Job 4:10

The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.

The roaring {H7581} of the lion {H738}, and the voice {H6963} of the fierce lion {H7826}, and the teeth {H8127} of the young lions {H3715}, are broken {H5421}.

The lion may growl, the king lion may roar, but that old lion's teeth are broken;

The lion may roar, and the fierce lion may growl, yet the teeth of the young lions are broken.

The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, And the teeth of the young lions, are broken.

Job 4:10, spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite during his first discourse with Job, uses vivid imagery to convey a theological point prevalent among Job's friends: that the wicked ultimately face divine retribution. This verse declares the utter destruction and powerlessness of those who, like predatory lions, oppress and devour others.

Context

This verse is part of Eliphaz's initial response to Job's lamentations. Eliphaz, the first of Job's friends to speak, attempts to comfort Job by arguing from traditional wisdom that God is just and does not punish the innocent. His premise is that Job's immense suffering must therefore be a consequence of some hidden sin. In Job 4:7, he asks, "Who ever perished, being innocent?" He then proceeds to describe the fate of the wicked, using the powerful metaphor of lions to represent the cruel and oppressive, whose strength is ultimately broken by God.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Retribution: Eliphaz believes God actively intervenes to punish the wicked and protect the righteous. The breaking of the lions' teeth symbolizes God's absolute power to dismantle the strength of the unrighteous.
  • The Downfall of the Oppressor: The lion, a symbol of strength, ferocity, and predatory power, represents those who exploit or harm others. The "roaring," "voice," and "teeth" signify their aggressive threats, destructive actions, and ability to seize. Their being "broken" signifies their complete and utter defeat, rendered harmless and powerless.
  • God's Sovereignty: Underlying Eliphaz's argument, though flawed in its application to Job, is the truth of God's ultimate control over all creation, including the most formidable earthly powers.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew text employs a striking parallelism, repeating the imagery of lions to emphasize different aspects of their predatory nature:

  • "Roaring" (sha'ag): Suggests their intimidating threats and loud boasts.
  • "Voice of the fierce lion" (kol shachal): Points to their aggressive declarations and authority.
  • "Teeth of the young lions" (shinney kᵉphirim): Refers to their capacity for destruction and seizing prey.
The verb "broken" (nittatsu) is a strong term, implying a complete shattering or demolition, rendering the lions utterly ineffective. This vivid imagery powerfully portrays the swift and decisive judgment against the wicked.

Related Scriptures

  • The imagery of breaking the teeth of lions is also found in Psalm 58:6, where the psalmist prays for God to "break their teeth in their mouth, O God." This reinforces the idea of God's power over oppressors.
  • The lion is often used metaphorically in the Bible. While here it represents human oppressors, in 1 Peter 5:8, the devil is depicted as a "roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour," highlighting the spiritual enemy's destructive intent, which will also ultimately be broken.
  • The broader theme of God's judgment against the wicked is a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament, seen in passages such as Psalm 7:15-16 concerning those who dig a pit for others.

Practical Application

While Eliphaz misapplied this truth to Job, the principle remains: unchecked evil and oppression, though seemingly powerful, are ultimately subject to God's justice. This verse offers a profound reassurance that no matter how fearsome or destructive the forces of evil may appear, their power is temporary and will ultimately be "broken" by the sovereign hand of God. For believers facing injustice or oppression, it serves as a reminder that God sees and will act, bringing an end to the "roaring" and "teeth" of those who seek to devour.

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.

  • Psalms 58:6

    ¶ Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.

  • Proverbs 30:14

    [There is] a generation, whose teeth [are as] swords, and their jaw teeth [as] knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from [among] men.

  • Psalms 3:7

    Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies [upon] the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

  • Psalms 57:4

    My soul [is] among lions: [and] I lie [even among] them that are set on fire, [even] the sons of men, whose teeth [are] spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

  • Job 5:15

    But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.

  • Job 29:17

    And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
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