Job 12:5

KJV

He that is ready to slip with [his] feet [is as] a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.

KJV (with Strong's)

He that is ready {H3559} to slip {H4571} with his feet {H7272} is as a lamp {H3940} despised {H937} in the thought {H6248} of him that is at ease {H7600}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those at ease have contempt for misfortune, for the blow that strikes somebody already staggering.

Berean Standard Bible

The one at ease scorns misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.

American Standard Version

In the thought of him that is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; It is ready for them whose foot slippeth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 12:5 is a poignant lament from Job, expressing his deep frustration with the lack of empathy and superficial judgment he receives from his friends. He observes that those who are secure and prosperous often view the suffering and vulnerable with contempt, dismissing their plight as a sign of divine disfavor rather than extending compassion. This verse powerfully critiques the self-serving comfort of the "at ease" who fail to truly see or value those who are on the brink of despair.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 12:5 is situated within Job's extensive and impassioned response to his friends, particularly Zophar (Job 11). Having endured their simplistic and often accusatory theological arguments that link suffering directly to sin, Job challenges their conventional wisdom and the perceived justice of God's ways. In chapters 12-14, Job asserts God's absolute sovereignty but also questions the friends' narrow understanding of divine justice, highlighting that the wicked often prosper while the righteous suffer. This specific verse serves as a direct critique of his friends' comfortable, judgmental stance, contrasting their ease with his profound distress and their dismissive attitude towards his "lamp" of life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a common theological framework, often referred to as the doctrine of retribution, posited a direct correlation between righteousness and prosperity, and wickedness and suffering. This belief system fueled the friends' arguments, leading them to conclude that Job's immense suffering must be a direct punishment for some hidden sin. Culturally, hospitality and compassion for the afflicted were generally valued, yet this verse exposes a darker human tendency: the self-preservation and judgmentalism that can arise from a position of security, leading to a profound lack of empathy for those perceived as divinely cursed or socially marginalized.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. It underscores the **problem of suffering** and the inadequacy of simplistic explanations for it. It highlights the profound **lack of empathy and compassion** displayed by Job's friends, who, from their position of "ease," fail to genuinely understand or comfort him. The verse also critiques the **arrogance of the prosperous**, suggesting that material security can blind individuals to the struggles of others and foster a judgmental spirit. Furthermore, it touches upon the **misunderstanding of divine justice**, as Job implicitly challenges the notion that God's favor is always evidenced by outward prosperity, a theme echoed in other wisdom literature like [the prosperity of the wicked in Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked"). Job's lament here is a cry against the superficial piety that condemns rather than comforts, exposing the insensitivity of those who speak from a position of ease, much like the disciples' question about the blind man in [John 9:2](/john/9-2 "John 9:2 - Disciples' Question About Suffering").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **slip (Hebrew, _mâʻad'_):** This primitive root signifies to waver, make to shake, slide, or slip. In the context of Job 12:5, it vividly portrays a state of extreme instability and vulnerability, indicating someone whose very foundation is giving way. This describes not only physical precariousness but also the profound psychological, emotional, and social fragility of a person overwhelmed by adversity, on the brink of utter collapse.
* **lamp (Hebrew, _lappîyd'_):** Derived from a root meaning to shine, _lappîyd_ refers to a flambeau, lamp, or flame. In biblical thought, a lamp often symbolizes life, hope, guidance, prosperity, or the continuation of a family line. Here, it represents the suffering individual's very existence, which, despite its inherent value and potential for light, is treated with utter disregard.
* **despised (Hebrew, _bûwz'_):** This word denotes disrespect, contempt, or being shamed. When applied to the "lamp," it means the suffering individual is viewed with scorn and disdain, considered worthless, an object of ridicule, or something to be extinguished. It highlights the profound lack of empathy and the dismissive attitude of those who are secure towards the afflicted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that is ready to slip with [his] feet":** This clause refers to the person in profound distress, on the verge of physical, social, or spiritual collapse. It is a self-referential statement by Job, describing his own precarious and vulnerable condition, having lost everything and being afflicted with severe illness.
* **"[is as] a lamp despised":** This powerful metaphor illustrates how the suffering individual, despite being a source of life or having inherent value (like a lamp), is treated with contempt and scorn by those who are secure. Their very existence or their plight is deemed insignificant, burdensome, or even offensive.
* **"in the thought of him that is at ease":** This final phrase pinpoints the source of the contempt: those who are comfortable, secure, and complacent in their own prosperity. It highlights the internal disposition and judgment of the prosperous, who, from their position of comfort, lack the empathy, understanding, or humility to truly sympathize with the struggles of others, often attributing misfortune to divine displeasure or personal failing.

#### Literary Devices
Job 12:5 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its poignant message. The primary device is **Metaphor**, where the suffering individual is likened to "a lamp despised." A lamp, typically symbolizing life, hope, or guidance, being "despised" creates a stark image of the utter contempt shown to the afflicted, highlighting their perceived worthlessness in the eyes of the comfortable. This also employs **Irony**, as a lamp, meant to illuminate, is instead cast into darkness by the very people who should offer light and comfort. Furthermore, the verse uses **Contrast** to sharply delineate between "he that is ready to slip with his feet" (the vulnerable and suffering) and "him that is at ease" (the secure and complacent). This juxtaposition underscores the chasm of understanding and empathy that separates these two states, emphasizing the moral blindness of the prosperous.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 12:5 provides a profound theological insight into the human condition and the nature of compassion. It challenges a simplistic understanding of divine justice, where suffering is always seen as punishment and prosperity as a sign of righteousness. Instead, Job exposes the moral failing of those who, from their position of comfort, judge and dismiss the afflicted, rather than extending empathy. This verse serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of spiritual complacency and the arrogance that can accompany material ease, urging a more nuanced and compassionate approach to human suffering, recognizing that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension and that true wisdom involves solidarity with the vulnerable.

* [Proverbs 14:21](/proverbs/14-21 "Proverbs 14:21 - Despising One's Neighbor")
* [Psalm 123:3-4](/psalms/123-3-4 "Psalm 123:3-4 - Scorn of the Prosperous")
* [James 2:5-6](/james/2-5-6 "James 2:5-6 - Despising the Poor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 12:5 serves as a powerful mirror, inviting us to examine our own hearts and attitudes towards those who are struggling. Are we quick to attribute the difficulties of others to their own failings, or do we extend genuine compassion and practical help? In a world where comfort can easily breed indifference, this verse challenges believers to resist the temptation to judge from a distance of ease. It reminds us that true wisdom and godliness are not found in theological certainty that dismisses the pain of others, but in a humble willingness to enter into their suffering, offering support rather than condemnation. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of empathy that recognizes the inherent dignity of every person, regardless of their circumstances, and to actively seek ways to uplift those who are "ready to slip."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my own comfort or security influence my perception and judgment of those who are suffering?**
* **In what ways might I be unintentionally "despising a lamp" by dismissing or failing to engage with the struggles of others?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater empathy and solidarity with the vulnerable in my community and beyond?**
* **How does this verse challenge common assumptions about prosperity and suffering in contemporary society?**

### FAQ
**What does Job mean by "a lamp despised"?**

Answer: By "a lamp despised," Job is using a powerful metaphor to describe how the suffering person is viewed by those who are comfortable. A lamp typically symbolizes life, hope, guidance, or even the continuation of a family line. To be a "lamp despised" means that the suffering individual, despite being a living soul with inherent value and a potential source of light or wisdom, is treated with utter contempt, scorn, and disdain. It implies that their very existence or their plight is considered worthless, a burden, or something to be extinguished by those who are secure and complacent. Job feels that his friends, from their position of ease, see him not as a fellow human in distress, but as an object of scorn, perhaps even a sign of divine disfavor that should be dismissed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 12:5, with its poignant portrayal of the suffering "lamp despised" by those "at ease," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. While Job lamented being scorned by his friends, Jesus, the very [Light of the world](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), was truly "despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain" as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant"). He was the ultimate "lamp ready to slip with his feet," not due to personal sin, but as He bore the sins of humanity, stumbling under the weight of the cross (cf. [John 19:17](/john/19-17 "John 19:17 - Jesus Carries His Cross")). Those "at ease"—the religious leaders, the Roman authorities, and even the crowds who once hailed Him—scorned Him, mocked Him, and ultimately crucified Him, seeing His suffering as proof of His condemnation rather than as the very act of salvation. Yet, in His despised state, Jesus perfectly embodied true empathy, not judging the afflicted but drawing near to them, healing them, and ultimately identifying with their deepest pains. His crucifixion, the ultimate act of being "despised," became the very source of light and life for all who believe, transforming the "despised lamp" into the radiant hope of resurrection (cf. [Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Philippians 2:8-9 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")).

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

Matthew 25:8

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

Psalms 17:5

Hold up my goings in thy paths, [that] my footsteps slip not.

Proverbs 13:9

¶ The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

Job 18:5

¶ Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.

Psalms 94:18

When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.

Job 16:4

I also could speak as ye [do]: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

Psalms 123:3

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.