By the breath of God they perish, and by the [e]blast of His anger they come to an end. Job 4:9 NASB They come to an end – Does God destroy the wicked? The Hebrew term, kālâ, used in this context means “to consume, finish, end.” Eliphaz’ conclusion is that God will not, and does not, tolerate the…
Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright destroyed? According to what I have seen, those who [d]plow wrongdoing and those who sow trouble harvest it. Job 4:7-8 NASB Harvest it – Eliphaz is a man who believes in perfect justice. In his world, the righteous prosper and the wicked perish. No one innocent is ever…
Behold, you have taught many, and you have strengthened weak hands. Your words have helped the stumbling to stand, and you have strengthened [b]feeble knees. But now it comes to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are horrified. Is your [c]fear of God not your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope? Job 4:3-6 NASB Horrified –…
Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded, “If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But who can refrain [a]from speaking? Job 4:1-2 NASB Eliphaz – It’s always important to know the meaning of the names in a biblical story. Here the name of the speaker is Eliphaz (אֱלִיפַז), a combination of God’s shortened title and…
I am not at ease, nor am I quiet, and I am not at rest, but turmoil comes. Job 3:26 NASB Turmoil – If you’re not at ease, not quiet, not resting, then why would you be surprised when things are upsetting? This verse seems entirely counterintuitive. We could understand if Job claimed ease, quiet, and…
For [j]what I fear comes upon me, and what I dread [k]encounters me. Job 3:25 NASB What I fear – An unfortunate translation. By rendering this word as “fear,” we miss the point and the connections. Even more, when the translators use “dread” in the subsequent phrase, they mix up the real meanings and miss the oxymoron. …
For my groaning comes at the sight of my food, and my cries pour out like water. Job 3:24 NASB Cries pour out – It’s not whimpering tears. No sir. These Hebrew words say something much more powerful—and distressing. But we’ll need to arrange the syntax according to the Hebrew, not the English. Therefore, we investigate “poured…
For my groaning comes at the sight of my food, and my cries pour out like water. Job 3:24 NASB Groaning – Before we tackle the participle “groaning,” let’s understand the context. The NASB translates the opening of this verse as “at the sight of my food,” but the Hebrew is perhaps more poignant. Literally, it reads…
