Study notes

Job 5

Introducing JobWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

4:1–31:40 Section

Eliphaz and Bildad each spoke three times. Zophar spoke twice. All of their speeches are recorded as long poems.

Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar explained the reason why they thought Job was suffering. Throughout his life, Eliphaz had noticed that trouble came to foolish people. Suffering was how they were taught as well as punished for their sins. Eliphaz believed that this was a pattern for how things work in the world. He believed that it was happening in Job’s case.

Bildad had noticed that God didn’t bring judgement against people who hadn’t sinned. This was a lesson that people had taught for hundreds of years. Bildad believed it was a pattern for how things work in the world. So he thought that Job and his family were being punished for their sins.

Zophar was sure that ungodly people are always punished. He believed that this is how things had always been in the world. He was sure that God was bringing judgement on Job for sins Job had committed.

Job answered Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar each time after they spoke. Job was sad and angry because his friends said things that weren’t helpful. Many of the things they said were true. But the patterns they noticed in life didn’t apply to Job’s case. Job hadn’t sinned in secret. Job didn’t claim to have never sinned. But he knew that God wasn’t punishing him for his sins. Job knew that he had lived the way God wanted people to live. His friends didn’t understand him. They accused him falsely.

Job believed that God did understand him. Job believed that God knew that he wasn’t guilty of secret sins. Job wanted God to explain why his life had become so difficult. Job was very confused by God and angry at him. But Job continued to have respect for God and to avoid evil. He did this even though he was suffering terribly. This showed that Job had wisdom and understanding.

5:1

The holy ones probably refers back to the angels mentioned in 4:18. They are "holy ones" because of they are close to God, not because they have achieved moral perfection (15:15; Daniel 4:14; 8:13; Zechariah 14:5).

5:9–10

The region where Job lived relied on rain instead of human methods to water crops (see 36:27–28).

5:9–16

Eliphaz praised God as the creator and and the one who sustains the universe who performs wonders (5:9–10). He also praised God as the righteous judge who humbles the powerful and honors poor people (5:11–16).

5:19–26

  • Six calamities … in seven: This formula for wise sayings suggests a condition of completion (compare Proverbs 30:15–31).

  • This list reflects the blessings and curses of the covenant God gave to Moses (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28).

    Eliphaz believed that people in a right relationship with God would avoid:

  1. Famine, meaning starving. (Job 5:20, 22; see Leviticus 26:4–5, 10; Deuteronomy 28:4–6, 8, 11–12).

  2. Battle and its destruction (Job 5:20; 5:21, 22; see Leviticus 26:6–8; Deuteronomy 28:7, 48).

  3. Scourge of the tongue, or words spoken against them (slander).

  4. They would even be at peace with wild animals and the stones of the field (Job 5:23; see Leviticus 26:6). This peace might mean productive fields instead of rocky ones (2 Kings 3:19, 25; Matthew 13:5). Or it might symbolize broader harmony with creation (see Psalm 91:11–12).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources