E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Job 5:7
man. Hebrew. 'Adam. App-14 . born unto trouble, &c. Figure of speech Paroemia. App-6 . sparks. Hebrew sons of flame. read more
Job 5:7
E.W. Bullinger
Thomas Coke
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Job 5:6-7
Job 5:6-7. Although affliction cometh not, &c.— The Hebrew is rather, For iniquity cometh not forth out of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; i.e. "As the wickedness of men does not proceed from any natural cause in the origin of things, but from their own free-will, or from the abuse of divine grace; so neither are their miseries to be considered as the effects of merely natural causes, but as the distributions of a free agent likewise, who fits men's punishments to... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Job 5:7
7. Yet—rather, "Truly," or, But affliction does not come from chance, but is the appointment of God for sin; that is, the original birth-sin of man. Eliphaz passes from the particular sin and consequent suffering of Job to the universal sin and suffering of mankind. Troubles spring from man's common sin by as necessary a law of natural consequences as sparks (Hebrew, "sons of coal") fly upward. Troubles are many and fiery, as sparks (1 Peter 4:12; Isaiah 43:2). UMBREIT for "sparks" has "birds... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 5:1-16
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
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 5:1-27
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
John Dummelow
John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 5:1-27
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
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Job 5:6-7
(6, 7) Although affliction. . . .—These two verses are confessedly very difficult. It is hard to see also the connection between sparks flying upwards and man’s being born to trouble. It seems to give better sense if we understand Eliphaz comparing man’s lot as prepared for him by God with his own pride and presumptuous ambition. Man is born to labour, but, like sparks of fire, he makes high his flight. Trouble and toil is no accidental growth, but a lot appointed by God, which would be... read more
William Nicoll
Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Job 5:1-27
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
William Nicoll
Expositor's Bible Commentary - Job 5:1-27
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