Job 5 11

Job 5:11 kjv

To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

Job 5:11 nkjv

He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety.

Job 5:11 niv

The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.

Job 5:11 esv

he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.

Job 5:11 nlt

He gives prosperity to the poor
and protects those who suffer.

Job 5 verses

Job 5 11 Meaning

Job 5:11 presents a general theological truth, articulated by Eliphaz, that God sovereignly intervenes in human affairs to reverse fortunes. He exalts the downtrodden and lowly, lifting them from their humble or debased circumstances. Simultaneously, those who are filled with sorrow and mourning are elevated to a place of security and deliverance. This reflects a divine pattern of vindication and protection for the afflicted, often implying a connection between humility or suffering endured and a subsequent divine restoration.

Job 5 11 Context

This verse is part of Eliphaz's first discourse to Job. In chapters 4 and 5, Eliphaz argues that suffering is a consequence of sin, and divine justice always prevails. He posits that while God chastises, He ultimately blesses the righteous. Verse 11, therefore, serves as an encouraging statement of God's character to reverse fortunes, but within the implicit framework that Job must acknowledge his supposed sin and turn to God. Eliphaz appeals to common ancient Near Eastern wisdom, suggesting that humility and seeking God are the path out of affliction. For Eliphaz, the lowly and mournful whom God exalts are those who, having been chastened, submit to divine correction.

Job 5 11 Word analysis

• He sets on high (וַיָּשֶׂם מְרוֹמִים – vayyasem meromim):
  • "He": Refers to God (אֵל, El), the ultimate doer of these actions.
  • "sets on high" (vayyasem meromim): Literally, "and He places heights" or "elevates." The verb vayyasem (from śîm) means "to put," "place," or "appoint," indicating an active divine placement or elevation. Meromim (from mārom) signifies "high places," "heights," or "exalted states." This implies God's deliberate act of elevating individuals from low status to a position of prominence, honor, or security. It conveys a strong sense of divine intervention.
• those who are lowly (שְׁפָלִים – shefalim):
  • Derived from the root šāpal, meaning "to be low," "abased," "humble." Shefalim refers to those in a state of debasement, humbleness, or low social standing, often due to adversity or humility of spirit. It captures the essence of those who are downtrodden, weak, or deemed insignificant by the world. The phrase underscores the stark contrast of their prior state with the divine elevation.
• and those who mourn (וַיָּשֶׂם קֹדְרִים – vayyasem qodrim):
  • "and He sets": Implies a parallel action by God, connecting the lifting of the lowly with the comfort of the sorrowful.
  • "mourn" (qodrim): From qādar, meaning "to be dark," "to be gloomy," "to mourn." It depicts individuals darkened by grief, sadness, or deep distress, often associated with outward expressions of mourning such as sackcloth, ashes, or a disfigured appearance. It signifies profound sorrow and affliction, highlighting a state of mental and emotional anguish.
• are lifted to safety (לְמָרוֹם – lemarom):
  • Literally "to a high place," "to height," or "to an exalted place." The preposition le (to/for) preceding marom (high place, elevation) indicates the destination or result of the divine act. It means being brought to a position of elevation, but in the context of mourning, this elevation implies a secure, safe, and flourishing state, often divinely protected. It suggests a complete reversal from despair to well-being, freedom, and spiritual comfort.

Job 5 11 Bonus section

• Divine Polemic: While Eliphaz states a general truth, his specific application to Job served as a subtle polemic. He implies that Job's suffering is due to a lack of humility or faith, and that if Job would just "turn to God," he would experience this elevation. This is a subtle attack on Job's perceived piety, rooted in the simplistic retribution theology that the book of Job ultimately challenges.
• Proleptic Statement: In the larger narrative of Job, this verse serves as a proleptic (anticipatory) statement. Despite the erroneous immediate application to Job's sin, God ultimately does lift Job from his lowliness and restores him, turning his mourning into a joyous state, validating the core truth of Eliphaz's words, even if Eliphaz's specific logic was flawed.

Job 5 11 Commentary

Eliphaz's declaration in Job 5:11 presents a cornerstone of ancient Near Eastern wisdom: God’s justice dictates that He elevates the humble and brings relief to the sorrowful. While superficially comforting, for Job, this counsel from Eliphaz proves hollow, as it implicitly accuses Job of some hidden sin that necessitates his "lowliness" and "mourning." Yet, the statement itself reveals a profound theological truth about God's character. God is not distant from human suffering; rather, He actively engages in the reversal of fortune, lifting the downtrodden and transforming sorrow into joy. This divine principle underscores His compassion for the afflicted and His sovereign power to reorder circumstances, demonstrating that true security and exaltation come from Him. It also implicitly highlights that those who humble themselves under God's hand are positioned to receive His upliftment, a principle echoed throughout the Bible regarding divine favor for the meek and sorrowful. This verse foreshadows God's ultimate vindication and restoration of Job, fulfilling the promise Eliphaz articulated, though not on the terms Eliphaz understood.