Job 5 19

Job 5:19 kjv

He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

Job 5:19 nkjv

He shall deliver you in six troubles, Yes, in seven no evil shall touch you.

Job 5:19 niv

From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will touch you.

Job 5:19 esv

He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil shall touch you.

Job 5:19 nlt

From six disasters he will rescue you;
even in the seventh, he will keep you from evil.

Job 5 verses

Job 5 19 Meaning

Job 5:19 conveys a promise of comprehensive divine deliverance and protection from all forms of adversity. It is part of Eliphaz's counsel to Job, assuring him that if he seeks God, God will protect him from multiple levels of "troubles" (six, then seven) to the point where no "evil" or calamity will ultimately harm him. The use of numbers "six" and "seven" signifies completeness or an overwhelming number, suggesting that God's protection is total and extends even to an abundance of difficulties. It expresses the traditional belief in a direct correlation between righteousness and divine blessing, implying that sincere devotion will result in infallible protection.

Job 5 19 Context

Job 5:19 is found within the first speech of Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's three friends. Following Job's lament and curse of his birth (Job 3), Eliphaz steps in as the first to offer his perspective. His argument, rooted in conventional retribution theology, suggests that suffering is a consequence of sin and that God justly punishes the wicked while blessing the righteous. In chapters 4 and 5, Eliphaz tries to persuade Job that his suffering must be due to some unconfessed sin. He encourages Job to seek God, promising that if he does, God will restore him and deliver him from all future troubles. Verse 19 specifically forms part of Eliphaz's reassurance, listing the many benefits, including comprehensive deliverance, that await those who turn to God. Historically and culturally, this view of suffering and prosperity was widespread in the ancient Near East, with a strong belief that divine blessings directly followed righteous living and curses followed sin. The entire book of Job challenges this simplistic one-to-one correspondence, presenting the reality of innocent suffering and God's sovereign purposes beyond human comprehension.

Job 5 19 Word analysis

• He shall deliver thee: Hebrew יַצִּילְךָ (yaṣṣîlḵā) from the root נָצַל (naṣal), meaning "to deliver, rescue, snatch away, preserve, save." This verb indicates a strong, decisive act of removal from danger or a threatening situation. It is active, divine intervention promised to Job.
• in six troubles: Hebrew בְּשֵׁשׁ (bəšēš) צָרוֹת (ṣārōṯ).
  • בְּשֵׁשׁ (bəšēš): "In six," specifying a quantity.
  • צָרוֹת (ṣārōṯ): "Troubles," "afflictions," "distresses," "straits." This noun refers to difficult and distressing circumstances. The number "six" introduces a numerical progression often seen in Hebrew literature.
• yea, in seven: Hebrew וּבְשֶׁבַע (ûvəševaʿ).
  • וּבְשֶׁבַע (ûvəševaʿ): "And in seven." The numerical pattern of "X, X+1" (six, then seven) is a literary device, known as a numerical proverb or parallelism, not meant to be a literal count. It signifies completeness, an indefinite but total number, or an overflowing abundance beyond expectation. It emphasizes that no matter how many troubles come, or how overwhelming they might be, deliverance will occur. This is not about specific instances but a universal promise of protection.
• there shall no evil: Hebrew לֹא יִגַּע־בְּךָ רָעָה (lō' yiǧga‘-bəḵā rā‘â).
  • לֹא (lō’): "No, not," indicating absolute negation.
  • יִגַּע (yiǧgaʿ): From the root נָגַע (nāḡaʿ), meaning "to touch, strike, reach, befall." Here it means "to make contact with, affect."
  • רָעָה (rā‘â): "Evil, harm, calamity, adversity, misfortune." This is a broad term for anything bad or hurtful. The phrasing indicates that even when surrounded by dangers, evil itself will not reach or impact the person.
• touch thee: The combination with יִגַּע־בְּךָ (yiǧga‘-bəḵā) signifies "will not make contact with you" or "will not light upon you." This implies immunity or an inability for harm to truly penetrate the divine protection.

• "in six troubles: yea, in seven": This is a classic example of numerical parallelism (N, N+1). It does not mean exactly six or seven troubles but implies "even if there are many troubles, or even more troubles, you will still be delivered." It communicates totality, exhaustiveness, and certainty of divine intervention in any and every significant adversity, however numerous.
• "He shall deliver thee... there shall no evil touch thee": This phrase asserts God's complete and unconditional protection for the righteous. The first part highlights active deliverance from trouble, while the second part speaks to the absence of harm or an inability for trouble to ultimately affect the person even in the midst of it. It suggests ultimate victory and untouchability from significant harm for the divinely protected.

Job 5 19 Bonus section

The rhetorical device of "N, N+1" numerical parallelism, prominent in wisdom literature (like Proverbs and Amos), emphasizes completeness or totality. It's not a literal counting but a literary flourish to stress "many" or "all." For Eliphaz, it functions as a comprehensive promise: not just a few troubles, but a full measure of them, all covered by divine protection. This suggests Eliphaz’s certainty in his theological framework where righteousness guarantees protection. However, the irony of Job’s experience, where an overwhelmingly righteous man did suffer, ultimately discredits the narrow, retributive interpretation presented by Eliphaz. God's ways are deeper than this simplified formula.

Job 5 19 Commentary

Job 5:19 articulates Eliphaz's core theological assumption: God's unfailing protection of the righteous. The verse, using the potent imagery of numerical parallelism (six, then seven troubles), signifies an absolute and comprehensive deliverance. It suggests that no matter the quantity or intensity of afflictions, God will ensure that the individual ultimately remains untouched by true harm or ruin. While a beautiful expression of divine care and a universal truth that God does deliver His people, Eliphaz's application of this principle to Job was flawed. He assumed Job's suffering indicated his lack of righteousness, thus conditionalizing God's promise based on Job's perceived sin rather than recognizing God's sovereign purposes. This promise, though true in God's general providence, highlights the challenge of applying such principles dogmatically without understanding the full counsel of God or His broader plan, especially in unique circumstances like Job's.