Job 17:5

5 In the old proverb someone betrays his friends for money, and his children suffer for it.

Job 17:5 Meaning and Commentary

Job 17:5

He that speaketh flattery to [his] friends
As Job's friends did to him when they promised great outward prosperity, and a restoration to his former state, and to a greater affluence upon his repentance and reformation; or when they spoke deceitfully for God, pretending great regard to the honour of his justice and holiness, and therefore insisted on it that he must be a wicked man and an hypocrite, that was afflicted by him, as Job was:

even the eyes of his children shall fail;
so hateful are some sins to God, and particularly deceitful tongues, and flattering lips, that he will punish them in their posterity; the eyes of their children shall fail for want of sustenance, and while they are looking in vain for salvation and deliverance out of trouble, see ( Exodus 20:4 ) .

Job 17:5 In-Context

3 I am being honest, God. Accept my word. There is no one else to support what I say.

4 You have closed their minds to reason; don't let them triumph over me now.

5 In the old proverb someone betrays his friends for money, and his children suffer for it.

6 And now people use this proverb against me; they come and spit in my face.

7 My grief has almost made me blind; my arms and legs are as thin as shadows.

Footnotes

• [a] someone . . . suffer for it; [or] someone entertains his friends while his children go hungry.