Job 5:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But he saveth {H3467} the poor {H34} from the sword {H2719}, from their mouth {H6310}, and from the hand {H3027} of the mighty {H2389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he saves the poor from the sword, their mouth, and from the clutches of the strong;

Berean Standard Bible

He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth and from the clutches of the powerful.

American Standard Version

But he saveth from the sword of their mouth, Even the needy from the hand of the mighty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 5:15, articulated by Eliphaz the Temanite in his initial discourse, powerfully asserts God's active and benevolent intervention on behalf of the vulnerable. It highlights divine protection and deliverance for the poor, rescuing them from multifaceted forms of oppression, including physical violence, verbal assault, and the overwhelming authority of the powerful. This verse underscores God's commitment to justice and His sovereign ability to intercede in human affairs, even as it functions within Eliphaz's broader, albeit ultimately flawed, theological framework concerning the nature of suffering and divine retribution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 5:15 appears within Eliphaz's first speech (Job 4-5), which serves as the initial response to Job's profound lament. Eliphaz, the first of Job's three friends to speak, attempts to explain Job's suffering through a conventional retribution theology: God is just, and therefore, suffering is a consequence of sin, implying that repentance will lead to restoration. Preceding this verse, Eliphaz describes God's wisdom and power in frustrating the schemes of the cunning, preventing the success of the wicked ([Job 5:12-14](/job/5-12-14 "Job 5:12-14 - God Thwarts the Schemes of the Cunning")). Verse 15 builds upon this portrayal of an active, just God, specifically emphasizing His protection of the marginalized. It reinforces Eliphaz's argument that God "sets on high those who are lowly" ([Job 5:11](/job/5-11 "Job 5:11 - God Elevates the Lowly")), leading into his subsequent counsel for Job to seek God's discipline as a path to blessing and restoration ([Job 5:17-27](/job/5-17-27 "Job 5:17-27 - The Benefits of God's Discipline")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the patriarchal era, likely in the land of Uz, a region outside of ancient Israel but within the broader Ancient Near East. In this societal milieu, the "poor" (`'evyon`) were exceptionally vulnerable, often lacking legal protection, social standing, or powerful advocates. They were frequently susceptible to exploitation, abuse, and violence from those with wealth, authority, or physical might. The "sword" represents literal physical aggression, warfare, or capital punishment. The "mouth" could signify destructive speech, false accusations, slander, or oppressive legal decrees issued by the powerful. The "hand of the mighty" broadly symbolizes the overwhelming oppressive power and authority wielded by individuals or systems that could exploit or harm the defenseless. While the concept of divine justice was paramount in ancient thought, the Book of Job uniquely challenges simplistic interpretations of retribution, delving into the complexities of suffering that extend beyond a direct, observable cause-and-effect relationship with sin.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the Book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, portraying God as an engaged, intervening deity who is not indifferent to human suffering but actively upholds justice, particularly for the downtrodden. Secondly, it emphasizes **God's Protection of the Vulnerable**, depicting Him as the ultimate defender of the poor, needy, and oppressed against the abuses of human power. This resonates deeply with the consistent biblical portrayal of God's heart for the marginalized, a theme evident throughout the Law and Prophets, such as in [Deuteronomy 15:7-11](/deuteronomy/15-7-11 "Deuteronomy 15:7-11 - Care for the Poor") and [Amos 5:11-12](/amos/5-11-12 "Amos 5:11-12 - Injustice Against the Poor"). Thirdly, from Eliphaz's perspective, it reinforces the theme of **Retribution Theology**, the idea that God justly rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked, and that deliverance comes through proper alignment with divine will. While the Book of Job ultimately critiques the rigid and unnuanced application of this theology to Job's situation, the truth contained within Eliphaz's statement about God's character as a protector remains valid. The verse also implicitly touches on **Power Dynamics**, contrasting the limited, often oppressive, power of humans with the supreme, liberating power of God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Saveth (Hebrew, _yashaʻ'_):** This verb, from H3467, means to be open, wide, or free, and by implication, to be safe. Causatively, it means to free or succor, implying an active, powerful, and decisive act of liberation. It suggests God intervenes to bring the oppressed out of a dangerous situation, providing salvation and rescue.
* **Poor (Hebrew, _ʼebyôwn'_):** From H34, this term denotes someone who is needy, destitute, or oppressed. It often signifies not just material poverty but also a state of social and legal vulnerability, emphasizing their helplessness and dependence on external aid or divine intervention for survival and justice.
* **Mighty (Hebrew, _châzâq'_):** Derived from H2389, this word describes those who are strong, powerful, or firm. While it can be neutral, in this context, it often carries a negative connotation, referring to those who wield their strength or influence in an oppressive, violent, or exploitative manner against the vulnerable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he saveth the poor":** This opening clause immediately establishes God's compassionate and active role. The pronoun "he" refers to God, highlighting His divine agency and power in delivering those who are most vulnerable, marginalized, and helpless in society.
* **"from the sword":** This phrase denotes literal physical violence, warfare, or execution. It represents the most direct and lethal threats to the poor, often inflicted by the powerful or encountered in times of conflict and instability.
* **"from their mouth":** This is a profound and nuanced image, referring to the destructive words, false accusations, slander, or oppressive decrees issued by the powerful. It implies protection from verbal assault, legal injustice, and the manipulative speech that can harm, condemn, or exploit the poor.
* **"and from the hand of the mighty":** This final phrase serves as a comprehensive summary of various forms of oppression. The "hand" symbolizes power, authority, control, and action, implying the oppressive grip, exploitation, and abuse of power wielded by those who are strong and influential in society.

#### Literary Devices
Job 5:15 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically a form of synonymous or climactic parallelism, where the various threats from which God saves are enumerated in a series: "from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty." This repetition of the preposition "from" emphasizes the multifaceted nature of the dangers faced by the poor and the comprehensive scope of God's deliverance. **Metonymy** and **Synecdoche** are also at play, where "sword" stands in for violence or war, "mouth" for oppressive speech or legal pronouncements, and "hand" for oppressive power or actions. These vivid, concrete images create a strong sense of the tangible threats faced by the vulnerable. The verse also utilizes powerful **Imagery** to paint a stark picture of the dangers (sword, mouth, hand) from which the "poor" require salvation, thereby underscoring the magnitude and necessity of God's protective intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 5:15, despite being part of Eliphaz's counsel which ultimately misapplies divine truth to Job's situation, articulates a profound and enduring truth about God's character: His unwavering commitment to justice and His active defense of the vulnerable. This verse aligns perfectly with the broader biblical narrative that consistently portrays God as the champion of the oppressed, the one who hears the cry of the needy and intervenes on their behalf. It highlights divine sovereignty over human power, asserting that no earthly might can ultimately thwart God's purposes or escape His righteous judgment. God is not a distant observer but an engaged deliverer, demonstrating compassion and providing refuge for those subjected to exploitation and abuse. This theological truth serves as a source of hope for the afflicted and a call to action for those who follow God to embody His justice.

* [Psalm 12:5](/psalms/12-5 "Psalm 12:5 - God's Help for the Poor and Needy")
* [Proverbs 22:22-23](/proverbs/22-22-23 "Proverbs 22:22-23 - Do Not Oppress the Poor")
* [Psalm 140:12](/psalms/140-12 "God Upholds the Cause of the Afflicted")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 5:15 offers both profound encouragement and a clear imperative for believers today. For those experiencing injustice, poverty, or any form of oppression, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God sees their plight, hears their cries, and is capable of active, powerful deliverance. It encourages unwavering trust in His divine providence, even when circumstances seem bleak and human solutions appear absent. It reassures us that our God is not indifferent to suffering but is deeply invested in the well-being of the marginalized. For those who are not directly experiencing such oppression, this verse serves as a compelling call to action. As followers of God, we are called to reflect His character and participate in His work of justice. This means actively advocating for the poor and marginalized, speaking out against injustice, and working practically to protect those vulnerable to exploitation and harm. It challenges us to use whatever influence, resources, or voice we possess to stand with the defenseless, mirroring the divine compassion and protective justice revealed in this passage. Ultimately, it reinforces our confidence in God's ultimate justice, knowing that He will deliver His people from all forms of oppression, whether physical, verbal, or systemic.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of God's active involvement in the world today, particularly concerning social justice issues?**
* **In what specific, practical ways can we, as individuals or communities, participate in God's work of "saving the poor from the hand of the mighty" in our contemporary context?**
* **How can we cultivate and maintain hope in God's ultimate justice when we witness widespread oppression and suffering that seems to go unaddressed?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that all suffering of the poor is due to oppression from the mighty?**

Answer: No, not exclusively. While [Job 5:15](/job/5-15 "Job 5:15 - God Saves the Poor") specifically addresses God's deliverance of the poor from external threats like the "sword," "mouth," and "hand of the mighty," it doesn't suggest that *all* poverty or suffering stems solely from oppression. The Bible acknowledges various causes of poverty, including natural disasters, personal choices, and systemic issues not directly tied to malicious intent. However, this verse strongly emphasizes God's particular concern for those who are made vulnerable by the powerful, highlighting His commitment to justice against exploitation and abuse. It points to a specific aspect of God's character as a defender of the defenseless, aligning with passages like [Psalm 82:3-4](/psalms/82-3-4 "Psalm 82:3-4 - Defend the Weak and Fatherless") which call for defending the cause of the poor and needy.

**How does Eliphaz's statement here fit into the overall message of the Book of Job?**

Answer: Eliphaz's statement in [Job 5:15](/job/5-15 "Job 5:15 - God Saves the Poor") contains a theological truth about God's character as a protector of the oppressed, which is consistent with the broader biblical witness. However, within the context of the Book of Job, Eliphaz (and the other friends) misapplies this truth to Job's situation. They operate under a rigid retribution theology, assuming Job's suffering must be due to his sin, and that God's deliverance is conditional upon Job's repentance. The book ultimately challenges this simplistic cause-and-effect understanding of suffering, revealing that God's ways are more complex and His justice not always immediately discernible or tied to human merit. While Eliphaz's words about God's protective nature are true in themselves, their application to Job's innocent suffering is where his counsel falls short, as God later affirms Job's righteousness and rebukes the friends for not speaking what was right about Him ([Job 42:7-8](/job/42-7-8 "Job 42:7-8 - The Lord Rebukes Eliphaz and His Friends")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 5:15, with its declaration of God's saving the poor from the sword, the mouth, and the hand of the mighty, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Eliphaz's words were part of a limited and often misapplied understanding of divine justice, Christ embodies the perfect manifestation of God's heart for the vulnerable. Jesus, though rich, became poor for our sakes ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Sake")), identifying fully with the marginalized and oppressed. His earthly ministry was characterized by an unwavering compassion for the poor, the sick, the outcast, and those burdened by sin, as proclaimed in His inaugural sermon ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims Good News to the Poor")). He did not merely save from physical swords or oppressive words but from the ultimate "hand of the mighty"—the power of sin and death itself, disarming the spiritual forces of evil through His cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Through His atoning work, He delivers all who are spiritually poor and oppressed by their sin, offering them liberation, righteousness, and new life in His kingdom, where true justice and eternal peace will reign ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning")). Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing the ultimate salvation that Job 5:15 foreshadows.

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 35:10

All my bones shall say, LORD, who [is] like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

Job 4:10

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

Psalms 140:12

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, [and] the right of the poor.

Psalms 10:17

LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

Psalms 72:4

He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

Psalms 109:31

For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save [him] from those that condemn his soul.

Psalms 10:14

Thou hast seen [it]; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite [it] with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.