Job 5:23

KJV

For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

For thou shalt be in league {H1285} with the stones {H68} of the field {H7704}: and the beasts {H2416} of the field {H7704} shall be at peace {H7999} with thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

for you will be in league with the stones in the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.

Berean Standard Bible

For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.

American Standard Version

For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field; And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 5:23 is part of Eliphaz the Temanite's first speech to Job, where he articulates a traditional view of retributive justice, promising comprehensive blessings for the righteous. In this verse, Eliphaz paints a vivid picture of divine protection and peace for the one who seeks God, suggesting that even the inanimate elements of the natural world and the wild animals will align in a protective alliance, ensuring complete security and harmony.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Eliphaz's initial discourse to Job, found in [Job 4](/job/4 "Job 4 - Eliphaz's First Speech") and [Job 5](/job/5 "Job 5 - Eliphaz Continues"). Eliphaz, speaking from a conventional wisdom perspective, asserts that suffering is a direct consequence of sin, implying Job's calamity must stem from unconfessed wrongdoing. He encourages Job to repent and return to God, promising that divine discipline will lead to restoration and abundant blessings. Job 5:17-27 outlines these promised benefits, with verse 23 serving as a poetic high point, illustrating the extent of the peace and security offered to the one who makes peace with God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, there was a prevalent belief in a direct correlation between human actions and divine response: righteousness brought prosperity and peace, while wickedness brought calamity. This worldview shaped the friends' understanding of Job's suffering. Furthermore, life in ancient agrarian or nomadic societies meant constant interaction with, and potential danger from, the natural environment—wild animals, harsh terrain, and unpredictable elements. The concept of harmony between humanity and nature, as depicted in this verse, harks back to an Edenic ideal of creation where peace reigned, offering a stark contrast to the often-hostile realities of the wilderness.
* **Key Themes:**
* **Retributive Justice:** Eliphaz's primary argument revolves around the principle that God justly rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. This verse exemplifies the comprehensive nature of the blessings promised to the righteous, serving as an incentive for Job to confess his supposed sin.
* **Divine Providence and Protection:** Despite the flawed application to Job's situation, the verse underscores a profound biblical truth about God's ultimate sovereignty over creation and His capacity to protect those who are in right relationship with Him. It speaks to a comprehensive divine care that extends beyond human threats to the very elements of the natural world.
* **Cosmic Harmony:** The verse envisions a state of profound peace and accord between humanity and the natural world, reminiscent of the original harmony in the [Garden of Eden](/genesis/2 "Genesis 2 - The Garden of Eden"). This ideal state, where humanity coexists peacefully with all creatures, is also echoed in prophetic visions of future peace, such as in [Hosea 2:18](/hosea/2-18 "Hosea 2:18 - God's Covenant with Animals") where God promises a covenant with the beasts of the field.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **League (Hebrew, _bĕrît'_):** This term is most commonly translated as "covenant" or "agreement." It denotes a formal, binding relationship or alliance, often initiated by a superior party. In this context, it implies that God Himself orchestrates a protective pact or alliance between the righteous individual and the natural elements, ensuring their safety and well-being. It signifies a divinely established harmony.
* **Peace (Hebrew, _shalom'_):** Far richer than merely the absence of conflict, _shalom_ encompasses wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, security, and harmonious relationships. When applied to the "beasts of the field," it signifies a deep, comprehensive state of security and flourishing, where the natural world poses no threat but rather contributes to the individual's overall well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field":** This clause describes an extraordinary level of protection, suggesting that even the inanimate elements of the earth will not harm the righteous. "Stones of the field" could represent obstacles, stumbling blocks, or even potential weapons. The "league" implies that these elements, rather than being a source of danger, will somehow work in concert with the individual, ensuring their safety and smooth passage through the natural environment. This is a hyperbolic expression of comprehensive security.
* **"and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee":** This second clause extends the promise of harmony to the animal kingdom. "Beasts of the field" refers to wild, untamed animals that would typically pose a threat. The promise of "peace" signifies that these creatures will not be hostile but will coexist harmoniously with the righteous individual, removing the danger of predation or attack. This evokes an Edenic ideal of creation, where humanity lived in perfect accord with all living things.

#### Literary Devices
Job 5:23 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of comprehensive peace and security. **Hyperbole** is evident in the promise of a "league with the stones of the field," an exaggeration designed to emphasize the absolute and all-encompassing nature of the divine protection. Stones, being inanimate, cannot literally form a covenant, thus underscoring the extraordinary extent of the blessing. **Personification** is also at play, as both "stones" and "beasts" are attributed with the capacity for relational interaction—forming a "league" and being "at peace." This imbues the natural world with a responsiveness to the righteous individual's state. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Parallelism**, with the two clauses mirroring each other in structure and reinforcing the central theme: protection from the inanimate environment is paralleled by peace with the animate animal kingdom. This structural balance enhances the poetic quality and thematic coherence, creating vivid **Imagery** of a harmonious and secure existence in the wild.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Eliphaz's counsel to Job was ultimately flawed in its application, Job 5:23 taps into profound biblical truths about God's providential care and the ideal state of creation. It speaks to a divine desire for humanity to live in comprehensive peace, not only with fellow humans but also with the natural world, free from its dangers. This echoes the original creation mandate where humanity was given dominion over creation and lived in harmony with it. The verse points forward to a time when broken relationships, including those between humanity and nature, will be fully restored under God's sovereign rule. It highlights the extent of God's power to orchestrate peace even among seemingly hostile elements.

* [Psalm 91:12](/psalm/91-12 "Psalm 91:12 - Angels Bear You Up")
* [Isaiah 11:6-9](/isaiah/11-6 "Isaiah 11:6-9 - The Wolf and the Lamb")
* [Romans 8:19-21](/romans/8-19 "Romans 8:19-21 - Creation Groans for Redemption")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 5:23, despite its problematic context within Eliphaz's speech, invites us to contemplate the profound peace and security that flow from a right relationship with God. It challenges us to trust in God's overarching sovereignty, not only over our personal circumstances but over the very fabric of creation itself. While we may not literally form "leagues with stones" or experience wild animals lying down beside us in our daily lives, the underlying principle points to a spiritual peace that transcends worldly anxieties. It reminds us that when our lives are aligned with God's will, He provides a deep sense of security and well-being, assuring us that He is ultimately in control and works all things for the good of those who love Him. This verse also subtly encourages us to consider our role as stewards of creation, striving for harmony with the natural world as a reflection of our harmony with God, anticipating the full restoration of all things.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "peace with creation" resonate with your understanding of God's comprehensive sovereignty and care?**
* **In what practical ways can we cultivate a deeper sense of peace and security in God, even when facing challenging or unpredictable circumstances?**
* **What does this verse, despite its original context, teach us about the ideal state of humanity's relationship with the natural world, and how might we live in light of that ideal?**

### FAQ
**Was Eliphaz's counsel to Job ultimately correct or helpful?**

Answer: No, Eliphaz's counsel, while containing elements of general truth about God's blessings for righteousness, was fundamentally misapplied to Job's unique situation. The book of Job ultimately reveals that suffering is not always a direct consequence of personal sin, and Job's integrity is affirmed by God Himself. Eliphaz and his friends operated under a simplistic retributive theology that failed to account for the complexities of divine providence, the mystery of suffering, and the reality of spiritual warfare. The Lord later rebukes Eliphaz and his friends in [Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - The Lord Rebukes Job's Friends") for not speaking what was right about Him, in contrast to Job.

**Does this verse promise that righteous people will never experience harm from nature or natural disasters?**

Answer: Not in a literal, absolute sense. This verse uses poetic language and hyperbole to convey a profound sense of comprehensive security and well-being that comes from a right relationship with God. It describes an ideal state of harmony with creation, rather than a literal guarantee against all natural calamities or accidents. Throughout Scripture, even righteous individuals face natural dangers or disasters. The emphasis is on God's overarching protection and the deep spiritual peace He grants, even amidst trials, and a vision of ultimate harmony in a restored creation, rather than an exemption from all earthly harm.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 5:23, though spoken in a flawed context by Eliphaz, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The comprehensive peace and harmony with creation envisioned here, a return to an Edenic state of perfect accord, are made possible through Christ's redemptive work. He is the one who truly brings _shalom_—wholeness and peace—not only between God and humanity but also within creation itself. Through His death and resurrection, Christ reconciles all things to Himself, breaking the curse that brought disharmony to the natural world ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciling All Things Through Christ")). The New Testament speaks of a future where creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God ([Romans 8:21](/romans/8-21 "Romans 8:21 - Creation's Hope of Redemption")). Jesus demonstrated His inherent dominion over nature during His earthly ministry, calming raging storms with a word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) and walking on water ([Matthew 14:25](/matthew/14-25 "Matthew 14:25 - Jesus Walks on Water")), foreshadowing the complete restoration and cosmic peace He will bring. In Christ, believers are promised a peace that "transcends all understanding" ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")), a comprehensive well-being that includes spiritual security and the ultimate promise of a renewed heaven and earth where true harmony with creation will be fully realized ([Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - A New Heaven and a New Earth")).

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.