Job 5:2-12

2 "For 1anger slays the foolish man, And jealousy kills the simple.
3 "I have seen the 2foolish taking root, And I 3cursed his abode immediately.
4 "His 4sons are far from safety, They are even oppressed in the gate, And there is no deliverer.
5 "His harvest the hungry devour And take it to a place of thorns, And the 5schemer is eager for their wealth.
6 "For 6affliction does not come from the dust, Nor does trouble sprout from the ground,
7 For 7man is born for trouble, As sparks * fly upward.
8 "But as for me, I would 8seek God, And I would place my cause before God;
9 Who 9does great and unsearchable * things, Wonders without * number.
10 "He 10gives rain on the earth And sends water on the fields,
11 So that 11He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety.
12 "He 12frustrates the plotting of the shrewd, So that their hands cannot attain success.

Job 5:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 5

In this chapter Eliphaz goes on to prove, and further confirm and establish, what he had before asserted, that not good men, but wicked men only, are afflicted of God, at least greatly, so as to have their substance wholly destroyed and perish, which was Job's case; and this partly from the case, state, and sentiments of all the saints, Job 5:1,2; and from his own observation and experience, Job 5:3-5; and then he proceeds to give some advice; and seeing afflictions do not come by chance, but are of God, it is right in such circumstances for a man to seek to the Lord for pardon and salvation, and commit his cause unto him, Job 5:6-8; who does many great things in a providential way to the good of man in general, and to the disappointment of wicked crafty men, and to the serving of the poor in particular, Job 5:9-16; so that it is best patiently to bear the afflicting hand of God, and it is an happiness to be corrected by him, since he delivers such out of all their troubles, and preserves them from many evils, and bestows many good things on them; which would be Job's case particularly, if he behaved according to the advice given, and which is left with him to consider of, Job 5:17-27.

Cross References 12

  • 1. Proverbs 12:16; Proverbs 27:3
  • 2. Jeremiah 12:2
  • 3. Job 24:18; Job 31:30
  • 4. Job 4:11
  • 5. Job 18:8-10; Job 22:10
  • 6. Job 15:35
  • 7. Job 14:1
  • 8. Job 13:2, 3; Psalms 50:15
  • 9. Job 9:10; Job 37:14, 16; Job 42:3
  • 10. Job 36:27-29; Job 37:6-11; Job 38:26
  • 11. Job 22:29; Job 36:7
  • 12. Psalms 33:10

Footnotes 4

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