איוב, פרק ל״ג, פסוק י״א

Job expresses a deep, bitter sense of being targeted and trapped by God, feeling as though he is treated like an enemy with no chance of escape. Elihu captures this feeling of total restriction by describing a state of complete confinement. The primary approach among commentators is that Job views himself as being placed in wooden shackles or a similar prison device designed to clamp the feet and prevent any movement [מצודת ציון, רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, this confinement is understood as having his feet set in plaster, completely cementing them in place [אבן עזרא].

Beyond being physically immobilized, Job feels that God continues to track and restrict his every move. This creates a picture of double, exaggerated suffering. Even though Job is already firmly bound and completely unable to flee, God still stands guard over his paths to ensure he cannot escape. This relentless surveillance highlights the endless and overwhelming pain placed upon him [מצודת דוד].

Out of all of Job's arguments, this specific claim angers Elihu the most. It is one thing to doubt God's daily involvement in the world based on the mistaken idea that God is simply too great to concern Himself with lowly humans. However, claiming that God actively targets a person, watching their every step just to frame them, borders on outright heresy. Such an accusation suggests that God cannot tell the difference between a friend and an enemy. Even worse, it paints the merciful God as a cruel being who hates His own creations and intentionally inflicts pain on the innocent [רמב״ן].