Job 15:30

Commentary on Job 15:30 (KJV)

Job 15:30 is part of Eliphaz the Temanite's second speech to Job, where he continues to argue that God punishes the wicked and that Job's suffering must therefore be a consequence of his own sin. Eliphaz, one of Job's three friends, is attempting to explain Job's immense trials through a conventional understanding of divine justice: the righteous prosper, and the wicked suffer. This verse specifically describes the inescapable and complete destruction awaiting the ungodly.

Context

In Job 15, Eliphaz responds to Job's lamentations (Job 13-14) by asserting that Job's words are empty and that he is showing disrespect towards God. He then launches into a detailed description of the miserable fate of the wicked (Job 15:20-35), painting a grim picture of their terror, poverty, and ultimate demise. This particular verse, Job 15:30, serves as a powerful summary of the wicked person's inevitable doom, emphasizing their lack of escape from divine retribution. The friends' arguments, while containing elements of truth about God's justice, are misapplied to Job's situation, as his suffering is not a direct result of personal sin but part of a larger divine purpose, as revealed later in the book.

Key Themes

• Inevitable Judgment: The verse strongly conveys the idea that the wicked cannot escape their deserved punishment. "He shall not depart out of darkness" signifies a perpetual state of doom and despair, without hope of relief or escape from judgment.
• Total Destruction: The imagery of "the flame shall dry up his branches" speaks to the complete eradication of the wicked person's prosperity, lineage, and future. Like a plant withered by fire, their growth and legacy are utterly consumed. This echoes a common biblical theme of the perishing of the wicked.
• Divine Authority: "By the breath of his mouth shall he go away" points to the supreme power of God. This can be understood as the wicked being swept away by God's decree or powerful word, similar to how God created the world by His breath (Psalm 33:6). It underscores that their end is by divine will, not by chance.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's poetic language in Job 15:30 uses vivid imagery.

• The Hebrew word for "darkness" (choshek) often signifies not just an absence of light, but also affliction, misery, and despair.
• "Flame" (lehabah) evokes a consuming fire, often associated with divine wrath or judgment.
• "Branches" (yoneqet, meaning 'suckling' or 'young shoot') metaphorically represents the prosperity, offspring, or future generations of a person. Its destruction implies the complete end of their line and legacy.
• "Breath of his mouth" (ruach piyw) is a powerful phrase. While "his" could refer to the wicked person's own breath leaving their body (death), in the context of divine judgment described by Eliphaz, it more likely refers to the "breath" or "word" of God, signifying a divine decree that brings about the wicked's swift demise.

Practical Application

While Eliphaz's application of these truths to Job was flawed, the verse itself conveys profound biblical principles regarding the consequences of persistent wickedness and God's ultimate justice.

• Consequences of Choices: It reminds us that there are indeed serious and inescapable consequences for a life lived in rebellion against God.
• God's Justice is Sure: Even when it seems the wicked prosper, this verse affirms that their ultimate end is one of darkness and destruction, executed by divine power. It calls believers to trust in God's perfect timing and justice, rather than despair over the temporary success of the ungodly.
• Avoid Hasty Judgment: The broader context of Job reminds us not to hastily apply such severe judgments to individuals, as only God truly knows the heart and purpose behind suffering.