Job 18:9 Meaning and Explanation
“The gin shall take him by the heel, and the robber shall prevail against him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A trap seizes him by the heel, and a snare prevails to hold him fast.
What Does Job 18:9 Mean?
The hunting imagery continues. A 'gin' is a snare that springs shut, and here it 'takes him by the heel,' catching him as a trap catches an animal. The word rendered 'robber' pictures a noose or snare drawn tight, prevailing over its prey. There is no escape once the mechanism closes.
Bildad means that judgment lays hold of the wicked suddenly and completely. The image of being caught 'by the heel' carries a quiet echo of Eden, where the serpent was promised to strike at the heel of the woman's seed. Yet that same promise looked beyond the strike to a crushing victory. In Christ, the One whose heel was bruised has broken every snare of the enemy, so that those held fast may be set free.
Job 18:9 in the Original Language
pach (פַּח), 'gin' -- a bird trap or snare that snaps shut, used for the sudden seizing of unsuspecting prey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 18:9
What does Job 18:9 mean?
A trap seizes him by the heel, and a snare prevails to hold him fast.