Job 4:9
By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
Original Language Analysis
מִנִּשְׁמַ֣ת
By the blast
H5397
מִנִּשְׁמַ֣ת
By the blast
Strong's:
H5397
Word #:
1 of 6
a puff, i.e., wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal
יֹאבֵ֑דוּ
they perish
H6
יֹאבֵ֑דוּ
they perish
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
וּמֵר֖וּחַ
and by the breath
H7307
וּמֵר֖וּחַ
and by the breath
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
4 of 6
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
Cross References
Job 15:30He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away.Isaiah 30:33For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.Isaiah 11:4But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.2 Thessalonians 2:8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:Revelation 2:16Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.Psalms 18:15Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern retribution theology held that the gods punished evildoers in this life through disasters, disease, and death. Eliphaz reflects this common but incomplete understanding of divine justice.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you avoid the error of assuming all suffering indicates divine judgment for sin?
- What does Jesus's teaching about the man born blind reveal about the relationship between suffering and sin?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Eliphaz declares, 'By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.' The Hebrew 'neshamah' (breath/blast) suggests God's powerful judgment. Eliphaz assumes all suffering is divine judgment for sin, making Job's suffering proof of hidden wickedness. This is the central error of all three friends—conflating consequence with causation. While sin does bring judgment, not all suffering results from personal sin (John 9:3).