Job 4:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 4:10, a pronouncement from Eliphaz the Temanite, masterfully employs vivid leonine imagery to assert a foundational principle of traditional wisdom: that the wicked, regardless of their perceived power or destructive capacity, are ultimately rendered impotent by divine judgment. This verse is embedded within Eliphaz's initial discourse with Job, where he endeavors to interpret Job's profound suffering as a direct consequence of unconfessed sin, firmly positing that God invariably shatters the strength of those who oppress and exploit others, much like a predator's instruments of destruction are decisively broken.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This potent verse is strategically positioned within Eliphaz's inaugural speech (Job 4-5), delivered immediately following Job's deeply anguished lament in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Profound Lament and Desire for Death"). Having cursed the day of his birth and expressed a profound longing for death, Job's despair sets the stage for his friends' responses. Eliphaz, the first of Job's three companions to speak, assumes the role of a seasoned sage, aiming to console Job by appealing to conventional wisdom, which rigidly links suffering to sin. In [Job 4:7](/job/4-7 "Job 4:7 - Eliphaz's Rhetorical Question of Innocence"), Eliphaz poses a rhetorical query: "Who ever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?" [Job 4:10](/job/4-10 "Job 4:10 - The Divine Breaking of the Wicked's Power") then serves as a powerful, illustrative culmination of his preceding argument in [Job 4:8-9](/job/4-8-9 "Job 4:8-9 - The Inevitable Reaping of Iniquity"), which declares that "those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same." The striking imagery of the lion's broken strength profoundly reinforces Eliphaz's unwavering conviction that God's justice inevitably dismantles the power of the wicked and oppressive.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the lion transcended mere animal status to become a ubiquitous and potent symbol of immense power, untamed ferocity, and regal authority. Its terrifying roar instilled widespread dread, and its formidable teeth were the quintessential instruments of its predatory dominance. Kings and powerful rulers were frequently depicted as lions, embodying not only strength and authority but also, at times, the potential for tyranny and oppressive rule. The arid regions surrounding Teman, Eliphaz's presumed homeland, were well-known habitats for lions, rendering the imagery immediately relatable and viscerally impactful for his audience. The concept of divine justice—where deities or the singular God would actively intervene to punish the wicked and safeguard the righteous—was a fundamental and widely accepted tenet of wisdom traditions across the entire region. While the book of Job ultimately presents a profound challenge to the simplistic application of this doctrine, Eliphaz's appeal to this deeply ingrained worldview would have resonated powerfully with his contemporaries, framing his argument within a familiar theological paradigm.
* **Key Themes:** [Job 4:10](/job/4-10 "Job 4:10 - The Broken Strength of the Wicked") contributes significantly to several pivotal themes within the broader narrative of Job and wider biblical theology. Preeminent among these is the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, as Eliphaz passionately argues for God's active and immediate intervention in human affairs to punish the wicked and uphold righteousness. The "breaking" of the lion's power serves as a potent symbol of God's absolute **Sovereignty** and His unparalleled capacity to dismantle even the most formidable earthly forces, reinforcing His ultimate control over all creation. Furthermore, the verse vividly portrays the **Downfall of the Oppressor**, utilizing the lion as a powerful metaphor for those who exploit, threaten, or inflict harm upon others. This imagery underscores the transient nature of evil power and the ultimate triumph of God's righteous order, a theme consistently explored throughout the Old Testament in passages concerning the ultimate fate of the wicked, such as those found in [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked and Their End") and [Psalm 58:6](/psalms/58-6 "Psalm 58:6 - Breaking the Teeth of the Wicked").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Roaring (Hebrew, _shᵉʼâgâh'_):** From the root שָׁאַג (sha'ag), this noun specifically denotes the deep, guttural, and terrifying sound made by a lion, primarily intended to intimidate and paralyze its prey. In the metaphorical context of Job 4:10, it signifies the loud boasts, menacing threats, and intimidating declarations of the wicked, who leverage their power to instill fear and assert their dominance over others. It speaks directly to their verbal aggression and the psychological terror they inflict upon their victims.
* **Fierce Lion (Hebrew, _shachal'_):** Derived from an unused root likely meaning "to roar," this term designates a fully grown, exceptionally powerful, and formidable lion, often associated with its characteristic predatory nature and immense destructive capacity. In this verse, it emphasizes the mature, unyielding strength of the oppressor, highlighting their full potential for violence and harm. The "voice" of such a lion suggests not merely a roar, but an authoritative command, a declaration of their intent to devour and destroy.
* **Broken (Hebrew, _nâthaʻ'_):** This verb, for נָתַץ (natats), is presented in the Niphal stem (passive voice), signifying "they are broken" or "they are torn out." It conveys a complete shattering, demolition, or tearing down. When applied to the lion's teeth, it powerfully signifies the utter destruction of their ability to seize, tear, and consume. This potent imagery communicates a decisive and irreversible divine judgment that renders the wicked entirely ineffective and harmless, stripping them of their primary means of oppression.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The roaring of the lion":** This initial clause refers to the intimidating threats, loud boasts, and terrifying presence projected by the wicked. Much like a lion's roar, their words and actions are designed to strike fear and assert dominance over their victims. It speaks primarily to the psychological and verbal aggression employed by those who oppress.
* **"and the voice of the fierce lion":** Building upon the preceding phrase, this emphasizes the authoritative and aggressive declarations of the most powerful and ruthless oppressors. The "fierce lion" (Hebrew: _shachal_) denotes a mature, formidable predator, whose voice carries the weighty intent of destruction and a readiness to act upon its threats, signifying a higher degree of malevolent power.
* **"and the teeth of the young lions":** This clause shifts the focus from auditory intimidation to the tangible, physical means of destruction and acquisition. "Young lions" (Hebrew: _kᵉphirim_) are still formidable and predatory, symbolizing those who are actively engaged in seizing, devouring, and inflicting harm upon others. Their "teeth" represent their instruments of oppression, their concrete capacity to inflict tangible damage and exploit.
* **"are broken":** This final, powerful declaration signifies the ultimate and inevitable fate of all these manifestations of wicked power. The verb implies a complete shattering, demolition, or tearing down, rendering the lion's roar, voice, and teeth utterly ineffective. It conveys God's decisive and irreversible judgment, stripping the wicked of their ability to threaten, command, or inflict physical harm. Their power, no matter how great or terrifying, is ultimately nullified and brought to nothing.

#### Literary Devices
Job 4:10 is profoundly enriched by its masterful use of **Imagery**, primarily through the extended **Metaphor** of the lion. The lion, a universally recognized symbol of immense strength, primal ferocity, and predatory power, is skillfully employed to represent the wicked and oppressive. The vivid descriptions of its "roaring," its "voice," and its "teeth" collectively create a palpable and terrifying sense of the threat posed by such individuals. The verse also employs a strong form of **Parallelism**, specifically a combination of synonymous and climactic parallelism. The phrases "roaring of the lion," "voice of the fierce lion," and "teeth of the young lions" build upon each other, each emphasizing a distinct aspect of the oppressor's destructive nature (auditory threat, authoritative command, and physical capacity for harm, respectively). The culminating clause, "are broken," serves as a powerful and decisive resolution, delivering the final, irreversible judgment that applies to all preceding elements. This strategic use of vivid, escalating imagery and a tightly structured parallel construction effectively communicates the overwhelming and inevitable power of divine retribution against evil.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Eliphaz's direct application of this principle to Job's suffering was profoundly misguided and ultimately proven incorrect, the underlying theological truth articulated in Job 4:10 remains a fundamental biblical conviction: God is absolutely sovereign over all earthly power, and ultimately, He will bring to an end the destructive forces of evil and oppression. This verse, though spoken from a flawed human understanding of suffering's causes, points to a core biblical assurance that the seemingly invincible power of the wicked is temporary, finite, and irrevocably subject to divine justice. It offers a profound glimpse into God's character as the one who champions the vulnerable, defends the oppressed, and decisively dismantles the strongholds of injustice, ensuring that no earthly power can ultimately thwart His righteous and holy will. The breaking of the lion's strength is a powerful and enduring assurance that God observes the actions of the wicked and will, in His perfect timing, act decisively against those who seek to devour others.

* [Psalm 58:6](/psalms/58-6 "Psalm 58:6 - Prayer to Break the Teeth of the Wicked")
* [Psalm 3:7](/psalms/3-7 "Psalm 3:7 - God's Deliverance from Enemies")
* [Psalm 10:15](/psalms/10-15 "Psalm 10:15 - Breaking the Arm of the Wicked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 4:10, despite its problematic placement within Eliphaz's misguided counsel to Job, nonetheless conveys a profound spiritual truth that resonates deeply with believers today: no matter how formidable, terrifying, or seemingly insurmountable the forces of evil and oppression may appear, their power is ultimately finite, temporary, and irrevocably subject to the sovereign hand of God. In a world frequently marked by pervasive injustice, rampant exploitation, and heartbreaking cruelty, this verse stands as a powerful, unwavering reminder that God not only sees the "roaring" and the "teeth" of those who seek to devour, but He also promises to decisively break their strength. For those who are experiencing oppression, grappling with overwhelming challenges, or witnessing widespread wickedness, this verse instills profound hope and cultivates an unshakeable trust in God's ultimate and perfect justice. It calls us not to despair in the face of evil's apparent triumph, but rather to anchor our faith firmly in the God who is mighty to save, whose judgment will one day render all destructive power utterly broken, harmless, and completely nullified.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the "broken" lion's power speak to your understanding of God's justice in a world that often seems to favor the wicked?**
* **In what specific ways might you be tempted to despair when faced with seemingly overwhelming evil, and how can the truth of this verse strengthen your faith and resolve?**
* **How does acknowledging God's ultimate sovereignty over evil influence your prayers, your actions, and your posture when confronting injustice in your personal life or in the broader world?**

### FAQ

**Why does Eliphaz use the metaphor of lions to describe the wicked?**

Answer: Eliphaz employs the metaphor of lions because, in the ancient Near East, lions were the quintessential and most powerful symbol of raw strength, untamed ferocity, and predatory behavior. They were renowned for their intimidating "roaring" that instilled fear, their powerful "voice" that commanded terror, and their razor-sharp "teeth" used to seize, tear, and devour prey. By comparing the wicked to various types of lions—the generic "lion," the formidable "fierce lion," and the actively predatory "young lions"—Eliphaz effectively emphasizes different facets of their destructive nature: their verbal threats, their authoritative and aggressive declarations, and their active capacity for physical harm and exploitation. This vivid imagery powerfully conveys that the wicked are like relentless predators who oppress and consume others, making their ultimate downfall, symbolized by their broken strength, all the more impactful and a clear demonstration of divine retribution. This aligns perfectly with the ancient wisdom tradition that God will ultimately dismantle the power of those who act like oppressive beasts, as seen in passages like [Psalm 7:15-16](/psalms/7-15-16 "Psalm 7:15-16 - The Wicked Fall into Their Own Pit").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 4:10 speaks of the breaking of the wicked's power in a general, earthly sense, its most profound and ultimate fulfillment is found in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "roaring lion" imagery finds its most significant spiritual application in [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - The Devil as a Roaring Lion"), where the devil, humanity's ultimate spiritual adversary, is vividly depicted as a "roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." This cosmic oppressor, who introduced sin and death into the world, wielded immense power, enslaving humanity and threatening to consume all. However, Christ, through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, decisively "broke" the power of this ultimate adversary. His victory on the cross disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), rendering the devil's "teeth"—his power to condemn, accuse, and destroy—utterly ineffective for all who are united with Christ by faith. The resurrection of Jesus is the definitive demonstration that the "roaring" of evil has been silenced and its destructive capacity "broken," powerfully foreshadowing the day when every enemy, including death itself, will be finally and completely destroyed ([1 Corinthians 15:26](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - The Last Enemy, Death")). Thus, Job 4:10, though spoken by Eliphaz in a limited context, points forward to the definitive and eternal triumph of God's perfect justice over all forms of evil through the finished work of Christ.

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

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.