Job 19:29
Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.
Original Language Analysis
גּ֤וּרוּ
Be ye afraid
H1481
גּ֤וּרוּ
Be ye afraid
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
מִפְּנֵי
of
H6440
מִפְּנֵי
of
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 11
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
חָ֑רֶב
of the sword
H2719
חָ֑רֶב
of the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
4 of 11
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
חָ֑רֶב
of the sword
H2719
חָ֑רֶב
of the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
8 of 11
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
לְמַ֖עַן
H4616
לְמַ֖עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 12:14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.Ecclesiastes 11:9Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern wisdom valued finding 'the root of the matter'—the essential truth beneath appearances. Job claims his friends miss this root while fixating on surface interpretation of his suffering. God later vindicates this claim by rebuking the friends.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we distinguish between surface appearances and the root of spiritual matters?
- What does Job's warning teach about the danger of falsely accusing others?
- How should we respond when confronted with our own theological errors that have harmed others?
Analysis & Commentary
Job warns his accusers: 'But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?' Job challenges his friends to examine themselves—they persecute him while 'the root of the matter' (essence of righteousness/faith) exists in him. This warns that their accusations will bring judgment on themselves. Job prophetically anticipates God's later rebuke of his friends (42:7-8).