Job 4 4

Job 4:4 kjv

Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

Job 4:4 nkjv

Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, And you have strengthened the feeble knees;

Job 4:4 niv

Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.

Job 4:4 esv

Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees.

Job 4:4 nlt

Your words have supported those who were falling;
you encouraged those with shaky knees.

Job 4 verses

Job 4 4 Meaning

Job 4:4 captures Eliphaz the Temanite's acknowledgment of Job's past reputation as a source of strength and comfort to others. His words served to support those who were spiritually or physically weakening and to firm up individuals experiencing distress and failing resolve. It highlights Job's prior role as a wise counselor who offered encouraging and strengthening advice, particularly to the vulnerable and despairing.

Job 4 4 Context

Job chapter 4 marks the beginning of the first cycle of dialogues between Job and his three friends. After seven days of silence in mournful solidarity (Job 2:13), Job finally breaks the silence with a lament, expressing his despair and wishing he had never been born (Job 3). Eliphaz, the eldest and seemingly most respected of the friends, initiates their response. In Job 4:1-6, Eliphaz first acknowledges Job's past role as a wise counselor and strong supporter of others, as stated in verse 4. However, this acknowledgment serves as a rhetorical setup for Eliphaz to question why Job, who could strengthen others, now struggles to sustain himself in affliction. Eliphaz's underlying theological premise, which permeates his speech and the friends' arguments, is that suffering is a direct consequence of sin, implying Job's suffering must stem from some unconfessed transgression, despite Job's known righteousness (Job 1:1, 8). This verse thus highlights the irony and the painful shift in Job's situation from comforter to one needing comfort, which his friends fail to provide biblically.

Job 4 4 Word analysis

• Your words (דְּבָרֶיךָ - d'varékha): Refers to Job's spoken advice, counsel, and exhortations. The Hebrew word davar encompasses not only "word" but also "matter," "thing," "command," or "promise," indicating the weighty and effective nature of Job's previous counsel. It emphasizes that Job's impact was through his speech, a powerful medium in ancient Near Eastern cultures.

• have stood up (קוֹמַמְתָּ - qomamtā): This is the Piel form of the verb קוּם (qum), which means "to rise," "to stand." The Piel stem is intensive or causative, meaning Job caused those who were falling to stand up. It implies a significant, active, and powerful act of restoration or rehabilitation. This verb choice highlights Job's effectiveness in providing stability and courage.

• those who were falling (כּוֹשֵׁל - koshēl): This is the Qal participle of the verb כָּשַׁל (kashal), "to stumble," "to totter," "to fall." It describes individuals who are losing their footing, metaphorically depicting those who are weakened, despairing, or experiencing moral/spiritual decline. They are not yet completely fallen but are on the brink of collapse, suggesting a state of vulnerability and distress.

• and strengthened (אַמַּצְתָּ - ammats'tā): This is the Piel form of the verb אָמַץ (amatz), "to be strong" or "courageous." Similar to qomamtā, the Piel denotes causation – Job made strong or gave courage to others. This signifies the active imparting of inner fortitude, resilience, and resolution, going beyond merely standing someone up to making them internally firm.

• whose knees were giving way (בִּרְכַּיִם כֹּרְעוֹת - birkayim kor'ōt): "Knees" (בִּרְכַּיִם - birkayim) in Hebrew are often a metaphor for strength, resolve, or stability. "Giving way" (כֹּרְעוֹת - kor'ōt) is the Qal participle of the verb כָּרַע (kara'), "to bend the knee," "to kneel down," "to sink down." This imagery vividly portrays a state of profound weakness, weariness, or despair, where one's strength fails and they are on the verge of collapsing or yielding to their burdens.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Your words have stood up those who were falling": This phrase emphasizes Job's role as a source of corrective guidance and foundational support. His counsel was practical and effective in preventing utter collapse, perhaps through teaching divine truth or offering encouragement.
  • "and strengthened those whose knees were giving way": This expands on the previous point, illustrating that Job didn't just prevent failure but actively built up resilience. "Strengthening knees" signifies imparting endurance and firm resolve in times of weakness, despair, or even moral wavering. The parallelism underscores the twofold nature of Job's positive influence: reactive lifting and proactive empowerment.

Job 4 4 Bonus section

This verse carries a deep theological irony. Eliphaz acknowledges Job's past acts of compassion and wise counsel, traits reflective of true biblical ministry and empathy (e.g., Gal 6:2). Yet, Eliphaz's subsequent counsel to Job demonstrates a stark absence of that very compassion. His words become accusatory, not restorative. This subtly points to the limitations of human wisdom and compassion, particularly when it's rooted in a flawed understanding of God's ways or judgmental presuppositions. While Job's past actions were genuinely commendable, the source of true, enduring strength and ultimate lifting comes from God alone (Ps 29:11; Isa 40:29). The scene sets a tension: Job was a comforter, but now Eliphaz, rather than returning that comfort, acts as an accuser, showing that human comfort often has boundaries and conditions that divine comfort does not. It also emphasizes the vulnerability of even the most righteous and helpful individuals to trials and the profound need for divine strength.

Job 4 4 Commentary

Job 4:4 is spoken by Eliphaz to Job, highlighting Job's commendable past character and actions. It serves as a preamble to Eliphaz's judgmental assertions, effectively creating an ironic contrast. Eliphaz acknowledges Job's wisdom in uplifting others who stumbled or grew faint-hearted. Job's words were not mere platitudes; they actively imparted strength and stability to those on the brink of despair. This shows Job's previous adherence to the wisdom tradition, offering succor through words rooted in the understanding of the divine and moral order. However, Eliphaz's intention is not praise, but a veiled challenge: if Job could strengthen others, why is he now so weak and despondent? This sets the stage for Eliphaz's "retribution theology," where he suggests Job's present suffering must indicate a hidden sin. The verse underscores the powerful and often critical role of words in human relationships and spiritual life, whether for comfort or accusation, a theme pervasive throughout the book of Job.

• Example 1: A pastor whose encouraging sermons once lifted the spirits of his congregation now battles personal despair and finds few to offer him similar solace.
• Example 2: A counselor who helps clients through their anxieties now experiences an overwhelming sense of worry, yet hesitates to seek help themselves.
• Example 3: A mentor known for empowering young believers suddenly struggles with doubts and fears, revealing that even strong guides need spiritual reinforcement.