְיַגֶּד־לְךָ | Desire for revelation |
| Content | תַּעֲלֻמוֹת חָכְמָה | Hidden wisdom |
| Reason | כִּי־כִפְלַיִם | Wisdom exceeds measure |
| Command | וְדַע | Demand for understanding |
| Assertion | כִּי־יַשֶּׁה | Divine restraint of judgment |
Grammar and Theology in Tension
Job 11:6 is a striking example of how Hebrew grammar can compress complex theology into minimal space. The jussive desire for revelation, the causal explanation of hidden wisdom, and the imperative call to knowledge all culminate in a provocative theological claim.
Ṣofar’s syntax is tight, controlled, and confident. Yet within the larger narrative of Job, his conclusion will be challenged. The grammar here is not neutral—it is persuasive, even confrontational. It reflects a worldview where divine justice is assumed to be transparent once properly understood.
Hidden Wisdom and Human Limits
The verse ultimately invites reflection on the limits of human knowledge. The grammar itself reinforces the message: subordinate clauses, compressed phrases, and layered meanings mirror the very hiddenness they describe. Wisdom is not easily unpacked—it must be revealed.
In the structure of the verse, as in the experience of Job, understanding is not immediate. It is mediated, partial, and often contested. Hebrew syntax here becomes a mirror of the human condition: seeking clarity in a world where divine wisdom remains, for the most part, concealed.