Job 17:5

5 He promiseth a prey to his companions, and the eyes of his children shall fail.

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 Deliver me, O Lord, and set me beside thee, and let any man’s hand fight against me.
4 Thou hast set their heart far from understanding, therefore they shall not be exalted.
5 He promiseth a prey to his companions, and the eyes of his children shall fail.
6 He hath made me as it were a byword of the people, and I am an example before them.
7 My eye is dim through indignation, and my limbs are brought as it were to nothing.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.