Job 4:9

By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.

By the blast {H5397} of God {H433} they perish {H6}, and by the breath {H7307} of his nostrils {H639} are they consumed {H3615}.

At a breath from God, they perish; at a blast from his anger, they are consumed.

By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger they are consumed.

By the breath of God they perish, And by the blast of his anger are they consumed.

Commentary

Job 4:9 (KJV) is spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite, the first of Job's three friends to offer his perspective on Job's immense suffering. This verse encapsulates Eliphaz's stern argument that God's judgment is swift and decisive against the wicked, implying that Job's suffering is a direct consequence of his own unconfessed sin.

Context

Eliphaz opens his discourse by challenging Job's integrity, suggesting that only the wicked truly suffer such calamity. His theology is grounded in the belief that God is perfectly just and therefore only punishes the guilty. He presents his arguments based on what he claims is personal observation and even a divine revelation (Job 4:12-16). In the verses immediately preceding Job 4:9, Eliphaz speaks of those who "plow iniquity, and sow wickedness" (Job 4:8), asserting that "they" (the wicked) are the ones who "perish" by God's blast. His words are intended to persuade Job to confess an assumed sin, rather than acknowledging the possibility of righteous suffering, a central theme the book of Job explores.

Key Themes

  • God's Overwhelming Power: The vivid imagery of "blast" and "breath of his nostrils" powerfully portrays God's immense and immediate power to destroy. This is a common biblical motif that emphasizes God's omnipotence and control over all creation.
  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: Eliphaz firmly believes in a direct, immediate, and visible connection between sin and suffering. From his viewpoint, God's judgment is like a consuming fire against evil, leading to the swift and inevitable destruction of the wicked.
  • The Problem of Suffering: While Eliphaz intends to explain the cause of Job's suffering, his explanation is incomplete and ultimately proven wrong by the narrative. The book of Job challenges the simplistic cause-and-effect theology that suffering is always a direct result of personal sin.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "blast" (נִשְׁמַΧͺ, nishmath) and "breath" (Χ¨Χ•ΦΌΧ—Φ·, ruach) are closely related. While ruach often refers to the Spirit of God or life-giving breath (as in Genesis 2:7), here they are used in a destructive sense, indicating a powerful, consuming wind or expression of divine displeasure. The phrase "breath of his nostrils" is an anthropomorphism, attributing human features to God to convey the intensity and immediacy of His action, similar to expressions of divine wrath found in other Old Testament passages.

Related Scriptures

The concept of God's powerful breath or blast bringing judgment is a recurring theme in Scripture. For instance, the psalmist speaks of enemies being scattered by the rebuke of God's nostrils in Psalm 18:15, and the destructive power of God's word or breath is depicted in Isaiah 11:4, where the Messiah slays the wicked "with the breath of his lips." This imagery consistently underscores the ease with which God can execute His will, whether in creation or in judgment.

Practical Application

While Eliphaz's theology in Job 4:9 is flawed in its direct application to Job's situation, the verse still serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate sovereignty and power. It emphasizes that divine justice will ultimately prevail against wickedness. However, it also cautions us against making simplistic judgments about the suffering of others, as God's ways are often beyond our full comprehension (Isaiah 55:8-9). Instead of condemning, we are called to offer compassion and to seek deeper understanding of God's complex purposes.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Job 15:30

    He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away.

  • Isaiah 11:4

    But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:8

    And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

  • Isaiah 30:33

    For Tophet [is] ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made [it] deep [and] large: the pile thereof [is] fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

  • Psalms 18:15

    Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

  • Revelation 2:16

    Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

  • 2 Kings 19:7

    Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
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