Job Chapter 4 · Verse 21
Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.
Original Language Analysis
הֲלֹֽא
H3808
הֲלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִסַּ֣ע
which is in them go away
H5265
נִסַּ֣ע
which is in them go away
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
יִתְרָ֣ם
Doth not their excellency
H3499
יִתְרָ֣ם
Doth not their excellency
Strong's:
H3499
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)
יָ֝מ֗וּתוּ
they die
H4191
יָ֝מ֗וּתוּ
they die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
5 of 7
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Historical Context
Dying 'without wisdom' meant perishing without understanding life's meaning or achieving the goal of wisdom literature—to know and fear God. Eliphaz uses this as a threat rather than seeing suffering as God's means of deepening wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
- How does suffering deepen rather than disprove wisdom when rightly understood?
- What distinguishes the message of human depravity apart from grace from the gospel message of depravity overcome by grace?
Analysis & Commentary
Eliphaz concludes: 'Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.' Human 'excellency' (Hebrew 'yether'—abundance/cord) is temporary. The phrase 'die without wisdom' suggests people perish without understanding why—implying Job's suffering proves his spiritual ignorance. Yet this contradicts God's own assessment (Job 1:8). Eliphaz's vision delivers a message of hopeless human depravity without grace—technically true about fallen humanity but false about God's redemptive work.