Job 4:14
Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
Original Language Analysis
פַּ֣חַד
Fear
H6343
פַּ֣חַד
Fear
Strong's:
H6343
Word #:
1 of 6
a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
קְ֭רָאַנִי
came
H7122
קְ֭רָאַנִי
came
Strong's:
H7122
Word #:
2 of 6
to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner
Historical Context
Prophetic experiences in the ancient Near East often included physical manifestations—trembling, fear, overwhelming presence. Eliphaz's description follows conventional patterns for claiming divine encounter.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between genuine divine revelation and impressive but false spiritual experiences?
- What role should physical manifestations play in validating spiritual truth claims?
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Analysis & Commentary
Eliphaz describes his vision: 'Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.' The Hebrew 'pachad' (fear) and 'ra'adah' (trembling) suggest terror, while 'pagar' (meet/encounter) indicates unexpected confrontation. Eliphaz's physical response—bones shaking—supposedly validates his revelation's divine origin. Yet Scripture shows that dramatic experiences don't guarantee true revelation (Matthew 7:22-23). God's word must be tested against God's revealed character.