Job 5:15 (KJV)

What does Job 5:15 mean?

Job 5:15 says that God saves people who are poor or powerless from deadly threats, from harmful words, and from the power of strong oppressors. The verse highlights God’s protection over those who are vulnerable, rescuing them from violence, slander, and the control of the mighty.

In the story, Eliphaz is speaking to Job, explaining how God acts in the world. Eliphaz believes that God intervenes to defend the poor against those who would harm them, whether by physical force (“the sword”), by their words (“their mouth”), or by their strength (“the hand of the mighty”). This is part of Eliphaz’s argument that God ultimately brings justice, even if suffering is happening now.

The Hebrew behind Job 5:15

• “saveth” (יָשַׁע, yashaʿ): This word means to deliver or rescue. It often carries the sense of a powerful intervention, not just a simple helping hand, but a dramatic act of saving someone in danger.
• “poor” (אֶבְיוֹן, ’evyon): This word refers to someone who is needy, destitute, or without resources. It emphasizes the vulnerability of those God is said to protect.
• “sword” (חֶרֶב, cherev): This is a literal word for a weapon, but it can also stand for violent threats or deadly danger in general.
• “mouth” (פֶּה, peh): Here, “mouth” points to harmful speech—slander, accusations, or threats that can do real damage, not just physical attacks.
• “hand” (יָד, yad): In Hebrew, “hand” often means power or control, not just the physical hand. It suggests being under someone’s authority or force.
• “mighty” (חָזָק, chazaq): This word means strong or powerful, usually referring to those with social, political, or physical power.

Why Job 5:15 matters

• Job 5:15 clarifies that God’s protection is not limited to physical danger but also includes rescue from harmful words and abuse of power, showing a broad view of what it means to be saved.
• The verse challenges the idea that the powerful always win; instead, it emphasizes that God is on the side of those who are weak or oppressed.
• In the context of Eliphaz’s speech, this verse is part of his attempt to comfort Job by reminding him of God’s justice, though later in the book, Job questions whether this always happens in real life.