“Can mankind be righteous [h]before God? Can a man be pure [i]before his Maker?” Job 4:17 NASB Mankind/ man – As we learned yesterday, the Hebrew verse encompasses three important parallels. We have isolated two of them for investigation. We discovered that ʾĕnôš and geber, both translated “mankind,” actually reveal ethical and ontological distinctions that bolster Eliphaz’ argument. But…
“Can mankind be righteous [h]before God? Can a man be pure [i]before his Maker?” Job 4:17 NASB Mankind/ man – The translators have given us a double-barreled version of a single question. The Hebrew text wraps it all up in one line: הַֽאֱנוֹשׁ מֵֽאֱל֣וֹהַּ יִצְדָּ֑ק אִ֥ם מֵֽ֜עֹשֵׂ֗הוּ יִטְהַר־גָּֽבֶר Looking at this verse in Hebrew requires careful deliberation. First, we…
Now a word was brought to me secretly, and my ear received a whisper of it. Amid disquieting thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people, Dread came upon me, and trembling, and made [f]all my bones shake. Then a [g]spirit passed by my face; the hair of my flesh stood up. Job 4:12-15 NASB Dread…
I’m flying from Kobe, Japan tonight. Need to sleep. Back in Italy in the morning. Sweet dreams.
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…
