Job 5:25

KJV

Thou shalt know also that thy seed [shall be] great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt know {H3045} also that thy seed {H2233} shall be great {H7227}, and thine offspring {H6631} as the grass {H6212} of the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You will know that your descendants are many, your offspring like grass [growing thick] in the fields.

Berean Standard Bible

You will know that your offspring will be many, your descendants like the grass of the earth.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, And thine offspring as the grass of the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 5:25 is a key component of Eliphaz the Temanite's initial counsel to Job, articulating a promise of future restoration and abundant family prosperity. Within the framework of traditional wisdom theology, Eliphaz asserts that if Job returns to God, his descendants will become exceedingly numerous and flourishing, likened to the pervasive and ever-renewing grass of the earth. Although Eliphaz's diagnosis of Job's suffering as a direct consequence of sin proves ultimately flawed, the specific promise of a "great seed" remarkably foreshadows the genuine and sovereignly orchestrated restoration and multiplication of Job's family that God brings about at the conclusion of the book.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 5:25 is situated within the concluding section of Eliphaz's first speech to Job, specifically [Job 5:17-27](/job/5-17-27 "Job 5:17-27 - Eliphaz's Counsel on Discipline and Blessing"). Eliphaz, who initiated his discourse in [Job 4](/job/4 "Job 4 - Eliphaz's First Speech") by subtly implying Job's culpability, transitions in [Job 5](/job/5 "Job 5 - Eliphaz's Continued Counsel") to a more direct exhortation for Job to seek God. He posits suffering as a form of divine discipline, arguing that repentance leads inevitably to restoration and blessing. Verses [Job 5:17-26](/job/5-17-26 "Job 5:17-26 - The Blessings of Accepting Discipline") meticulously detail the manifold blessings awaiting those who embrace God's correction, including protection from various calamities, a covenant of peace, and, as prominently featured in verse 25, a flourishing lineage. This promise serves as a powerful incentive for Job to confess his presumed sin and reconcile with the Lord.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the concept of "seed" or offspring held paramount importance. A large family, particularly one rich in male heirs, was universally regarded as the ultimate divine blessing, a tangible sign of divine favor, and the surest guarantee of a lasting legacy. Conversely, barrenness or the tragic loss of children was often perceived as a severe curse or a direct judgment from the gods. The prosperity of one's "seed" was crucial for the continuation of the family name, the preservation of ancestral property, and the maintenance of social influence. The vivid imagery of "grass of the earth" would have resonated profoundly within an agrarian society, where grass symbolized ubiquitous life, vitality, and abundant renewal. Eliphaz's promise skillfully taps into these deeply held cultural values, offering Job the most desirable form of restoration from an ancient perspective, directly addressing the devastating loss of his ten children recounted in [Job 1:18-19](/job/1-18-19 "Job 1:18-19 - The Death of Job's Children").

* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. It powerfully illustrates the **traditional wisdom theology** prevalent in Eliphaz's era, which posited a direct, unyielding correlation between righteousness and prosperity, and sin and suffering. While the book of Job ultimately challenges the simplistic nature of this view, the verse also anticipates the theme of **divine restoration**, which, with profound irony, truly comes to fruition for Job later in the narrative, as seen in passages like [Job 42:12-16](/job/42-12-16 "Job 42:12-16 - God's Restoration of Job's Fortunes and Family"). It underscores the **importance of legacy and progeny** in ancient thought, a theme deeply rooted in God's foundational covenant promises to Abraham, such as the promise of a great nation and blessing in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham"). Furthermore, despite its flawed premise, the verse offers a glimpse of **hope amidst despair**, presenting a vision of future blessing as a powerful motivation for Job, even if the underlying theological framework of Eliphaz's counsel is ultimately revealed as incomplete.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From H3045, this primitive root signifies "to know," often implying ascertainment by seeing or experience. It encompasses a wide range of understanding, from simple observation to intimate acquaintance, and can even denote instruction or recognition. In Job 5:25, "Thou shalt know" conveys a certainty and a future experiential reality for Job, suggesting that he will not merely be told of this blessing but will personally witness and live it, a stark contrast to his current state of unknowing and despair.
* **Seed (Hebrew, _zeraʻ'_):** From H2233, this noun primarily refers to "seed" in a literal sense but is frequently used figuratively to denote "posterity," "offspring," or "descendants." It can refer to a single child, an entire family line, or a vast multitude. In this context, it emphasizes the continuation and multiplication of Job's family lineage, which had been tragically cut short. The promise of "great" seed (H7227, _rab_) speaks to both the quantitative abundance and qualitative significance (prominence, strength) of his future progeny.
* **Great (Hebrew, _rab'_):** From H7227, this adjective denotes abundance in various forms: quantity, size, age, number, rank, or quality. It can mean "many," "much," "mighty," or "exceedingly." When applied to "seed" in Job 5:25, it promises not just a few descendants, but a numerous, significant, and flourishing lineage, far surpassing his current state of childlessness and echoing the ancient Near Eastern desire for a large and impactful family.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt know also that thy seed [shall be] great":** This opening clause presents a declarative promise of future certainty for Job. The phrase "Thou shalt know" (from _yâdaʻ_) implies a personal, undeniable experience and understanding that Job will attain. The core of this assurance is that his "seed" (descendants, progeny) will become "great" (numerous, significant, prominent). This directly addresses Job's profound loss and the perceived end of his family line, offering a vision of reversal and superabundant blessing.
* **"and thine offspring as the grass of the earth.":** This second clause functions as a powerful parallel and amplification of the first, employing a vivid simile to further describe the promised abundance. "Thine offspring" (from _tseʼĕtsâʼ_) reiterates the focus on progeny, while the comparison "as the grass of the earth" (from _ʻeseb_ and _ʼerets_) vividly illustrates the immense quantity, vitality, and pervasive nature of these future descendants. The imagery suggests a blessing that is widespread, continually renewing, resilient, and deeply rooted, providing a stark contrast to the barrenness and desolation Job currently en dures.

#### Literary Devices
Job 5:25 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its message of promised restoration. The most prominent is **Simile**, clearly seen in the phrase "thine offspring as the grass of the earth." This comparison powerfully illustrates the promised abundance, vitality, and resilience of Job's future descendants, drawing on a familiar natural image that signifies widespread growth and renewal. The verse also functions as a **Promise** or a form of **Prophecy**, as Eliphaz declares what Job "shalt know" and what his future "shall be." While this promise is presented within Eliphaz's flawed theological framework, its eventual literal fulfillment in Job's life later in the book lends it an ironic prophetic resonance. Furthermore, there is an inherent **Contrast** between Job's present state of utter loss and childlessness and the envisioned future of abundant offspring, which serves to heighten the sense of hope and potential restoration offered by Eliphaz.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Eliphaz's counsel, particularly his premise for Job's suffering, is ultimately revealed as an incomplete and often inaccurate assessment, Job 5:25 nonetheless touches upon profound and enduring biblical themes. It speaks to God's ultimate capacity for restoration and superabundant blessing, even in the face of utter devastation and perceived barrenness. The promise of a great "seed" resonates deeply with the overarching biblical narrative of God's covenant faithfulness, particularly His unwavering commitment to bless and multiply the descendants of His chosen people, thereby ensuring the continuation of His redemptive plan through successive generations. This verse, despite its immediate flawed context, points to an essential divine characteristic: God's sovereign power to bring forth life and fruitfulness out of barrenness, and His willingness to restore what was lost, often in greater measure than before, demonstrating a generosity that transcends human understanding of cause and effect.

* [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate to Be Fruitful and Multiply")
* [Psalm 127:3](/psalms/127-3 "Psalm 127:3 - Children as a Heritage from the Lord")
* [Job 42:12](/job/42-12 "Job 42:12 - God's Restoration of Job's Fortunes and Family")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 5:25, though delivered from a flawed theological perspective, offers a powerful and enduring reminder of God's capacity for restoration and the profound, long-term value of legacy. In our own lives, we may encounter seasons of profound loss, barrenness, or shattered hopes, whether these relate to family, career, ministry, or spiritual fruitfulness. This verse, when understood through the lens of Job's ultimate vindication and restoration, encourages us to cling to the truth that God is uniquely able to bring forth new life and abundance from what appears utterly desolate. It prompts us to consider the importance of investing in future generations, not merely biologically, but spiritually, through intentional discipleship, mentorship, and cultivating a legacy of faith that extends beyond our immediate lifespan. Even when circumstances are dire, and the counsel of others may be imperfect or misinformed, our ultimate hope resides in God's sovereign power to restore and multiply blessings beyond our imagination, often in ways that transcend our immediate understanding of cause and effect or our limited definitions of success.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise of "great seed" resonate with your understanding of God's character and His unfathomable ability to restore what is lost or seemingly impossible?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you currently experiencing a sense of barrenness, loss, or unfulfilled potential, and how might this verse encourage you to trust in God's capacity for renewal and superabundant fruitfulness?**
* **Beyond biological children, what kind of "offspring" or spiritual legacy do you hope to cultivate for the future, and how can you intentionally invest in that today, knowing God is the ultimate source of fruitfulness?**

### FAQ
**Was Eliphaz's promise in Job 5:25 accurate for Job, considering his immense suffering?**

Answer: While Eliphaz's *reasoning* for Job's suffering was fundamentally incorrect (he wrongly believed Job's calamities were a direct result of hidden sin), the specific *promise* of a great "seed" and abundant offspring in [Job 5:25](/job/5-25 "Job 5:25 - Eliphaz's Promise of Abundant Offspring") ironically came to pass. At the conclusion of the book, after Job's faithfulness was thoroughly tested and God sovereignly vindicated him, [Job 42:13](/job/42-13 "Job 42:13 - Job's New Family") explicitly states that Job was blessed with seven new sons and three new daughters, effectively doubling his original number of children (cf. [Job 1:2](/job/1-2 "Job 1:2 - Job's Original Family")). Furthermore, he lived long enough to see his children's children to four generations (cf. [Job 42:16](/job/42-16 "Job 42:16 - Job's Longevity and Descendants")). Therefore, while Eliphaz's theological framework was flawed, God's sovereign plan ultimately fulfilled the *substance* of the promise, demonstrating His power to restore and bless beyond measure, often in ways that defy human logic or expectation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 5:25, with its ancient promise of a "great seed" and "offspring as the grass of the earth," finds its ultimate, most profound, and expansive fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ and the vast spiritual family He gathers through the Gospel. While Eliphaz spoke of a physical lineage, the New Testament unequivocally reveals that the true "seed" of Abraham, through whom all nations would be blessed, is Christ Himself ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Promise to Abraham and His Seed Fulfilled in Christ")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Jesus has secured an innumerable spiritual offspring—believers from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation who are adopted into God's eternal family through faith in Him ([Ephesians 1:5](/ephesians/1-5 "Ephesians 1:5 - Adoption as Sons through Jesus Christ")). Just as the grass covers the earth in its boundless abundance and resilience, so too is the church, Christ's body, expanding globally, a living testament to His prolific spiritual fruitfulness and the power of His Great Commission ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). The barrenness and profound loss experienced by humanity due to sin are decisively overcome by the life-giving power of the Gospel, which continually generates new life and spiritual descendants for Christ, ensuring a legacy that is not merely "great" but eternal, thereby fulfilling the deepest longings for family, purpose, and flourishing that Job 5:25 intuitively hints at.

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 112:2

His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

Psalms 72:16

There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and [they] of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

Genesis 15:5

And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

Deuteronomy 28:4

Blessed [shall be] the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

Job 42:13

He had also seven sons and three daughters.

Job 42:16

After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, [even] four generations.

Psalms 127:3

Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.