Job 5:22

At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

At destruction {H7701} and famine {H3720} thou shalt laugh {H7832}: neither shalt thou be afraid {H3372} of the beasts {H2416} of the earth {H776}.

you'll be able to laugh at destruction and famine. Also you won't have to fear wild animals,

You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth.

At destruction and dearth thou shalt laugh; Neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

Commentary

Job 5:22 is part of Eliphaz the Temanite's initial counsel to Job, where he attempts to explain Job's immense suffering as a consequence of sin, and conversely, promises restoration and blessings upon repentance. In this verse, Eliphaz describes the ideal state of a righteous person who, under God's favor, would be immune to the common calamities of life.

Context

Eliphaz, one of Job's three friends, speaks from a traditional wisdom perspective prevalent in his time: that God blesses the righteous and punishes the wicked. He argues that if Job would just acknowledge his sin and seek God, he would experience profound peace and security. This verse presents a vivid image of such protection, implying that Job's current distress means he has strayed from this path. While Eliphaz's theology is later challenged by God Himself (see Job 42:7 for God's rebuke of Job's friends), his description here highlights the deep desire for divine peace and safety in a chaotic world.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Security: The central promise is one of unwavering safety from life's greatest threats. The idea that one would "laugh" at destruction and famine signifies a profound sense of confidence and an absence of fear, rooted in God's protective hand.
  • Fearlessness in Adversity: This verse portrays an individual who is not paralyzed by the prospect of natural disasters or wild animals. It speaks to a state of inner peace and outward resilience, enabled by divine favor, allowing one to face even the most daunting circumstances without dread.
  • Blessings of Righteousness (Eliphaz's View): From Eliphaz's perspective, such protection is a direct result of living a righteous life and maintaining a right relationship with God. This aligns with his broader argument that Job's suffering must be a consequence of unconfessed sin, and restoration would come through repentance. This concept is further elaborated in the following verse, Job 5:23, where he speaks of a covenant with stones and beasts.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "laugh" (ṣāḥaq) here implies a confident, almost dismissive attitude towards danger, rather than mockery. It conveys a sense of security so complete that threats hold no power. "Destruction and famine" (shōd wā-rāʿāb) represent the most devastating human experiences—war, economic collapse, and scarcity—while "beasts of the earth" (ḥayyat hā-ʾāreṣ) symbolize natural dangers and untamed forces. The verse paints a comprehensive picture of protection from both man-made and natural calamities.

Practical Application

While Eliphaz's theology about suffering was flawed, the underlying truth about God's ability to protect His people remains powerful. For believers today, this verse can be an encouragement to trust in God's sovereignty and care, even when facing difficult circumstances. Though we may not literally "laugh" at every trial, we can cultivate a spiritual confidence that enables us to face life's challenges with less fear, knowing that our ultimate security rests in God's hands. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, all things work together for good to them that love God, even in times of "destruction and famine" or when confronting metaphorical "beasts of the earth." This trust allows us to live with a peace that surpasses understanding, as described in Philippians 4:7.

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 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

  • Ezekiel 34:25 (10 votes)

    And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.

  • Isaiah 35:9 (7 votes)

    No lion shall be there, nor [any] ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there]:

  • Psalms 91:13 (6 votes)

    Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

  • Hosea 2:18 (3 votes)

    And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and [with] the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.

  • Isaiah 65:25 (2 votes)

    The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust [shall be] the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

  • 2 Kings 19:21 (0 votes)

    This [is] the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, [and] laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.