Iyov 4:9

9 By the neshamah (breath) of Eloah they perish, and by the ruach of His nostrils are they consumed.

Iyov 4:9 Meaning and Commentary

Job 4:9

By the blast of God they perish
They and their works, the ploughers, sowers, and reapers of iniquity; the allusion is to the blasting of corn by the east wind, or by mildew having used the figures of ploughing and sowing before; and which is as soon and as easily done as corn, or anything else, is blasted in the above manner; and denotes the sudden and easy destruction of wicked men by the power of God, stirred up by his wrath and indignation, because of their sins; who when he blows a blast on their persons, substance, and families, they perish at once:

and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed;
meaning his wrath and anger, which is like a stream of brimstone, and kindles a fire on the wicked, which are as fuel to it, and are soon consumed by it; the allusion is to breath in a man's nostrils, and the heat of his wrath and fury discovered thereby: some think this refers to Job's children being destroyed by the wind, see ( Isaiah 11:4 ) .

Iyov 4:9 In-Context

7 Consider now, who ever perished, being naki (innocent)? Or where were the yesharim (upright ones) cut off?
8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow amal (trouble), reap the same.
9 By the neshamah (breath) of Eloah they perish, and by the ruach of His nostrils are they consumed.
10 The roaring of the aryeh, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
11 The old lion perisheth for lack of teref (prey), and the stout lion’s cubs are scattered.
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.