Job 15:23

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

He wandereth abroad for bread, [saying], Where [is it]? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.

Complete Jewish Bible:

He wanders and looks for food, which isn't there. He knows the day of darkness is ready, at hand.

Berean Standard Bible:

He wanders about as food for vultures; he knows the day of darkness is at hand.

American Standard Version:

He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? He knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

He wandereth abroad^{H5074} for bread^{H3899}, saying, Where is it? he knoweth^{H3045} that the day^{H3117} of darkness^{H2822} is ready^{H3559} at his hand^{H3027}.

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Commentary for Job 15:23

Job 15:23 is a verse from the Book of Job, which is part of the Wisdom Literature in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament. The book is named after its protagonist, Job, a man known for his righteousness and piety. The historical context of the Book of Job is somewhat ambiguous, with scholars suggesting various possible periods ranging from the patriarchal age to the time of the Babylonian exile. The themes of the book revolve around the problem of evil and human suffering, the nature of divine justice, and the limits of human wisdom in the face of God's omnipotence.

In the verse itself, the speaker is Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's three friends who come to "comfort" him after he has lost his wealth, children, and health. Eliphaz is responding to Job's lamentations and challenges to God's justice. The verse paints a picture of a man (implicitly Job) who has fallen into such dire straits that he wanders aimlessly in search of basic sustenance—bread. The phrase "saying, Where [is it]?" suggests a state of desperation and despair, as Job searches in vain for relief from his suffering.

Furthermore, the verse indicates that Job is acutely aware of his precarious situation, knowing that "the day of darkness is ready at his hand." This implies that Job recognizes his suffering is not merely a series of unfortunate events but a prolonged state of existence—a perpetual "day of darkness." The "day of darkness" is a metaphor for the affliction and despair that have enveloped his life, symbolizing the depth of his misery and the sense that calamity is imminent and ever-present.

In summary, Job 15:23 captures the essence of Job's profound despair and the existential crisis he faces. It reflects the broader themes of the book, where human suffering is depicted with stark reality, and the apparent silence of God in the face of that suffering is questioned. Eliphaz's words, while intended to offer insight, ultimately serve to deepen the theological debate about the nature of God's relationship with humanity when faced with trials and tribulations.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5074
   There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָדַד
   Transliteration: nâdad
   Pronunciation: naw-dad'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee, or (causatively) to drive away; chase (away), [idiom] could not, depart, flee ([idiom] apace, away), (re-) move, thrust away, wander (abroad, -er, -ing).
   
2. Strong's Number: H3899
   There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֶחֶם
   Transliteration: lechem
   Pronunciation: lekh'-em
   Description: from לָחַם; See also בֵּית לְעַפְרָה; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it); (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2822
   There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֹשֶׁךְ
   Transliteration: chôshek
   Pronunciation: kho-shek'
   Description: from חָשַׁךְ; the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness; dark(-ness), night, obscurity.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3559
   There are 210 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כּוּן
   Transliteration: kûwn
   Pronunciation: koon
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous); certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable, (e-) stablish, stand, tarry, [idiom] very deed.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.