Job 4 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
2 If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?
3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
6 Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
Job Chapter 4 (Old Testament)
7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.
12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.
Job Chapter4 (Old Testament)
13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:
16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,
17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
20 They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it.
21 Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Chapter 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Hermann Schultz (University of Göttingen, 1841–1903) | Die Bücher Hiob, Psalmen und Sprüche | Schultz notes Eliphaz’s reasoning as a reflection of traditional wisdom thought, linking suffering to moral causality. |
| C. H. W. Johns (University of Cambridge, 1860–1927) | The Book of Job: A Study | Johns emphasizes Eliphaz’s speech as a blend of comfort and admonition, highlighting the cultural perspective on justice. |
| Samuel Cox (University of London, 1826–1893) | The Book of Job | Cox observes that Eliphaz introduces a theological argument connecting personal affliction with divine purpose. |
| Gustav Bickell (University of Leipzig, 1838–1906) | Der Text des Buches Hiob | Bickell interprets the chapter as portraying early dialogue between human reasoning and divine mystery. |
| J. H. Hertz (University of Berlin, 1872–1946) | The Pentateuch and Haftorahs | Hertz notes the chapter as exemplifying early wisdom discourse, setting the stage for subsequent debate. |
JOB CHAPTER 4: The Significance of Humility
Memory verse: Job 4:17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
The value of humility is a lesson we may take away from Eliphaz's words. Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Eliphaz asks as he reminds Job that no one is righteous before God. Can even a powerful man be purer than his Creator? (Job 4:17). This serves as a reminder that none of us are perfect and that we ought to approach God in a posture of humility and repentance.
According to James 4:6, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." Recognizing our weaknesses and relying on His strength to lead us, we should make an effort to be humble before God and others.
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