Job 17:5

He that speaketh flattery to [his] friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

He that speaketh {H5046} flattery {H2506} to his friends {H7453}, even the eyes {H5869} of his children {H1121} shall fail {H3615}.

Should people share with their friends when their own children's eyes are so sad?

If a man denounces his friends for a price, the eyes of his children will fail.

He that denounceth his friends for a prey, Even the eyes of his children shall fail.

Commentary on Job 17:5 (KJV)

Job 17:5 delivers a stark warning against the dangers of insincere speech, particularly flattery, and its devastating long-term consequences, even extending to one's descendants. It challenges the listener to consider the profound impact of their words and the importance of genuine integrity.

Context

This verse is spoken by Job amidst his profound suffering and his exasperating dialogue with his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Job feels betrayed and misunderstood, believing his friends are offering false comfort or accusations disguised as wisdom, rather than genuine empathy. While Job himself is the speaker and is lamenting his own perceived unjust suffering, he articulates a universal principle about the moral decay caused by deceitful words. In a sense, Job's friends are speaking words that are not truly helpful or truthful, failing to genuinely see Job's plight, thus ironically fitting the spirit of the warning Job himself issues.

Key Themes

  • The Peril of Flattery and Insincerity: Flattery, in this context, is not merely polite speech but deceptive words spoken with ulterior motives, designed to manipulate, gain favor, or betray truth. It highlights the moral corruption of using words to undermine genuine relationship and honesty. The Bible consistently warns against such deceitful communication, for instance, in Proverbs 29:5, which states, "A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet."
  • Generational Consequences of Sin: The phrase "even the eyes of his children shall fail" points to a severe, generational impact. It suggests that the children will suffer from a lack of hope, vision, or future prospects, perhaps even facing deep disappointment, loss of inheritance, or premature demise due to the parent's moral failings. This reflects an ancient understanding of corporate responsibility, where the actions of the head of the household could have profound effects on the entire family. This concept is also seen in passages like Exodus 20:5, which speaks of the iniquity of parents affecting children.
  • Integrity of Speech: The verse underscores the biblical emphasis on the importance of honest and sincere communication. God values truthfulness, and deceitful speech is consistently condemned throughout Scripture as antithetical to His nature and destructive to human relationships.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translation of "flattery" (Hebrew: cheleq, which can mean 'portion', 'smoothness', or 'treachery' depending on context) captures the essence of insincere, manipulative speech delivered for personal gain or betrayal. The focus is on speech that is not genuinely truthful or beneficial. The word "fail" (Hebrew: kalah) signifies to be finished, consumed, or to waste away. Applied to the eyes, it suggests dimness, blindness, or the utter disappointment and exhaustion of hope, looking in vain for a future or for help, indicating a tragic end or a bleak outlook for the descendants.

Practical Application

Job 17:5 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of insincerity and deceit in our relationships. It challenges us to consider the integrity of our words: Are we speaking truth in love, or are our words motivated by self-interest, manipulation, or a desire to merely please others without genuine conviction? The verse reminds us that our actions and words have far-reaching consequences, not only for ourselves but potentially for future generations. Cultivating honesty and integrity in our speech is vital for building healthy relationships and fostering a legacy of truth. It encourages us to be people of genuine conviction, whose 'yes' is 'yes' and 'no' is 'no,' reflecting the call to let our communication be straightforward.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Proverbs 20:19

    ¶ He that goeth about [as] a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

  • Psalms 12:2

    They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: [with] flattering lips [and] with a double heart do they speak.

  • Psalms 12:3

    The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, [and] the tongue that speaketh proud things:

  • Job 11:20

    But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope [shall be as] the giving up of the ghost.

  • 1 Kings 11:12

    Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: [but] I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

  • Deuteronomy 28:65

    And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:

  • Job 32:21

    Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

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