Job 5:15

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

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

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

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

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

Job 5:15 is part of Eliphaz the Temanite's discourse to Job, offering his perspective on divine justice and the nature of suffering and prosperity. In this verse, Eliphaz highlights God's protective nature, particularly towards the vulnerable and oppressed.

Context

Eliphaz, one of Job's three friends, is attempting to comfort and counsel Job in his immense suffering. Throughout Job chapter 5, Eliphaz argues that God is just and that while He may discipline, He ultimately delivers those who turn to Him. He presents God as a powerful yet benevolent deity who intervenes in the affairs of humans, bringing down the proud and elevating the humble. This verse specifically emphasizes God's role as a protector of the marginalized, reinforcing Eliphaz's point about God's just and active involvement in the world. He has just spoken of God setting the lowly on high in Job 5:11.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Deliverance: The central message is God's active intervention to rescue the weak. He is depicted not as a distant observer, but as a compassionate defender who steps into human affairs to right wrongs.
  • Justice for the Oppressed: This verse underscores God's commitment to justice, particularly for those who are poor or vulnerable. He is portrayed as the ultimate safeguard against the abuses of power. This resonates with many other scriptures that speak of God's heart for the needy, such as Psalm 12:5.
  • God's Sovereignty over Human Power: The mention of the "sword" and "hand of the mighty" signifies the various forms of oppression and violence exercised by powerful individuals or systems. God's ability to save from these forces highlights His supreme authority over all human power.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "saveth" is yasha (יָשַׁע), which means to deliver, rescue, or save. It implies an active, powerful act of liberation.
  • "Poor" comes from the Hebrew evyon (אֶבְיוֹן), which refers to someone who is needy, destitute, or oppressed, often in a humble or afflicted state. It emphasizes their vulnerability.
  • "From their mouth" can refer to the destructive words, false accusations, or oppressive decrees issued by the powerful that harm the poor. It suggests protection from verbal assault and legal injustice.
  • "Hand of the mighty" (yad chazaq) symbolizes the oppressive power and authority wielded by those in positions of strength, often used to exploit or harm the vulnerable.

Practical Application

Job 5:15 offers profound encouragement and a call to action for believers today:

  1. Hope for the Oppressed: For those experiencing injustice, poverty, or oppression, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God sees their plight and is capable of delivering them. It encourages trust in His divine providence, even when circumstances seem bleak.
  2. Advocacy for the Vulnerable: As followers of God, we are called to reflect His character. This verse inspires us to be advocates for the poor and marginalized, to speak out against injustice, and to work towards protecting those who are vulnerable to exploitation and harm. This aligns with the call to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
  3. Trust in God's Ultimate Justice: While Eliphaz's counsel to Job was not entirely accurate regarding the cause of Job's suffering, his declaration of God's protective justice remains a timeless truth. We can rest assured that God is ultimately just and will deliver His people from all forms of oppression, whether physical, verbal, or systemic.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.
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