James 5:4
Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
Original Language Analysis
τὰ
which
G3588
τὰ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μισθὸς
the hire
G3408
μισθὸς
the hire
Strong's:
G3408
Word #:
3 of 26
pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad
τὰ
which
G3588
τὰ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὰ
which
G3588
τὰ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀμησάντων
have reaped down
G270
ἀμησάντων
have reaped down
Strong's:
G270
Word #:
7 of 26
properly, to collect, i.e., (by implication) reap
τὰ
which
G3588
τὰ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χώρας
fields
G5561
χώρας
fields
Strong's:
G5561
Word #:
9 of 26
room, i.e., a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)
τὰ
which
G3588
τὰ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀφ'
is of
G575
ἀφ'
is of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
13 of 26
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
κράζει
crieth
G2896
κράζει
crieth
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
15 of 26
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
which
G3588
τὰ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὰ
which
G3588
τὰ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
21 of 26
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰ
which
G3588
τὰ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
24 of 26
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Cross References
Leviticus 19:13Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.Jeremiah 22:13Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;Romans 9:29And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.Malachi 3:5And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.Exodus 22:27For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.Psalms 9:12When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.Job 34:28So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.Exodus 3:9Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.Genesis 4:10And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.Luke 18:7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Historical Context
Tenant farmers in Judea often suffered withheld wages (Leviticus 19:13 violation). James invokes Yahweh Sabaoth, warrior protecting the oppressed. Early Christian tradition held deep concern for just wages.
Questions for Reflection
- Are your business practices just before God?
- How can you advocate for exploited workers locally?
- What structural changes can ensure prompt, fair compensation?
Analysis & Commentary
Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. The wages withheld from laborers cry out; the Lord of hosts hears. Economic injustice is not silent—God hears exploited workers.
Reformed social ethics emphasize God's defense of the poor. James assures oppressed believers that God notices every unpaid wage.