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Selected Verse: Job 5:17 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Job 5:17 |
Strong Concordance |
Behold, happy [0835] is the man [0582] whom God [0433] correcteth [03198]: therefore despise [03988] not thou the chastening [04148] of the Almighty [07706]: |
| |
King James |
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
| happy--not that the actual suffering is joyous; but the consideration of the righteousness of Him who sends it, and the end for which it is sent, make it a cause for thankfulness, not for complaints, such as Job had uttered (Heb 12:11). Eliphaz implies that the end in this case is to call back Job from the particular sin of which he takes for granted that Job is guilty. Paul seems to allude to this passage in Heb 12:5; so Jam 1:12; Pro 3:12. Eliphaz does not give due prominence to this truth, but rather to Job's sin. It is Elihu alone (Job 32:1-37:24) who fully dwells upon the truth, that affliction is mercy and justice in disguise, for the good of the sufferer. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth - This verse commences a new argument, designed to show that afflictions are followed by so important advantages as to make it proper that we should submit to them without a complaint. The sentiment in this verse, if not expressly quoted, is probably alluded to by the apostle Paul in Heb 12:5. The same thought frequently occurs in the Bible: see Jam 1:12; Pro 3:11-12. The sense is plain, that God confers a favor on us when he recalls us from our sins by the corrections of his paternal hand - as a father confers a favor on a child whom he restrains from sin by suitable correction. The way in which this is done, Eliphaz proceeds to state at length. He does it in most beautiful language, and in a manner entirely in accordance with the sentiments which occur elsewhere in the Bible. The word rendered "correcteth" (יכח yâkach) means to argue, convince, reprove, punish, and to judge.
It here refers to any of the modes by which God calls people from their sins, and leads them to walk in the paths of virtue. The word "happy" here, means that the condition of such an one is blessed (אשׁרי 'ēshrēy); Greek μακάριος makarios - not that there is happiness in the suffering. The sense is, that it is a favor when God recalls his friends from their wanderings, and from the error of their ways, rather than to suffer them to go on to ruin. He does me a kindness who shows me a precipice down which I am in danger of falling; he lays me under obligation to him who even with violence saves me from flames which would devour me. Eliphaz undoubtedly means to be understood as implying that Job had been guilty of transgression, and that God had taken this method to recall him from the error of his ways. That he had sinned, and that these calamities had come as a consequence, he seems never once to doubt; yet he supposes that the affliction was meant in kindness, and proceeds to state that if Job would receive it in a proper manner, it might be attended still with important benefits.
Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty - "Do not regret (תמאס tı̂m'ās). Septuagint, μή ἀπανάινου mē apanainou - the means which God is using to admonish you." There is direct allusion here undoubtedly to the feelings which Job had manifested Job 3; and the object of Eliphaz is, to show him that there were important benefits to be derived from affliction which should make him willing to bear it without complaining. Job had exhibited, as Eliphaz thought, a disposition to reject the lessons which afflictions were designed to teach him, and to spurn the admonitions of the Almighty. From that state of mind he would recall him, and would impress on him the truth that there were such advantages to be derived from those afflictions as should make him willing to endure all that was laid upon him without a complaint. |
| Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78] |
17 Behold, happy is the man whom Eloah correcteth;
So despise not the chastening of the Almighty!
18 For He woundeth, and He also bindeth up;
He bruiseth, and His hands make whole.
19 In six troubles He will rescue thee,
And in seven no evil shall touch thee.
20 In famine He will redeem thee from death,
And in war from the stroke of the sword.
21 When the tongue scourgeth, thou shalt be hidden;
And thou shalt not fear destruction when it cometh.
The speech of Eliphaz now becomes persuasive as it turns towards the conclusion. Since God humbles him who exalts himself, and since He humbles in order to exalt, it is a happy thing when He corrects (הוכיח) us by afflictive dispensations; and His chastisement (מוּסר) is to be received not with a turbulent spirit, but resignedly, yea joyously: the same thought as Pro 3:11-13; Psa 94:12, in both passages borrowed from this; whereas Job 5:18 here, like Hos 6:1; Lam 3:31., refers to Deu 32:39. רפא, to heal, is here conjugated like a הל verb (Ges. 75, rem. 21). Job 5:19 is formed after the manner of the so-called number-proverbs (Pro 6:16; Pro 30:15, Pro 30:18), as also the roll of the judgment of the nations in Amos 1-2: in six troubles, yea in still more than six. רע is the extremity that is perhaps to be feared. In Job 5:20, the praet. is a kind of prophetic praet. The scourge of the tongue recalls the similar promise, Psa 31:21, where, instead of scourge, it is: the disputes of the tongue. שׁוד, from שׁדד violence, disaster, is allied in sound with שׁוט. Isaiah has this passage of the book of Job in his memory when he writes Job 28:15. The promises of Eliphaz now continue to rise higher, and sound more delightful and more glorious. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Behold - Eliphaz concludes his discourse, with giving Job a comfortable hope, if he humbled himself before God. Happy - Heb. Blessednesses (various and great happiness) belong to that man whom God rebukes. The reason is plain, because afflictions are pledges of God's love, which no man can buy too dear; and are necessary to purge out sin, and thereby to prevent infinite and eternal miseries. Without respect to this, the proposition could not be true. And therefore it plainly shews, that good men in those ancient times, had the belief, and hope of everlasting blessedness. Despise not - Do not abhor it as a thing pernicious, refuse it as a thing useless, or slight it as an unnecessary thing. But more is designed than is exprest. Reverence the chastening of the Lord: have an humble, aweful regard to his correcting hand, and study to answer the design of it. The Almighty - Who is able to support and comfort thee in thy troubles, and deliver thee out of them: and also to add more calamities to them, if thou art obstinate and incorrigible. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| Behold, happy is the man - הנח hinneh, behold, is wanting in five of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS., and also in the Syriac, Vulgate, and Arabic. We have had fathers of our flesh, who corrected us for their pleasure, or according to their caprices, and we were subject to them: how much more should we be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? for he corrects that we may be partakers of his holiness, in order that we may be rendered fit for his glory. See Heb 12:5; Jam 1:12; and Pro 3:12. |
12 For whom the LORD [03068] loveth [0157] he correcteth [03198]; even as a father [01] the son [01121] in whom he delighteth [07521].
12 Blessed [3107] is the man [435] that [3739] endureth [5278] temptation [3986]: for [3754] when he is tried [1384] [1096], he shall receive [2983] the crown [4735] of life [2222], which [3739] the Lord [2962] hath promised [1861] to them that love [25] him [846].
5 And [2532] ye have forgotten [1585] the exhortation [3874] which [3748] speaketh [1256] unto you [5213] as [5613] unto children [5207], My [3450] son [5207], despise [3643] not [3361] thou [3643] the chastening [3809] of the Lord [2962], nor [3366] faint [1590] when thou art rebuked [1651] of [5259] him [846]:
11 Now [1161] no [3956] [3756] chastening [3809] for [4314] [3303] the present [3918] seemeth [1380] to be [1511] joyous [5479], but [235] grievous [3077]: nevertheless [1161] afterward [5305] it yieldeth [591] the peaceable [1516] fruit [2590] of righteousness [1343] unto them which are exercised [1128] thereby [1223] [846].
11 My son [01121], despise [03988] not the chastening [04148] of the LORD [03068]; neither be weary [06973] of his correction [08433]:
12 For whom the LORD [03068] loveth [0157] he correcteth [03198]; even as a father [01] the son [01121] in whom he delighteth [07521].
12 Blessed [3107] is the man [435] that [3739] endureth [5278] temptation [3986]: for [3754] when he is tried [1384] [1096], he shall receive [2983] the crown [4735] of life [2222], which [3739] the Lord [2962] hath promised [1861] to them that love [25] him [846].
5 And [2532] ye have forgotten [1585] the exhortation [3874] which [3748] speaketh [1256] unto you [5213] as [5613] unto children [5207], My [3450] son [5207], despise [3643] not [3361] thou [3643] the chastening [3809] of the Lord [2962], nor [3366] faint [1590] when thou art rebuked [1651] of [5259] him [846]:
15 It cannot be gotten [05414] for gold [05458], neither shall silver [03701] be weighed [08254] for the price [04242] thereof.
21 Blessed [01288] be the LORD [03068]: for he hath shewed me his marvellous [06381] kindness [02617] in a strong [04692] city [05892].
20 In famine [07458] he shall redeem [06299] thee from death [04194]: and in war [04421] from the power [03027] of the sword [02719].
18 There be three [07969] things which are too wonderful [06381] for me, yea, four [0702] which I know [03045] not:
15 The horseleach [05936] hath two [08147] daughters [01323], crying, Give [03051], give [03051]. There are three [07969] things that are never satisfied [07646], yea, four [0702] things say [0559] not,It is enough [01952]:
16 These six [08337] things doth the LORD [03068] hate [08130]: yea, seven [07651] are an abomination [08441] unto him [05315]:
19 He shall deliver [05337] thee in six [08337] troubles [06869]: yea, in seven [07651] there shall no evil [07451] touch [05060] thee.
39 See [07200] now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god [0430] with me: I kill [04191], and I make alive [02421]; I wound [04272], and I heal [07495]: neither is there any that can deliver [05337] out of my hand [03027].
31 For the Lord [0136] will not cast off [02186] for ever [05769]:
1 Come [03212], and let us return [07725] unto the LORD [03068]: for he hath torn [02963], and he will heal [07495] us; he hath smitten [05221], and he will bind us up [02280].
18 For he maketh sore [03510], and bindeth up [02280]: he woundeth [04272], and his hands [03027] make whole [07495].
12 Blessed [0835] is the man [01397] whom thou chastenest [03256], O LORD [03050], and teachest [03925] him out of thy law [08451];
11 My son [01121], despise [03988] not the chastening [04148] of the LORD [03068]; neither be weary [06973] of his correction [08433]:
12 For whom the LORD [03068] loveth [0157] he correcteth [03198]; even as a father [01] the son [01121] in whom he delighteth [07521].
13 Happy [0835] is the man [0120] that findeth [04672] wisdom [02451], and the man [0120] that getteth [06329] understanding [08394].
12 For whom the LORD [03068] loveth [0157] he correcteth [03198]; even as a father [01] the son [01121] in whom he delighteth [07521].
12 Blessed [3107] is the man [435] that [3739] endureth [5278] temptation [3986]: for [3754] when he is tried [1384] [1096], he shall receive [2983] the crown [4735] of life [2222], which [3739] the Lord [2962] hath promised [1861] to them that love [25] him [846].
5 And [2532] ye have forgotten [1585] the exhortation [3874] which [3748] speaketh [1256] unto you [5213] as [5613] unto children [5207], My [3450] son [5207], despise [3643] not [3361] thou [3643] the chastening [3809] of the Lord [2962], nor [3366] faint [1590] when thou art rebuked [1651] of [5259] him [846]: