Job 15:24

KJV

Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.

KJV (with Strong's)

Trouble {H6862} and anguish {H4691} shall make him afraid {H1204}; they shall prevail {H8630} against him, as a king {H4428} ready {H6264} to the battle {H3593}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Distress and anguish overwhelm him, assaulting him like a king about to enter battle.

Berean Standard Bible

Distress and anguish terrify him, overwhelming him like a king poised to attack.

American Standard Version

Distress and anguish make him afraid; They prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 15:24 encapsulates Eliphaz the Temanite's harsh and flawed theological perspective, asserting that "Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle." This verse, part of his second discourse, vividly portrays the inevitable and overwhelming defeat Eliphaz believes awaits the wicked, employing the powerful metaphor of an unstoppable, conquering monarch to describe the terror and subjugation they will experience under divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Eliphaz's second response to Job, found in [Job 15](/job/15 "Job 15 - Eliphaz's Second Speech"). Following Job's profound lament in [Job 14](/job/14 "Job 14 - Job's Lament on the Brevity of Life"), Eliphaz intensifies his condemnation, accusing Job of undermining piety and wisdom. His speech, spanning [Job 15:1-35](/job/15 "Job 15 - Eliphaz's Second Speech"), reiterates the traditional wisdom tenet that suffering is a direct consequence of sin. Eliphaz, speaking on behalf of Job's friends, consistently misapplies this principle, assuming Job's immense suffering must stem from equally great hidden wickedness. Verse 24 specifically contributes to a lengthy and vivid description of the terrifying and inescapable fate of the wicked, designed to implicitly convict Job of unconfessed sin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, a region where wisdom literature flourished and profoundly shaped societal understanding. A prevailing belief, often termed "retribution theology," held that God consistently rewards the righteous with prosperity and punishes the wicked with suffering. This was a common framework for understanding divine justice and causality. Eliphaz, representing this traditional view, draws upon common societal fears and experiences—such as the terror of an invading army or the absolute power of a conquering king—to illustrate his point. The imagery of a "king ready to the battle" would have resonated deeply with a people familiar with the realities of warfare and the absolute, often terrifying, authority of monarchs. This cultural understanding of justice and its perceived manifestations played a significant role in shaping the arguments presented by Job's friends.
* **Key Themes:** Job 15:24 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Firstly, it highlights the **misguided nature of retribution theology** as espoused by Job's friends. Their simplistic equation of suffering with sin is the central theological error the book ultimately refutes, culminating in God's direct rebuke of them in [Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God Rebukes Job's Friends"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **overwhelming nature of adversity** and the profound human experience of fear and helplessness when confronted by it. "Trouble and anguish" are personified as formidable, conquering forces, illustrating the psychological and spiritual impact of suffering. Thirdly, it underscores the theme of **divine justice**, albeit from a human perspective that fails to grasp its true complexity and sovereignty. Eliphaz's portrayal of a God who inevitably brings terror upon the wicked contrasts sharply with the book's ultimate revelation of a God who allows suffering for purposes beyond human comprehension, as seen in the divine speeches of [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - The Lord's Speeches to Job").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Trouble (Hebrew, _tsar'_):** From the root meaning "to crowd" or "be narrow," this term (H6862) denotes distress, tribulation, anguish, or affliction. It refers to a state of being hemmed in or constricted, implying a severe, oppressive situation that causes great psychological and emotional pain. It's a broad term for any form of deep difficulty or adversity.
* **Anguish (Hebrew, _mᵉtsûwqâh'_):** This term (H4691) emphasizes extreme pressure, straits, or distress. It often describes a narrow, confined, or desperate situation, reinforcing the idea of being trapped or without escape. Combined with "trouble," it paints a picture of profound and inescapable agony, a feeling of being crushed by circumstances.
* **Prevail (Hebrew, _tâqaph'_):** A primitive root (H8630) meaning "to overpower" or "to be strong," this verb signifies a violent overcoming, an assault that leaves no room for resistance. It suggests that these forces of trouble and anguish will not merely affect but utterly conquer and subjugate the individual, leaving them helpless and defeated.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid":** This opening clause establishes the initial emotional and psychological impact of the calamities. "Trouble" and "anguish" are presented as active agents that directly induce profound fear in the individual. This suggests an internal terror caused by external circumstances, emphasizing the deep psychological torment that precedes and accompanies the impending doom.
* **"they shall prevail against him":** This phrase intensifies the previous one, indicating that the fear is not merely a transient emotion but a precursor to complete subjugation. "Trouble and anguish" are not just frightening but are powerful, conquering forces that will utterly overcome and conquer the individual, leaving them helpless, defeated, and without any means of resistance.
* **"as a king ready to the battle":** This powerful simile provides the vivid imagery for the previous clauses. The "king ready to the battle" evokes a monarch who is fully prepared, determined, and confident of victory, having mustered all his forces and strategies. This comparison highlights the formidable, organized, and unstoppable nature of the adversity, making the defeat of the "wicked" seem inevitable, absolute, and without any hope of escape or successful resistance.

#### Literary Devices
Eliphaz employs several potent literary devices in Job 15:24 to convey his message of inevitable doom for the wicked. The most prominent is **Simile**, explicitly stated in "as a king ready to the battle." This comparison vividly illustrates the overwhelming and unstoppable nature of the "trouble and anguish" that Eliphaz believes will befall the wicked. The image of a prepared king suggests a force that is organized, powerful, and certain of victory, leaving no doubt about the absolute and final outcome for the one being attacked. Complementing this is **Personification**, where "trouble and anguish" are given human-like agency: they "shall make him afraid" and "shall prevail against him." This device transforms abstract concepts of suffering into active, malevolent entities, making the threat feel more immediate, formidable, and personal. The combined effect of these devices is to create a sense of inescapable doom and terror for the one targeted by divine judgment, according to Eliphaz's flawed theological framework.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 15:24, while spoken from a flawed theological premise, powerfully articulates the human experience of being overwhelmed by adversity. Eliphaz's words reflect a common ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine retribution, where suffering was directly linked to sin. However, the book of Job ultimately challenges this simplistic view, revealing a God whose ways are far more complex and whose purposes for allowing suffering are often beyond human comprehension. The verse highlights the profound fear and helplessness that can grip an individual when confronted by seemingly insurmountable challenges, whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual. It implicitly raises fundamental questions about the nature of divine justice, the source of suffering, and the true character of God, setting the stage for the book's deeper exploration of these mysteries.

* [Psalm 46:1](/psalm/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God is Our Refuge and Strength")
* [2 Corinthians 1:3-4](/2_corinthians/1-3-4 "2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - God of All Comfort")
* [Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 15:24, though part of a misguided argument, serves as a poignant reminder of the human condition when faced with overwhelming adversity. It vividly portrays the fear and helplessness that can grip us when "trouble and anguish" descend, feeling like an unstoppable force. For us today, this verse should prompt deep reflection on how we perceive and respond to suffering, both our own and that of others. It cautions us against the simplistic judgment that Eliphaz and his friends employed, reminding us that not all suffering is a direct consequence of specific sin. Instead, we are called to empathy and compassion, recognizing that life's trials can indeed feel like a "king ready to the battle." Our application should focus on cultivating a trust in God that transcends our limited understanding of His ways, finding refuge and comfort in Him even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly bleak and our human strength fails. This verse invites us to consider where our ultimate security lies when faced with life's fiercest battles.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I tend to interpret suffering in my own life or the lives of others? Do I sometimes fall into the trap of simplistic cause-and-effect judgment, similar to Eliphaz?**
* **When "trouble and anguish" feel like an overwhelming force in my life, what is my immediate response? Do I succumb to fear, or do I seek refuge and strength in God?**
* **How can the broader message of the book of Job, which refutes Eliphaz's theology, shape my perspective on unexplainable suffering and cultivate deeper trust in God's sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**What was Eliphaz's main point in Job 15:24?**

Answer: Eliphaz's main point in [Job 15:24](/job/15-24 "Job 15:24 - The Fate of the Wicked") was to assert that the wicked are inevitably consumed by their troubles and fears, facing a terrifying and unstoppable defeat. He believed that Job's immense suffering was undeniable proof of his wickedness, and this verse was part of his broader argument describing the dire and inescapable fate that awaits those who, in his view, defy God or wisdom. He used this vivid imagery to impress upon Job the severity of the divine judgment he believed Job was experiencing.

**How does this verse relate to the overall message of the book of Job?**

Answer: While [Job 15:24](/job/15-24 "Job 15:24 - The Fate of the Wicked") vividly describes the experience of overwhelming fear and defeat, its profound significance within the book of Job lies primarily in highlighting the *flawed theology* of Job's friends. The book ultimately refutes the simplistic retribution theology that Eliphaz champions here. Despite the powerful imagery, the book's larger message, particularly through God's speeches in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - The Lord's Speeches to Job") and His vindication of Job in [Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God Rebukes Job's Friends"), demonstrates that suffering is not always a direct punishment for sin. Instead, it reveals that God's ways are far more mysterious, sovereign, and complex than human wisdom can comprehend, challenging our assumptions about divine justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Though spoken from a human perspective steeped in a flawed theology of retribution, Job 15:24, with its stark portrayal of overwhelming trouble and anguish, ultimately finds its profoundest answer and reversal in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, indeed, is vulnerable to the "trouble and anguish" of sin, death, and the fallen world, which can feel like an unstoppable "king ready to the battle." Yet, in Christ, we find the ultimate conqueror of these forces. Jesus willingly faced the full onslaught of trouble and anguish, enduring the cross, where the weight of the world's sin and the wrath of God "prevailed against him" in a way no mere human could withstand ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). However, His death was not the end; through His glorious resurrection, Christ decisively triumphed over death and the grave, disarming the "principalities and powers" that once held humanity captive ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Thus, for those in Christ, while trouble and anguish may still be a reality in this life ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - In the World You Will Have Tribulation")), they no longer have the final victory. The "king ready to the battle" has been defeated by the true King of kings, who offers not condemnation, but comfort, peace, and eternal victory to all who believe ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors Through Him")).

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

Proverbs 6:11

So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

Isaiah 13:3

I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, [even] them that rejoice in my highness.

Job 6:2

Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

Job 6:4

For the arrows of the Almighty [are] within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

Proverbs 24:34

So shall thy poverty come [as] one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Psalms 119:143

¶ Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: [yet] thy commandments [are] my delights.

Romans 2:9

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;