Job 5:19

KJV

He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

He shall deliver {H5337} thee in six {H8337} troubles {H6869}: yea, in seven {H7651} there shall no evil {H7451} touch {H5060} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

He will rescue you from six disasters; yes, in seven no harm will touch you.

Berean Standard Bible

He will rescue you from six calamities; no harm will touch you in seven.

American Standard Version

He will deliver thee in six troubles; Yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 5:19, part of Eliphaz the Temanite's initial counsel to Job, asserts a profound promise of comprehensive divine deliverance. It declares that God will rescue an individual from a multitude of adversities, ensuring that no ultimate harm or calamity touches them. While this statement highlights God's inherent power and willingness to intervene, Eliphaz's application of this truth to Job's suffering is rooted in a limited, conditional retribution theology, failing to grasp the deeper complexities of God's sovereign purposes and the nature of human suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 5:19 is situated within Eliphaz's first speech to Job, specifically following his exhortation to accept God's discipline in [Job 5:17-18](/job/5-17-18 "Job 5:17-18 - Eliphaz on God's Discipline"). Eliphaz, attempting to explain Job's immense suffering, operates from a traditional wisdom framework that posits a direct correlation between sin and suffering, and righteousness and prosperity. He implies that Job's calamities are a form of divine correction, and that if Job would humble himself and repent, God would restore him. Verse 19, therefore, functions as a conditional promise of restoration and protection, presented as the natural outcome of a repentant heart. This perspective sets the stage for the book's central theological debate, as Job vehemently denies his guilt and challenges this simplistic understanding of divine justice, which is ultimately affirmed as flawed by God Himself in [Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God Rebukes Job's Friends").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set against the backdrop of ancient Near Eastern (ANE) thought, where "retribution theology" was a dominant worldview, particularly within wisdom traditions. This belief system held that the gods (or God, in Israelite thought) meticulously rewarded the righteous with prosperity and punished the wicked with misfortune. Job's friends, including Eliphaz, were deeply ingrained in this cultural and theological paradigm. They interpreted Job's unprecedented calamities—loss of family, wealth, and health—as irrefutable evidence of his hidden sin. Their advice, though perhaps well-intentioned, reflects this pervasive assumption that suffering is always punitive. This context is crucial for understanding why Eliphaz's seemingly comforting words are ultimately inadequate and misapplied to Job, whose blamelessness is explicitly stated in [Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Blamelessness").
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job. It directly addresses **Divine Deliverance and Protection**, affirming God's omnipotence and His capacity to rescue individuals from overwhelming circumstances. However, it simultaneously highlights the problematic theme of **Retribution Theology**, as Eliphaz presents this deliverance as strictly contingent upon Job's presumed repentance from sin. This contrasts sharply with the book's profound exploration of **The Nature of Suffering**, revealing its multifaceted origins that extend beyond simple punitive justice. Furthermore, the verse implicitly touches upon the theme of **Human Wisdom vs. Divine Revelation**, as Eliphaz's well-meaning but limited human wisdom is ultimately shown to be insufficient in comprehending God's complex ways, especially when contrasted with God's direct, unchallengeable speeches in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches to Job").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **deliver (Hebrew, _nâtsal'_):** This primitive root means "to snatch away," "to rescue," "to preserve," or "to pull out." It conveys the idea of an active, powerful, and decisive intervention by God to remove someone from a dangerous, difficult, or oppressive situation. The use of this verb emphasizes God's sovereign ability and willingness to intervene on behalf of those He protects, suggesting a forceful extraction from peril.
* **troubles (Hebrew, _tsârâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "tightness," this feminine noun refers figuratively to "trouble," "adversity," "affliction," "anguish," or "distress." It encompasses a wide range of difficult circumstances that cause constriction or distress. In this context, it signifies the various forms of calamity and hardship from which God promises deliverance, highlighting the comprehensive nature of His protection.
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** This term, derived from a root meaning "to break" or "to be bad," functions as both an adjective and a noun, referring to what is "bad" or "evil." In Job 5:19, it denotes calamity, misfortune, disaster, or affliction, rather than moral wickedness. It encompasses any form of harm, detriment, or adversity that might befall an individual, reinforcing the idea that God's protection is against all types of detrimental experiences, ensuring no ultimate or lasting harm.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He shall deliver thee in six troubles:"**: This opening clause establishes the divine agent ("He," referring to God) as the active rescuer and introduces the concept of extensive deliverance. The mention of "six troubles" immediately sets up a numerical parallelism, indicating a significant, though not exhaustive, number of adversities from which God is capable of rescuing. It implies a multitude of difficult situations that an individual might face.
* **"yea, in seven"**: This continuation completes the numerical parallelism, intensifying the scope of God's protection. By adding "seven," it moves beyond a mere count to convey the idea of totality and completeness. It signifies that God's deliverance extends to "however many troubles you face, even beyond what can be easily numbered," emphasizing the absolute certainty and comprehensiveness of His intervention.
* **"there shall no evil touch thee."**: This final clause articulates the comprehensive and ultimate outcome of God's deliverance. The word "evil" here refers broadly to any form of calamity, disaster, or affliction. The promise is that no harm will ultimately reach, affect, or overcome the one God protects, underscoring the absolute and unassailable nature of divine safeguarding, implying a complete immunity from ultimate detriment.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Job 5:19 is **Numerical Parallelism**, specifically the "X, yea, X+1" pattern. This poetic structure, frequently found in Hebrew wisdom and prophetic literature (e.g., [Proverbs 6:16](/proverbs/6-16 "Proverbs 6:16 - Six things the Lord hates, yes, seven"), [Amos 1:3](/amos/1-3 "Amos 1:3 - For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four")), is employed to convey a sense of completeness, totality, or an escalating emphasis rather than a literal enumeration. By stating "six troubles: yea, in seven," Eliphaz uses this device to assure Job of God's absolute and exhaustive protection from all conceivable calamities. This also functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Intensification**, magnifying the scope of God's promised deliverance to encompass every possible misfortune, suggesting an overwhelming and invincible divine safeguard. The verse also carries the tone of a **Conditional Promise**, presented by Eliphaz as a certain outcome if Job were to align himself with God's perceived disciplinary hand, framing the divine action within a human response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Eliphaz's counsel to Job is ultimately deemed flawed in its specific application, Job 5:19 articulates a profound and enduring truth about God's character: He is indeed a God of deliverance and protection. The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as sovereign over all circumstances, capable of rescuing His people from overwhelming odds and diverse forms of trouble. However, the critical tension lies in Eliphaz's conditional framework, which ties this deliverance directly and solely to a simplistic retribution theology, implying that Job's suffering is a direct consequence of sin. The broader biblical witness, particularly through Job's experience and the New Testament, teaches that suffering is complex and not always a direct result of personal transgression. God's deliverance may manifest not only as the removal of trouble but also as His sustaining presence within it, His strength to endure, or His working of a greater redemptive purpose through the trial. This verse, therefore, serves as a powerful reminder of God's power while simultaneously cautioning against narrow or formulaic interpretations of His justice and providence.

* [Psalm 34:19](/psalm/34-19 "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all")
* [Psalm 91:3](/psalm/91-3 "He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence")
* [2 Corinthians 1:10](/2_corinthians/1-10 "He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 5:19, despite being spoken by Eliphaz with a flawed premise regarding Job's suffering, nonetheless points to a timeless truth about God's character as a faithful Deliverer. For believers, this verse can be a profound source of comfort and assurance, reminding us that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people and possesses the ultimate power to rescue us from various troubles. It encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in His comprehensive care, knowing that His protective hand extends to every area of our lives, encompassing both the seen and unseen challenges. However, it also serves as a crucial reminder to approach suffering with nuance, humility, and theological depth. While God *can* and often *does* deliver us *from* specific troubles, He frequently delivers us *through* troubles, using them as instruments to refine our faith, deepen our character, and reveal His sustaining presence in ways we might not otherwise experience. Our ultimate hope is not merely in the absence of affliction, but in the unwavering presence and faithfulness of God, who sovereignly works all things, including trials, for the ultimate good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, as affirmed in [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All things work together for good").

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Eliphaz's understanding of suffering, as presented in this verse, compare with your own experiences or the broader biblical narrative of God's interaction with His people?**
* **In what specific ways have you experienced God's "deliverance" that might not have involved the immediate removal of the trouble itself, but rather His strength, peace, or presence within it?**
* **How can we maintain a robust trust in God's comprehensive protection and deliverance when we face ongoing difficulties or when our prayers for relief from specific troubles seem to go unanswered?**

### FAQ
**Is Eliphaz's statement about God's deliverance entirely true?**

Answer: Eliphaz's statement in [Job 5:19](/job/5-19 "Job 5:19 - God's Comprehensive Deliverance") contains a general truth about God's character as a powerful deliverer, a truth affirmed throughout Scripture. God indeed has the power and often the will to rescue His people from various troubles, as evidenced by numerous biblical accounts (e.g., [Psalm 34:19](/psalm/34-19 "Psalm 34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all")). However, Eliphaz's error was in applying this truth within a rigid, conditional framework of retribution theology, assuming that Job's suffering was a direct result of his sin and that deliverance was contingent solely upon Job's repentance from that presumed sin. The book of Job ultimately reveals that suffering is complex and not always punitive, and God's deliverance may manifest in ways beyond immediate removal of affliction, including sustaining grace, spiritual growth, or a greater redemptive purpose.

**What is the significance of the numbers "six" and "seven" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "six troubles: yea, in seven" is a common Hebrew poetic device known as numerical parallelism, specifically an "X, yea, X+1" pattern. This is not meant to be a literal count but is used to convey a sense of totality, completeness, or an intensifying climax. It signifies that God's protection extends to *all* troubles, no matter how numerous, varied, or severe they may be. It's a rhetorical way of emphasizing comprehensive and absolute deliverance, implying that no matter what kind of calamity one faces, God's protective hand will be upon them, preventing any ultimate or lasting harm. This device underscores the boundless nature of divine safeguarding.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Eliphaz's words in [Job 5:19](/job/5-19 "Job 5:19 - God's Comprehensive Deliverance") speak of a temporal deliverance from earthly troubles and calamities, their ultimate and most profound fulfillment is found in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent Deliverer, not merely from physical afflictions, but from the spiritual bondage of sin, the power of death, and its eternal consequences. Just as Eliphaz promised that "no evil shall touch thee" in the context of temporal affliction, Christ offers a far greater, eternal deliverance, ensuring that those who believe in Him are eternally secure from the ultimate "evil" of spiritual death and separation from God ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Whoever hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life")). Through His sacrificial death on the cross and triumphant resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death, providing a comprehensive rescue that transcends any earthly trouble or suffering ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory over Death Through Christ")). In Christ, believers are assured that while they may indeed face many tribulations in this fallen world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - In the world you will have tribulation")), no evil, no suffering, and no power—not even death itself—can ultimately separate them from the unfathomable love of God, which is supremely manifested in Christ Jesus our Lord ([Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love")). He has already delivered them from the greatest trouble of all: sin's dominion and eternal judgment.

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 34:19

Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

Psalms 91:3

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence.

Psalms 91:10

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

Proverbs 24:16

For a just [man] falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

2 Peter 2:9

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

2 Corinthians 1:8

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: