Job 5:17-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 5:17-27

Eliphaz, in this concluding paragraph of his discourse, gives Job (what he himself knew not how to take) a comfortable prospect of the issue of his afflictions, if he did but recover his temper and accommodate himself to them. Observe, I. The seasonable word of caution and exhortation that he gives him (Job 5:17): ?Despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. Call it a chastening, which comes from the father's love and is designed for the child's good. Call it the chastening of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 5:17

Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth ,.... Reproves, rebukes, convinces by his word, which is profitable for correction of men's minds and manners; and by his messengers, the prophets and ministers, who are sent as reprovers of the people, and to rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in their principles, and sober in their conversation; and by his Spirit, which makes the correction of the word and ministers effectual, and who reproves and convinces of sin, righteousness, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 5:18

For he maketh sore, and bindeth up ,.... Or, "though he maketh sore, yet he bindeth up" F4 Assembly's Annotations. ; as a surgeon, who makes a wound the sorer by probing and opening it, to let out the matter and make way for his medicine, and then lays on the plaster, and binds it up: so God causes grief and puts his people to pain, by diseases of body, or by making breaches in, their families and estates, and such like cutting providences; and then he binds up their breach, and heals... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 5:17

Behold, happy is the man - הנח hinneh , behold, is wanting in five of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS., and also in the Syriac, Vulgate, and Arabic. We have had fathers of our flesh, who corrected us for their pleasure, or according to their caprices, and we were subject to them: how much more should we be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? for he corrects that we may be partakers of his holiness, in order that we may be rendered fit for his glory. See Hebrews 12:5 ; James... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 5:18

For he maketh sore, and bindeth up - Thus nervously rendered by Coverdale, For though he make a wounde, he giveth a medicyne agayne; though he smyte, his honde maketh whole agayne. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 5:1-27

Eliphaz, having narrated his vision, and rehearsed the words which the spirit spoke in his ear, continues in his own person, first ( Job 5:1-7 ) covertly reproaching Job, and then (verses 8-27) seeking to comfort him by the suggestion that, if he will place himself unreservedly in the hands of God, it is still possible that God may relent, remove his chastening hand, deliver him from his troubles, and even give him back all his former prosperity. The anticipation is in remarkable... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 5:8-27

Refuge from trouble in the thought of God. Conclusion of Eliphaz's address. His language suddenly changes into a gentler strain. It is like the clearing of a dark sky, revealing once more the deep blue; or the bend of a stream which has been flowing through a stern gorge, now broadening out into a sunlit lake. I. THE GREATNESS AND BENEFICENCE OF GOD . ( Job 5:8-16 .) Let men turn to him for comfort and for strength. It is a bright gem of description. 1 . God is the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 5:17

Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth! This "opens," as Professor Lee observes, "a new view of the subject." Hitherto Eliphaz has regarded afflictions as simply punitive. Now it occurs to him that they are sometimes chastisements. The difference is that punishment has regard only to the past, to the breach of the moral law committed, and the retribution which has to follow it. Chastisement looks to the future. It aims at producing an effect in the mind of the person chastised, at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 5:17

The happiness of chastisement. I. THERE IS A HAPPINESS IN CHASTISEMENT . The sentence looks paradoxical. No chastisement can be pleasant while it is being endured, or it would cease to be chastisement. Where, then, does its happiness reside? 1 . Chastisement is a proof of God ' s care. "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth" ( Hebrews 12:6 ). Therefore to be chastised is to receive a token of God's love. Now, surely we ought to be willing to bear a good deal of suffering... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 5:17-23

The blessedness of the Divine correction. This was known even in early times, but only fully taught in Now Testament times. It is a great encouragement to men to bear pain and sorrow to know that the Lord afflicts. "He maketh sore," but "he bindeth up;" "he woundeth," but his "hands make whole again." Being a Divine correction, a chastisement from his hand will be— I. A WISE CORRECTION . A good purpose will always be held in view. "Not willingly," "not for his pleasure," does he... read more

Group of Brands