Job 5:12-22

12 He frustrates the schemes of the crafty so that they[a] achieve no success.
13 He traps the wise in their craftiness so that the plans of the deceptive are quickly brought to an end.[b]
14 They encounter darkness by day, and they grope at noon as if it were night.[c]
15 He saves the needy from their sharp words[d] and from the clutches of the powerful.
16 So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.[e]
17 See how happy the man is God corrects; so do not reject the discipline of the Almighty.
18 For He crushes but also binds up; He strikes, but His hands also heal.[f]
19 He will rescue you from six calamities; no harm will touch you in seven.
20 In famine He will redeem you from death, and in battle, from the power of the sword.[g]
21 You will be safe from slander[h] and not fear destruction when it comes.[i]
22 You will laugh at destruction and hunger and not fear the animals of the earth.

Job 5:12-22 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.

Footnotes 9

  • [a]. Lit their hands
  • [b]. Isa 29:14; 44:25; Jr 8:9
  • [c]. Jb 15:22-23; Dt 28:29
  • [d]. Lit from the sword of their mouth; Ps 55:21; 59:7
  • [e]. Ps 107:42; Rm 3:19
  • [f]. Dt 32:39; Hs 6:1
  • [g]. Ps 37:19; 91:7; Jr 39:18
  • [h]. Lit be hidden from the whip of the tongue
  • [i]. Ps 12:3-4; 27:1; 31:20
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