Job 15 34

Job 15:34 kjv

For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.

Job 15:34 nkjv

For the company of hypocrites will be barren, And fire will consume the tents of bribery.

Job 15:34 niv

For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of those who love bribes.

Job 15:34 esv

For the company of the godless is barren, and fire consumes the tents of bribery.

Job 15:34 nlt

For the godless are barren.
Their homes, enriched through bribery, will burn.

Job 15 verses

Job 15 34 Meaning

Job 15:34 pronounces a strong judgment against those who are godless and acquire their possessions through corruption. It states that such a company or community will face utter desolation and their accumulated wealth or established lives, gained through ill-gotten means like bribery, will be consumed by a destructive fire, signifying divine judgment and total loss. This verse is Eliphaz's assertion, arguing for a direct correlation between wickedness and immediate, tangible destruction, particularly impacting the ungodly and the unjust.

Job 15 34 Context

Job 15:34 is part of Eliphaz's second speech to Job (Job 15:1-35). In this discourse, Eliphaz doubles down on his argument that Job's suffering must be due to hidden wickedness. He paints a picture of the fate of the wicked, particularly those he terms "the godless" (Hebrew: ḥānēf). While he states general truths about divine retribution against evil, his implicit application to Job is flawed. Eliphaz believes Job is acting like a ḥānēf, perhaps by speaking against God's wisdom (v. 2) or being wise in his own eyes (v. 8), or having a corrupt heart (v. 16). The historical and cultural context reflects a common ancient Near Eastern belief in immediate, discernible divine retribution: good behavior is rewarded with prosperity and long life, while evil leads to swift destruction, especially in one's family and possessions. Eliphaz leverages this belief, presenting it as absolute truth from his observation and "wisdom" (v. 17). His polemic is against those who, through their actions or words, are seen as challenging divine order, specifically against practices like bribery that undermine societal justice and proper reverence for God.

Job 15 34 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): A common conjunction, meaning "for," "because," "indeed." Here, it introduces the explanation or reason for Eliphaz's assertion that "wisdom is not with them" (v. 33).
• the company (קְהַל - qehal): From the Hebrew noun qāhāl (קהל), meaning "assembly," "congregation," "company," or "community." It refers to a gathering of people. In this context, it implies a collective group of individuals, possibly united by their shared nature or practices. It's often used for a righteous assembly (e.g., Israel), but here used pejoratively for the wicked.
• of hypocrites (חָנֵף - ḥānēf): From the Hebrew noun ḥānēf (חָנֵף), typically translated "godless," "profane," "impious," or "hypocrite." This is a significant term in Job (e.g., Job 8:13, 13:16, 27:8). It describes someone who does not genuinely fear God, lacking piety and spiritual integrity, often characterized by moral corruption despite outward appearances. It implies a lack of reverence for divine authority and a turning towards evil deeds. It doesn't necessarily mean "feigning piety" as much as it means "impious" or "unholy."
• shall be (יִגְמוֹל - yigmol): From the Hebrew verb gāmal (גמל), which can mean "deal out," "requite," "yield," "wean." Here it often implies "to recompense" or "to treat accordingly." When connected with the next word, it denotes the outcome or consequence of their state.
• desolate (גַלְמוּד - galmūḏ): From the Hebrew adjective galmūḏ (גַלְמוּד), meaning "desolate," "solitary," "barren," "sterile," "lifeless." This word conveys a sense of emptiness, unfruitfulness, and a lack of posterity or legacy. It signifies complete ruin, with no future generations or continuation. This would have been a profound curse in ancient societies valuing large families and lineage.
• and fire (וְאֵשׁ - v^eʾēš): Hebrew noun ʾēš (אֵשׁ), meaning "fire." Fire in the Bible is often a symbol of divine judgment, purification, or destruction. Here it denotes active, destructive judgment.
• shall consume (תֹּאכַל - tōʾḵal): From the Hebrew verb ʾāḵal (אכל), "to eat," "consume," "devour." This active verb emphasizes the thorough and complete destruction by the fire.
• the tabernacles (אָהֳלֵי - ʾōhŏlê): From the Hebrew noun ʾōhel (אוהל), plural ʾōhalîm, meaning "tent," "dwelling," "home." In the biblical context, tents symbolize one's abode, livelihood, possessions, and even the established family or household. Its destruction means the complete dismantling of one's security and established life.
• of bribery (שֹּׁחַד - šōḥaḏ): From the Hebrew noun šōḥaḏ (שֹׁחַד), meaning "bribe," "present," "gift." Often refers to illicit payments used to pervert justice or gain undue advantage. In this context, it highlights the corrupt and unjust means by which the wicked accumulate their wealth and build their lives. The "tents of bribery" imply dwellings or possessions gained through corrupt dealings.

• company of hypocrites: This phrase encapsulates a collective of people characterized by impiety and a fundamental disregard for God. Their collective nature emphasizes a shared wicked practice and fate. Eliphaz labels this group as "godless" because their actions demonstrate a heart alienated from God, even if they claim otherwise.
• shall be desolate: This speaks to the utter unfruitfulness and lack of any lasting legacy for the impious. It goes beyond mere physical death, implying an extinction of influence and progeny, a significant curse in a collectivist, lineage-focused society.
• fire shall consume: This potent imagery denotes divine, decisive, and inescapable judgment. Fire is not a passive decay but an active force of destruction, leaving nothing behind.
• the tabernacles of bribery: This refers to the entirety of a person's life, household, and possessions, which have been built or acquired through corrupt means, specifically bribery. It's a vivid picture of how ill-gotten gains and unjust foundations cannot withstand God's judgment; they are vulnerable to complete eradication. The wealth amassed by corruption will provide no shelter.

Job 15 34 Bonus section

The term ḥānēf (חָנֵף) in Job often carries a sense of spiritual defilement or pollution, reflecting a deeper moral and spiritual estrangement from God rather than mere deceit (though hypocrisy often involves deceit). It is about one whose heart is turned away, leading to perverse actions. The concept of "barrenness" or "desolation" as a curse for the wicked is found frequently in biblical texts, tying prosperity directly to adherence to God's ways. The complete loss of tents signifies the eradication of family stability, livelihood, and inheritance, which was paramount in the ancient world. Eliphaz's focus on this demonstrates his conviction that Job's misfortunes, including the loss of his family, are a clear sign of hidden ḥānēf in Job's heart.

Job 15 34 Commentary

Eliphaz, speaking from his established theological framework, attributes Job's suffering to unrighteousness, though implicitly, by describing the inevitable end of "the company of the godless." This verse posits a clear cause-and-effect: impiety coupled with corrupt practices (like bribery) leads to absolute devastation. "The company of the godless" describes those who live without genuine reverence for God, pursuing self-interest, and often engaging in oppressive acts. "Desolate" signifies barrenness and cessation, implying that their efforts and lineage will come to naught, their supposed legacy producing no fruit. The imagery of "fire consuming the tents of bribery" is a powerful metaphor for God's severe judgment. Fire here symbolizes divine wrath, executing a swift and thorough destruction of everything these impious individuals have acquired through their unjust dealings. It highlights the ephemeral nature of ill-gotten wealth and security; what is built on corruption cannot endure divine scrutiny. While Eliphaz states a general truth that God indeed judges wickedness, the Book of Job challenges his rigid and often harsh application of this truth to specific cases like Job, whose suffering is not directly linked to such sins. The verse, however, still serves as a profound warning against living a life alienated from God and profiting from injustice.