Job 5:11

KJV

To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

KJV (with Strong's)

To set up {H7760} on high {H4791} those that be low {H8217}; that those which mourn {H6937} may be exalted {H7682} to safety {H3468}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He raises the lowly on high and lifts mourners to safety.

Berean Standard Bible

He sets the lowly on high, so that mourners are lifted to safety.

American Standard Version

So that he setteth up on high those that are low, And those that mourn are exalted to safety.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 5:11, spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite, encapsulates a profound truth about God's character: His divine inclination to uplift the humble and provide solace and security for those in sorrow. While embedded within a discourse that ultimately misapplies divine justice to Job's suffering, this verse stands as a testament to God's compassionate nature, demonstrating His active involvement in reversing the fortunes of the downtrodden and bringing them to a place of safety and exaltation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 5:11 is situated within Eliphaz's first speech to Job, specifically in the latter part of his argument in [Job 5](/job/5 "Job 5 - Eliphaz's First Speech"). Having begun with a defense of divine justice, asserting that suffering is a consequence of sin (as seen in [Job 4:7-9](/job/4-7 "Job 4:7-9 - Eliphaz's Argument on Suffering")), Eliphaz then shifts to an exhortation for Job to seek God. He posits that if Job were to humble himself and repent, God, being merciful, would restore him. Verse 11 serves as a hopeful promise within this framework, illustrating God's benevolent power to reverse misfortune for the righteous, thereby encouraging Job to acknowledge his presumed sin and turn to the Almighty. It functions as a rhetorical flourish meant to persuade Job of the universal principle of divine retribution and restoration, which Eliphaz believes applies to Job's situation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, likely during the patriarchal period, reflecting ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions. A dominant cultural belief, particularly among Job's friends, was the "retribution theology" or "deuteronomic principle," which posited a direct correlation between righteousness and prosperity, and wickedness and suffering. This worldview, while containing elements of truth about God's moral order, was often applied rigidly and simplistically, failing to account for the suffering of the righteous. Eliphaz's counsel, including [Job 5:11](/job/5-11 "Job 5:11 - God Lifts the Lowly"), is deeply rooted in this cultural understanding, where divine intervention was expected to either punish or reward based on human conduct. The concept of a God who actively intervenes in human affairs, particularly to bring justice or restoration, was a common theme in the religious thought of the time.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the Book of Job and broader biblical theology. It highlights **Divine Providence and Care**, emphasizing God's active and compassionate involvement in the lives of the afflicted. Even through Eliphaz's flawed lens, the verse powerfully portrays God as one who does not abandon the lowly but rather intervenes to uplift them. Secondly, it underscores the theme of the **Reversal of Fortunes**, a recurring motif throughout scripture where God often exalts the humble and brings down the proud, as famously articulated in [Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2:7-8](/1_samuel/2-7 "1 Samuel 2:7-8 - God's Power to Lift and Abase") and echoed in [Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1:52](/luke/1-52 "Luke 1:52 - Mary's Song of God's Reversal of Fortunes"). Lastly, the verse speaks to **Comfort for the Afflicted**, particularly those who mourn. It offers a message of hope, suggesting that grief and lowliness are not permanent states, and that God provides a path to security and peace, a truth later affirmed by Jesus in [Matthew 5:4](/matthew/5-4 "Matthew 5:4 - Blessed Are Those Who Mourn").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Low (Hebrew, _shaphal'_):** This word describes a state of being humble, abased, or brought low. It can refer to a literal low position, but more often in a spiritual or social sense, indicating a state of humiliation, poverty, or distress. In this context, it refers to those who are in a state of affliction or social disadvantage, contrasting with the idea of being "set up on high."
* **Mourn (Hebrew, _qadar'_):** This term literally means "to be dark" or "to be gloomy." It is often used to describe a state of deep sorrow, grief, or mourning, where one's countenance or circumstances are darkened by distress. It signifies a profound emotional and existential state of suffering.
* **Exalted (Hebrew, _sagav'_):** This verb means "to be high," "to be exalted," "to be inaccessible," or "to be made secure." When applied to God, it speaks of His transcendence. When applied to humans, it signifies being lifted to a position of safety, prominence, or security, often implying divine protection and elevation from a state of vulnerability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To set up on high those that be low;":** This clause describes God's active intervention to elevate those who are in a state of humility, abasement, or affliction. It speaks of a divine reversal of circumstances, where the downtrodden are not left in their low estate but are instead lifted to a position of prominence, honor, or security. This highlights God's power and His particular concern for the marginalized and suffering.
* **"that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.":** This second clause parallels and expands on the first, specifying the beneficiaries of God's uplifting action as those who are grieving or in deep sorrow. The phrase "exalted to safety" (combining _sagav_ with _yesha'_, "salvation" or "deliverance") emphasizes not just a change in status but also the provision of divine protection and deliverance from the dangers or distresses that caused their mourning. It promises a transition from a state of vulnerability and sorrow to one of secure well-being, brought about by God's benevolent hand.

#### Literary Devices
Job 5:11 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Antithetical Parallelism**, where the two clauses present contrasting ideas that illuminate a central truth. "Those that be low" is contrasted with "set up on high," and "those which mourn" are contrasted with being "exalted to safety." This structure effectively highlights the dramatic reversal of fortunes brought about by divine action. There is also **Metaphorical Language** at play, as "set up on high" and "exalted to safety" are not merely literal physical elevations but signify a profound change in status, security, and well-being. The verse functions as a **Proverbial Statement**, characteristic of wisdom literature, encapsulating a general truth about God's character and His interaction with humanity, even if its application by Eliphaz is flawed in Job's specific case.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Although spoken by Eliphaz, whose overall theological framework in Job is ultimately critiqued by God, Job 5:11 expresses a profound and enduring truth about the character of God. It reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent to human suffering, but actively involved in the affairs of His creation, particularly attentive to the cries of the afflicted. This verse underscores God's sovereignty and His compassionate justice, demonstrating His capacity and desire to reverse seemingly insurmountable circumstances, transforming sorrow into security and lowliness into exaltation. It speaks to a divine economy where true humility and reliance on God are met with His uplifting grace, a principle that resonates throughout the biblical narrative of salvation and redemption.

* [1 Samuel 2:7-8](/1_samuel/2-7 "1 Samuel 2:7-8 - Hannah's Prayer of God's Reversal")
* [Luke 1:52](/luke/1-52 "Luke 1:52 - Mary's Magnificat on God's Exaltation of the Lowly")
* [Matthew 5:4](/matthew/5-4 "Matthew 5:4 - The Beatitude for Mourners")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 5:11, despite its challenging context within Eliphaz's counsel, offers a powerful and enduring message of hope for believers today. It reminds us that God sees our deepest struggles, our moments of profound sorrow, and our seasons of abasement. His character is one of active compassion, desiring to lift us from our low points and bring us to a place of safety and exaltation. This doesn't promise an absence of suffering, but rather a divine presence and intervention within it. It encourages us to cultivate humility, knowing that God's grace flows most abundantly to those who acknowledge their need for Him. In our own times of mourning or feeling "low," this verse calls us to trust in God's ultimate providence, believing that He is working to bring about our good and His glory, even when the path is unclear. It challenges us to look beyond our immediate circumstances to the sovereign God who is able to reverse fortunes and provide ultimate security.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's character as one who "sets up on high those that be low" impact your perspective on personal struggles or societal injustices?**
* **In what ways might embracing humility, even in the midst of suffering, position you to experience God's uplifting grace?**
* **How can the promise that "those which mourn may be exalted to safety" offer comfort and hope in your own experiences of grief or sorrow?**
* **Considering the broader context of Job, how do we discern when a promise about God's character is a universal truth versus a misapplied principle?**

### FAQ
**How can we reconcile Eliphaz's words in Job 5:11 with the overall message of the Book of Job, which critiques his theology?**

Answer: While Eliphaz's overall argument for a direct, simplistic correlation between sin and suffering is ultimately rebuked by God (e.g., [Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God Rebukes Job's Friends")), individual statements made by Job's friends can still contain elements of truth about God's character. Job 5:11 is one such instance. The truth that God lifts the humble and cares for the afflicted is a consistent biblical theme, affirmed elsewhere in scripture. The problem was not the truth of the statement itself, but Eliphaz's rigid application of it to Job, implying Job's suffering was due to hidden sin and that his deliverance was conditional upon repentance for that presumed sin. The Book of Job teaches that God's ways are more complex than human wisdom can fully grasp, and suffering is not always a direct punishment for specific sin. However, God's nature as one who cares for the lowly and mourners remains a profound and enduring truth, regardless of the immediate context of its utterance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 5:11 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The one who "sets up on high those that be low" is perfectly embodied in Jesus, who, though "in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). He became "low" in His incarnation, identifying fully with humanity, experiencing suffering, and ultimately dying on a cross. Yet, it was precisely through this ultimate act of humility and suffering that God "exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - Christ's Exaltation")). Furthermore, Jesus is the one who truly exalts "those which mourn" to safety. He came to preach good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, and to comfort all who mourn ([Isaiah 61:1-3](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1-3 - The Spirit of the Lord on the Messiah")). His invitation, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to the Weary")), speaks directly to the promise of safety and solace for the afflicted. Through His atoning sacrifice, He offers ultimate deliverance from sin and its consequences, providing eternal safety and comfort through the Holy Spirit, the "Comforter" whom He promised ([John 14:16](/john/14-16 "John 14:16 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the divine principle articulated by Eliphaz finds its perfect and redemptive expression in the humble, suffering, and ultimately exalted Christ, who lifts us from our spiritual lowliness and brings us into His secure and eternal kingdom.

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

1 Samuel 2:7

The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

1 Samuel 2:8

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.

Luke 1:52

He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of low degree.

Luke 1:53

He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

Psalms 113:7

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

Deuteronomy 33:27

The eternal God [is thy] refuge, and underneath [are] the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy [them].

Psalms 107:41

Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh [him] families like a flock.