Job 5:17

KJV

¶ Behold, happy [is] the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, happy {H835} is the man {H582} whom God {H433} correcteth {H3198}: therefore despise {H3988} not thou the chastening {H4148} of the Almighty {H7706}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"How happy the person whom God corrects! So don't despise Shaddai's discipline.

Berean Standard Bible

Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

American Standard Version

Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 5:17, articulated by Eliphaz the Temanite, encapsulates a profound theological truth regarding divine discipline. Despite its misapplication to Job's unique suffering, this verse articulates the ancient wisdom tradition's understanding that God's correction is not merely punitive but a gracious and beneficial intervention. It calls for a posture of humility and acceptance towards the trials and reproofs emanating from the Almighty, recognizing them as instruments of spiritual growth, moral refinement, and tangible signs of God's active, loving involvement in the lives of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Eliphaz is the first of Job's three friends to respond to Job's raw lament in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament and Despair"). His initial discourse, spanning [Job 4-5](/job/4 "Job 4-5 - Eliphaz's First Speech to Job"), reflects a conventional wisdom theology prevalent in the ancient Near East, which largely posited a direct correlation between sin and suffering, and righteousness and prosperity. While Eliphaz subtly implies Job's suffering is due to hidden transgression (e.g., [Job 4:7-9](/job/4-7-9 "Job 4:7-9 - Eliphaz's Implication of Job's Sin")), he shifts in [Job 5](/job/5 "Job 5 - Eliphaz's Counsel and Hope") to offer a more hopeful, albeit still conditional, path to restoration. Verse 17 represents a pivotal turn in his argument, moving from general observations about divine justice to a direct exhortation for Job to embrace God's corrective hand, promising blessedness as a result. This shift reveals Eliphaz's pastoral inclination, even if his underlying premise about Job's guilt was ultimately incorrect.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in a patriarchal, pre-Mosaic era, likely in the land of Uz, a region outside of Israel proper. The cultural backdrop emphasizes a deeply ingrained belief in divine retribution, where prosperity was often viewed as a sign of God's favor and suffering as evidence of divine displeasure or punishment for sin. This "retribution theology" was a dominant framework for understanding God's interaction with humanity in many ancient Near Eastern cultures. Eliphaz's counsel directly reflects this worldview, where God is perceived as just and omnipotent, and human suffering is frequently interpreted through the lens of moral cause and effect. However, the book of Job itself profoundly challenges this simplistic understanding, revealing that suffering can occur for complex reasons beyond personal sin, a concept that would have been culturally revolutionary. The use of the name "Almighty" (Shaddai) for God was a deeply significant and ancient title, emphasizing God's omnipotence, self-sufficiency, and His power to provide and fulfill His purposes, particularly in covenant contexts.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Discipline as a Blessing**, challenging the natural human tendency to view trials as purely negative. Eliphaz asserts that true happiness, or blessedness, comes from being corrected by God, implying that discipline is a mark of divine care and active involvement, not abandonment. This idea resonates with later biblical teaching, such as in [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God Disciplines Those He Loves"). Secondly, it underscores **The Purpose of Chastening**, portraying God's discipline not as arbitrary punishment but as purposeful training and instruction aimed at spiritual growth and moral refinement. This concept is foundational to understanding God's fatherly love and His desire to shape His children. Thirdly, the imperative "despise not thou" emphasizes **Submission and Acceptance** to God's sovereign hand. It calls for humility and a willingness to receive correction, recognizing God's wisdom and authority even when His ways are difficult, echoing the wisdom found in [Proverbs 3:11-12](/proverbs/3-11-12 "Proverbs 3:11-12 - Not Despising the Lord's Correction").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Happy (Hebrew, _ʼesher'_):** From H835, this term conveys a deep sense of blessedness, inner well-being, and a fortunate state. It is often used to describe the profound contentment and flourishing that comes from walking in God's ways, as seen in [Psalm 1:1](/psalms/1-1 "Psalm 1:1 - The Blessed Man"). It signifies a state of spiritual privilege and profound satisfaction that transcends external circumstances.
* **Correcteth (Hebrew, _yâkach'_):** From H3198, this word carries a broad semantic range, encompassing to reprove, rebuke, convict, set straight, or even to bring to justice. In this context, it implies God's active intervention to expose error, bring conviction, and guide a person back to the right path. It describes a process of moral and spiritual rectification, often involving a challenge to one's conduct or understanding for the purpose of restoration.
* **Chastening (Hebrew, _mûwçâr'_):** From H4148, this is a rich and multifaceted term meaning discipline, instruction, moral training, or education. It encompasses the idea of shaping character through experience, often through hardship or correction. It is inherently constructive, aiming to impart wisdom, cultivate righteousness, and lead to maturity, much like a loving parent disciplines a child for their ultimate good.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, happy [is] the man whom God correcteth:":** The opening "Behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinneh_) serves as an exclamation, drawing immediate attention to a significant truth. The core assertion is that a person is truly "happy" or blessed when they are the object of God's correction. This statement challenges the natural human aversion to discipline, reframing it as a privilege and a profound sign of divine favor. It implies that God's active involvement in one's life, even through reproof, leads to a state of spiritual flourishing and right standing. The passive voice "whom God correcteth" emphasizes God's initiative and sovereign role in this transformative process.
* **"therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:":** This second clause is a direct imperative, presented as a logical consequence of the first. Because God's correction leads to blessedness, one must not "despise" (מָאַס, _mâʼaç_ – from H3988, to reject, scorn, disdain, abhor) His discipline. To despise it would be to reject a pathway to true happiness and to scorn the loving hand of the all-powerful God. The use of "Almighty" (Shaddai, from H7706) here reinforces the absolute authority, benevolent power, and sufficiency of the One who disciplines, urging humble submission rather than resentment or rebellion. It is a call to receive God's instruction with an open heart, trusting in His ultimate good intentions and wise purposes.

#### Literary Devices
Job 5:17 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its message. Firstly, it utilizes **Exhortation**, a direct appeal or command ("despise not thou"), which is a common feature in wisdom literature designed to urge the recipient to adopt a specific attitude and action towards divine discipline. Secondly, there is a profound **Paradox** at play: true happiness is found not in the absence of correction, but precisely in being corrected by God. This counter-intuitive statement challenges conventional human understanding of well-being, suggesting that genuine blessedness emerges from a process that might initially feel painful or undesirable. Lastly, the verse leverages the **Significance of Divine Names**, specifically "Almighty" (Shaddai). This ancient and powerful name, emphasizing God's omnipotence, self-sufficiency, and sovereign power, imbues the act of chastening with ultimate authority and benevolent purpose, reinforcing the imperative to not despise it, as it comes from the One who is fully capable and good.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 5:17, despite being spoken by Eliphaz with a flawed understanding of Job's unique suffering, articulates a profound and enduring biblical truth about the nature of God's relationship with His people. It highlights that divine discipline is not merely punitive but redemptive, a testament to God's steadfast love and unwavering commitment to the spiritual formation of those He calls His own. This verse connects to the broader theme of God's sovereignty over all circumstances, even suffering, and His ability to orchestrate them for ultimate good. It underscores the idea that God acts as a loving Father, refining His children through trials to conform them to His character and prepare them for His divine purposes. This perspective transforms suffering from a meaningless burden into a purposeful instrument in the hands of a wise, powerful, and loving God.

* [Proverbs 3:11-12](/proverbs/3-11-12 "Proverbs 3:11-12 - Do Not Despise the Lord's Discipline")
* [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God Disciplines Those He Loves")
* [Deuteronomy 8:5](/deuteronomy/8-5 "Deuteronomy 8:5 - The Lord Disciplines You as a Father Disciplines His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 5:17 offers a profoundly counter-cultural perspective on suffering and correction that remains deeply relevant for believers today. In a world that often seeks to avoid discomfort and pain at all costs, this verse invites us to reconsider the ultimate purpose of difficulties in our lives. It encourages us to view God's corrective hand not as a sign of His displeasure or abandonment, but as irrefutable evidence of His active, loving involvement and His unwavering desire for our ultimate good and spiritual maturity. When we face trials, setbacks, or the natural consequences of our own missteps, this verse calls us to adopt a posture of humility and openness, rather than succumbing to bitterness, resentment, or despair. It challenges us to trust implicitly that the "Almighty" is working, even through challenging circumstances, to refine our character, deepen our faith, and draw us into a more intimate relationship with Him. Embracing divine discipline means allowing God to prune, shape, and instruct us, recognizing that the temporary pain of correction leads to lasting spiritual fruit, profound wisdom, and a more profound experience of His blessedness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when faced with challenges or consequences that feel like "correction" from God?**
* **In what specific ways have I experienced God's discipline leading to positive growth or deeper understanding in my life?**
* **What does it mean practically to "despise not" God's chastening in my daily walk with Him?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that actively seeks to discern God's hand in difficult circumstances, even when the reasons are not immediately clear?**

### FAQ

**Is Eliphaz's advice always true, given that Job was righteous?**

Answer: While Eliphaz's application of this principle to Job's specific situation was incorrect (Job's suffering was not due to personal sin, as God Himself attested in [Job 1:8](/job/1-8 "Job 1:8 - God's Testimony of Job's Righteousness")), the general theological principle he articulates in [Job 5:17](/job/5-17 "Job 5:17 - Happy is the Man Whom God Corrects") is profoundly true and affirmed throughout Scripture. The book of Job ultimately challenges the simplistic "retribution theology" that Eliphaz represents, showing that suffering is complex and not always a direct result of sin. However, the idea that God uses trials and discipline for refinement and growth is a core biblical teaching, as seen in passages like [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God Disciplines Those He Loves") and [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2-4 "James 1:2-4 - Counting Trials as Joy"). So, while Eliphaz misapplied it to Job, the underlying principle itself remains valid and vital for understanding God's character.

**How can suffering or correction be considered "happy" or a blessing?**

Answer: The "happiness" or blessedness described in [Job 5:17](/job/5-17 "Job 5:17 - Happy is the Man Whom God Corrects") is not a superficial joy in pain, but a profound spiritual well-being that results from God's active involvement in one's life. When God corrects or disciplines, it is a definitive sign of His fatherly love and care, not His rejection or abandonment. Just as a loving parent disciplines a child for their ultimate good, God's chastening aims to refine character, impart wisdom, expose sin, and draw us into deeper communion with Him. The Bible consistently teaches that enduring trials with the right perspective produces perseverance, character, and hope ([Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3-5 "Romans 5:3-5 - Suffering Produces Perseverance")). Therefore, the blessedness comes from the spiritual fruit and deeper relationship with God that emerges from the corrective process, making the individual more aligned with God's will and eternal purposes.

**What is the difference between God's "punishment" and His "chastening" or "correction"?**

Answer: While the terms can sometimes overlap in common usage, biblically, there's a crucial distinction, especially for believers in Christ. "Punishment" primarily refers to the just penalty for sin, satisfying divine justice. For believers, the ultimate punishment for sin was fully borne by Christ on the cross ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")). "Chastening" or "correction" (from Hebrew _musar_ and _yakach_) for believers, however, is primarily a loving, disciplinary act aimed at instruction, training, and spiritual growth. It's not about condemning or exacting payment for sin, but about refining, guiding, and conforming us to God's image. [Hebrews 12:6](/hebrews/12-6 "Hebrews 12:6 - The Lord Disciplines Those He Loves") explicitly states, "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." This discipline, though it may feel painful in the short term, is always for our ultimate good, spiritual maturity, and a deeper experience of God's grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 5:17, with its emphasis on the blessedness of divine correction and the imperative not to despise the chastening of the Almighty, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the verse speaks of God's discipline for our good, Christ Himself perfectly embodied and endured divine discipline, not for His own sin, but for the sins of humanity. He was the ultimate "man whom God correcteth" in the sense that He submitted fully to the Father's will, even unto the ignominious death on the cross, demonstrating perfect obedience through suffering ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience unto Death")). His suffering was not for His own correction, but for our redemption, so that we might be reconciled to God and receive His fatherly discipline as beloved children, rather than as condemned sinners. Through His perfect sacrifice, the "chastening" that brings us peace was upon Him ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")). Now, as believers united with Christ, when we experience God's corrective hand, it is always through the lens of Christ's finished work. Our discipline is not punitive, but redemptive, designed to conform us more fully to the image of the Son who Himself learned obedience through what He suffered ([Hebrews 5:8](/hebrews/5-8 "Hebrews 5:8 - Jesus Learned Obedience Through Suffering")). Thus, the "happiness" of being corrected by God is realized in our union with Christ, who transforms our trials into opportunities for grace, growth, and a deeper participation in His own life and suffering ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son")). He is the perfect example of not despising the Father's will, even when it led to the cross, thereby enabling us to embrace God's discipline with unwavering hope and trust.

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

James 1:12

Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Psalms 94:12

¶ Blessed [is] the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

Proverbs 3:11

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

Proverbs 3:12

For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth.

Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Hebrews 12:5

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

Hebrews 12:11

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.