Job 5:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For anger kills the fool, and envy slays the silly.

Berean Standard Bible:

For resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.

American Standard Version:

For vexation killeth the foolish man, And jealousy slayeth the silly one.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For wrath^{H3708} killeth^{H2026} the foolish man^{H191}, and envy^{H7068} slayeth^{H4191} the silly one^{H6601}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Job 5:2

Job 5:2 is a part of the Book of Job, which is found in the Wisdom Literature of the Hebrew Bible and is one of the most ancient texts in the canon. The Book of Job deals with the themes of suffering, faith, and the human condition, questioning why the righteous suffer and whether the wicked are always punished. This particular verse is situated within a speech by Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's three friends who come to comfort him in his misery. Eliphaz is considered one of the less understanding friends, often misapplying traditional wisdom to Job's unique situation.

In Job 5:2, Eliphaz is essentially warning about the destructive nature of negative emotions and behaviors. "Wrath" or uncontrolled anger is depicted as a force that can lead to one's downfall, suggesting that those who give in to rage often act foolishly and bring about their own ruin. Similarly, "envy" is portrayed as a deadly sin that consumes the "silly one," or the simpleton who lacks wisdom and self-control. The verse reflects a common theme in biblical wisdom literature, which often emphasizes the importance of temperance, prudence, and righteous living to avoid calamity.

Historically, the Book of Job is thought to have been written during or after the Babylonian Exile, a period of great suffering and questioning for the Israelites. The text reflects the broader cultural and religious dialogue about the nature of God's justice in the face of human suffering. Job 5:2, in particular, encapsulates the belief that personal virtues and vices have real consequences, and it serves as a moral exhortation to avoid the traps of anger and jealousy, which are seen as paths that lead away from wisdom and toward personal destruction.

*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: H3708
   There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כַּעַס
   Transliteration: kaʻaç
   Pronunciation: kah'-as
   Description: or (in Job) כַּעַשׂ; from כַּעַס; vexation; anger, angry, grief, indignation, provocation, provoking, [idiom] sore, sorrow, spite, wrath.
   
2. Strong's Number: H2026
   There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָרַג
   Transliteration: hârag
   Pronunciation: haw-rag'
   Description: a primitive root; to smite with deadly intent; destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely.
   
3. Strong's Number: H191
   There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱוִיל
   Transliteration: ʼĕvîyl
   Pronunciation: ev-eel'
   Description: from an unused root (meaning to be perverse); (figuratively) silly; fool(-ish) (man).
   
4. Strong's Number: H7068
   There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קִנְאָה
   Transliteration: qinʼâh
   Pronunciation: kin-aw'
   Description: from קָנָא; jealousy or envy; envy(-ied), jealousy, [idiom] sake, zeal.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4191
   There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוּת
   Transliteration: mûwth
   Pronunciation: mooth
   Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6601
   There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּתָה
   Transliteration: pâthâh
   Pronunciation: paw-thaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to open, i.e. be (causatively, make) roomy; usually figuratively (in a mental or moral sense) to be (causatively, make) simple or (in a sinister way) delude; allure, deceive, enlarge, entice, flatter, persuade, silly (one).