Job 5:27 (KJV)

What does Job 5:27 mean?

Job 5:27 is a statement of confidence from Eliphaz, telling Job that the advice and observations he has shared have been carefully examined and found true, and urging Job to listen and accept them for his own benefit. Eliphaz is essentially saying, “We have checked this out—trust us, it will help you.”

In this verse, Eliphaz is speaking to Job after listing what he believes are the ways God deals with people. Eliphaz claims that he and others have thoroughly investigated these truths, using the word “searched,” and now encourages Job to “hear” and “know” them for his own good. The verse wraps up Eliphaz’s speech, pressing Job to accept his perspective as reliable wisdom.

The Hebrew behind Job 5:27

• “searched” (חָקַר, chaqar): This word means to search out, investigate, or examine deeply. Eliphaz is stressing that his advice is not casual or shallow, but the result of careful thought and experience.
• “hear” (שָׁמַע, shama‘): This word means to listen, pay attention, or obey. Eliphaz is not just asking Job to hear sounds, but to truly listen and take his words seriously.
• “know” (יָדַע, yada‘): This word means to know, understand, or recognize. Eliphaz wants Job to internalize and accept what has been said, not just hear it.

Why Job 5:27 matters

• This verse shows Eliphaz’s confidence in his own wisdom and the tradition he represents, which is important for understanding the dynamic between Job and his friends throughout the book.
• The verse highlights the pressure Job faces to accept the explanations and solutions offered by his friends, even though Job’s own experience challenges their conclusions.
• By emphasizing investigation and knowledge, the verse reveals how people in Job’s time valued wisdom that came from careful observation and shared experience, not just personal opinion.