Job 15 31

Job 15:31 kjv

Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.

Job 15:31 nkjv

Let him not trust in futile things, deceiving himself, For futility will be his reward.

Job 15:31 niv

Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless, for he will get nothing in return.

Job 15:31 esv

Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself, for emptiness will be his payment.

Job 15:31 nlt

Let them no longer fool themselves by trusting in empty riches,
for emptiness will be their only reward.

Job 15 verses

Job 15 31 Meaning

Job 15:31, spoken by Eliphaz, asserts that the wicked individual, in his delusion, puts his confidence in things that are ultimately futile and deceptive. This self-deceit leads to a state where the very emptiness and worthlessness he relies upon become his due recompense or ultimate fate, resulting in his ruin rather than salvation. It speaks of a deceptive cycle where false trust begets destruction.

Job 15 31 Context

Job 15 records Eliphaz's second response to Job, where his tone has become more critical and condemning. Having previously offered some comfort mixed with accusation, Eliphaz now directly attributes Job's suffering to sin, echoing the common retribution theology of their time—that great suffering must stem from great wickedness. This specific verse, Job 15:31, is part of a larger speech (Job 15:17-35) where Eliphaz describes the dire fate of the wicked. He portrays them as those who embrace evil, neglect wisdom, and are ultimately consumed by the very darkness they choose. Eliphaz, ironically, believes he is speaking wisdom passed down from generations (Job 15:18-19). He applies this general principle, describing the eventual ruin of the godless, directly to Job, inferring that Job is the one who has "trusted in emptiness, deceiving himself."

Job 15 31 Word analysis

• Let him not trust (יַאֲמִן - ya'amin): This is a jussive form of the verb אָמַן (aman), meaning to be firm, faithful, to believe, or to trust. The negative conveys a prohibition or a warning. It speaks to a deliberate act of reliance or confidence. In biblical theology, aman is foundational to faith in God, implying steadfastness and security. Here, the warning is against directing this inherent human need to trust towards something false.
• in emptiness (בַּשָּׁוְא - ba-shav): This is composed of the preposition בְּ (be-), meaning "in," and the noun שָׁוְא (shav). Shav is a highly significant Hebrew word that conveys futility, emptiness, vanity, falsehood, worthlessness, nothingness, and even idolatry. It's often used in contrast to God's truth and substance (e.g., false testimony, vain worship, idols as nothing). Here, it implies relying on anything that is unsubstantial, unreliable, or a lie—whether it be false doctrines, material possessions, human strength, or personal righteousness independent of God.
• deceiving himself (תּוֹעֶה - to'eh): This is a participle from the verb תָּעָה (ta'ah), meaning to wander, stray, err, or be led astray. In a reflective sense, it means to deceive oneself. The wording points to an internal state of error, where one’s own mind, judgment, or desires lead one astray, fostering an illusion of security in false realities. It's not external deception, but a self-induced blindness.
• for emptiness (שָׁוְא - shav): The repetition of shav is crucial. It creates a stark echo, reinforcing the primary object of the false trust. The very "nothingness" or "worthlessness" that was trusted becomes the medium of recompense.
• will be his recompense (תִּהְיֶה תְּמוּרָתוֹ - tihyeh temurato): Tihyeh means "will be" (from הָיָה - hayah, to be). Temurato is from the noun תְּמוּרָה (temurah), meaning exchange, substitute, requital, or recompense. This phrase emphasizes the direct consequence and ironic justice. What one sows, one reaps. The empty promise made by worldly reliance will deliver an empty, destructive outcome. It suggests a divine principle of justice where the very object of misdirected faith becomes the means of judgment.

• Words-group analysis:
  • "Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself": This phrase highlights the destructive synergy between misguided faith and self-inflicted delusion. It implies an active choice to rely on non-existent or worthless things, fueled by an internal state of being led astray. This trust is not simply an intellectual error but a spiritual one, replacing the true object of trust (God) with futile substitutes.
  • "for emptiness will be his recompense": This second part functions as a grim pronouncement of consequence. It declares an exact, almost poetic, justice: the very quality of what one trusts (emptiness, falsehood) is precisely what one receives back as judgment. There is no net gain, only an ultimate return to nothingness, underscoring the severe implications of living a self-deceived life divorced from divine truth.

Job 15 31 Bonus section

The theological irony of Job 15:31 lies in its speaker. While Eliphaz's application of this truth to Job is faulty and shows a lack of divine insight into Job's particular suffering, the principle itself remains eternally valid. It is a fundamental biblical teaching that illustrates the self-defeating nature of turning away from God to find security in fleeting, earthly things. Eliphaz, along with his friends, operate under a rigid theology of immediate and proportional retribution, which does not account for divine sovereignty, the testing of faith, or the existence of evil outside direct punishment. Yet, within his flawed understanding, Eliphaz voices a prophetic truth: reliance on anything false or empty, especially a self-conceived form of truth or righteousness, will ultimately yield nothing but its own barrenness. This verse implicitly sets up a contrast with genuine trust in Yahweh, which brings true security, substance, and lasting recompense. The "emptiness" here also contrasts sharply with the abundance and faithfulness of God.

Job 15 31 Commentary

Eliphaz's words in Job 15:31 encapsulate a profound truth, despite being misapplied to Job's situation. The verse speaks to the universal human tendency to place faith in things other than God, a choice often accompanied by self-deception regarding the true nature of reality. The "emptiness" (Hebrew shav) can refer to anything that lacks true substance or lasting value: wealth, power, human intellect, pride, idols, or even a self-righteous morality. When individuals choose to "trust" (Hebrew aman) in such things, they actively turn away from God's steadfastness and truth. This misplaced trust inevitably leads to "deceiving oneself" (Hebrew ta'ah), a deep internal error where one fails to perceive their own misguidedness or the true consequences of their actions. The irony and tragic outcome are presented as the "recompense": the very shav—the emptiness—that one relies upon becomes their ultimate portion, delivering not security but destruction. This principle resonates throughout Scripture, reminding us that reliance on anything ephemeral leads to spiritual and practical bankruptcy, reinforcing the call to trust solely in the unchanging, true God.