Job 5:5 (KJV)

What does Job 5:5 mean?

Job 5:5 describes how the harvest of certain people is eaten by the hungry and even taken from among thorns, with robbers consuming all their wealth. The verse paints a picture of loss and vulnerability, where what someone has worked for is taken away by others in need or by thieves.

In context, Eliphaz is speaking to Job, warning him about the fate of the wicked. Eliphaz claims that those who act wrongly will see their efforts and possessions seized by others, even from difficult or protected places. This is part of his argument that suffering is a result of wrongdoing, a theme he presses throughout his speech.

The Hebrew behind Job 5:5

• harvest (קָצִיר, qatsir): This word means the gathered crops or produce. The focus is on the results of a person's hard work being taken away.
• thorns (צִנִּים, tsinnim): Thorns suggest a place that should be hard to reach or protected, yet even here, the hungry are able to take what remains, showing how complete the loss is.
• robber (צַמָּה, tsammah): This word refers to a violent or ravenous person, emphasizing that not just the needy but also the ruthless will consume what belonged to the afflicted.
• substance (חַיִל, chayil): This term often means wealth, strength, or resources. The verse stresses that all the person's resources are swallowed up, leaving nothing behind.

Why Job 5:5 matters

• Job 5:5 clarifies Eliphaz’s belief that suffering and loss are direct consequences of wrongdoing, a view that Job himself will later challenge.
• The verse uses vivid imagery—harvest, thorns, robbers—to underline how total and inescapable the loss can be, even from places that seem secure.
• Understanding this verse helps readers see the debate between Job and his friends about the reasons for suffering, which is central to the book’s message.