Job 17:5

5 He promiseth prey to his fellows, and the eyes of his sons shall fail (yet the eyes of his sons 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 Lord, deliver thou me, and set me beside thee; and the hand of each man fight against me. (Lord, save thou me, and put me beside thee; then let someone try to fight against me!)

4 Thou hast made the heart of them far from doctrine, that is, (far) from knowing of (the) truth; therefore they shall not be enhanced (and so thou shalt not let them triumph).

5 He promiseth prey to his fellows, and the eyes of his sons shall fail (yet the eyes of his sons shall fail).

6 He hath set [me] as into a proverb of the common people, and his ensample before them.

7 Mine eye dimmed at [the] indignation (My eyes dimmed with grief); and my members be driven as into nought.