Job 17:5

5 "He who ¹informs against friends for a share of the spoil, The ²eyes of his children also will languish.

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 "Lay down, now, a pledge for me with Yourself; Who is there that will be my guarantor ?

4 "For You have kept their heart from understanding, Therefore You will not exalt them.

5 "He who informs against friends for a share of the spoil, The eyes of his children also will languish.

6 "But He has made me a byword of the people, And I am one at whom men spit.

7 "My eye has also grown dim because of grief, And all my members are as a shadow.

Cross References

• 1. Leviticus 19:13, 16
• 2. Job 11:20