Job 5 3

Job 5:3 kjv

I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.

Job 5:3 nkjv

I have seen the foolish taking root, But suddenly I cursed his dwelling place.

Job 5:3 niv

I myself have seen a fool taking root, but suddenly his house was cursed.

Job 5:3 esv

I have seen the fool taking root, but suddenly I cursed his dwelling.

Job 5:3 nlt

I have seen that fools may be successful for the moment,
but then comes sudden disaster.

Job 5 verses

Job 5 3 Meaning

Eliphaz asserts, based on his personal observation and understanding of divine justice, that although wicked individuals may seem to prosper and become established for a time, their flourishing is fleeting. He contends that he has witnessed such a person appear to be deeply rooted, only for that one's dwelling and security to be swiftly brought under divine curse or condemnation, signifying their abrupt downfall. This forms part of Eliphaz's argument that Job's suffering must be a consequence of sin.

Job 5 3 Context

Job chapter 5 is part of Eliphaz the Temanite's first speech to Job. Having established in Job 4 that Job's suffering must be due to his own sin, Eliphaz now provides observations from his own life experience and wisdom traditions to support his claims. He encourages Job to seek God's favor and highlights what he perceives as God's consistent method of dealing with the wicked. Eliphaz, like Job's other friends, operates from a strict theology of immediate retribution, where righteousness leads to prosperity and wickedness inevitably leads to suffering. This verse (Job 5:3) serves as anecdotal evidence within Eliphaz's discourse, portraying the downfall of the "fool" as a common, predictable outcome.

Job 5 3 Word analysis

• I have seen: Eliphaz bases his argument on personal observation (rāʾâ). This grounds his theology in empirical experience rather than direct divine revelation, though he assumes his observations align with God's justice. It sets up his wisdom as drawn from life.
• the fool: The Hebrew word is ʾĕwîl (אֱוִיל), distinct from nābāl (וַעוֹל), and signifies more than intellectual deficiency. An ʾĕwîl is a morally obtuse person, one who disregards God, wisdom, and right living (Pr 1:7; Ps 14:1). It indicates a lifestyle of practical godlessness and a closed heart to correction.
• taking root: The phrase uses a participial form of the root yashash (יָשַׁשׁ) implying 'being firmly set' or 'taking hold.' The imagery of "taking root" (from shoresh - שֹׁרֶשׁ) depicts a stable, flourishing, and established condition, like a plant that is deeply embedded and growing well. It conveys the idea of perceived security and prosperity.
• but suddenly: The Hebrew petaʿ (פֶתַע) conveys an unexpected, abrupt, or instant occurrence. This adverb emphasizes the swift and inescapable nature of the observed downfall, contrasting sharply with the initial impression of stability. It highlights God's immediate judgment in Eliphaz's worldview.
• I cursed: The Hebrew verb is qālalṭî (קַלַּלְתִּי), from qālal (קָלַל), meaning 'to be light,' 'to treat lightly,' 'to revile,' or 'to curse.' Eliphaz is stating he personally denounced or recognized as cursed (perhaps as an act of prophetic pronouncement based on his theological understanding, or simply a declarative recognition of divine judgment). It reflects his active condemnation based on observing God's supposed judgment.
• his dwelling: The Hebrew word nāweh (נָוֵה) refers to a habitation, a dwelling place, a home, or a tent. It encompasses not just the physical abode but also symbolizes one's security, possessions, family, and descendants—everything that contributes to a stable and lasting legacy.

Job 5 3 Bonus section

• The tension between observing a general principle of divine judgment (the wicked's ultimate downfall) and misapplying it in a specific case (Job's suffering) is a major theme throughout the Book of Job.
• Eliphaz's statement of "I have seen" sets up a debate where experiential wisdom, though valid to a point, is challenged by a greater, unsearchable divine wisdom. This reflects the struggle many people have in reconciling observation with divine sovereignty.
• The "suddenly" emphasizes the fragility of a life built on unrighteousness, contrasting with the deep and enduring roots promised to the righteous (Jer 17:7-8).
• Eliphaz's claim to "curse" implies a strong conviction in his assessment of the situation and the coming divine judgment, bordering on an assumed prophetic authority, though his overall interpretation of Job's situation is later corrected by God.

Job 5 3 Commentary

Job 5:3 encapsulates Eliphaz's core argument regarding the universal principle of divine retribution, filtered through his personal observations. He describes how he has witnessed the initial flourishing of a "fool" – not just someone unintelligent, but an individual morally and spiritually disconnected from God, demonstrating practical godlessness. This fool, despite their wicked ways, seems to achieve stability and prosperity, akin to a plant putting down deep roots. However, Eliphaz asserts, this prosperity is always short-lived. He claims to have personally "cursed" or denounced their dwelling "suddenly," implying that the consequence of their sin is an swift and unexpected destruction or reversal of their fortune.

This verse reveals a key tenet of Eliphaz's (and his friends') theology: a direct, observable, and immediate cause-and-effect relationship between sin and suffering, or righteousness and prosperity. He implies that just as he observed the fool's demise, Job's suffering must similarly indicate his own hidden sin. The problem, as the book of Job later clarifies, is that while this principle holds some truth in a general sense, it does not explain all suffering. Eliphaz, in his limited understanding, misapplies this general principle to Job's unique case, failing to grasp the complexities of God's ways or the possibility of righteous suffering. The verse highlights the inadequacy of human experience and rigid theological frameworks in fully comprehending divine justice.