Job 5:1
Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?
Original Language Analysis
קְֽרָא
Call
H7121
קְֽרָא
Call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 8
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
נָ֭א
H4994
נָ֭א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
2 of 8
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
הֲיֵ֣שׁ
now if there be
H3426
הֲיֵ֣שׁ
now if there be
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
3 of 8
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
עוֹנֶ֑ךָּ
any that will answer
H6030
עוֹנֶ֑ךָּ
any that will answer
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
מִ֖י
H4310
מִ֖י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
6 of 8
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
Historical Context
Appeals to angelic or divine beings for intervention appear throughout ancient Near Eastern literature. Eliphaz's sarcasm suggests he believes Job's case is beyond even heavenly help, implying Job's guilt is obvious and extreme.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you guard against using theological truth as a weapon rather than medicine?
- When have you felt so abandoned that even prayer seemed futile? How did you persevere?
Analysis & Commentary
Eliphaz challenges Job: 'Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?' The Hebrew 'qadosh' (saints/holy ones) likely refers to angels rather than deceased righteous humans. Eliphaz sarcastically suggests Job's situation is so hopeless that even angelic intervention won't help—a cruel mockery of Job's suffering. This reveals how religious people can use theology as a weapon to wound rather than a balm to heal.