suddenly = at once. cursed = noted, stigmatized, or pointed out. Hebrew. nakab: i.e. "declared [the fate of) his habitation. "Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ) by adding "saying", and mark verses: Job 5:4 , Job 5:5 as being what he said. See translation, below. read more
Job 5:3. I have seen the foolish, &c.— I saw the profligate taking root, but I marked him out for sudden destruction. This is the same thought as in Psa 37:35-36 and drawn out at length in Psalms 73:0. See Heath and Schultens. read more
3. the foolish—the wicked. I have seen the sinner spread his "root" wide in prosperity, yet circumstances "suddenly" occurred which gave occasion for his once prosperous dwelling being "cursed" as desolate (Psalms 37:35; Psalms 37:36; Jeremiah 17:8). read more
Eliphaz’s counsel to Job 5:1-16Job’s friend did not deny that the wicked fool (cf. Psalms 14:1) prospers temporarily (Job 5:3), but he believed that before a person dies, God will punish him for his sins. Jesus disagreed (Luke 13:4). The well-known comparison in Job 5:7 is true to an extent, but Eliphaz was again wrong in connecting this truth with the reason for Job’s suffering. People certainly do experience trouble in life as surely as sparks ascend from an open fire. [Note: For a synthesis... read more
1. Eliphaz’s first speech chs. 4-5Eliphaz’s first speech has a symmetrical introverted (chiastic) structure that emphasizes the central section."A Opening remark (Job 4:2) B Exhortation (Job 4:3-6) C God’s dealings with men (Job 4:7-11) D The revelation of truth (Job 4:12-21) C’ God’s dealings with men (Job 5:1-16) B’ Exhortation (Job 5:17-26)A’ Closing remark (Job 5:27)" [Note: Andersen, p. 111.] read more
The First Speech of Eliphaz (concluded)1-5. Eliphaz warns Job that to show a resentful temper at God’s dispensations is folly, and that fools never prosper.1. Call, etc.] i.e. ’make your complaint against God to the angels’; ’do you think they will help you?’ Saints] RV ’holy ones,’ i.e. the angels. 2. Wrath] RV ’vexation.’ Envy] RV ’jealousy.’ Such rash conduct brings destruction.3. Cursed] i.e. rejected as an accursed thing. At first Eliphaz was inclined to envy the prosperity of the wicked;... read more
(3) I cursed.—The word means, “I was able to declare distinctly, and I did declare without hesitation, that his lot would be as follows.” All these general results of experience have the sting of insinuation in them that they contain the key to Job’s unfortunate condition. There is secret unsoundness there which is the cause of the manifest and open misery. It is impossible that a man so stricken should be otherwise than, for some unknown reason, the guilty victim of the righteous wrath of a... read more
Memorable Sights in Life Job 5:3 How many passages are there in Scripture that begin with 'I have seen'? Probably no man has counted the number. Let us keep, however, to that formula; it is interesting and useful to deal with a personal witness, to have a man so to say face to face and in your very grip. How many voices we shall hear if we listen well the solemn voice, the monotone that has not heart enough to vary its expression, a gamut in one note, and then the lightsome tone of youth and... read more
VII.THE THINGS ELIPHAZ HAD SEENJob 4:1-21; Job 5:1-27ELIPHAZ SPEAKSTHE ideas of sin and suffering against which the poem of Job was written come now dramatically into view. The belief of the three friends had always been that God, as righteous Governor of human life, gives felicity in proportion to obedience and appoints trouble in exact measure of disobedience. Job himself, indeed, must have held the same creed. We may imagine that while he was prosperous his friends had often spoken with him... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 5:1-27
Eliphaz speaks (4:1-5:27)The first of the three friends to speak is Eliphaz, who is probably the oldest of the three. He is also the least severe in the accusations brought against Job (4:1-2). He begins by noting that in the past Job comforted others in their troubles, but now that he has troubles himself, his faith has failed. If Job truly honoured God and was upright in his ways, there would be no need for this despondency (3-6). The person who is innocent, argues Eliphaz, need not fear... read more