Job 15 24

Job 15:24 kjv

Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.

Job 15:24 nkjv

Trouble and anguish make him afraid; They overpower him, like a king ready for battle.

Job 15:24 niv

Distress and anguish fill him with terror; troubles overwhelm him, like a king poised to attack,

Job 15:24 esv

distress and anguish terrify him; they prevail against him, like a king ready for battle.

Job 15:24 nlt

That dark day terrifies them.
They live in distress and anguish,
like a king preparing for battle.

Job 15 verses

Job 15 24 Meaning

Eliphaz asserts that for the wicked, overwhelming distress and intense anguish cause profound fear, gripping them with the swiftness and force of a king marching confidently and irresistibly into battle. It describes an internal terror and an inescapable sense of doom that assails the ungodly, demonstrating their ultimate powerlessness in the face of inevitable judgment or internal consequence.

Job 15 24 Context

Job 15:24 is part of Eliphaz the Temanite's second discourse to Job (Job 15:1-35). Eliphaz, a "friend" of Job, reaffirms the traditional ancient Near Eastern doctrine of divine retribution, which posits that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin, and prosperity is a sign of righteousness. In this section, Eliphaz vividly describes the fate of the wicked, outlining the distress, fear, and eventual destruction that he believes invariably befall them (Job 15:20-35). He attributes Job's immense suffering to his presumed wickedness, subtly implying that Job fits this description of the ungodly man. The simile of a king going into battle highlights the decisive and inescapable nature of the terror Eliphaz believes assails the wicked. Within the broader Book of Job, Eliphaz's rigid theology is challenged by Job's righteous suffering, leading to a deeper exploration of God's ways beyond simplistic cause-and-effect.

Job 15 24 Word analysis

• Distress (צַר, tsar): This Hebrew term denotes narrowness, restriction, or constriction. It frequently signifies tribulation, trouble, or severe difficulty. Here, it conveys an inner feeling of being hemmed in, suffocated, or oppressed, suggesting both internal agony and external circumstances that lead to confinement or suffering.
• and anguish (וּמְצֻקוֹת, u-m'tsuqot): From a root meaning "to press, compress," this word further emphasizes extreme pressure, severe distress, or desperate straits. It reinforces "distress," portraying a state of overwhelming emotional and mental agony, a crushing sense of being cornered with no escape.
• make him afraid (יְבַעֲתֻהוּ, y'va'atuhu): This verb means to be terrified, dismayed, startled, or thrown into sudden panic. The active voice highlights that the "distress and anguish" are the active agents that instill deep-seated, paralyzing fear. It implies a swift and unexpected onset of terror, disrupting any sense of peace or security.
• they overwhelm him (תְּקִפֵהוּ, t'qifuhu): The verb signifies to be strong against, to prevail over, to overpower, or to seize forcibly. It indicates a forceful, conquering seizure where the subject is completely taken over and unable to resist. The distress and anguish gain complete mastery, leaving no strength for opposition.
• like a king (כְּמֶלֶךְ, k'melekh): The simile refers to a powerful monarch, a figure of supreme authority, strength, and strategic action. This comparison serves to convey the irresistible, dominant, and determined nature of the force—be it fear or impending doom—that strikes the wicked. Kings, especially in ancient warfare, commanded formidable power and left destruction in their wake.
• for battle (יִתְעַתָּד קְרָב, yit'attad qerav): This phrase can be rendered "makes himself ready for battle" or "prepares for battle." "Qerav" signifies combat or war. The image evoked is not of a fearful king, but of a king resolutely, and powerfully preparing for and entering into conflict. This highlights the deliberate, unstoppable, and comprehensive nature of the fear's onslaught. The fear itself becomes an invading army led by a conquering king, swiftly descending upon the wicked with an inevitable confrontation.

Words-group analysis:

• "Distress and anguish make him afraid; they overwhelm him": This clause piles on vivid verbs and nouns to convey the psychological torment and crushing power of internal and external woes. The fear isn't just present; it actively terrifies and dominates, leaving the individual helpless and consumed. It points to a pervasive sense of dread.
• "like a king for battle": This potent simile amplifies the preceding description of terror's overwhelming power. It transforms the abstract concepts of distress and fear into a formidable, almost personified entity. The image is of a fully prepared, resolute king charging decisively into war, making the attack swift, absolute, and leaving no chance of escape for the vanquished. The wicked person is not the powerful king, but the helpless foe, suddenly and completely routed by this fear.

Job 15 24 Bonus section

• The Irony: Eliphaz delivers this assessment of the wicked with self-righteous certainty, yet the Book of Job itself (Job 42:7) later shows God's disapproval of the friends' pronouncements, highlighting their misunderstanding and flawed theology regarding innocent suffering.
• Internal vs. External Fear: This verse focuses intensely on the internal experience of the wicked ("distress," "anguish," "afraid," "overwhelm"), suggesting that much of their "punishment" is a living terror from within, amplified by the conscience and a foreboding sense of impending divine retribution.
• Power Dynamic: The metaphor sets up a powerful dynamic: the "king" (representing the terror/judgment) is utterly powerful and in command, while the "wicked man" is completely passive and subjugated, utterly vulnerable to the sudden and irresistible onslaught. This stark contrast highlights the desperate reality of the ungodly.

Job 15 24 Commentary

Job 15:24 is Eliphaz's continued exposition of the miserable fate of the wicked, designed to challenge Job and nudge him towards confessing what Eliphaz believes must be hidden sin. In this specific verse, Eliphaz paints a stark picture of internal torment. The "distress and anguish" are not external misfortunes alone, but deeply psychological and spiritual states that induce a profound, paralyzing fear. This fear is so potent that Eliphaz likens its advance to that of a fully equipped and determined king launching into battle. The imagery conveys a sense of overwhelming, decisive force, allowing no retreat or resistance from the wicked person.

Eliphaz believes that for those who walk in wickedness, their prosperity is fleeting and their internal state is one of constant dread, haunted by the inevitability of judgment or collapse. This is not a slow decay, but a sudden, decisive strike, much like a battle won or lost in a single overwhelming engagement. The wicked man, far from being the commanding king, is the one conquered by terror itself, leaving him isolated and devoid of hope, unable to muster any defense. While the Book of Job ultimately critiques Eliphaz's simplistic application of this principle to Job, it affirms a deeper biblical truth that peace evades the wicked and true fear and ultimate judgment are indeed their portion.