Job 1 5

Job 1:5 kjv

And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

Job 1:5 nkjv

So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly.

Job 1:5 niv

When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.

Job 1:5 esv

And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.

Job 1:5 nlt

When these celebrations ended ? sometimes after several days ? Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, "Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular practice.

Job 1 verses

Job 1 5 Meaning

Job, demonstrating exemplary piety and spiritual foresight, habitually interceded for his children by ritually purifying them and offering burnt sacrifices after their feasting periods. His concern was not merely for outward conformity but for their internal spiritual state, fearing they might have sinned or, crucially, even "cursed God" in their thoughts or hearts during their revelry, which he recognized as a profound spiritual danger requiring propitiation.

Job 1 5 Context

Job 1:5 describes a specific religious practice of Job that highlights his exceptional piety, meticulousness, and role as the spiritual head of his family. This verse immediately follows the description of his prosperity and righteous character (Job 1:1-4), setting the stage for the testing that is to come. It establishes Job as a man who not only lived blamelessly but also diligently guarded his household against spiritual transgression, even "thought crimes."

Historically, Job is understood to have lived in the patriarchal era, preceding the Mosaic Law and the Levitical priesthood. In this context, heads of households like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob often served as priests for their families, building altars and offering sacrifices. Job's actions reflect this ancient custom, making his conduct understandable within that cultural framework. His practice of offering sacrifices for possible unknown or unintentional sins, especially those committed in the heart, foreshadows later Mosaic laws concerning such transgressions (e.g., Lev 4:27-29, Num 15:27-29).

This portrayal of Job's devotion and preemptive spiritual care also subtly forms a polemic against the idea that suffering only comes as a direct result of committed, evident sin. It shows Job doing everything right from a human perspective to maintain spiritual purity and connection with God, yet suffering still befalls him. It also stands against the casual dismissal of internal, unmanifested sin, emphasizing that even thoughts and attitudes can defile.

Job 1 5 Word analysis

• And when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent

  • "feasting": Mishteh (מִשְׁתֶּה) - Literally "drinking-bout," "feast." Indicates celebratory occasions, typically involving eating and drinking, which could lead to indulgence or carelessness.
  • "gone about": Naqaf (נָקַף) - To go around, complete a circuit, rotate. Signifies the conclusion of a cycle of festivities, implying they were recurring events, and Job’s response was a regular practice.
  • "sent": Shalach (שָׁלַח) - To send, send forth, dismiss. In this context, "sent" could imply sending a messenger or sending for his children to gather for a spiritual ceremony, indicating Job’s active initiative.

• and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered

  • "sanctified": Qadash (קָדַשׁ) - To set apart, make holy, consecrate, purify. This was a ritual act, not necessarily implying their spiritual rebirth, but a preparation for meeting with God or a symbolic cleansing from any potential defilement. It highlights Job’s role as the spiritual leader. This "sanctification" could involve ritual washing or a period of dedication.
  • "rose up early in the morning": Shakam (שָׁכַם) - To rise early, be early. Indicates Job’s diligence, earnestness, and unwavering commitment to his religious duties. It implies deep care and priority.
  • "offered": Alah (עָלָה) - To go up, ascend. Here in the Hiphil stem, `alah means to cause to ascend, referring to causing a sacrifice to ascend in smoke to God.

• burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said,

  • "burnt offerings": Olah (עֹלָה) - A "whole burnt offering" or "ascension offering," from the root `alah (to ascend). This type of sacrifice was entirely consumed by fire, ascending to God as a "sweet savor" (Lev 1:9), symbolizing complete devotion and propitiation. It often functioned as a general atonement for sin, whether known or unknown.
  • "according to the number of them all": Job offered a separate olah for each child, demonstrating meticulousness and personal concern for the spiritual welfare of every single family member, highlighting impartiality and thoroughness.

• It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.

  • "It may be": Ulay (אוּלַי) - Perhaps, maybe, it is possible. Reveals Job’s proactive concern and prudence. He wasn't certain of their sin but took preventative action for potential transgressions.
  • "sinned": Chata (חָטָא) - To miss the mark, err, offend, sin. This is a general term for any moral failing against God or others.
  • "cursed God": Barakh Elohim (בָּרַךְ אֱלֹהִים) - Literally "blessed God" (using the verb barakh). This is a classical example of tiqqun soferim or euphemism (indirect speaking to avoid saying something profane or blasphemous). In contexts of judgment or opposition to God, "bless" is used euphemistically to mean "curse," "blaspheme," or "renounce." Job fears they may have said or even thought things during their merry-making that dishonored God. This phrase directly appears in Job 1:11, 2:5, 2:9, illustrating its euphemistic use for blasphemy.
  • "in their hearts": Bi'lvavam (בִּלְבָבָם) - In their heart/mind. This is crucial. Job wasn't just worried about outward actions, but about internal thoughts, attitudes, or intentions that might have violated God’s holiness. It demonstrates Job’s deep understanding of sin originating in the heart, anticipating New Testament teachings.

• So did Job continually.

  • "continually": Kol ha'yamim (כֹּל הַיָּמִים) - All the days, continually. Emphasizes the consistent, persistent nature of Job's spiritual oversight and intercession, highlighting his unwavering piety.

Job 1 5 Bonus section

The narrative here, occurring before the Mosaic Law, presents a significant insight into early covenant worship. Job, as the head of his household, undertakes a role that would later be formalized under the Levitical priesthood. His foresight concerning sin of the heart (thoughts and attitudes, not just deeds) demonstrates a profound theological understanding rarely attributed to this period. This insight is remarkably consistent with later prophetic warnings and ultimately with Jesus' own teaching on the internal nature of sin in the New Testament (Matt 5:28, Mark 7:21-23), illustrating a timeless biblical truth that outward appearance can mask deep spiritual issues. The consistent "continually" highlights a key aspect of Job's faith: persistence in prayer and intercession. This also lays groundwork for understanding that righteousness in God's eyes is more than outward conformity but encompasses diligence and integrity in the inward man.

Job 1 5 Commentary

Job 1:5 paints a vivid picture of a deeply righteous and devoted man whose piety extended beyond personal conduct to active intercession for his family. His concern was profound, addressing not merely overt transgressions but the subtle, insidious possibility of sin born in the heart—a fear that his children, in their times of pleasure, might have entertained thoughts or words that cursed or slighted God. This pre-emptive approach, performed consistently after each feast, showcases an extraordinary level of spiritual vigilance and parental responsibility.

Job acts as a priest for his family in an era without a formalized priesthood. His act of "sanctifying" them highlights ritual purity, a concept central to approaching a holy God. The burnt offerings (olah) he meticulously makes for each child symbolize a full dedication to God and also serve as a general atonement for any potential unknown sins. This practice acknowledges humanity's fallen nature and the ever-present possibility of offending God, even unintentionally or through an attitude of irreverence. It reflects a core biblical truth that God sees and judges the heart (1 Sam 16:7, Jer 17:10).

Job's conduct sets him apart, emphasizing his fear of the Lord (Job 1:1). It highlights that true piety involves a proactive stance against sin, both manifest and latent, and a persistent pursuit of God's favor through sacrificial propitiation. This also prepares the reader for the subsequent trials, as it demonstrates that Job's righteousness was not superficial but deeply ingrained, rooted in a sincere desire to honor God and protect his family's spiritual well-being.

Examples:

• A parent consistently praying for their children's hidden struggles or attitudes.
• Someone making confession of general sinfulness, recognizing areas of pride or selfishness, even when specific outward acts of sin aren't clear.