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Job 4:5

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But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.

But now it is come {H935} upon thee, and thou faintest {H3811}; it toucheth {H5060} thee, and thou art troubled {H926}.

"But now it comes to you, and you are impatient; at the first touch, you are in shock.

But now trouble has come upon you, and you are weary. It strikes you, and you are dismayed.

But now it is come unto thee, and thou faintest; It toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.

Commentary

Context of Job 4:5

This verse is spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's three friends who came to comfort him in his immense suffering. In his first speech, Eliphaz attempts to explain Job's calamities, operating under the traditional belief that severe suffering is a direct consequence of grave sin. Here, Eliphaz points out the irony of Job's situation: Job, who once offered strength and counsel to others in their distress, now finds himself overwhelmed by his own trials. Eliphaz recalls how Job had previously instructed many and strengthened the weak hands, but now, the very affliction he might have helped others through has come upon him, and he is unable to bear it.

Key Themes in Job 4:5

  • Human Frailty Under Trial: The verse powerfully illustrates that even those who are strong in faith or wisdom can be deeply shaken when personal tragedy strikes. It highlights the vulnerability of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.
  • The Irony of Experience: Eliphaz's words underscore the stark contrast between offering advice from a distance and enduring the pain oneself. It's a reminder that empathy for others' suffering is often easier than facing one's own.
  • The Nature of Comfort: This verse, and Eliphaz's speech as a whole, serves as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of offering judgmental "comfort." Instead of true solace, Eliphaz's words contribute to Job's distress by implying his suffering is deserved, rather than offering genuine compassion. This contrasts sharply with the New Testament teaching that God comforts us in all our tribulation, so that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words behind "faintest" and "troubled" convey deep distress.

  • "Faintest" comes from the Hebrew root châlâh (חָלָה), which means to be sick, weak, or distressed, often implying a deep internal suffering that leads to physical weakness.
  • "Troubled" is from bâhal (בָּהַל), meaning to be terrified, dismayed, or agitated. It suggests a sudden, overwhelming fear or confusion. Together, these words paint a vivid picture of Job's profound internal and external turmoil.

Practical Application

Job 4:5 offers several important lessons for believers today:

  1. Empathy Over Judgment: It's easy to offer spiritual advice or explanations for suffering from a place of comfort. This verse reminds us to approach those in pain with humility and genuine empathy, rather than quick judgments or simplistic theological explanations.
  2. Acknowledging Human Vulnerability: Even the most devout and spiritually mature individuals can be overwhelmed by severe trials. There is no shame in feeling weak or troubled when facing immense hardship.
  3. The Need for True Comfort: The passage highlights the difference between accusatory "comfort" and true, compassionate support. When ministering to others, our goal should be to uplift and encourage, not to condemn or add to their burden.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Job 19:21 (4 votes)

    Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

  • Proverbs 24:10 (2 votes)

    ¶ [If] thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength [is] small.

  • Job 2:5 (2 votes)

    But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

  • Job 6:14 (2 votes)

    ¶ To him that is afflicted pity [should be shewed] from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

  • Hebrews 12:3 (2 votes)

    For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

  • Hebrews 12:5 (2 votes)

    And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

  • Job 3:25 (2 votes)

    For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.