Job 4:14

Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.

Fear {H6343} came {H7122} upon me, and trembling {H7461}, which made all {H7230} my bones {H6106} to shake {H6342}.

a shiver of horror came over me; it made all my bones tremble.

fear and trembling came over me and made all my bones shudder.

Fear came upon me, and trembling, Which made all my bones to shake.

Commentary

Job 4:14 offers a powerful and visceral account by Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's three friends, describing a terrifying spiritual encounter he experienced. This verse is part of Eliphaz's first speech, where he attempts to explain Job's immense suffering by suggesting it must be a consequence of sin, a common but ultimately flawed theological viewpoint.

Context

This verse is the climax of Eliphaz's description of a profound vision. He introduces it by stating that a word was secretly brought to him, and his ear caught a whisper of it (Job 4:12). He recounts how thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, caused him dread (Job 4:13). The terror he describes in verse 14 sets the stage for his subsequent pronouncements, which he presents as divinely revealed truths about God's justice and humanity's impurity compared to Him.

Key Themes

  • Profound Fear and Awe: The verse vividly portrays an overwhelming sense of dread and terror that grips Eliphaz. This is not merely apprehension but a deep, physical, and psychological response to a supernatural presence, highlighting the immense power and holiness of the divine.
  • Human Frailty: Eliphaz's extreme reaction—"trembling, which made all my bones to shake"—underscores the inherent weakness and vulnerability of human beings when confronted with the spiritual realm or God's presence. It emphasizes how fragile the human body and spirit are in the face of the truly awesome.
  • The Nature of Revelation: Eliphaz uses this terrifying vision to validate his arguments, suggesting that his understanding of divine justice comes from a direct, albeit frightening, encounter with a spiritual entity. This raises questions about the interpretation and application of personal spiritual experiences.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "fear" here is pachad (פַּחַד), which often connotes a sudden, paralyzing terror or dread, rather than just reverential awe. "Trembling" is re'adah (רְעָדָה), signifying a deep, involuntary quivering or convulsion. The imagery of "made all my bones to shake" is a powerful, ancient idiom expressing a visceral, debilitating fear that affects one's entire being. This echoes other biblical accounts of individuals' physical reactions to divine encounters, such as Daniel's description of his strength leaving him after a vision.

Practical Application

While Eliphaz's conclusions about Job's suffering are ultimately challenged by the narrative of Job, his description of this terrifying vision offers several insights for believers today:

  • It reminds us of the profound, often overwhelming, nature of God's presence and the spiritual realm, which can evoke both reverential awe and deep fear.
  • It highlights the physical and emotional impact that genuine spiritual encounters can have on individuals.
  • It serves as a caution to always discern the source and message of spiritual experiences, as even profound visions can be misinterpreted or used to support flawed theological arguments, as was the case with Eliphaz's counsel to Job.
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Cross-References

  • Revelation 1:17 (3 votes)

    And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

  • Job 33:19 (3 votes)

    ¶ He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong [pain]:

  • Luke 1:29 (2 votes)

    And when she saw [him], she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

  • Habakkuk 3:16 (2 votes)

    ¶ When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

  • Daniel 10:11 (2 votes)

    And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

  • Job 7:14 (2 votes)

    Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:

  • Psalms 119:120 (2 votes)

    My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.