Job 19 29

Job 19:29 kjv

Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.

Job 19:29 nkjv

Be afraid of the sword for yourselves; For wrath brings the punishment of the sword, That you may know there is a judgment."

Job 19:29 niv

you should fear the sword yourselves; for wrath will bring punishment by the sword, and then you will know that there is judgment."

Job 19:29 esv

be afraid of the sword, for wrath brings the punishment of the sword, that you may know there is a judgment."

Job 19:29 nlt

You should fear punishment yourselves,
for your attitude deserves punishment.
Then you will know that there is indeed a judgment."

Job 19 verses

Job 19 29 Meaning

Job 19:29 serves as Job's solemn warning to his friends, urging them to recognize the impending danger of divine judgment for their unwarranted accusations and harsh treatment of him. He warns that their continued condemnation, born of a mistaken understanding of God's justice, will ultimately incur God's wrath and bring about swift and punitive judgment upon themselves, thereby revealing the true nature of God's righteous governance.

Job 19 29 Context

Job 19 is a pivotal chapter where Job, despite his immense suffering, expresses profound faith in his ultimate Redeemer (vv. 25-27). This declaration of hope stands in stark contrast to his friends' accusations that he is a hidden sinner whose suffering is divine retribution. After affirming his future vindication, Job shifts his focus directly to his friends in verses 28-29. In verse 28, he confronts their malicious intent to persecute him further. Verse 29 escalates this warning, painting a picture of divine wrath, symbolized by the "sword," falling upon them because their persistent condemnation of him stems from their own spiritual blind spots and pride, rather than true insight into God's justice. The verse concludes by stating the purpose of such judgment: to bring them to a correct understanding of God's ultimate and righteous judgment.

Job 19 29 Word analysis

• "Be afraid" (הֱבַהֲלוּ - hěḇāhalū): This is a strong imperative, meaning to be terrified or dismayed. It implies a sudden and urgent need for Job's friends to change course, recognizing immediate danger. It's not a mere suggestion but a forceful warning.
• "of the sword" (מִפְּנֵי חָֽרֶב - mip-pə-nê ḥā·reḇ): The "sword" here symbolizes divine judgment, wrath, or punitive action, rather than a literal weapon in their hands. It represents the destructive power of God's righteous retribution against iniquity. The phrase "from the face of" or "because of" signifies being overwhelmed or threatened directly by its power.
• "yourselves": This directly addresses Job's friends in the plural, emphasizing the personal implication and responsibility for their actions and words, holding them accountable for their continued accusations and condemnation of him.
• "for wrath" (כִּי־חָרוֹן - kî-ḥārôn): "Wrath" (ḥārôn) denotes intense, burning anger, most often referring to God's fierce displeasure against sin. The conjunction "for" (kî) introduces the reason for the impending judgment, directly linking their harmful actions to divine indignation.
• "brings the punishment of the sword" (קִשְׁקֵשֶׁת עֲוֹנ֥וֹת חָֽרֶב - qish-qə-šeṯ ʿǎwōnōṯ ḥā·reḇ): "Qishqeshet" is a challenging term, often interpreted as the rattling or clanging sound of a sword, thus representing the bringing forth of the sword or its punitive action. It signifies the execution of judgment due to "iniquities" (ʿǎwōnōṯ), implying that their wrongful words or deeds will manifest in concrete divine punishment. The full phrase emphasizes that the fierce wrath leads directly to actual punishment executed as if by a sword.
• "so that you may know" (לְמַעַן תֵּֽדְעוּ - ləmaʿan têḏəʿû): This phrase states the divine purpose behind the judgment. It's not arbitrary but didactic; the impending consequence is meant to enlighten them, to lead them to a true and experiential understanding of spiritual realities.
• "there is a judgment" (שֶׁ־יֶּשׁ־ דִּין - še-yeš- dîn): "Dîn" means judgment, justice, a legal dispute, or the act of judging. Job warns them that their mistaken human judgments of him overlook the greater, overarching reality of God's true and ultimate judgment, which will hold everyone, including them, accountable.

Job 19 29 Bonus section

• The dramatic tension in this verse lies in Job, the accused, becoming the one who issues a divine warning to his accusers. This reversal underscores the profound spiritual truth that human judgment often falls far short of God's righteous standard.
• This verse stands as a powerful counter-polemic against the rigid, formulaic retribution theology prevalent among Job's friends. It teaches that one cannot accurately interpret suffering or pronounce judgment without understanding the depth and multifaceted nature of God's justice, which extends beyond simplistic sin-punishment paradigms.
• The use of "sword" evokes immediate and irreversible consequences, highlighting the severity and finality of divine judgment when God acts to set things right. It also alludes to the imagery of God as a warrior or judge executing His decrees.
• The verb "be afraid" is in the plural, directly addressing Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. It's a collective summons to recognize their perilous spiritual position and reconsider their ways before facing the full weight of God's holy indignation.

Job 19 29 Commentary

Job 19:29 concludes Job's profound and multi-layered speech, shifting from personal vindication to a direct, prophetic warning to his friends. Their unyielding accusations and misjudgment of Job were not benign errors; they constituted a challenge to God's own justice and an assault on an innocent man. Job warns them that continuing to persecute him is tantamount to standing against God, thereby incurring divine "wrath," symbolized by the swift and decisive "sword." This isn't Job calling for personal vengeance but declaring a spiritual truth: God oversees true judgment, and those who condemn unjustly will face His perfect tribunal. The ultimate aim is their spiritual illumination – that through experiencing or witnessing divine judgment, they might grasp the reality and true nature of God's righteousness, a reality they had completely misunderstood through their simplistic theological framework. It is a severe mercy, a warning designed to prompt repentance and correct understanding before judgment is fully executed.