Job 5:8

KJV

I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

KJV (with Strong's)

I would seek {H199}{H1875} unto God {H410}, and unto God {H430} would I commit {H7760} my cause {H1700}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"If I were you, I would seek God; I would make my plea to him.

Berean Standard Bible

However, if I were you, I would appeal to God and lay my cause before Him—

American Standard Version

But as for me, I would seek unto God, And unto God would I commit my cause;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's friends, offers counsel in Job 5:8, advising Job to turn to God and entrust his predicament to Him. While seemingly pious and wise on the surface, this exhortation is rooted in Eliphaz's flawed theological framework that links suffering directly to sin, implicitly suggesting Job's affliction is a consequence of his own unrighteousness. Nevertheless, the verse articulates a timeless principle of seeking divine reliance and submitting one's burdens to the Almighty, even as the broader narrative of Job challenges the simplistic cause-and-effect understanding of suffering and reveals God's deeper, often mysterious, purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 5:8 is situated within Eliphaz's initial and most extensive speech to Job, spanning from [Job 4](/job/4 "Job 4 - Eliphaz's First Speech") through [Job 5](/job/5 "Job 5 - Eliphaz's Continued Counsel"). This speech serves as the first direct response to Job's profound lament and curse of his birth in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament"). As the first of Job's three friends to speak, Eliphaz attempts to provide comfort and theological explanation for Job's immense suffering. His arguments are largely shaped by the traditional retribution principle, a prevalent wisdom teaching that posits a direct correlation between righteousness and prosperity, and wickedness and suffering. From this perspective, Eliphaz implicitly suggests that Job's unprecedented afflictions must be a consequence of some hidden sin. While his counsel to "seek unto God" might appear sound, it is delivered with an underlying accusatory tone, implying that Job's only path to restoration is through confession and repentance. This interaction immediately establishes the central dramatic and theological tension of the book, as Job vehemently maintains his innocence, setting the stage for the protracted debate that follows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a geographical location typically associated with regions east of Palestine, possibly Edom or northern Arabia. This non-Israelite setting for the patriarch Job highlights the universal nature of the theological questions addressed, particularly the problem of evil and suffering, which transcends specific cultural boundaries. The cultural milieu reflects ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions, where the concept of divine justice often manifested as a direct link between human actions and divine recompense. In this worldview, misfortune was frequently interpreted as divine judgment for transgression, and prosperity as a sign of divine favor. Eliphaz and Job's other friends represent this prevailing orthodox theology of their time. Their well-intentioned but ultimately limited counsel underscores a common human tendency to rationalize suffering within a simplistic moral framework, struggling to comprehend God's complex sovereignty and purposes that extend beyond immediate human understanding. The book, therefore, critiques the inadequacy of human wisdom to fully grasp the divine.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Firstly, it directly engages with the theme of **divine justice and the retribution principle**, albeit from a humanly flawed perspective. Eliphaz's advice to seek God is an attempt to apply this principle to Job's situation, suggesting that God's justice will either vindicate the innocent or punish the guilty. Secondly, the verse highlights the contrast between **human wisdom and divine wisdom**. Eliphaz offers what he perceives as profound insight, yet his counsel ultimately proves to be inadequate and misinformed when confronted with the reality of Job's blameless suffering and God's later revelation (as seen in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's Speeches to Job")). Thirdly, despite its problematic context, the verse underscores the enduring biblical theme of **reliance on God in adversity**. The act of seeking God and committing one's cause to Him is a fundamental posture of faith, acknowledging God as the ultimate arbiter and source of help, a truth that Job himself, through his persistent cries to God, ultimately embodies more authentically than his friends. This theme is central to the book's message about maintaining faith even when God's ways are inscrutable.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **seek (Hebrew, _dârash'_):** The Hebrew verb H1875 `דָּרַשׁ` (_dârash_) means "to tread or frequent," and by implication, "to follow (for pursuit or search)," "to seek or ask," and specifically "to worship." It denotes an earnest, intentional, and diligent pursuit or inquiry. In this context, Eliphaz urges Job to actively and deliberately turn his attention, efforts, and petitions toward God, implying a purposeful quest for divine intervention or guidance. It is far more than a casual glance; it's a committed engagement.
* **commit (Hebrew, _sûwm'_):** The Hebrew verb H7760 `שׂוּם` (_sûwm_) means "to put," "to set," or "to appoint." When used with "my cause," as here, it signifies the act of entrusting, laying down, or presenting one's entire case, predicament, or argument before a higher authority. It implies a surrender of control, a placing of one's burdens, and an appeal for divine arbitration, judgment, or resolution. This is an active act of placing something securely into another's hands.
* **cause (Hebrew, _dibrâh'_):** The Hebrew noun H1700 `דִּבְרָה` (_dibrâh_), a feminine form of `דָּבָר` (davar), refers to "a reason, suit or style," and here specifically means "cause," "end," or "regard." In this legal or personal context, it refers to Job's entire situation, his arguments, his defense, and the circumstances of his suffering. To "commit my cause" is to present one's entire legal or personal case, with all its complexities and grievances, to God for His ultimate judgment, vindication, or resolution.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I would seek unto God":** This initial clause expresses a strong personal inclination or hypothetical action on Eliphaz's part, essentially stating, "If I were in your dire situation, this is the course of action I would take." The phrase "seek unto God" implies a deliberate turning away from self-reliance, human solutions, or despair, and a purposeful orientation towards the divine. It suggests an active posture of prayer, supplication, and an earnest desire for divine encounter, understanding, and intervention in one's distress.
* **"and unto God would I commit my cause":** This second clause powerfully reinforces and expands upon the first, forming a synonymous parallel thought. The emphatic repetition of "unto God" underscores the singular and absolute focus of this action—God alone is the proper recipient of such profound trust and the ultimate arbiter. To "commit my cause" means to surrender one's entire predicament, including one's arguments, one's defense against accusations, and one's future, into God's sovereign and just hands. It is an act of profound trust, submission, and dependence, believing that God is the ultimate judge, advocate, and deliverer.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey Eliphaz's counsel. Most prominently, **Repetition** is used with the phrase "unto God," which appears twice. This serves to emphasize the singular and absolute focus of Eliphaz's advice, underscoring that God is the exclusive object of seeking and the sole recipient of one's entrusted cause. Furthermore, the verse exhibits strong **Parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where the second clause ("and unto God would I commit my cause") reiterates and deepens the meaning of the first clause ("I would seek unto God"). Both phrases convey the essential act of turning to God in distress and entrusting one's situation to Him, thereby reinforcing the central message through restatement. The verse also functions as a form of **Exhortation** or **Counsel**, as Eliphaz is directly advising Job on what he believes is the proper and pious course of action in the face of suffering, albeit from a theologically limited and ultimately flawed premise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Eliphaz's underlying theology regarding the cause of Job's suffering is ultimately proven incorrect by the unfolding narrative, the core principle he articulates in Job 5:8—that one should turn to God in times of distress and commit one's burdens to Him—is a profound and enduring truth woven throughout biblical theology. It speaks to the sovereignty of God, His accessibility to humanity, and the appropriate human response of humble dependence and trust, even when circumstances are inexplicable. This act of seeking God and entrusting one's "cause" to Him is a fundamental expression of faith, acknowledging God as the ultimate source of justice, wisdom, and deliverance, regardless of whether one fully understands the immediate reasons for suffering. It is a call to relinquish control and place one's hope in the divine.

* [Psalm 37:5](/psalms/37-5 "Psalm 37:5 - Commit Your Way to the Lord")
* [Psalm 55:22](/psalms/55-22 "Psalm 55:22 - Cast Your Burden on the Lord")
* [1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Cast All Your Anxiety on Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 5:8, despite its problematic origin within Eliphaz's flawed counsel, offers a timeless and vital principle for believers today: the imperative to seek God and commit our entire being and circumstances to Him in times of trial. In a world that often encourages self-reliance, blame, or despair when faced with suffering, this verse calls us to a posture of radical dependence on the divine. It reminds us that our first and most effective recourse in any crisis—be it injustice, illness, loss, confusion, or spiritual struggle—is to turn to the Almighty. Committing our cause to God means surrendering our need for control, our desire for immediate answers, and our attempts to justify ourselves, placing all our burdens, questions, and even our grievances before the One who sees all, knows all, and is ultimately just. It is an act of faith that acknowledges God's ultimate sovereignty and His capacity to work even the most painful circumstances for His purposes and our good. This is not a passive resignation but an active entrustment, a profound act of worship that declares God's supremacy over all circumstances, inviting His peace that transcends all understanding.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life are you currently struggling to "commit your cause" to God?**
* **What fears, desires for control, or past disappointments prevent you from fully entrusting your situation to divine sovereignty?**
* **How might actively "seeking unto God" through prayer, worship, and Scripture change your perspective on your current challenges and deepen your trust?**
* **What does it truly mean to believe that God is just and good, even when your circumstances feel unjust, overwhelmingly difficult, or His ways seem inscrutable?**

### FAQ

**Does Eliphaz's counsel in Job 5:8 mean that all suffering is a result of sin?**

Answer: No, not necessarily. While Eliphaz and Job's other friends operate from the traditional theological framework that suffering is a direct consequence of sin, the entire Book of Job ultimately challenges and refutes this simplistic view. Job's suffering is explicitly stated in [Job 1](/job/1 "Job 1 - Satan's Challenge and Job's Integrity") and [Job 2](/job/2 "Job 2 - Job's Continued Suffering") to be *not* a result of his sin, but rather a test of his integrity and a demonstration of God's sovereign purposes that transcend human understanding. Eliphaz's counsel in [Job 5:8](/job/5-8 "Job 5:8 - Eliphaz's Counsel to Seek God") is sound in its call to seek God, but flawed in its underlying assumption that Job must have sinned to deserve his plight. The book teaches that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension, and suffering can serve various purposes, including refining faith, revealing God's glory, or testing righteousness, rather than solely being punitive.

**How can I "commit my cause" to God when I feel overwhelmed and don't know what to do?**

Answer: "Committing your cause" to God is an active posture of faith and surrender, often expressed through prayer, worship, and intentional trust. It means actively bringing your worries, anxieties, specific situations, and even your deepest pains before God, laying them down at His feet, and acknowledging His ultimate control and wisdom. This can involve heartfelt prayer where you articulate your struggles, express your fears, and consciously release your need to control the outcome. It also involves trusting in God's character—His goodness, justice, and love—even when you don't understand His plan or see an immediate solution. Passages like [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray") encourage us to "be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." It's about shifting your burden from your finite shoulders to His infinite strength, believing that He cares for you and will act in His perfect timing and way.

**Is it always appropriate to "seek unto God" in every situation, even when I feel angry or resentful?**

Answer: Yes, it is always appropriate and indeed encouraged to seek unto God, even when experiencing difficult emotions like anger, resentment, confusion, or despair. The Psalms, for instance, are replete with examples of individuals expressing raw emotions, complaints, doubts, and even anger directly to God (e.g., [Psalm 22](/psalms/22 "Psalm 22 - A Psalm of Lament and Praise") or [Psalm 77](/psalms/77 "Psalm 77 - A Psalm of Distress and Hope")). God invites us to come to Him authentically, with all our feelings, doubts, and struggles, rather than pretending to be "okay." Seeking God in such moments is not about suppressing our true emotions, but about bringing our true selves before Him, trusting that He is big enough to handle our emotions and will meet us in our brokenness. It's a vital step towards healing, finding peace, and deepening our relationship with the One who understands us completely.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Eliphaz's counsel in [Job 5:8](/job/5-8 "Job 5:8 - Eliphaz's Counsel to Seek God") is given within a limited and ultimately flawed understanding of suffering, its core exhortation to "seek unto God" and "commit my cause" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus perfectly embodied this principle, not only in His life of constant communion with the Father but supremely in His suffering and death. In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing unimaginable agony and the weight of the world's sin, He prayed, "Not my will, but yours be done" ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")), thereby committing His ultimate "cause"—the salvation of humanity—entirely to the Father's sovereign will. On the cross, as He breathed His last, He cried out, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" ([Luke 23:46](/luke/23-46 "Luke 23:46 - Jesus Commits His Spirit")), perfectly demonstrating the act of entrusting one's entire being and destiny to God amidst the greatest suffering. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and by His resurrection, He was gloriously vindicated by the Father ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). Therefore, for believers, the call to seek God and commit our cause to Him is now made possible and effective through Christ. He is our compassionate High Priest who intercedes for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Our High Priest")), and through Him, we can boldly approach the throne of grace with all our burdens and petitions, finding help in time of need ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). In Christ, our "cause" is not merely heard but is eternally secured, and our suffering, though mysterious, is ultimately redeemed and given meaning within His redemptive plan for our good and God's glory ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good")).

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 50:15

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Job 22:21

¶ Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.

Psalms 37:5

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.

2 Chronicles 33:12

And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

2 Chronicles 33:13

And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he [was] God.

1 Peter 4:19

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

2 Timothy 1:12

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.