Job 5:4

KJV

His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither [is there] any to deliver [them].

KJV (with Strong's)

His children {H1121} are far {H7368} from safety {H3468}, and they are crushed {H1792} in the gate {H8179}, neither is there any to deliver {H5337} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

his children are far from help, publicly humiliated, with no one to rescue;

Berean Standard Bible

His sons are far from safety, crushed in court without a defender.

American Standard Version

His children are far from safety, And they are crushed in the gate, Neither is there any to deliver them:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 5:4 encapsulates Eliphaz the Temanite's rigid articulation of traditional wisdom, asserting that the wicked and their descendants inevitably face ruin and public humiliation without any hope of rescue. This verse serves as a direct, albeit indirect, accusation against Job, implying that his profound suffering, particularly the tragic loss of his children, is a direct consequence of unconfessed sin, thereby reflecting a simplistic, retributive understanding of divine justice prevalent in ancient Near Eastern thought.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 5:4 is deeply embedded within Eliphaz's first discourse (Job 4-5), which constitutes his initial, somewhat gentle yet firm, response to Job's profound lament in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament"). Having laid the theological groundwork that suffering is a direct consequence of sin (Job 4:7-9) and having bolstered his argument with a personal, awe-inspiring vision that seemingly confirmed this truth (Job 4:12-17), Eliphaz now applies this principle to the specific plight of the wicked. This verse, therefore, functions as a pointed, though generalized, indictment, subtly but firmly suggesting that Job's children perished due to their (or Job's) unrighteousness. It significantly contributes to the escalating tension and theological debate between Job and his friends, setting the stage for Job's continued defense of his innocence against their persistent and increasingly harsh accusations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The verse powerfully reflects a prevailing ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition that posited a direct, observable correlation between one's moral conduct and one's prosperity or suffering. In this deeply ingrained worldview, divine justice was understood as immediate and retributive, where righteousness invariably led to blessings and wickedness to curses. The "gate" (Hebrew: _shaʻar_) was far more than a mere entrance; it was the central hub of public life in ancient cities, serving as the primary forum for legal proceedings, business transactions, and social gatherings. To be "crushed in the gate" thus signified not only public defeat and legal condemnation but also utter ruin, often without recourse or appeal, highlighting the public, inescapable, and devastating nature of the judgment Eliphaz describes.
* **Key Themes:** The most prominent theme articulated here is **Divine Retribution**, as understood and rigidly applied by Eliphaz. He adheres to the unwavering belief that God punishes the wicked directly and severely, with the suffering of their families serving as clear, undeniable evidence of divine judgment. This also introduces the theme of the **Vulnerability of the Wicked's Descendants**, emphasizing the idea that the consequences of a parent's presumed sin can extend to their offspring, leaving them exposed to calamity and entirely lacking protection. Furthermore, the chilling phrase "neither is there any to deliver them" underscores the **Absence of Justice or Deliverance**, painting a stark picture of inescapable doom and a complete lack of advocacy for those whom Eliphaz considers wicked, a profound and tragic contrast to the ultimate deliverance found in [God's redemptive plan](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The First Promise of a Redeemer").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Safety (Hebrew, _yeshaʻ_):** This word, often translated as "salvation" or "deliverance" elsewhere in Scripture, here connotes a state of security, welfare, or well-being. When Eliphaz states that the children are "far from safety," he implies they are utterly devoid of protection, exposed to peril, and lacking any means of escape or preservation from impending disaster. It speaks to a profound absence of divine favor or human recourse, leaving them utterly vulnerable.
* **Crushed (Hebrew, _dâkâʼ_):** This verb signifies being broken, oppressed, shattered, or utterly defeated. It conveys a sense of violent, comprehensive, and irreversible destruction. Applied to being "crushed in the gate," it evokes a powerful image of public and irreversible ruin, where one's very being or social standing is utterly broken down, leaving no room for recovery, vindication, or appeal.
* **Gate (Hebrew, _shaʻar_):** As previously noted, the city gate was the nerve center of ancient Near Eastern urban life. It was the place where legal judgments were rendered, business contracts sealed, and public announcements made. To be "crushed in the gate" is therefore not merely a physical act but a public spectacle of legal and social disgrace, signifying a complete and undeniable condemnation in the most visible and authoritative forum of the community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"His children are far from safety":** This opening clause immediately establishes the precarious and vulnerable state of the descendants of the wicked. It suggests that they are beyond the reach of any protective hand, whether human or divine, and are exposed to the full force of calamity and misfortune. This is presented as a natural and inevitable consequence of their parent's (or their own) presumed unrighteousness, highlighting their complete lack of security.
* **"and they are crushed in the gate":** This vivid and unsettling image depicts a public and utterly devastating defeat. It implies that their downfall is not hidden but occurs in the most prominent public space, where justice is supposedly administered. To be "crushed" here signifies not just physical harm, but a complete legal, social, and existential ruin, with no possibility of vindication or appeal within the established societal structures.
* **"neither [is there] any to deliver [them]":** This final, chilling phrase underscores the absolute hopelessness of their situation. It emphasizes a complete lack of advocacy, rescue, or intervention. There is no one to plead their case, no one to offer aid, and no one to snatch them from the jaws of their inevitable destruction, sealing their fate as utterly lost and condemned.

#### Literary Devices
Eliphaz's speech in Job 5:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey his message with dramatic effect. **Imagery** is central, particularly with the phrase "crushed in the gate," which conjures a vivid picture of public, decisive, and irreversible defeat occurring in a place of judgment. This specific imagery is a form of **Metonymy**, where "the gate" stands for the entire legal and public system itself, representing the authority and judgment of the community. There is a profound underlying **Irony** in Eliphaz's confident pronouncements, as the entire Book of Job ultimately serves to dismantle the simplistic theology he espouses, revealing that suffering is far more complex than mere divine retribution for sin. His words, intended to condemn Job, inadvertently highlight the very human vulnerability and the desperate need for a true deliverer that the book, and indeed the entire biblical narrative, will ultimately address.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Eliphaz's assertion in Job 5:4, while rooted in a common understanding of divine justice prevalent in his era, ultimately represents a limited and flawed theological perspective that the Book of Job profoundly challenges. While the Bible does acknowledge the principle of sowing and reaping and the potential for generational consequences of sin (e.g., [Exodus 20:5](/exodus/20-5 "Exodus 20:5 - Consequences of Idolatry")), Eliphaz's rigid application fails to account for the complexities of suffering, the sovereignty of God, and the reality of righteous individuals enduring hardship. His view simplifies God's justice into a mechanistic system of immediate retribution, overlooking the nuances of divine providence, the role of testing, and the ultimate purpose of suffering in refining faith. The book of Job serves as a powerful counter-narrative, demonstrating that not all suffering is punitive and that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension or simplistic categorization.

* [Proverbs 14:11](/proverbs/14-11 "Proverbs 14:11 - The House of the Wicked")
* [Psalm 73:17-19](/psalms/73-17-19 "Psalm 73:17-19 - The End of the Wicked")
* [John 9:1-3](/john/9-1-3 "John 9:1-3 - Jesus on Blindness and Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Eliphaz's words in Job 5:4 serve as a profound cautionary tale for believers across the ages. They challenge us to resist the temptation to offer simplistic explanations for human suffering or to quickly attribute misfortune to divine judgment. Instead, this passage calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and empathy when encountering those who suffer, recognizing that God's ways are often mysterious and transcend our limited understanding. It compels us to move beyond a transactional view of faith, where blessings are merely rewards for good behavior and suffering is solely punishment for sin. Ultimately, the lament that "neither is there any to deliver them" should stir within us a deep appreciation for the true deliverer, God Himself, who offers refuge and salvation far beyond what any human system or legal structure can provide, reminding us that our ultimate safety and hope rest not in our own righteousness, but in His grace and power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do Eliphaz's words challenge or affirm your own assumptions about the relationship between sin and suffering?**
* **In what ways might we, like Eliphaz, be tempted to offer simplistic or judgmental explanations for the misfortunes of others?**
* **What does the phrase "neither is there any to deliver them" reveal about humanity's inherent need for a rescuer, and how does this resonate with your understanding of God?**
* **How can we cultivate greater empathy and humility when encountering suffering, rather than resorting to quick judgments?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 5:4 mean that children always suffer for their parents' sins?**

Answer: No, not in a universal or deterministic sense. Eliphaz's statement reflects a common ancient Near Eastern belief and a strain within Israelite wisdom literature that often linked the well-being of descendants to the righteousness of their parents. While the Bible does acknowledge the concept of generational consequences for sin (e.g., [Exodus 34:7](/exodus/34-7 "Exodus 34:7 - Visiting Iniquity")), it also strongly emphasizes individual accountability, particularly in later prophetic books (e.g., [Ezekiel 18:20](/ezekiel/18-20 "Ezekiel 18:20 - Individual Accountability")). The Book of Job itself serves as a profound challenge to this simplistic cause-and-effect theology, demonstrating that righteous individuals can suffer immensely without direct punitive cause, and that God's justice operates on a far more complex and sovereign level than human wisdom can grasp. Job's own experience, where his children died despite his righteousness, is the primary counter-example to Eliphaz's claim.

**What is the significance of "crushed in the gate"?**

Answer: The phrase "crushed in the gate" is highly significant, drawing on the cultural context of ancient Near Eastern cities. The "gate" (Hebrew: _shaʻar_) was the central public space where legal proceedings, business transactions, and social gatherings took place. It was the seat of justice and authority. To be "crushed" (Hebrew: _dâkâʼ_, meaning broken, oppressed, or utterly defeated) in this location signifies a public, undeniable, and complete downfall. It implies a legal or social condemnation from which there is no appeal or escape, a public humiliation and ruin that is witnessed and confirmed by the community, leaving the individual utterly without recourse or defense. It speaks to a comprehensive and visible destruction of one's standing and future.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Eliphaz's despairing declaration that "neither is there any to deliver them" in Job 5:4, while intended as a condemnation, paradoxically highlights humanity's deepest need for a true deliverer, a need profoundly met in Jesus Christ. The very helplessness and public ruin described by Eliphaz find their ultimate answer in the Gospel. While the wicked are "crushed in the gate" without hope, Christ, the Righteous One, was willingly "crushed for our iniquities" ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Crushed for Our Iniquities")), enduring public shame and a judicial death on a cross, not for His own sin, but for ours. His public defeat became our ultimate victory, transforming the symbol of judgment into the means of salvation. Where Eliphaz saw no advocate, the New Testament proclaims Jesus as our great High Priest and Advocate ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Our Intercessor"); [1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Christ Our Advocate")), who stands before God on our behalf, ensuring that those who trust in Him are never left without deliverance. Through His sacrifice, the children of God are brought from a state of being "far from safety" in the world's terms, into the eternal safety and security of His unshakeable kingdom ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")).

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 127:5

Happy [is] the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Psalms 119:155

¶ Salvation [is] far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

Job 1:19

And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

Psalms 7:2

Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending [it] in pieces, while [there is] none to deliver.

Job 10:7

Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and [there is] none that can deliver out of thine hand.

Job 8:4

If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;

Job 4:10

The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.