Job 36:15 kjv
He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
Job 36:15 nkjv
He delivers the poor in their affliction, And opens their ears in oppression.
Job 36:15 niv
But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.
Job 36:15 esv
He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity.
Job 36:15 nlt
But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer.
For he gets their attention through adversity.
Job 36 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 94:12 | Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach from your law, | God disciplines for teaching |
| Heb 12:5-6 | "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord... For whom the Lord loves he disciplines," | God's loving discipline |
| Ps 119:67 | Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. | Affliction leads to obedience |
| Ps 119:71 | It was good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. | Affliction for learning God's laws |
| Isa 50:4b | ...he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. | God awakens spiritual hearing |
| Isa 26:16 | O Lord, in distress they sought you; they poured out a whispered prayer when your discipline was upon them. | Distress prompts seeking God |
| Hos 5:15 | I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me. | Distress prompts earnest seeking |
| Deut 8:2-3 | ...who humbled you and let you hunger... that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone. | Humbling to teach dependence |
| 2 Cor 1:3-4 | God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction... | God's comfort in affliction, for others |
| 2 Cor 12:7b-10 | A thorn was given me in the flesh... that I might not become conceited. For when I am weak, then I am strong. | Weakness/affliction leading to reliance |
| Jas 1:2-4 | Count it all joy... when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. | Trials produce perseverance |
| 1 Pet 1:6-7 | In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith... | Trials purify faith |
| Ps 34:18 | The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. | God near to afflicted hearts |
| Ps 107:6 | Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. | Distress leading to deliverance |
| Prov 15:33 | The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. | Humility before wisdom and honor |
| Mic 6:8 | He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? | Humility as a requirement |
| Matt 5:3 | "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." | Spiritual poverty leads to kingdom |
| Luke 14:11 | For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. | Humbling for exaltation |
| Eph 1:17-18 | That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ... may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened... | Spiritual enlightenment by revelation |
| Jer 24:7 | I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord... | God grants knowledge of Himself |
| Jer 31:33 | I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. | Internalization of God's law |
| Isa 1:5-6 | The whole head is sick... why will you be struck no more? You continue to rebel. | God using "strokes" (affliction) to correct |
| Lam 3:25-33 | The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. | Finding goodness in suffering through hope |
| Phil 4:11-13 | ...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound... | Learning contentment through all circumstances |
Job 36 verses
Job 36 15 Meaning
This verse, spoken by Elihu, asserts a profound truth about God's ways: He uses suffering and distress not merely as punishment, but as a direct means of deliverance and instruction. God rescues those who are afflicted, and the very affliction they experience becomes the channel through which they are set free and taught. Their ears, which may have been closed to divine instruction in prosperity, are opened by the pressure of adversity, enabling them to hear and understand God's message for them. This suggests that adversity can be a tool for spiritual awakening and transformation, leading to humility and receptivity.
Job 36 15 Context
Job 36:15 is spoken by Elihu, the youngest of Job's counselors, who positions himself as a mediator of divine wisdom (Job 32:6-10). In chapters 32-37, Elihu presents his distinct argument concerning Job's suffering, critiquing both Job's self-righteousness and the inadequate theological framework of his three friends. Elihu argues that God is greater than man (Job 33:12), is not limited by human categories of justice, and primarily uses suffering for pedagogical and redemptive purposes rather than purely punitive ones. He asserts that suffering can be a corrective mechanism, a warning against pride, and a means for an individual to draw closer to God, hear His instruction, and repent. This specific verse emphasizes God's redemptive power working through affliction, portraying it as a gracious means of opening hardened hearts and unstopping deaf ears, contrasting with Job's perception of suffering as God's arbitrary oppression. It's a statement about divine grace meeting human stubbornness or ignorance within the crucible of adversity.
Job 36 15 Word analysis
- He delivers (יחלץ - yaḥǎlōts): From the root חלץ (ḥālaṣ), meaning "to draw out, extract, pull free." This signifies active, deliberate divine rescue and liberation from a perilous or trapped state, demonstrating God's powerful intervention.
- the afflicted (`aniyāw): From the Hebrew עָנִי (‘ani), describing someone who is poor, oppressed, humble, or suffering. It denotes both an outward condition of hardship and an inward disposition of humility, hinting that those who are truly humbled by affliction are the recipients of God's deliverance.
- by their affliction (בְּעָנְיָם - bə‘onyām): From עֳנִי (‘ŏnî), referring to the state of affliction, suffering, or humility itself. The preposition "by" (bə) highlights that the affliction itself serves as the instrument or means of deliverance. This introduces a divine paradox: the very source of distress becomes the channel through which rescue occurs.
- and opens (וַיְגַל - wayyiggāl): From the root גָּלָה (gālāh), meaning "to uncover, reveal, make bare." Applied to the ear, it means to unstop or expose it for proper hearing, signifying a divine act that leads to spiritual clarity and receptivity.
- their ear (`oznām): Refers to the physical organ of hearing, but idiomatically represents the capacity for spiritual receptivity, understanding, and willingness to obey divine instruction. A "closed ear" in biblical language implies spiritual deafness or stubbornness.
- by adversity (בְּלָחַץ - bəlaḥaṣ): From לַחַץ (laḥaṣ), meaning "pressure, oppression, distress, narrowness." Similar to "affliction," it describes a constrained or trying situation. Again, the preposition "by" indicates the means, emphasizing that God uses stressful circumstances to bring about enlightenment and change.
- Words-group analysis:
- "He delivers the afflicted by their affliction": This phrase encapsulates a profound spiritual truth: God liberates individuals not necessarily from their suffering, but through it. The suffering is transformed from an oppressive burden into a catalyst for deeper deliverance, such as from pride, self-sufficiency, or a shallow understanding of God.
- "and opens their ear by adversity": This serves as a parallel to the first phrase, illustrating how this deliverance is achieved. Adversity functions as the divine instrument that breaks through spiritual dullness or stubbornness, making the individual receptive to God's instruction and purposes. Hardships cultivate a humble spirit ready to hear and discern God's voice.
Job 36 15 Bonus section
- Elihu's perspective is considered by many scholars as a theological bridge, providing a partial explanation for suffering that prepares the ground for God's climactic speech in chapters 38-41. While not fully capturing God's reasons for Job's suffering, Elihu does move beyond the simplistic "sin equals suffering" formula.
- The concept of God utilizing difficult circumstances to produce spiritual fruit is a pervasive theme throughout biblical revelation. This divine principle is echoed in the New Testament, where even seemingly negative events are understood to "work together for good" (Rom 8:28) for those who love God, serving His overarching redemptive purposes, which often include deepening faith and character.
- The phrase "opened ear" implies more than just hearing sounds; it signifies a spiritual capacity granted by God to understand and obey divine instruction, akin to receiving a prophetic message or being discipled directly by the Almighty. It speaks to an internal transformation of one's disposition toward God's word.
Job 36 15 Commentary
Job 36:15 represents Elihu's key theological contribution to the book's discourse, providing a more nuanced view of suffering than the friends' rigid retribution theology. He posits that God's use of suffering is not merely punitive but fundamentally redemptive and pedagogical. This verse teaches that affliction can be a divine act of grace, intended to draw individuals closer to God, expose their hidden sin or pride, and impart profound spiritual understanding. The pain itself becomes the mechanism through which divine instruction is conveyed and spiritual ears are opened to truths previously unheeded. For Elihu, God actively intervenes in human suffering, not just allowing it, but wielding it as a loving, corrective tool for a person's ultimate good, fostering humility, responsiveness, and a deeper relationship with the Almighty. This perspective encourages individuals to seek God's voice and purpose even amidst profound distress.