Job 5:5

Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.

Whose harvest {H7105} the hungry {H7457} eateth up {H398}, and taketh {H3947} it even out {H413} of the thorns {H6791}, and the robber {H6782} swalloweth up {H7602} their substance {H2428}.

the hungry eat up his harvest, taking it even from among thorns, while the thirsty are panting, eager to swallow his wealth.

The hungry consume his harvest, taking it even from the thorns, and the thirsty pant after his wealth.

Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, And taketh it even out of the thorns; And the snare gapeth for their substance.

Commentary

Job 5:5 is part of Eliphaz the Temanite's first speech to Job, where he attempts to explain Job's immense suffering as a direct consequence of his sin. In this verse, Eliphaz describes the fate of the wicked, whose prosperity and hard-earned gains are taken away by various destructive forces.

Context

This verse is embedded within Eliphaz's argument that God is just and always punishes the wicked while protecting the righteous. He implies that Job must have committed some great sin to incur such calamity. Eliphaz paints a picture of the wicked person's downfall: their "harvest," symbolizing their wealth and achievements, is consumed by others. This aligns with his earlier assertion that no innocent person has ever perished, setting the stage for his flawed theology regarding suffering.

Key Themes

  • Divine Retribution (from Eliphaz's perspective): The primary theme Eliphaz presents is that God's justice ensures the wicked lose their prosperity. Their efforts are futile, and their gains are devoured.
  • Loss of Prosperity: The "harvest" represents the accumulated wealth and blessings that are suddenly stripped away. It emphasizes the ephemeral nature of earthly possessions when one is out of favor with God (as Eliphaz understands it).
  • Vulnerability and Insecurity: The imagery of the "hungry" eating the harvest and the "robber" swallowing substance highlights the utter lack of security for the wicked. Even what is considered protected ("out of the thorns") is not safe.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "harvest" (qatsir) refers to the season of reaping, symbolizing the fruit of one's labor and accumulated wealth.
  • The phrase "taketh it even out of the thorns" is intriguing. "Thorns" (tsinnim) can imply difficulty or danger, suggesting that even assets that are hard to reach or are seemingly protected are not safe from judgment. It could also metaphorically represent the struggles or dangers the wicked themselves faced in acquiring their wealth, only for it to be lost.
  • The term translated "robber" (tsamim) in KJV is somewhat debated among scholars, with some suggesting it could also mean "the thirsty" or "the greedy," emphasizing a devouring, insatiable force. Regardless, the KJV translation effectively conveys the idea of an external, destructive agent seizing what belongs to the wicked.

Related Scriptures

While Eliphaz's application of this principle to Job was incorrect, the general concept of divine judgment bringing about the loss of ill-gotten gains or the reversal of fortunes for the wicked is found elsewhere in Scripture. For instance, the Book of Proverbs often speaks of the wealth of the sinner being laid up for the just, and the New Testament echoes this principle in Galatians 6:7, stating that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Practical Application

Though Eliphaz's counsel was ultimately proven wrong concerning Job's righteousness, this verse still offers a timeless warning about the impermanence of material wealth when it is gained unjustly or relied upon apart from God. It reminds us that true security is not found in possessions, but in a right relationship with the Creator. It also highlights the unpredictability of life and how circumstances can swiftly change, leading to the loss of what was once held dear. For believers today, it encourages a focus on eternal treasures rather than fleeting earthly gains.

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Cross-References

  • Lamentations 2:16

    All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed [her] up: certainly this [is] the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen [it].

  • Hosea 8:7

    For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

  • Jeremiah 51:44

    And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.

  • Jeremiah 51:34

    Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath cast me out.

  • Deuteronomy 28:33

    The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:

  • Job 20:15

    He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.

  • Job 2:3

    And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.