Job 4 11

Job 4:11 kjv

The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.

Job 4:11 nkjv

The old lion perishes for lack of prey, And the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

Job 4:11 niv

The lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

Job 4:11 esv

The strong lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

Job 4:11 nlt

The fierce lion will starve for lack of prey,
and the cubs of the lioness will be scattered.

Job 4 verses

Job 4 11 Meaning

Job 4:11 describes the eventual destruction of powerful, predatory entities and their offspring when they are deprived of their means of sustenance. This verse serves as a metaphorical illustration within Eliphaz's discourse, supporting his assertion that the wicked and violent eventually perish and their line is cut off, drawing a contrast with his belief that the righteous do not perish (Job 4:7). He uses the natural law governing powerful lions as an analogy for divine justice: just as the mighty predator, despite its inherent strength, fails without its prey, so too do those who sow wickedness inevitably face ruin, with their legacy scattering to nothing.

Job 4 11 Context

Job 4:11 is part of the first discourse delivered by Eliphaz the Temanite, Job's eldest friend and the first to speak following Job's lamentations (Job 3). Eliphaz attempts to console Job but quickly pivots to theological reasoning rooted in the traditional Deuteronomic understanding of divine retribution: that God rewards righteousness with prosperity and punishes sin with suffering. He starts by expressing concern for Job (Job 4:1-6), then states his fundamental belief (Job 4:7-9) that the innocent do not perish, but those who sow wickedness reap disaster. Verse 11 provides a vivid, natural analogy to support this argument: just as mighty lions, symbols of strength and aggression, are destroyed by starvation, and their young scattered, so too are the wicked brought to naught. This imagery reinforces Eliphaz's claim that Job's profound suffering must stem from some hidden iniquity, as, in his worldview, an innocent person could not endure such hardship.

Job 4 11 Word analysis

• The strong lion (Hebrew: לַיִשׁ, layish): This term refers to an old, powerful, and ferocious male lion, one at the peak of its predatory strength. The specific choice of layish, distinct from more general terms for "lion" like ’ariy or lavi’ (often translated as lioness but can also be general), emphasizes the might and prime capability of the animal. Its destruction underscores that even ultimate power and violence, unchecked, can eventually be overcome, particularly through natural consequences or divine intervention. This highlights a king of predators being unable to fulfill its primary function.
• perishes (Hebrew: אָבַד, ’avad): This verb means to be lost, destroyed, ruined, or to vanish. It signifies a definitive end, a cessation of existence or function. In biblical usage, ’avad often conveys destruction, particularly in the context of divine judgment or the undoing of those who defy God. Its application here to the "strong lion" underscores a complete and decisive downfall.
• for lack of prey (Hebrew: בְּלִי־טָרֶף, beli-ṭāreph): Beli means "without" or "lack of." Ṭāreph refers to torn prey or spoil, implying food obtained violently. The phrase indicates the primary reason for the lion's demise – the failure of its very means of survival, a failure of its nature as a predator. This illustrates a natural, inevitable consequence when the foundational element for the powerful's sustenance is removed. For Eliphaz, this represents how the powerful wicked meet their end, by their means of livelihood being taken away.
• and the cubs (Hebrew: וּבְנֵי, u-venei): "And the sons of" or "offspring." This focuses on the next generation, highlighting the complete eradication of the lineage or the future prospects. It expands the scope of destruction beyond the individual to their legacy.
• of the lioness (Hebrew: לָבִיא, lavi’): While often referring to a general lion, in this context it clearly points to the female lion (the mother), specifying that the cubs belong to her. The inclusion of the "lioness" alongside her "cubs" evokes a sense of vulnerability and familial destruction. The mother's inability to provide, linked to the father/male's demise or scarcity, leaves her offspring helpless.
• are scattered (Hebrew: נָפַצוּ, nāphatzu): This verb means to break, shatter, or disperse. Here, it signifies violent dispersion, disarray, and separation. The scattering of the cubs suggests abandonment, loss of protection, and ultimately, likely death, as young, vulnerable animals are unable to survive alone. It completes the picture of comprehensive ruin, extending the devastation to the future generations of the wicked.

• "The strong lion perishes for lack of prey": This phrase paints a picture of a mighty, dominant predator that, despite its inherent power, meets its end not by direct defeat from a stronger opponent, but by the failure of its primary sustenance. This illustrates a natural, inescapable consequence, implying that even the most formidable, aggressive entities (metaphorically, the wicked) are subject to a higher natural or divine law that can ultimately bring them to ruin.
• "and the cubs of the lioness are scattered": This second clause amplifies the image of complete ruin. Not only does the powerful adult (the "strong lion") perish, but its future, represented by the "cubs of the lioness," is also shattered. The scattering implies disorder, abandonment, and destruction of the lineage. For Eliphaz, this is a direct parallel to the complete desolation of the wicked, their posterity unable to continue their violent legacy.

Job 4 11 Bonus section

• Eliphaz's Partial Truth: While Eliphaz misapplies the principle to Job, the general truth that the wicked will ultimately face consequences for their actions is a fundamental biblical teaching (e.g., in Proverbs and Psalms). The flaw in Eliphaz's theology lies in its simplistic and rigid application: equating all suffering with sin.
• Ancient Near Eastern Context: Lions were a very real threat and a symbol of royalty, power, and also wild, untamed destructive force in the ancient world. The image of their decline would have been a potent metaphor for the downfall of powerful, often oppressive, individuals or kingdoms. This analogy resonates deeply with ancient conceptions of a divinely ordered world where balance eventually prevails.
• Polemics Against Impunity: This verse functions as an implicit polemic against any notion that powerful oppressors, or those who benefit from injustice ("prey"), can escape the consequences of their actions indefinitely. It asserts that there is a cosmic order, often perceived as directly enacted by God, which ensures their ultimate downfall.

Job 4 11 Commentary

Job 4:11 is a pivotal statement in Eliphaz’s argument, using a stark natural analogy to bolster his theological stance on divine justice. By depicting the inevitable demise of the "strong lion" due to lack of prey and the scattering of its helpless "cubs," Eliphaz conveys that power, even raw, violent power, is ultimately transient and susceptible to ruin when its illicit means of support are withdrawn. This vividly illustrates Eliphaz’s core belief, stated in Job 4:7-9: those who "plow iniquity and sow trouble" will ultimately "reap the same." His point is not merely that the wicked suffer, but that their entire destructive system collapses, culminating in the dispersal and ruin of their progeny, reflecting a comprehensive divine retribution. This is Eliphaz’s way of subtly implying that Job, despite his protestations of innocence, must somehow have been implicated in such destructive ways to be experiencing such profound suffering.