Job 5:18-27

18 For he wounds, but he 1binds up; he 2shatters, but his hands heal.
19 He will 3deliver you from six troubles; in seven no 4evil[a] shall touch you.
20 5In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword.
21 You shall be 6hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
22 At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear 7the beasts of the earth.
23 For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.
24 You shall know that your 8tent is at peace, and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.
25 You shall know also that your 9offspring shall be many, and your descendants as 10the grass of the earth.
26 You shall come to your grave in 11ripe old age, like a sheaf gathered up in its season.
27 Behold, this we have 12searched out; it is true. Hear, and know it for your good."[b]

Job 5:18-27 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 12

  • 1. Isaiah 30:26; Isaiah 61:1; Hosea 6:1
  • 2. [Deuteronomy 32:39]
  • 3. Psalms 34:19; Psalms 91:3; 1 Corinthians 10:13
  • 4. Psalms 91:10
  • 5. Psalms 33:19; Psalms 37:19
  • 6. [Psalms 31:20]
  • 7. [Isaiah 11:8, 9; Isaiah 35:9; Isaiah 65:25; Ezekiel 34:25; Hosea 2:18]
  • 8. [Job 21:9]
  • 9. Job 21:8; Psalms 112:2
  • 10. Psalms 72:16
  • 11. [Genesis 15:15; Genesis 25:8; Genesis 35:29; Proverbs 9:11; Proverbs 10:27]
  • 12. [Psalms 111:2]

Footnotes 2

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.