Job 4:18
Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַֽאֲמִ֑ין
Behold he put no trust
H539
יַֽאֲמִ֑ין
Behold he put no trust
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
4 of 7
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
וּ֝בְמַלְאָכָ֗יו
and his angels
H4397
וּ֝בְמַלְאָכָ֗יו
and his angels
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
5 of 7
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
Cross References
2 Peter 2:4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;Jude 1:6And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern mythology included stories of divine beings rebelling against the high god. Eliphaz's reference to angels charged with folly may allude to such traditions or to the biblical account of fallen angels.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Eliphaz's vision contradict the gospel of grace?
- In what ways does focus on human unworthiness apart from Christ's merit lead to false conclusions about suffering?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The vision's message: 'Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly.' This statement is partially true—angels are creatures and can rebel (2 Peter 2:4)—but Eliphaz misapplies it. He'll argue that if God cannot trust angels, He certainly cannot trust humans, making all human suffering deserved judgment. This logic denies grace and implies salvation is impossible. True Reformed theology affirms God's elect are preserved precisely because God's trust rests on Christ's righteousness, not our own.