Job 5:22

KJV

At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

At destruction {H7701} and famine {H3720} thou shalt laugh {H7832}: neither shalt thou be afraid {H3372} of the beasts {H2416} of the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

you'll be able to laugh at destruction and famine. Also you won't have to fear wild animals,

Berean Standard Bible

You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth.

American Standard Version

At destruction and dearth thou shalt laugh; Neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 5:22 presents a vivid image from Eliphaz the Temanite's perspective, describing the ideal state of a righteous individual who, under divine favor, experiences profound security and fearlessness in the face of life's most devastating calamities. This verse, part of Eliphaz's initial counsel to Job, posits that a person in right relationship with God would confidently "laugh" at destruction and famine, and remain unafraid of wild beasts, implying an immunity to the common threats of the ancient world as a direct blessing for piety.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 5:22 is situated within Eliphaz's first speech to Job, specifically within a section (Job 5:17-27) where he outlines the blessings and prosperity that await those who humble themselves before God and accept His discipline. Following Job's profound lament in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament"), Eliphaz attempts to explain Job's immense suffering through the lens of traditional wisdom, which posits a direct correlation between sin and suffering, and righteousness and blessing. This verse serves as a powerful illustration of the comprehensive protection Eliphaz believes God grants to the truly righteous, implicitly urging Job to repent so he might experience such security. It stands in stark contrast to Job's current reality, highlighting Eliphaz's conviction that Job must have sinned to warrant such distress.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East was a precarious world, where life was constantly threatened by natural disasters, scarcity, and the dangers of the wild. Famine was a recurring specter, and "destruction" often referred to the ravages of war, banditry, or societal collapse. Wild animals (like lions, bears, and snakes) posed a constant threat to livestock and human life, especially in uncultivated areas. In this context, the promise of immunity from such dangers was highly desirable and indicative of exceptional divine favor. The prevailing wisdom tradition, particularly in cultures influenced by retributive justice, often linked material prosperity and safety directly to moral uprightness, a theological framework Eliphaz strongly adheres to.

* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several key themes central to Eliphaz's argument and the broader book of Job. The primary theme is **Divine Protection and Security**, portraying an ideal state of unwavering safety from life's gravest threats, both natural and man-made. The ability to "laugh" at such dangers signifies a profound sense of confidence and an absence of fear, rooted in a perceived divine protective hand. Closely related is **Fearlessness in Adversity**, which depicts an individual unparalyzed by the prospect of natural disasters or wild animals, showcasing an inner peace and outward resilience enabled by divine favor. Finally, it strongly reflects Eliphaz's central tenet of the **Blessings of Righteousness**, where such protection is presented as a direct consequence of living a righteous life and maintaining a right relationship with God. This aligns with his broader argument that Job's suffering must be a consequence of unconfessed sin, and restoration would come through repentance, a concept further elaborated in [Job 5:23](/job/5-23 "Job 5:23 - Eliphaz's Covenant with Stones and Beasts"). It is important to note that while Eliphaz's theology is later challenged by God Himself in [Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God's Rebuke of Job's Friends"), his description here highlights a deep human desire for divine peace and safety in a chaotic world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Laugh (Hebrew, _ṣāḥaq'_):** This verb denotes a confident, almost dismissive attitude towards danger, rather than mockery or derision. It conveys a sense of security so complete that threats hold no power or evoke no fear. It implies a state of profound inner peace and assurance that transcends external circumstances.
* **Destruction (Hebrew, _shōd'_):** This term refers to ruin, violence, devastation, or desolation. It often carries the connotation of an overwhelming calamity, whether from natural forces, warfare, or societal breakdown. In this context, it represents the most severe forms of human-made or societal suffering.
* **Famine (Hebrew, _rāʿāb'_):** This word signifies scarcity of food, hunger, or starvation. Famine was a constant and terrifying threat in the ancient world, capable of wiping out entire populations. It represents a fundamental natural disaster that directly impacts survival.
* **Beasts of the earth (Hebrew, _ḥayyat hā-ʾāreṣ'_):** This phrase refers to wild animals, often predatory ones. They symbolize the untamed, dangerous, and unpredictable elements of the natural world, posing physical threats to life and livelihood. Together with "destruction and famine," they paint a comprehensive picture of all potential dangers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh:"**: This clause presents a powerful image of absolute security and confidence. The righteous individual, under God's protection, will not merely survive but will possess such an inner peace and assurance that they can face the most devastating societal and natural calamities—war, economic collapse, and widespread hunger—with a spirit of fearlessness, even joy. It suggests a profound trust in divine providence that renders these existential threats impotent in their capacity to instill terror.
* **"neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth."**: This second clause extends the promise of protection to the realm of natural, untamed dangers. The righteous person will have no fear of wild animals, symbolizing all the unpredictable and dangerous elements of the natural world. This completes the picture of comprehensive divine safeguarding, covering both human-induced and natural threats, ensuring an all-encompassing peace for the one favored by God.

#### Literary Devices
Job 5:22 employs several potent literary devices to convey Eliphaz's message of divine protection. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, particularly in the phrase "thou shalt laugh" at destruction and famine. This is not meant to be taken literally as a mocking response, but rather as an exaggeration to emphasize an extraordinary degree of confidence, security, and freedom from fear. It vividly illustrates a state of profound inner peace that transcends external chaos. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the two clauses reinforce each other: "destruction and famine" in the first clause are paralleled by "beasts of the earth" in the second, both representing categories of severe threats. This structure creates a comprehensive scope of protection. Furthermore, the verse is rich in **Imagery**, painting a clear and striking picture of a person utterly secure and unafraid amidst the most terrifying dangers. The "beasts of the earth" can also be seen as a **Metaphor** for any untamed or wild forces that threaten human well-being, extending the literal meaning to encompass all forms of existential danger.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Eliphaz's specific application of this promise to Job's suffering was flawed—as the book ultimately reveals that suffering is not always a direct consequence of sin—the underlying truth about God's capacity and desire to protect His people is deeply rooted in biblical theology. This verse, though spoken from a limited human perspective, resonates with the broader biblical narrative of divine providence and care for the righteous. It speaks to a profound human yearning for security in a chaotic world, a security that the Bible consistently attributes to God's sovereign hand. The spiritual confidence described here, where one can face overwhelming threats without fear, foreshadows the peace that God offers to those who trust in Him, even when physical immunity from suffering is not guaranteed. It points to a deeper, spiritual security that transcends temporal circumstances.

* [Psalm 91:5-6](/psalms/91-5 "Psalm 91:5-6 - Protection from Terror and Pestilence")
* [Proverbs 1:33](/proverbs/1-33 "Proverbs 1:33 - Dwelling Securely")
* [Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38 "Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 5:22, while part of a flawed theological argument, still offers profound insight for contemporary believers. It challenges us to consider the depth of our trust in God amidst life's inevitable "destructions" and "famines." While we may not literally "laugh" at every trial or be physically immune to all harm, the verse invites us to cultivate a spiritual confidence that allows us to face adversity with less fear. Our ultimate security is not in the absence of trouble, but in the unwavering presence and sovereignty of God. This means developing a faith that anchors us when external circumstances are turbulent, enabling us to experience a peace that transcends understanding. We are called to trust that God is at work even in suffering, transforming our perspective from one of dread to one of resilient hope, knowing that our ultimate destiny is secure in His hands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Eliphaz's view of divine protection in Job 5:22 differ from what the book of Job ultimately teaches about the nature of suffering and God's sovereignty?**
* **In what ways can a believer today "laugh" at destruction or not be afraid of "beasts of the earth," even when facing real challenges like illness, financial hardship, or societal unrest?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of spiritual confidence and peace, even when confronted with circumstances that naturally evoke fear?**

### FAQ

**Is Eliphaz's teaching in Job 5:22 entirely wrong?**

Answer: No, Eliphaz's teaching in Job 5:22 is not entirely wrong, but it is incomplete and misapplied to Job's specific situation. The concept that God protects the righteous and grants them security is a recurring theme throughout Scripture (e.g., [Psalm 34:19](/psalms/34-19 "Psalm 34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous")). However, Eliphaz operates under a rigid system of retributive justice, assuming that all suffering is a direct result of sin and all blessing a direct result of righteousness. The book of Job, in its entirety, challenges this simplistic view, demonstrating that righteous people can suffer immensely for reasons beyond their sin, often for God's sovereign purposes. So, while God *does* provide protection and peace, it is not always in the immediate, physical, or predictable way Eliphaz suggests, nor is the absence of suffering always an indicator of righteousness.

**How can one "laugh" at destruction and famine in a world full of suffering?**

Answer: The phrase "thou shalt laugh" is a hyperbole, a literary exaggeration used to emphasize a profound state of security and inner peace, rather than a literal mocking of suffering. In a world full of real destruction and famine, a believer does not dismiss or ignore pain, but rather cultivates a deep, spiritual confidence in God's ultimate control and care. This "laughing" signifies a freedom from paralyzing fear, a trust that transcends circumstances. It is the peace of God that "surpasses all understanding" (as described in [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")), which guards the heart and mind even amidst trials. It means knowing that while temporal calamities may occur, ultimate spiritual security and hope in God's eternal plan remain unshaken.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Eliphaz's promise of protection in Job 5:22 was conditional upon human righteousness and limited to earthly security, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are found in Jesus Christ. Humanity's greatest "destruction" was the power of sin and death, and its most profound "famine" was spiritual separation from God. Jesus, through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, has definitively conquered these ultimate threats. Believers in Christ are no longer under condemnation ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")), having been delivered from the power of darkness. He faced the ultimate "beasts of the earth"—the spiritual principalities and powers—and triumphed over them on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Through Him, we are given a peace that the world cannot give, a peace that enables us to face earthly trials with an eternal perspective. Our security is not based on our own flawed righteousness, but on His perfect righteousness imputed to us. He is the true [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), and through Him, we are freed from the ultimate fear of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Frees from Fear of Death")), enabling us to live with a confident hope that transcends all earthly destruction and famine.

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.