Job 5:19-23

19 "From six troubles 1He will deliver you, Even in seven 2evil will not touch you.
20 "In 3famine He will redeem you from death, And 4in war from the power of the sword.
21 "You will be 5hidden from the scourge of the tongue, 6And you will not be afraid of violence when it comes.
22 "You will 7laugh at violence and famine, 8And you will not be afraid of wild beasts.
23 "For you will be in league with the stones of the field, And 9the beasts of the field will be at peace with you.

Job 5:19-23 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 9

  • 1. Psalms 34:19
  • 2. Psalms 91:10
  • 3. Psalms 33:19; Psalms 37:19
  • 4. Psalms 144:10
  • 5. Job 5:15; Psalms 31:20
  • 6. Psalms 91:5, 6
  • 7. Job 8:21
  • 8. Psalms 91:13; Ezekiel 34:25; Hosea 2:18
  • 9. Isaiah 11:6-9; Isaiah 65:25

Footnotes 2

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.