Job 15:35
They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.
Original Language Analysis
הָרֹ֣ה
They conceive
H2029
הָרֹ֣ה
They conceive
Strong's:
H2029
Word #:
1 of 7
to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively)
עָ֭מָל
mischief
H5999
עָ֭מָל
mischief
Strong's:
H5999
Word #:
2 of 7
toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
וְיָ֣לֹד
and bring forth
H3205
וְיָ֣לֹד
and bring forth
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
3 of 7
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
אָ֑וֶן
vanity
H205
אָ֑וֶן
vanity
Strong's:
H205
Word #:
4 of 7
strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
וּ֝בִטְנָ֗ם
and their belly
H990
וּ֝בִטְנָ֗ם
and their belly
Strong's:
H990
Word #:
5 of 7
the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
Historical Context
Houses required proper foundation and maintenance in ancient construction. Buildings on poor foundations or in disrepair collapsed, sometimes catastrophically (Jesus' parable of houses on rock vs sand draws on this reality).
Questions for Reflection
- What foundations in life prove inadequate when tested by suffering or loss?
- How does building on Christ as foundation enable endurance through collapse of other structures?
- What does it mean that Job's physical house collapsed but his faith-house endured?
Analysis & Commentary
The wicked cling to worthless things: 'He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.' Continuing the fragility metaphor, the wicked lean on structures that collapse. The repetition—'not stand,' 'not endure'—emphasizes complete failure. While this describes false securities, Eliphaz misapplies it to Job. Job's 'house' (family, wealth) collapsed not because they were false securities but because God permitted testing to demonstrate that Job's faith transcended his blessings.