Job 5:20

KJV

In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.

KJV (with Strong's)

In famine {H7458} he shall redeem {H6299} thee from death {H4194}: and in war {H4421} from the power {H3027} of the sword {H2719}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In famine, he will save you from death, and in war, from the power of the sword.

Berean Standard Bible

In famine He will redeem you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword.

American Standard Version

In famine he will redeem thee from death; And in war from the power of the sword.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 5:20, articulated by Eliphaz the Temanite, encapsulates a traditional wisdom perspective on divine protection and deliverance. Within his initial discourse to Job, Eliphaz posits that God faithfully rescues the righteous from the most dire circumstances. Specifically, he asserts that God redeems from death during times of pervasive scarcity and shields from the destructive power of conflict. This verse, therefore, reflects Eliphaz's conviction that if Job were to humble himself and turn to God, he would experience comprehensive divine safeguarding, being preserved from death in famine and protected from the lethal force of war.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 5:20 is situated within Eliphaz's first response to Job's profound lamentations (Job 4-5). As the first of Job's three friends to speak, Eliphaz attempts to console Job by applying the conventional wisdom of his era: suffering is a consequence of sin, and righteousness invariably leads to blessing and divine protection. He earnestly encourages Job to acknowledge his presumed wrongdoing and seek God, promising restoration and divine favor. This verse, therefore, functions as a hopeful assurance within Eliphaz's theological framework, illustrating the benefits of repentance and trust in God's protective hand. It follows a series of pronouncements about God's justice and His care for the humble, culminating in a vision of comprehensive well-being for the one who submits to divine discipline, as seen in [Job 5:17-19](/job/5-17 "Job 5:17-19 - The Blessings of Discipline").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, famine and war represented ever-present and profoundly devastating realities. Agrarian societies were highly susceptible to drought, pestilence, and crop failure, which inevitably led to widespread hunger, disease, and death. Similarly, inter-tribal conflicts and imperial conquests were common, bringing destruction, displacement, and the literal "power of the sword" to communities. Survival often hinged on divine intervention or strong, protective leadership. The concept of a deity providing protection from these calamities was central to many ancient religions, and Israelite theology, as articulated in the Pentateuch and Prophets, frequently promised divine blessing and protection from such adversities for covenant faithfulness (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings for Obedience and Disobedience")). Eliphaz's words reflect this widely held belief that a righteous life would naturally lead to divine safeguarding against these existential threats.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several significant themes within the book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Protection and Deliverance**, presenting God as the ultimate rescuer from life's most severe dangers. Eliphaz's perspective underscores God's ability to intervene providentially in human affairs, a truth affirmed in many biblical passages, such as [Psalm 91:3-7](/psalm/91-3-7 "Psalm 91:3-7 - God Our Refuge and Fortress"). Secondly, it emphasizes **God's Sovereignty Over Adversity**, asserting that even forces as destructive as famine and war are ultimately subject to His control. This speaks to God's omnipotence and His providential care over creation and humanity. Thirdly, while its application to Job's unique situation is ultimately flawed, the verse touches on the **Promise of Safety for the Righteous**, a common biblical motif that those who walk uprightly can trust in God's safeguarding hand, even if the precise mechanisms or timing of that protection are not always understood, as seen in [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").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Redeem (Hebrew, _pâdâh'_):** This primitive root signifies to sever, ransom, or generally to release and preserve. It implies an active intervention, a buying back or setting free from a dangerous situation. In this context, it speaks of God's direct and decisive action to save life from the brink of extinction due to famine or war, delivering from peril.
* **Famine (Hebrew, _rāʻāḇ'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to hunger," this term denotes hunger that is more or less extensive, often leading to dearth or a famished state. It represents one of the most devastating and widespread threats in the ancient world, capable of causing widespread suffering and death. Eliphaz uses it to represent a comprehensive life-threatening scarcity.
* **Sword (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** This word refers to a cutting instrument, often a knife or sword, emphasizing its destructive effect. It can also refer to an axe, dagger, or other sharp implement. In the context of "the power of the sword," it vividly represents the lethal force, destructive capability, and dominion of warfare, signifying the instrument of death in conflict.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In famine he shall redeem thee from death:"** This clause presents the first of two specific scenarios where divine protection is promised. "Famine" represents a state of extreme lack and life-threatening scarcity, bringing the threat of starvation. The phrase "redeem thee from death" signifies God's active intervention to rescue, deliver, or ransom an individual from the very brink of demise caused by such conditions. It implies a miraculous preservation of life against overwhelming odds.
* **"and in war from the power of the sword."** This second clause offers a parallel promise of deliverance in a different, equally perilous context. "War" denotes armed conflict, and "the power of the sword" is a vivid metonymy for the lethal force and destructive capacity of warfare itself. Here, God's intervention is depicted as shielding the individual from the dominion and deadly effects of military violence, ensuring survival where others might perish.

#### Literary Devices
Eliphaz's statement in Job 5:20 employs several effective literary devices. Most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the two clauses express similar ideas using different but related terms ("famine" and "war," "redeem from death" and "from the power of the sword"). This repetition reinforces the comprehensive nature of the promised divine protection. **Imagery** is also powerfully used, conjuring vivid pictures of the two most feared ancient threats: the wasting effects of hunger and the brutal force of the sword. The phrase "power of the sword" is a striking example of **Metonymy**, where the instrument (sword) stands for the destructive force and outcome of warfare. This vivid language serves to emphasize the gravity of the dangers from which God is said to deliver, thereby magnifying the extent of His protective power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Eliphaz's application of this truth to Job's specific situation was ultimately flawed—as Job's suffering was not a direct result of sin—the underlying theological principle of God's ability and willingness to deliver His people from dire circumstances is a profound and enduring biblical truth. This verse speaks to God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation, including the natural forces that cause famine and the human conflicts that lead to war. It affirms a God who is not distant but actively involved in the affairs of humanity, capable of intervening to preserve life and provide protection even when all hope seems lost. This divine attribute of being a deliverer and protector is foundational to the covenant relationship between God and His people, offering a basis for trust and hope in the midst of adversity.

* [Psalm 34:17](/psalm/34-17 "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.")
* [Psalm 121:7-8](/psalm/121-7-8 "The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.")
* [Romans 8:35-39](/romans/8-35-39 "Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 5:20, despite its problematic context within Eliphaz's speech, offers a powerful glimpse into the character of God as a deliverer and protector. For believers today, this verse serves as a reminder that God remains sovereign over all circumstances, even those that seem overwhelming or deadly. While we do not live under the same direct retribution theology as Eliphaz, the truth that God can and does intervene to preserve His people from physical and spiritual dangers remains. In our own "famines" (periods of scarcity, spiritual dryness, or emotional emptiness) and "wars" (conflicts, spiritual battles, or societal turmoil), we are called to place our trust in the God who has the power to redeem from death and shield from destructive forces. This encourages a posture of dependence on God in crisis, fostering hope even when situations appear hopeless, and reminding us that our ultimate security rests not in our circumstances, but in His unfailing power and love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the flawed context of Eliphaz's statement help us to correctly apply the truth of God's protective power in our own lives?**
* **In what "famines" (areas of lack or hardship) or "wars" (conflicts or struggles) in your life do you need to trust God for redemption or protection today?**
* **How does the promise of God's deliverance from death and destructive forces strengthen your faith when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges?**

### FAQ

**Does Job 5:20 mean that God will always prevent His faithful followers from experiencing death by famine or war?**

Answer: Not necessarily in a literal, absolute sense for every individual. While Eliphaz presents this as a general principle of divine protection for the righteous, the book of Job itself demonstrates that faithful individuals can and do experience profound suffering, loss, and even death, regardless of their righteousness. The New Testament further clarifies that believers are not exempt from trials, persecution, or physical death (e.g., [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.")). Rather, Job 5:20 points to God's *ability* to deliver and His ultimate *sovereignty* over life and death. The "redemption from death" can be understood in a broader sense, encompassing spiritual deliverance, preservation for a divine purpose, or ultimate victory over death through resurrection. It speaks to God's character as a rescuer, even if His methods and timing do not always align with human expectations or prevent all temporal suffering.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 5:20, though spoken by Eliphaz with an imperfect understanding of suffering, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "redemption from death" promised in famine and the deliverance "from the power of the sword" point forward to Christ's decisive victory over sin, death, and all destructive forces. Humanity's greatest "famine" is spiritual starvation, a profound lack of true life and righteousness, which Christ addresses by offering Himself as the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life"). Our most perilous "war" is against sin, Satan, and death itself, a conflict in which the "power of the sword" of judgment hung over us. Jesus, through His crucifixion and resurrection, disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities, triumphing over them (e.g., [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Triumph over Powers and Authorities")). He is the ultimate Redeemer who literally "redeemed us from death" by His own sacrifice, offering eternal life to all who believe (e.g., [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "For God so loved the world")). The protection Eliphaz spoke of is realized in Christ's ongoing intercession and His promise that nothing can separate believers from God's love (e.g., [Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Nothing can separate us from the love of God")). In Him, we have not just temporary relief from earthly perils, but ultimate, eternal deliverance from the dominion of death and all spiritual adversaries.

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 33:19

To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

Hosea 13:14

I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

Genesis 45:7

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

1 Kings 17:6

And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

Proverbs 10:3

The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

Psalms 37:19

They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

Habakkuk 3:17

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls: