Job 15:18

KJV

Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid [it]:

KJV (with Strong's)

Which wise {H2450} men have told {H5046} from their fathers {H1}, and have not hid {H3582} it:

Complete Jewish Bible

wise men have told it, and it wasn't hidden from their fathers either,

Berean Standard Bible

what was declared by wise men and was not concealed from their fathers,

American Standard Version

(Which wise men have told From their fathers, and have not hid it;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 15:18 functions as a foundational premise in Eliphaz the Temanite's second discourse, where he attempts to invalidate Job's lamentations by appealing to the unassailable authority of ancient, generational wisdom. Eliphaz asserts that the truths he is about to declare concerning the inevitable fate of the wicked are not his personal opinions but have been openly transmitted and universally acknowledged by wise men throughout history, thereby implying that Job's suffering must be a direct consequence of his sin, aligning with this established traditional understanding of divine justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 15:18 is strategically placed within Eliphaz's second response to Job, immediately following Job's passionate and often despairing lament in [Job 14](/job/14 "Job 14 - Job's Lament and Hope for Renewal"). Eliphaz initiates his speech by sharply accusing Job of empty words, arrogance, and even impiety ([Job 15:2-6](/job/15-2-6 "Job 15:2-6 - Eliphaz Accuses Job")). He then transitions to an appeal to the profound knowledge of the elders, contrasting Job's perceived self-importance with the deep, inherited wisdom of the past ([Job 15:7-10](/job/15-7-10 "Job 15:7-10 - Eliphaz's Appeal to Ancient Wisdom")). Verse 18 serves as a critical preamble, establishing the authoritative source for the extended description of the wicked's inevitable suffering that Eliphaz then details in [Job 15:20-35](/job/15-20-35 "Job 15:20-35 - The Fate of the Wicked"). By asserting that this wisdom has been "told from their fathers, and have not hid [it]," Eliphaz seeks to imbue his arguments with irrefutable weight, positioning himself as a faithful custodian of an ancient, unbroken chain of truth, and subtly condemning Job for daring to challenge such established understanding.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, oral tradition and the wisdom passed down through generations held immense authority and prestige. "Wise men" (sages) were highly respected figures who preserved and transmitted societal norms, moral principles, and theological understandings through proverbs, parables, and maxims. Knowledge was often viewed as cumulative, with age and ancestral lineage conferring legitimacy upon received truths. This context illuminates why Eliphaz's appeal to "wise men" and their inherited wisdom would have been a powerful rhetorical strategy. His argument reflects a common ancient worldview where tradition was a primary source of truth, often valued above individual experience or direct, personal revelation. The Book of Job itself, set in the land of Uz, reflects a broader wisdom tradition that grappled with universal questions of suffering and divine justice, often through the lens of established maxims and observations about the world.
* **Key Themes:** Job 15:18 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Book of Job. Firstly, it underscores the **Authority of Tradition versus Divine Revelation**. Eliphaz, like Job's other friends, relies heavily on conventional wisdom and established theological frameworks to interpret Job's suffering, rather than seeking a direct word from God or acknowledging the mystery of divine sovereignty. This reliance on human-derived wisdom, no matter how ancient, is ultimately shown to be insufficient and flawed when God finally speaks in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's Response to Job"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Limitations of Human Wisdom** in comprehending the complexities of God's ways. Eliphaz assumes that the wisdom of "wise men" fully encapsulates divine justice, failing to grasp that God's thoughts and ways often transcend human understanding, a point Job himself grapples with in [Job 28](/job/28 "Job 28 - Where Can Wisdom Be Found?"). Thirdly, the phrase "have not hid [it]" introduces the theme of **Unveiled Truth versus Esoteric Knowledge**. Eliphaz presents this wisdom as openly proclaimed and accessible, implying its universal reliability and transparency. However, the narrative ultimately reveals that the deepest truths about God's justice and purposes are not always self-evident or easily contained within human traditions, but often require divine disclosure.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wise (Hebrew, _châkâm'_):** This term, though singular in its Strong's form (H2450), refers collectively to the "wise men" or sages. It denotes someone intelligent, skillful, or artful, possessing insight and understanding. In the ancient Near East, *chakhamim* were respected figures who preserved and transmitted traditional knowledge, moral instruction, and observations about life. Eliphaz's appeal to them elevates his argument beyond personal opinion to a universally accepted, authoritative truth, suggesting that the wisdom he presents is a product of deep, accumulated insight.
* **Told (Hebrew, _nâgad'_):** Derived from H5046, this verb means "to front, stand boldly out opposite," and by implication, "to manifest" or "to announce" (always by word of mouth to one present). It emphasizes the active, public, and forthright declaration of knowledge. It implies a deliberate and continuous process of teaching, recounting, and making known across generations, ensuring that the wisdom was not merely preserved but actively disseminated and ingrained in the community's understanding.
* **Hid (Hebrew, _kâchad'_):** From H3582, this primitive root means "to secrete, by act or word," and by extension, "to conceal" or "to deny." The phrase "have not hid" (using the negative particle) strongly emphasizes the open, public, and undeniable nature of the wisdom Eliphaz refers to. It suggests that this knowledge was not esoteric or secretly guarded but was freely and transparently shared, making it universally accessible and, in Eliphaz's view, irrefutable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which wise men have told from their fathers":** This clause establishes the source and lineage of the wisdom Eliphaz is about to present. It is not new or personal revelation but ancient, inherited knowledge. The phrase "from their fathers" (Hebrew, _ʼâb_, H1) highlights the generational transmission, implying a long, unbroken chain of authoritative teachers and learners. This appeals to the deeply ingrained respect for ancestral wisdom in ancient societies, lending immense weight and credibility to the ensuing argument. Eliphaz is asserting that his understanding of divine justice is not his own but a time-tested truth.
* **"and have not hid [it]:"** This second clause underscores the public and transparent nature of this inherited wisdom. The knowledge, presumably concerning the fate of the wicked and the nature of divine justice, was not concealed or kept secret but was openly proclaimed and readily accessible to all. This assertion reinforces its perceived universality and undeniable truth, suggesting that its veracity is so self-evident that no one would dare to suppress or deny it. Eliphaz uses this to imply that Job's suffering is a clear manifestation of this openly declared truth, making Job's protestations seem like a denial of established reality.

#### Literary Devices
Eliphaz employs a powerful **Appeal to Authority** in Job 15:18, grounding his argument not in personal insight or divine revelation, but in the collective, time-honored wisdom of "wise men" passed down through generations. This rhetorical strategy attempts to shut down Job's protests by framing them as a challenge to universally accepted truth rather than a mere disagreement with Eliphaz. There is also an element of **Irony** present; while Eliphaz appeals to human wisdom as if it perfectly reflects divine truth, the broader narrative of Job reveals the profound limitations of such human understanding in grasping God's sovereign and often mysterious ways. The phrase "have not hid [it]" functions as a form of **Emphasis** through negation, highlighting the open and undeniable nature of this wisdom, thereby attempting to make Eliphaz's subsequent pronouncements seem all the more irrefutable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 15:18, with its emphasis on inherited wisdom, raises profound questions about the sources of truth and the authority we assign to tradition. While the Bible often commends the value of passing down godly instruction and the wisdom of elders, as seen in the admonitions of [Proverbs 22:6](/proverbs/22-6 "Proverbs 22:6 - Train Up a Child") regarding training children, Eliphaz's application of this principle highlights a crucial theological tension. His error lies in equating human tradition, no matter how ancient or widely accepted, with the exhaustive and infallible truth of God. The Book of Job ultimately demonstrates that God's wisdom and ways often transcend human logic and conventional theological frameworks, particularly concerning the problem of suffering. True wisdom is ultimately found in God alone, and His counsel can often contradict our preconceived notions or inherited assumptions about how He operates, challenging us to seek discernment and humility rather than relying solely on human understanding.

* [Proverbs 22:6](/proverbs/22-6 "Proverbs 22:6 - Train Up a Child")
* [Colossians 2:8](/colossians/2-8 "Colossians 2:8 - Beware of Human Philosophy")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 15:18 serves as a potent reminder for us to critically examine the foundations of our own understanding, particularly concerning God's character, justice, and the complexities of suffering. While valuing the rich heritage of faith passed down through generations is vital, we are cautioned against uncritically accepting all "received wisdom" as absolute divine truth, especially when it attempts to definitively explain God's mysterious dealings with humanity. Eliphaz's confident appeal to tradition, though well-intentioned, ultimately proved inadequate and even misinformed in Job's unique situation. This verse encourages us to cultivate a spirit of discernment, testing all wisdom—whether ancient or contemporary—against the revealed Word of God and the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. It calls us to humility, acknowledging that God's ways are often beyond our full comprehension, and to remain open to His sovereign plan, even when it challenges our most cherished assumptions about how He *should* act. Furthermore, the phrase "have not hid [it]" can prompt us to consider the importance of transparently sharing truth and knowledge, rather than hoarding it or presenting it deceptively.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we balance respect for tradition and the wisdom of past generations with the need for fresh revelation and personal experience of God?**
* **In what ways might our own "received wisdom," cultural norms, or theological traditions inadvertently limit or distort our understanding of God's sovereignty and justice?**
* **What is the danger of appealing solely to human authority, even "wise men," when seeking ultimate truth about God and His purposes?**

### FAQ
**What is the "it" that wise men have not hidden in Job 15:18?**

Answer: The "it" in Job 15:18 refers to the traditional wisdom concerning the inevitable fate of the wicked. Eliphaz is about to expound upon this wisdom in the subsequent verses ([Job 15:20-35](/job/15-20-35 "Job 15:20-35 - The Fate of the Wicked")), asserting that the wicked will inevitably suffer, face ruin, and their prosperity will be short-lived. This established truth, in Eliphaz's view, implies that Job's suffering is a direct consequence of his sin, as this wisdom has been openly transmitted and is universally acknowledged, making it an undeniable basis for his argument.

**Why does Eliphaz appeal to "wise men" rather than God directly?**

Answer: Eliphaz and Job's friends operate within a framework of traditional wisdom theology, where long-established human understanding and observations of the world are believed to accurately reflect divine truth and justice. While they certainly believe their wisdom originates from God, their appeal is to the *transmission* of this wisdom through generations of sages, rather than a direct, fresh, or prophetic revelation from God. This highlights their reliance on conventional theological explanations, which, as the Book of Job ultimately reveals, prove inadequate to explain Job's unique situation. God later challenges this limited human perspective when He speaks directly to Job in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's Response to Job") and [Job 40](/job/40 "Job 40 - God Continues His Challenge"), demonstrating that His ways are far beyond human comprehension or traditional formulations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 15:18, with its emphasis on the limitations of human wisdom and the need for a higher, undeniable truth, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Eliphaz appeals to the wisdom of "wise men" passed down through generations, this human-derived knowledge ultimately falls short in comprehending the mystery of suffering and the depths of divine justice. In contrast, the New Testament proclaims that Christ Himself is the very "wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")). He is the perfect revelation of the Father, the One who has "made him known" because "no one has ever seen God" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")). The "hidden" wisdom of God, which was not fully grasped by ancient sages, is now fully revealed and made accessible in Christ, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:2-3](/colossians/2-2-3 "Colossians 2:2-3 - Christ, in Whom Are All Treasures of Wisdom")). Furthermore, Christ's suffering on the cross challenges all human notions of justice and the fate of the wicked; He, the righteous one, suffered for the unrighteous ([1 Peter 3:18](/1_peter/3-18 "1 Peter 3:18 - Christ Suffered for Sins")), fulfilling a divine plan of salvation far beyond the traditional wisdom Eliphaz championed, and offering a new, living way to understand God's profound and redemptive purposes.

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 8:8

¶ For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:

Isaiah 38:19

The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I [do] this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.

Job 15:10

With us [are] both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father.

Psalms 71:18

Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto [this] generation, [and] thy power to every one [that] is to come.

Psalms 78:3

Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

Psalms 78:6

That the generation to come might know [them, even] the children [which] should be born; [who] should arise and declare [them] to their children: