Job 1:5

KJV

And it was so, when the days of [their] feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings [according] to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it was so, when the days {H3117} of their feasting {H4960} were gone about {H5362}, that Job {H347} sent {H7971} and sanctified {H6942} them, and rose up early {H7925} in the morning {H1242}, and offered {H5927} burnt offerings {H5930} according to the number {H4557} of them all: for Job {H347} said {H559}, It may be {H194} that my sons {H1121} have sinned {H2398}, and cursed {H1288} God {H430} in their hearts {H3824}. Thus did {H6213} Job {H347} continually {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After a cycle of banquets, Iyov would send for them to come and be consecrated; then he would get up early in the morning and offer burnt offerings for each of them, because Iyov said, "My sons might have sinned and blasphemed God in their thoughts."This is what Iyov did every time.

Berean Standard Bible

And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

American Standard Version

And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt-offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and renounced God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 1:5 profoundly illustrates Job's exemplary piety and proactive spiritual leadership within his household. Following periods of his children's social gatherings, Job consistently undertook meticulous purification rituals and offered burnt offerings on their behalf. His actions stemmed from a deep-seated fear that his sons and daughters might have, even unintentionally or in their hearts, committed sin or dishonored God during their revelry. This verse establishes Job's unwavering integrity and spiritual vigilance, setting the foundational character portrait against which the subsequent dramatic trials of the book unfold.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 1:5 immediately follows the initial description of Job as a "blameless and upright man, one who feared God and turned away from evil" [Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job's Character Introduction"). The preceding verses detail his immense wealth and the regular feasting cycle of his seven sons and three daughters [Job 1:2-4](/job/1-2-4 "Job's Family and Their Feasts"). This verse serves as a crucial bridge, demonstrating *how* Job embodied his described righteousness. His consistent spiritual vigilance and intercession for his children, even for potential or hidden sins, underscores his profound fear of God and sets the stage for the divine test that is about to commence, highlighting the integrity that Satan will challenge. It establishes Job's character as truly devoted, not merely outwardly observant.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the "land of Uz," a location generally associated with regions east of Israel, possibly Edom or northern Arabia. This suggests a patriarchal society where the head of the household, like Job, functioned as the spiritual leader and priest for his family. This practice of offering sacrifices for one's household predates the Mosaic Law and the Levitical priesthood, aligning with the actions of figures like Noah [Genesis 8:20](/genesis/8-20 "Noah's Burnt Offering") and Abraham [Genesis 12:7-8](/genesis/12-7-8 "Abraham Builds Altars"). The "burnt offerings" were a common form of worship and atonement in the ancient Near East, signifying complete dedication to God and a plea for forgiveness. The feasting described was a common social custom, but in a culture deeply aware of divine presence, any revelry carried the potential for irreverence or excess that could displease God.

* **Key Themes:** Job 1:5 introduces and reinforces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout the book and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is **Parental Intercession and Responsibility**, as Job actively takes on the spiritual welfare of his children, not merely their physical provision. This highlights a deep understanding of his role as a spiritual guardian. The verse also showcases **Proactive Piety and Righteousness**, demonstrating Job's consistent and diligent devotion to God, arising "early in the morning" to perform these rites. His actions are not reactive to known sin but preventative, born out of a profound fear of God's holiness. Furthermore, Job's concern that his children "may have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts" introduces the theme of **Concern for Hidden or Internal Sin**, recognizing that transgression is not merely external action but can originate in thoughts and attitudes, a concept later emphasized in prophetic literature and by Jesus Himself [Matthew 5:28](/matthew/5-28 "Jesus on Lust"). Finally, the act of **Sacrifice and Atonement** through burnt offerings underscores the ancient understanding of the need for propitiation for sin, even potential sin, before a holy God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sanctified (Hebrew, _qadash'_):** This verb means "to set apart," "to consecrate," or "to purify." In this context, it implies that Job initiated a ritual process to make his children ceremonially clean or prepared for the offerings. It speaks to a purification rite, perhaps involving washing or other preparatory acts, ensuring they were fit to be presented before God, even if only symbolically through the offerings made on their behalf.
* **Cursed (Hebrew, _barakh'_):** This is perhaps the most significant linguistic nuance in the verse. The root _barakh_ typically means "to bless." However, in certain contexts, particularly when referring to God and associated with sin or death, it functions as an ironic euphemism for "to renounce," "to blaspheme," or "to curse." Job's fear was that his children, in their revelry, might have spoken lightly of God, or inwardly harbored disrespectful thoughts, effectively "renouncing" or "cursing" Him in their hearts, a concept too dreadful to name directly. This euphemistic usage highlights the severity of the potential offense and Job's profound reverence.
* **Continually (Hebrew, _kol-ha-yamim'_):** Literally meaning "all the days," this phrase emphasizes the consistent, habitual, and ongoing nature of Job's spiritual practice. It underscores that his piety was not sporadic or reactive but a deeply ingrained, daily commitment to God and the spiritual welfare of his family. This consistency is a hallmark of his blameless character.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it was so, when the days of [their] feasting were gone about":** This clause establishes the cyclical nature of the children's social gatherings. It indicates a pattern of celebration that, while seemingly innocuous, prompted Job's spiritual concern. The completion of a full cycle of feasts triggered his response.
* **"that Job sent and sanctified them":** This highlights Job's proactive initiative. He didn't wait for a known transgression; rather, he took steps to ritually purify his children, preparing them, in a spiritual sense, for reconciliation with God. This demonstrates his spiritual authority and responsibility as the head of the household.
* **"and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings [according] to the number of them all":** This detail emphasizes Job's diligence and personal commitment. Rising early signifies earnestness and priority. Offering a burnt offering for *each* child underscores his meticulous care and the individual nature of potential sin and the need for atonement. The burnt offering symbolized complete dedication and served as a means of propitiation.
* **"for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts":** This reveals Job's profound motivation: a fear of hidden, internal sin. He recognized that sin was not merely outward action but could be an inward attitude or thought, a disrespect for God harbored in the heart, even if unspoken or unacknowledged by his children. This shows a deep theological insight into the nature of sin.
* **"Thus did Job continually":** This concluding phrase powerfully reiterates the consistent and habitual nature of Job's piety. It was not a one-time act but an ongoing spiritual discipline, cementing his reputation as a man of unwavering righteousness and fear of God.

#### Literary Devices
Job 1:5 is rich in literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. The verse employs **Characterization** to immediately establish Job's profound piety and spiritual diligence, painting him as a man whose righteousness extends beyond outward appearance to deep, internal concern for his family's spiritual state. This strong characterization also serves as **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the divine test that will challenge the very nature of his blamelessness. The use of the verb _barakh_ (to bless) as a euphemism for "to curse" or "renounce" God is a striking example of **Irony**, subtly highlighting the horror of the potential sin Job fears. Furthermore, the concluding phrase, "Thus did Job continually," acts as **Repetition** (or emphasis on consistency), reinforcing the habitual nature of his devotion and underscoring his unwavering commitment to God, which will become a central theme as the narrative unfolds.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 1:5 offers profound theological insights, primarily highlighting the ancient understanding of sin's pervasive nature and the necessity of atonement, even for potential or hidden transgressions. Job's role as a family priest, interceding and offering sacrifices on behalf of his children, prefigures the broader biblical theme of mediation. His recognition that sin can reside "in their hearts" aligns with the prophetic critique of superficial religiosity and anticipates New Testament teachings on the heart's condition as the wellspring of human action. This verse underscores humanity's inherent need for a mediator and a perfect sacrifice, a need that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

* [Genesis 8:20](/genesis/8-20 "Noah's Burnt Offering")
* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Guard Your Heart")
* [1 Samuel 7:5](/1_samuel/7-5 "Samuel's Intercession for Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 1:5 provides a timeless blueprint for spiritual vigilance and proactive care for those within our sphere of influence. Job's example challenges us to move beyond a reactive faith—only seeking God when known sin occurs—to a preventative and intercessory posture. His deep concern for the potential, unseen sins of the heart reminds us that true piety encompasses our inner thoughts and attitudes, not just our outward actions. In a world often focused on external appearances, Job's consistent devotion, rising "early in the morning" and acting "continually," calls believers to cultivate disciplines of regular self-examination, earnest prayer, and diligent intercession for our families and communities. It compels us to consider the spiritual implications of even seemingly innocent activities and to prioritize the spiritual well-being of our loved ones with the same earnestness Job demonstrated.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's proactive spiritual care for his children challenge my own approach to family spiritual well-being and intercession?**
* **In what ways might I be neglecting "heart-sins" or internal attitudes that displease God, even if my outward actions seem acceptable?**
* **What consistent spiritual disciplines can I implement to foster a deeper, more vigilant walk with God, like Job's "continually" practice?**

### FAQ

**Why did Job offer sacrifices for potential sins, not known ones?**

Answer: Job's actions stem from an extraordinary level of piety and a profound understanding of God's absolute holiness. In the ancient world, and especially for a man described as "blameless and upright," there was a deep awareness that sin could be committed unintentionally or even in the privacy of one's thoughts and attitudes. Job feared that his children, in their revelry, might have harbored disrespectful or irreverent thoughts towards God, even without outward expression. His practice of offering sacrifices for potential sins highlights his meticulous fear of God, his desire to maintain ritual purity for his household, and his recognition that all human activity, even joyful feasting, carries the potential for falling short of God's glory. This proactive approach underscores a deep theological insight into the pervasive nature of sin and the constant need for atonement before a holy God.

**What does "cursed God in their hearts" mean if the word usually means "bless"?**

Answer: The Hebrew word used here is _barakh_ (ברך), which most commonly means "to bless." However, in specific contexts, particularly when referring to God in a negative sense, it functions as a euphemism for "to renounce," "to blaspheme," or "to curse." This ironic usage is found elsewhere in the Old Testament (e.g., [1 Kings 21:10](/1_kings/21-10 "Naboth Accused of Cursing God")). The reason for using "bless" to mean "curse" is likely a reverence for God's name, where directly uttering a blasphemy was considered too offensive. Job's fear was that his children, in their enjoyment and perhaps excess, might have inwardly turned away from God, shown disrespect, or harbored thoughts that amounted to a renunciation of Him, even if they did not voice it. This emphasizes Job's acute awareness of the internal, heart-level nature of sin, a concept later fully developed in the New Testament.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 1:5, with its depiction of Job as a diligent family priest offering repeated sacrifices for potential sins, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect priesthood of Jesus Christ. Job's sacrifices were temporary, imperfect, and had to be offered "continually" for the possibility of sin. They were a shadow of the true atonement. In contrast, Jesus, our great High Priest, offered Himself "once for all" as the perfect and final sacrifice for actual sin, not merely potential transgression [Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice"). His blood secured "eternal redemption" [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Christ's Eternal Redemption"), eliminating the need for repeated offerings. Furthermore, Job's concern for sin "in their hearts" finds its ultimate resolution in Christ, who not only died for our outward transgressions but also cleanses and transforms the heart itself [Matthew 5:28](/matthew/5-28 "Jesus on Heart Sin"). Unlike Job, who could only intercede and offer sacrifices for his children, Christ actively intercedes for us at the right hand of God [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Christ's Intercession"), serving as our Advocate before the Father [1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "Christ Our Advocate"). Job's exemplary piety points to the One who is truly blameless, perfectly righteous, and whose sacrifice fully satisfies God's justice, providing complete and lasting atonement for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 42:8

Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you [after your] folly, in that ye have not spoken of me [the thing which is] right, like my servant Job.

Genesis 8:20

¶ And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Job 8:4

If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;

1 Samuel 16:5

And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

Genesis 35:2

Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that [were] with him, Put away the strange gods that [are] among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

Genesis 35:3

And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.

Ephesians 6:18

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;