Job 15:19

KJV

Unto whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Unto whom alone the earth {H776} was given {H5414}, and no stranger {H2114} passed {H5674} among {H8432} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

to whom alone the land was given -no foreigner passed among them.

Berean Standard Bible

to whom alone the land was given when no foreigner passed among them.

American Standard Version

Unto whom alone the land was given, And no stranger passed among them):

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 15:19 is a pronouncement by Eliphaz the Temanite during his second discourse, where he undergirds his argument against Job by appealing to the pristine wisdom of ancient ancestors. He posits that this wisdom originates from a pure, uncorrupted lineage, a time when the earth was exclusively bestowed upon a people untouched by foreign influence, thereby establishing a foundational state of righteousness from which, in Eliphaz's view, Job has clearly deviated through his suffering and presumed sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Eliphaz's second and more confrontational speech, immediately following Job's lament in [Job 14](/job/14 "Job 14 - Job's Lament and Hope for Renewal"). Eliphaz escalates his accusations, moving from veiled suggestions to direct condemnation of Job's supposed wickedness. Specifically, [Job 15:19](/job/15-19 "Job 15:19 - Eliphaz's Appeal to Pure Ancestral Wisdom") serves as the authoritative bedrock for the traditional wisdom Eliphaz is about to deploy. It follows his declaration in [Job 15:17-18](/job/15-17-18 "Job 15:17-18 - Eliphaz's Appeal to the Wise Elders") that he will impart what he has observed and what wise men have conveyed—wisdom passed down from fathers "to whom alone the earth was given." This verse thus establishes the unimpeachable historical and moral lineage of the wisdom Eliphaz champions, starkly contrasting it with Job's perceived novel and arrogant assertions of innocence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, wisdom was profoundly associated with age, tradition, and an unblemished, pure lineage. The concept of land as a divine inheritance, kept free from "strangers" or foreign defilement, held immense significance, particularly within Israelite thought where the promised land was considered a sacred trust and a sign of covenant faithfulness. Eliphaz's invocation of a pristine past, where the earth was given "alone" to a people untouched by external influences, taps into this deeply held cultural value. It suggests an ideal, perhaps even Edenic, state of existence where divine favor was unequivocally demonstrated through exclusive possession and purity, thereby bolstering the perceived infallibility and unquestionable authority of the wisdom derived from such an esteemed lineage.
* **Key Themes:** [Job 15:19](/job/15-19 "Job 15:19 - Eliphaz's Appeal to Pure Ancestral Wisdom") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Job and the broader Old Testament narrative. It prominently highlights the **Authority of Ancient Wisdom** versus individual experience, a core tension in the friends' arguments where they equate age and tradition with absolute truth, a perspective also articulated in [Job 12:12](/job/12-12 "Job 12:12 - Wisdom with the Aged"). Furthermore, the verse underscores the theme of **Purity of Inheritance and Land**, reflecting an ideal state of exclusive possession and freedom from foreign corruption, which in ancient Near Eastern thought was frequently linked to divine favor and righteousness. Underlying Eliphaz's entire speech is the conventional **Retribution Theology**, the belief that God blesses the righteous with prosperity and punishes the wicked with suffering, a theological framework also evident in [Psalm 1:3](/psalms/1-3 "Psalm 1:3 - The Blessed Man's Prosperity"). Eliphaz strategically employs this imagery of an untainted past as the very foundation for his argument that Job's current distress must inevitably stem from hidden sin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **earth (Hebrew, _ʼerets'_):** (H776) This term refers to the land, country, or even the entire world. In this context, it signifies a specific, divinely designated territory that was exclusively granted. The implication is that this land, and by extension the people who possessed it, were set apart and favored by God, forming the basis for their unique and authoritative wisdom.
* **given (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** (H5414) This verb denotes a direct bestowal or grant, emphasizing that the earth was not acquired through human effort or conquest but was a sovereign gift from God. This divine act of giving elevates the status of the recipients and the wisdom they inherited, rooting their authority in God's unmerited favor rather than human achievement.
* **stranger (Hebrew, _zûwr'_):** (H2114) This noun refers to a foreigner, an alien, or someone who is not part of the native community or family. Its absence in the verse signifies a state of pristine purity and integrity. The declaration that "no stranger passed among them" implies an environment free from external defilement, cultural dilution, or any challenge to the established order and the pure wisdom derived from it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Unto whom alone the earth was given":** This clause refers to the "wise men" and "fathers" mentioned by Eliphaz in [Job 15:18](/job/15-18 "Job 15:18 - The Wisdom of the Fathers"). Eliphaz asserts that these venerable ancestors received the earth as an exclusive, divinely granted inheritance. This establishes a critical premise for Eliphaz's argument: the wisdom he champions originates from a lineage that was uniquely blessed and untainted by external influences, thereby rendering their understanding of God's ways inherently pure, authoritative, and beyond question.
* **"and no stranger passed among them":** This second clause powerfully reinforces the notion of an uncorrupted and pure inheritance. The absence of "strangers" (foreigners, aliens, or those who might introduce defilement) signifies a pristine state of existence, free from external influences that could introduce impurity, disrupt the divinely established order, or challenge the received wisdom. This imagery paints a vivid picture of an ideal, perhaps even Edenic, past where divine order and human righteousness were perfectly aligned, providing an unblemished and unassailable source for the traditional wisdom Eliphaz is defending against Job's perceived innovations.

#### Literary Devices
In [Job 15:19](/job/15-19 "Job 15:19 - Eliphaz's Appeal to Pure Ancestral Wisdom"), Eliphaz skillfully employs several literary devices to bolster his argument and lend weight to his condemnation of Job. Primarily, he utilizes an **Appeal to Authority**, specifically the authority of the "ancients" or "fathers" whose wisdom is presented as unimpeachable because it stems from a pure, divinely favored lineage. This appeal is powerfully reinforced by the vivid **Imagery** of a pristine past: the phrase "the earth was given" evokes a profound sense of divine bestowal and exclusive possession, while "no stranger passed among them" paints a picture of an undefiled, uncorrupted state of existence. This imagery creates an ideal, almost Edenic, backdrop against which Job's current suffering and perceived deviation from traditional wisdom are starkly contrasted. The entire statement functions as a forceful **Assertion**, presented as an undeniable truth, strategically designed to establish the infallibility of the wisdom Eliphaz is about to expound upon, thereby implicitly undermining and discrediting Job's claims of innocence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Eliphaz's appeal to an untainted past and the wisdom of "pure" ancestors in Job 15:19 reflects a common, yet often flawed, theological perspective prevalent in the ancient world: that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin, and righteousness guarantees prosperity. While the Bible certainly affirms that sin has consequences, Eliphaz's rigid and unnuanced application of this principle to Job's unique and mysterious suffering demonstrates the inherent danger of reducing God's complex dealings with humanity to simplistic, formulaic explanations. The imagery of an exclusive, undefiled inheritance resonates deeply with the biblical ideal of a people set apart for God, living in a pure land, as prominently seen in the Mosaic covenant and the promises concerning the land of Israel. However, the pervasive reality of human sinfulness and the presence of "strangers" (both literal foreign influences and the spiritual defilement of sin) continually challenged this ideal, often leading to defilement and loss of inheritance. Eliphaz's statement, though ultimately misguided in its application to Job, nevertheless points to a deeper, universal human longing for a state of perfect purity and undisturbed communion with God, free from the defilement of sin and external corruption.

* [Job 12:12](/job/12-12 "Wisdom with the Aged"): "With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding."
* [Psalm 1:3](/psalms/1-3 "The Blessed Man's Prosperity"): "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
* [Deuteronomy 4:1](/deuteronomy/4-1 "Living in the Land"): "Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Job 15:19](/job/15-19 "Job 15:19 - Eliphaz's Appeal to Pure Ancestral Wisdom"), despite being spoken from a theologically limited and ultimately flawed framework, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a crucial reminder to approach human suffering with profound humility, deep compassion, and a resolute resistance to the temptation of offering simplistic, dogmatic explanations that may not align with the mysterious and often inscrutable ways of God. While there is undeniable and profound value in the timeless wisdom passed down through generations and the foundational truths enshrined in Scripture, true wisdom requires discerning nuance, spiritual humility, and a willingness to apply biblical principles with grace and empathy, rather than using them to condemn or oversimplify complex human experiences. The verse's imagery of an uncorrupted inheritance also speaks to a deep and universal human longing for purity and a righteous state, free from the defilement of sin and the pressures of external corruption. This resonates powerfully with the Christian hope for a renewed creation and a sanctified life, where we earnestly strive for holiness while recognizing that ultimate purity, freedom from "strangers" (meaning sin, death, and all corruption), and a perfect inheritance are found only in God's eschatological kingdom, fully realized through Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we discern between true, timeless biblical wisdom and rigid, potentially flawed traditions or interpretations that may misrepresent God's character or His dealings with humanity?**
* **In what ways might we, like Eliphaz, be tempted to offer simplistic, formulaic explanations for complex suffering, rather than sitting with mystery, extending compassion, and seeking God's perspective?**
* **What does the longing for an "undefiled inheritance," free from "strangers," mean for our spiritual lives today, and how does it inform our hope for God's coming kingdom?**

### FAQ
**Why does Eliphaz appeal to "ancient wisdom" here?**

Answer: Eliphaz appeals to "ancient wisdom" in [Job 15:19](/job/15-19 "Job 15:19 - Eliphaz's Appeal to Pure Ancestral Wisdom") to imbue his arguments against Job with an air of unquestionable authority and infallibility. In the ancient world, wisdom was often inextricably linked with age, tradition, and a pure, unbroken lineage. By asserting that his wisdom originates from "wise men" whose ancestors received the earth "alone" and without "strangers" passing among them, Eliphaz implies that this knowledge is pristine, untainted by modern (Job's) deviations, and therefore undeniably true. It is a common rhetorical device employed to assert the weighty authority of tradition over individual experience or unique circumstances, aiming to silence Job's claims of innocence by contrasting them with what Eliphaz presents as an unassailable, divinely sanctioned truth.

**What is the significance of "no stranger passed among them"?**

Answer: The phrase "no stranger passed among them" carries profound significance as it emphasizes an ideal state of purity, exclusivity, and absolute freedom from defilement or disruption. In ancient Near Eastern thought, foreign influence was often perceived as corrupting, potentially introducing idolatry, impure practices, or simply diluting the unique identity and divine covenant of a people. Eliphaz strategically employs this imagery to paint a picture of an ideal, pristine past where the ancestors of the "wise men" lived in a state of perfect righteousness and divine favor, powerfully symbolized by their exclusive, undefiled inheritance of the earth. This ideal past serves as a crucial benchmark for what Eliphaz believes true righteousness entails, and by implication, he contrasts it sharply with Job's current state, subtly suggesting that Job has somehow allowed "strangers" (perhaps sin, suffering, or a departure from traditional piety) to "pass among" him, thereby leading to his calamity and loss of favor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Eliphaz's ideal of a pure, undefiled inheritance, given "alone" to a righteous lineage and free from "strangers," points prophetically and profoundly to the ultimate reality found in Jesus Christ. Humanity's true "stranger" is sin, which fundamentally defiled creation, alienated us from God, and caused us to forfeit our original spiritual inheritance (cf. [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin Entered the World")). Yet, in Christ, the [true Israel](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham is Christ") and the perfect Son and heir, this lost inheritance is not merely restored but infinitely surpassed and secured. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus perfectly purifies us, removing the defilement of sin and transforming us, who were once "strangers and aliens" to God's covenant, into [fellow citizens with the saints and cherished members of God's own household](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints"). The deep human longing for a perfectly pure, undefiled dwelling place, where "no stranger passed among them," finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the new heaven and new earth, the New Jerusalem, where [God Himself will dwell intimately with His people](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with Humanity"), and [nothing unclean, nothing that defiles, will ever enter](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Nothing Unclean Enters New Jerusalem"). In Christ, we receive an [inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable"), a divine gift that truly belongs "alone" to those who are united with Him, secured eternally by His perfect righteousness and sovereign grace.

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

Joel 3:17

So shall ye know that I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

Genesis 10:32

These [are] the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.

Deuteronomy 32:8

When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

Genesis 10:25

And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one [was] Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name [was] Joktan.