Job 15:35 kjv
They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.
Job 15:35 nkjv
They conceive trouble and bring forth futility; Their womb prepares deceit."
Job 15:35 niv
They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb fashions deceit."
Job 15:35 esv
They conceive trouble and give birth to evil, and their womb prepares deceit."
Job 15:35 nlt
They conceive trouble and give birth to evil.
Their womb produces deceit."
Job 15 35 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 7:14 | Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief... | Similar metaphor of conceiving evil |
| Jas 1:14-15 | But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed... Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin... | Origin of sin from desire and internal lust |
| Prov 22:8 | Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail. | Reaping the consequences of evil sown |
| Gal 6:7-8 | Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. | Spiritual principle of cause and effect |
| Mat 15:18-19 | But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart... for out of the heart come evil thoughts... | Evil originating from the heart |
| Mk 7:20-23 | What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart... come evil thoughts... | Evil proceeding from inside the person |
| Psa 51:5 | Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. | Human sinful nature from conception |
| Prov 4:23 | Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. | Heart as the source of life's issues |
| Isa 59:4 | No one enters suit justly; no one goes to trial honestly; they rely on empty pleas and speak lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity. | Parallel language and internal origin of deceit |
| Hos 10:13 | You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity; you have eaten the fruit of lies... | Agricultural metaphor for consequences of sin |
| Jer 17:9-10 | The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick... | Corrupt nature of the human heart |
| Rom 2:8-9 | but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. | Judgment on those who practice evil |
| Psa 5:6 | You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. | God's stance against deceitful people |
| Psa 10:7 | His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. | Mouth/tongue revealing inner corruption |
| Prov 12:20 | Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. | Heart as the source of devising evil |
| Isa 59:5-6 | They hatch adders' eggs... He who eats their eggs dies... what is spun will not cover them. | Metaphor for the fruitlessness and harm of wicked schemes |
| Psa 37:12-13 | The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him... | Internal plotting of the wicked |
| Psa 94:20 | Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute? | Legislating injustice, framing evil |
| Mic 2:1 | Woe to those who devise mischief and work evil upon their beds! | Intentional planning of wickedness |
| Hab 2:13 | Behold, is it not from the Lord of hosts that peoples toil for fire... | Futility of wicked plans |
| Zec 7:10 | do not oppress the widow... and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart. | Internal devising of evil cautioned |
| Act 8:22 | Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. | Heart's intent needing forgiveness |
Job 15 verses
Job 15 35 Meaning
Job 15:35, spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite, uses vivid metaphorical language to describe the wicked person's inward disposition and the origin of their harmful actions. It asserts that wickedness, pain, and deceit are not external misfortunes but are conceived, nurtured, and brought forth from within the heart and mind of the one who practices them. This implies a deliberate and intentional generation of evil, likening the internal devising of malice to the physical process of conception and birth.
Job 15 35 Context
Job 15:35 is part of Eliphaz's second discourse (chapters 15-17) directed towards Job. In this speech, Eliphaz vehemently asserts the common wisdom of his day: the wicked always suffer, and the righteous prosper. His argument is essentially that Job’s great suffering proves his wickedness, implicitly challenging Job's claim of innocence and righteousness. Verses 20-35 describe in vivid and often violent terms the terrible end of the wicked, reinforcing his belief that God's justice inevitably catches up with wrongdoers. This specific verse (15:35) functions as a theological justification for the suffering of the wicked, positing that their evil deeds, pain, and deceit originate entirely from within themselves, rather than being unjustly inflicted upon them.
Job 15 35 Word analysis
He conceives (הָרָה - harah): The Hebrew word signifies to "conceive" or "become pregnant." This is not an accidental happening but the initial, deliberate act of creation within. It indicates the wicked person's mind and heart as the fertile ground where evil thoughts and plans take shape. The emphasis is on the internal inception of malice, signifying a thoughtful, intentional devising rather than a spontaneous error.
mischief (עָמָל - amal): This term denotes "trouble," "labor," "toil," but also "wickedness," "mischief," "sorrow," or "injury." It implies painful and injurious effort, often directed at others. The "mischief" conceived is not lighthearted prankishness but harmful, burdensome actions that cause distress and suffering. It underscores the destructive nature of the wicked's intentions.
and gives birth (יָלַד - yalad): The verb means "to bear," "bring forth," or "beget." Following "conceives," it powerfully conveys the progression from hidden intent to manifest action. The inner thought matures into an outward reality. Just as conception leads to birth, the wicked person's inner plotting inevitably leads to overt evil deeds, emphasizing a natural and unstoppable outcome once the seed of evil is planted.
to evil (אָוֶן - aven): This term carries various nuances including "iniquity," "wickedness," "trouble," "calamity," "sorrow," "falsehood," or "vanity." Here, it points to the concrete outcome of the internal "mischief." It is the practical, enacted form of wickedness that emerges from the person, often involving falsehood or bringing disaster.
and his womb (בֶּטֶן - beten): Literally "belly" or "womb," but used metaphorically to represent the innermost being, the core of one's thoughts, emotions, and intentions. This reinforces the internal origin of evil. The evil is not merely conceived but also nurtured within the deepest part of the person, implying a deep-seated corruption or inclination.
prepares (יָכִין - yakhin): The verb means "to establish," "make firm," "prepare," or "make ready." It highlights the deliberate and determined nature of the wicked person's intentions. It’s not just an idea but an intention that is fixed and readied for execution, indicating the wicked's readiness to unleash their malevolent designs.
deceit (מִרְמָה - mirmah): This word signifies "deceit," "fraud," "treachery," or "guile." It represents the specific characteristic of the evil that is "prepared" within. This underscores the deceptive and dishonest nature of the wicked person's methods and goals, implying a deliberate attempt to mislead or betray others.
He conceives mischief and gives birth to evil: This powerful imagery illustrates the internal, fertile ground of the wicked's mind. The "mischief" is the malevolent plan or intent, while "evil" is the tangible result or consequence. This shows a full, destructive process originating from within.
and his womb prepares deceit: This reinforces the concept of internal, intentional development of malicious plans. The "womb" emphasizes the profound depth and intimacy with which the wicked harbor and mature their deceptive intentions, highlighting that their actions are premeditated and intrinsic to their character.
Job 15 35 Bonus section
This verse reflects a common Hebrew poetic and theological theme where the inner moral state of a person is depicted with strong biological metaphors, especially related to procreation. The use of "conceives," "gives birth," and "womb" conveys not only origin but also an inevitability and intrinsic quality of the resulting evil. The wicked person's nature is such that it naturally produces these negative fruits. While Eliphaz incorrectly uses this to accuse Job, the principle holds true in Scripture that the heart is the wellspring of life, both good and bad (Prov 4:23), and sin germinates from within before blossoming into harmful deeds (Jas 1:14-15). This passage highlights the internal origin of human depravity, a key tenet in understanding the need for heart transformation.
Job 15 35 Commentary
Job 15:35, spoken by Eliphaz, is a theological statement about the inherent nature and consequences of wickedness. Using the compelling metaphor of conception and birth, the verse describes evil as something that originates not from external circumstances, but from within the wicked individual. The "mischief" (wicked intention or trouble) is conceived, "evil" (active wrongdoing) is brought forth, and "deceit" (treachery and falsehood) is nurtured in the deepest parts of their being, the "womb" of their thoughts. This passage reflects an ancient belief, shared by Eliphaz, that a person's suffering is a direct, predictable outcome of their own inner wickedness. While Eliphaz misapplies this truth to Job’s unique case, the verse itself conveys a profound biblical principle: sin and harmful actions stem from internal desires and deliberate choices of the heart, rather than merely from external pressures or random misfortune, as affirmed in both Old and New Testaments.