Job 15:30

Authorized King James Version

PDF

He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away.

Original Language Analysis

לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְ֝יָס֗וּר He shall not depart H5493
וְ֝יָס֗וּר He shall not depart
Strong's: H5493
Word #: 2 of 10
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
מִנִּי H4480
מִנִּי
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 3 of 10
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
חֹ֗שֶׁךְ out of darkness H2822
חֹ֗שֶׁךְ out of darkness
Strong's: H2822
Word #: 4 of 10
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
יֹֽ֭נַקְתּוֹ his branches H3127
יֹֽ֭נַקְתּוֹ his branches
Strong's: H3127
Word #: 5 of 10
a sprout
תְּיַבֵּ֣שׁ shall dry up H3001
תְּיַבֵּ֣שׁ shall dry up
Strong's: H3001
Word #: 6 of 10
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
שַׁלְהָ֑בֶת the flame H7957
שַׁלְהָ֑בֶת the flame
Strong's: H7957
Word #: 7 of 10
a flare of fire
וְ֝יָס֗וּר He shall not depart H5493
וְ֝יָס֗וּר He shall not depart
Strong's: H5493
Word #: 8 of 10
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
בְּר֣וּחַ and by the breath H7307
בְּר֣וּחַ and by the breath
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 9 of 10
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
פִּֽיו׃ of his mouth H6310
פִּֽיו׃ of his mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 10 of 10
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

Analysis & Commentary

The wicked's branch won't flourish: 'He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away.' Agricultural imagery depicts judgment—the wicked remain in darkness, their branches wither, and God's breath removes them. This powerful imagery of plant withering under heat anticipates Jesus' teaching about branches that don't abide (John 15). Yet Eliphaz misapplies it, assuming Job's suffering indicates he's a withering branch.

Historical Context

Palestine's agriculture made plant imagery vivid—branches withering in summer heat, plants failing without rain. This connected to covenant blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 28), where fruitfulness indicated blessing and barrenness indicated curse.

Questions for Reflection