Job 15:31

KJV

Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let not him that is deceived {H8582} trust {H539} in vanity {H7723}: for vanity {H7723} shall be his recompence {H8545}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let him not rely on futile methods, thereby deceiving himself; for what he will receive in exchange will be only futility.

Berean Standard Bible

Let him not deceive himself with trust in emptiness, for emptiness will be his reward.

American Standard Version

Let him not trust in vanity, deceiving himself; For vanity shall be his recompense.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 15:31, uttered by Eliphaz the Temanite, delivers a stark warning against the peril of misdirected trust. It cautions individuals against allowing themselves to be deluded into placing their confidence in anything that is inherently empty, false, or without true substance. The verse then asserts a principle of inevitable consequence: those who foolishly invest their hope and reliance in such futility will find that futility itself is the only recompense they receive. This profound statement underscores the spiritual bankruptcy awaiting those who build their lives on deception rather than on enduring truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Eliphaz's second and most aggressive discourse to Job, found in [Job 15](/job/15 "Job 15 - Eliphaz's Second Speech"). Following Job's passionate defense of his integrity and his lament over his suffering, Eliphaz responds with intensified accusations, portraying Job as a man who has rejected wisdom and is therefore destined for the common fate of the wicked. Eliphaz, speaking from a rigid adherence to traditional retribution theology, believes that Job's suffering is a direct, divine punishment for hidden sin. In this chapter, he paints a vivid picture of the ungodly man's inevitable downfall, emphasizing their pride, folly, and ultimate destruction. [Job 15:31](/job/15-31 "Job 15:31 - The Futility of Trusting in Vanity") functions as a climactic pronouncement within this description, serving as a general truth about the consequences of misplaced trust, even if Eliphaz's specific application of it to Job was fundamentally flawed, a point God Himself later clarifies in [Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God Rebukes Job's Friends").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is a profound work of wisdom literature, likely set in a patriarchal society, possibly contemporary with the patriarchs or reflecting later ancient Near Eastern thought. The "friends" of Job, including Eliphaz, represent the dominant conventional wisdom of their era, which largely adhered to a strict doctrine of divine retribution: the righteous are blessed with prosperity, while the wicked inevitably suffer. This prevailing worldview, though containing elements of truth regarding divine justice, struggled significantly to account for the suffering of the righteous, as dramatically illustrated by Job's experience. The cultural understanding of "vanity" (Hebrew: _shav_) often encompassed not only material worthlessness but also idolatry, false gods, and anything lacking true substance or enduring reality when compared to the transcendent power and truth of the divine. The dialogues in Job highlight the intellectual and spiritual tension within this framework as characters attempt to reconcile human experience with their theological assumptions.
* **Key Themes:** [Job 15:31](/job/15-31 "Job 15:31 - The Futility of Trusting in Vanity") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Book of Job and broader biblical wisdom literature. Firstly, it addresses the **peril of deception**, warning against being led astray, whether by self-delusion, the deceit of others, or the seductive, empty promises of the world. Trusting in what is not real or true inevitably leads to a path of error and destruction. Secondly, the verse powerfully emphasizes the **emptiness of false trust**, particularly through the repeated use of "vanity." This term signifies worthlessness, futility, or inherent emptiness. Eliphaz warns against placing one's hope, security, or reliance on anything that lacks true substance, such as fleeting worldly possessions, human strength, deceptive ideologies, or even a distorted understanding of God's justice, rather than on the true God. Finally, it underscores the theme of **inevitable recompense**, asserting a principle of divine justice or natural consequence. The idea that "vanity shall be his recompence" means that what one sows, one ultimately reaps. If one invests their trust and life in emptiness, the reward will be nothing but emptiness, mirroring the broader theme of consequences for actions found throughout wisdom literature, though its specific application to Job's suffering is challenged throughout the book, culminating in God's vindication of Job in [Job 42](/job/42 "Job 42 - Job's Restoration and God's Rebuke of His Friends").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **deceived (Hebrew, _tâʻâh'_):** From the primitive root H8582, this verb means "to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both; (cause to) go astray, deceive, dissemble, (cause to, make to) err, pant, seduce, (make to) stagger, (cause to) wander, be out of the way." In the context of the passive voice "him that is deceived," it signifies a state of being led astray or lured into error, often through false promises or a distorted perception of reality, resulting in a wandering from the right path.
* **trust (Hebrew, _ʼâman'_):** From the primitive root H539, this word means "to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain." To "trust" in this verse implies placing one's firm reliance, belief, and confidence in something, expecting it to be steadfast, true, and supportive. The warning is against misplacing this foundational reliance.
* **vanity (Hebrew, _shâvᵉʼ'_):** From H7723, this potent term is central to the verse's meaning. It denotes "evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain)." In the Old Testament, _shâvᵉʼ_ is frequently used to describe idols or false gods (e.g., in the commandment against taking God's name "in vain," meaning for emptiness or falsehood, as in [Deuteronomy 5:11](/deuteronomy/5-11 "Deuteronomy 5:11 - The Third Commandment")). It emphasizes that anything apart from God is ultimately without true value, lasting benefit, or inherent substance, leading to disappointment and barrenness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity":** This opening clause issues a powerful admonition, functioning as a prohibitive command. It warns against the profound danger of placing one's confidence, hope, or reliance in anything that is false, empty, or ultimately worthless. The phrase "him that is deceived" highlights the state of delusion, whether self-imposed or externally influenced, that leads one to such a perilous misplacement of trust. The imperative "Let not" serves as a solemn caution, urging individuals to guard against being misled by the fleeting promises of the world or their own misguided desires.
* **"for vanity shall be his recompence":** This second clause provides the irrefutable reason and inevitable consequence for disregarding the preceding warning. It declares that the ultimate "recompense" or reward for trusting in emptiness is nothing more than emptiness itself. This is a statement of profound poetic justice, where the very object of one's misplaced investment (vanity) becomes the barren and unsatisfying return. There is no true profit, lasting gain, or genuine fulfillment to be found in such a misdirected investment of trust; only the bitter fruit of futility.

#### Literary Devices
[Job 15:31](/job/15-31 "Job 15:31 - The Futility of Trusting in Vanity") employs several literary devices to convey its powerful and sobering message. **Repetition** is prominently featured through the double use of the word "vanity" (Hebrew: _shâvᵉʼ_). This reiteration serves to emphasize the pervasive and inescapable nature of this futility, highlighting that both the object of misplaced trust and its ultimate outcome are one and the same: emptiness. This repetition also contributes to the device of **irony**, as the very thing one seeks to gain by trusting in vanity—some form of fulfillment, security, or benefit—is precisely what eludes them, replaced instead by more of the emptiness they embraced. The verse also functions as a form of **proverbial wisdom**, stating a general, universal truth about cause and effect and the consequences of moral and spiritual choices, even though Eliphaz misapplies this truth to Job's specific situation. The concise, declarative structure lends it an air of established, undeniable wisdom, characteristic of the didactic nature of much of the Book of Job's discourses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, despite its flawed application by Eliphaz to Job's suffering, articulates a profound theological truth about the nature of trust and its inevitable consequences. It aligns perfectly with the broader biblical emphasis on discerning true wisdom from folly and placing one's ultimate reliance on God rather than on transient or deceptive realities. The "vanity" spoken of here can be understood as anything that promises fulfillment, security, or ultimate meaning apart from the Creator – be it wealth, power, human philosophy, self-reliance, or false gods. The Bible consistently warns against investing one's life, energy, and affections in that which is fleeting and without eternal substance, asserting that such pursuits inevitably lead to disappointment, spiritual barrenness, and ultimately, ruin. True wisdom, conversely, involves recognizing the ephemeral nature of worldly things and anchoring one's hope, security, and identity in the enduring truth and faithfulness of God alone.

* [Ecclesiastes 1:2](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - Vanity of Vanities")
* [Jeremiah 17:5](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5 - Cursed is the Man Who Trusts in Man")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Job 15:31](/job/15-31 "Job 15:31 - The Futility of Trusting in Vanity") serves as a timeless and piercing warning for every individual, prompting a critical self-examination of where our deepest trust and hope genuinely reside. In a world saturated with fleeting promises and deceptive narratives—whether from consumerism's endless desires, social media's validation metrics, political ideologies' utopian visions, or self-help gurus' empty assurances—this verse challenges us to discern what truly holds lasting value. Are we, like the one "deceived," placing our confidence in temporary worldly pursuits, human achievements, or even our own flawed understanding of life, expecting them to deliver ultimate satisfaction or security? The stark reality presented here is that investing our lives, energy, and affections in that which is inherently empty or false will ultimately yield no lasting reward, but only the bitter fruit of emptiness. True wisdom, therefore, lies in recognizing the crucial distinction between genuine, enduring truth and deceptive, fleeting vanity, and consciously choosing to build our lives on a foundation that cannot fail, a foundation rooted in God's unchanging character and promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "vanities" in my life or culture might I be tempted to trust in for security, identity, or ultimate fulfillment?**
* **How can I actively discern genuine truth from deceptive promises and fleeting trends in today's complex and noisy world?**
* **In what practical ways can I intentionally shift my trust from temporary or false anchors to God's unchanging and enduring truth?**
* **What does "recompense" mean in the context of my own choices and where I place my trust, both now and eternally?**

### FAQ
**Was Eliphaz correct in his assessment of Job's suffering?**

Answer: While the general principle articulated in [Job 15:31](/job/15-31 "Job 15:31 - The Futility of Trusting in Vanity")—that trusting in vanity leads to futility—is a profound and true biblical concept, Eliphaz's application of this truth to Job was fundamentally flawed. Throughout their discourses, Job's friends, including Eliphaz, operate under a strict retribution theology, assuming that Job's immense suffering must be a direct consequence of his sin. However, the narrative framework of the Book of Job, particularly the prologue and the Lord's later rebuke, clearly demonstrates that Job was righteous and his suffering was not due to personal sin. God Himself rebukes Eliphaz and the other friends for speaking incorrectly about Him, stating, "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has" ([Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God Rebukes Job's Friends")). Thus, while the verse offers a valid warning about misplaced trust, its specific use by Eliphaz against Job was a misapplication of divine truth.

**What does "vanity" truly mean in this context, and how does it relate to modern life?**

Answer: In the context of [Job 15:31](/job/15-31 "Job 15:31 - The Futility of Trusting in Vanity"), "vanity" (Hebrew: _shâvᵉʼ_) signifies emptiness, worthlessness, futility, or falsehood. It refers to anything that promises substance, meaning, or fulfillment but ultimately delivers nothing of lasting value. This can include idols (false gods), empty promises, deceptive ideologies, or any pursuit that lacks true, enduring reality when compared to God. In modern life, "vanity" can manifest in countless ways: the relentless pursuit of wealth or material possessions for ultimate satisfaction, the worship of fame or social media validation, reliance on human wisdom or scientific advancements as the sole source of truth, or the belief that fleeting pleasures can provide lasting joy. The verse warns that placing one's trust in these "vanities" will result in a "recompense" of emptiness, disappointment, and spiritual barrenness, echoing the profound message of [Ecclesiastes 1:2](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - Vanity of Vanities") that "all is vanity" apart from God's eternal perspective.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Job 15:31](/job/15-31 "Job 15:31 - The Futility of Trusting in Vanity"), though spoken by a flawed human character, points to a profound truth that finds its ultimate answer and antithesis in Jesus Christ. The "vanity" that Eliphaz warns against is precisely what Christ came to abolish and replace. While the world, with its deceptive promises and fleeting allure, offers only emptiness as a "recompense," Jesus offers true substance and eternal life. He is not a deceptive promise or a fleeting hope, but "the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). In a world filled with philosophies and empty deceptions, as warned in [Colossians 2:8](/colossians/2-8 "Colossians 2:8 - Beware of Empty Deception"), Christ is the solid rock upon which one can build a life that will not fail. He is the "Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the very embodiment of truth and reality, contrasting sharply with the "vanity" that yields nothing. Trusting in Him means laying up "treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")) rather than investing in the perishable. He is the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) who truly satisfies, unlike the empty husks offered by the world's vanities. In Christ, the recompense for trust is not futility, but abundant and eternal life, a complete reversal of the grim warning in [Job 15:31](/job/15-31 "Job 15:31 - The Futility of Trusting in Vanity").

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

Isaiah 59:4

None calleth for justice, nor [any] pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

Psalms 62:10

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart [upon them].

Job 12:16

With him [is] strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver [are] his.

Galatians 6:3

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Galatians 6:7

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Galatians 6:8

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Job 4:8

Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.