Job 15:31
Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 8
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יַאֲמֵ֣ן
trust
H539
יַאֲמֵ֣ן
trust
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
שָׁ֝֗וְא
for vanity
H7723
שָׁ֝֗וְא
for vanity
Strong's:
H7723
Word #:
3 of 8
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
נִתְעָ֑ה
Let not him that is deceived
H8582
נִתְעָ֑ה
Let not him that is deceived
Strong's:
H8582
Word #:
4 of 8
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שָׁ֝֗וְא
for vanity
H7723
שָׁ֝֗וְא
for vanity
Strong's:
H7723
Word #:
6 of 8
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
Cross References
Isaiah 59:4None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.Psalms 62:10Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.Isaiah 44:20He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?Job 4:8Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.Job 12:16With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.Proverbs 22:8He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.Ephesians 5:6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.Jonah 2:8They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.Galatians 6:3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.Hosea 8:7For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom warned against trusting false securities—wealth, power, human schemes. Eliphaz here weaponizes this wisdom, suggesting Job's protests constitute trusting vanity rather than recognizing them as honest faith struggling with mystery.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we distinguish between trusting vanity and honestly wrestling with God?
- What false securities do we substitute for genuine trust in God's character?
Analysis & Commentary
'Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.' Eliphaz warns: don't let the 'deceived' (נִתְעָה, nit'ah) trust in 'vanity' (שָׁוְא, shav—emptiness, worthlessness), for vanity will be his 'recompence' (תְּמוּרָתוֹ, temurato—exchange, wages). The principle is sound: trusting worthless things yields worthless results (Isaiah 30:7, Jeremiah 2:5). The application to Job is false: Job doesn't trust vanity but cries to God. Eliphaz subtly equates Job's honest questions with trusting emptiness. This conflates faith with unquestioning acceptance. True faith can question and lament (Psalms, Habakkuk). The Reformed tradition distinguishes living faith (which includes honest struggle) from dead presumption.