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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 4:11 The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/4-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/18_Job_04_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 4:11 - Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered." /><script type="application/javascript" 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src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/4-10.htm" title="Job 4:10">◄</a> Job 4:11 <a href="/job/4-12.htm" title="Job 4:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The fierce lion will starve for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness will be scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The strong lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The old lion perishes for lack of prey, And the cubs of the lioness are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“The lion perishes for lack of prey, And the cubs of the lioness are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220The lion perishes for lack of prey, And the whelps of the lioness are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“The lion perishes for lack of prey, And the whelps of the lioness are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The lion perishes for lack of prey, And the whelps of the lioness are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“The lion perishes for lack of prey, And the cubs of the lioness are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The strong lion dies if it catches no prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The strong lion dies if it catches no prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, And the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />they starve, and their children are scattered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The old lions die without any prey [to eat], and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Like lions with nothing to kill and eat, they die, and all their children are scattered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Full grown lions die when they cannot find prey; that's when the lion cubs are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The mighty lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The old lion perishes for lack of prey. The cubs of the lioness are scattered abroad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The old lion perishes for lack of prey. The cubs of the lioness are scattered abroad. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />An old lion is perishing without prey, "" And the whelps of the lioness separate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> An old lion is perishing without prey, And the whelps of the lioness do separate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The lion perished from failure of prey, and the sons of the lioness shall be scattered.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The tiger hath perished for want of prey, and the young lions are scattered abroad. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The tiger has perished because it does not have prey, and the young lions have been scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The strong lion perishes for lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The lion perishes for the lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A lion perishes from want, he has no prey, and the offspring of the lionesses are scattered<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, And the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The old lion has perished for want of food, and the lions' whelps have forsaken one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/4-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=598" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/4.htm">Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>The lion may roar, and the fierce lion may growl, yet the teeth of the young lions are broken. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3918.htm" title="3918: la·yiš (N-ms) -- A lion. From luwsh in the sense of crushing; a lion.">The old lion</a> <a href="/hebrew/6.htm" title="6: ’ō·ḇêḏ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To perish. A primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. Lose oneself; by implication to perish.">perishes</a> <a href="/hebrew/1097.htm" title="1097: mib·bə·lî- (Prep-m:: Adv) -- From balah; properly, failure, i.e. Nothing or destruction; usually without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc.">for lack</a> <a href="/hebrew/2964.htm" title="2964: ṭā·rep̄ (N-ms) -- Prey, food, a leaf. From taraph; something torn, i.e. A fragment, e.g. A fresh leaf, prey, food.">of prey,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇə·nê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">and the cubs</a> <a href="/hebrew/3833.htm" title="3833: lā·ḇî (N-ms) -- To roar, a lion.">of the lioness</a> <a href="/hebrew/6504.htm" title="6504: yiṯ·pā·rā·ḏū (V-Hitpael-Imperf-3mp) -- To divide. A primitive root; to break through, i.e. Spread or separate.">are scattered.</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>Now a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a></span><br />Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-10.htm">Psalm 34:10</a></span><br />Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/31-4.htm">Isaiah 31:4</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/5-14.htm">Hosea 5:14</a></span><br />For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/3-4.htm">Amos 3:4</a></span><br />Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Does a young lion growl in his den if he has caught nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/19-1.htm">Ezekiel 19:1-9</a></span><br />“As for you, take up a lament for the princes of Israel / and say: ‘What was your mother? A lioness among the lions! She lay down among the young lions; she reared her cubs. / She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/2-11.htm">Nahum 2:11-13</a></span><br />Where is the lions’ lair or the feeding ground of the young lions, where the lion and lioness prowled with their cubs, with nothing to frighten them away? / The lion mauled enough for its cubs and strangled prey for the lioness. It filled its dens with the kill, and its lairs with mauled prey. / “Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will reduce your chariots to cinders, and the sword will devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voices of your messengers will no longer be heard.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Revelation 5:5</a></span><br />Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-9.htm">Genesis 49:9</a></span><br />Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-15.htm">Proverbs 28:15</a></span><br />Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-7.htm">Jeremiah 4:7</a></span><br />A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his lair to lay waste your land. Your cities will be reduced to ruins and lie uninhabited.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-10.htm">Lamentations 3:10</a></span><br />He is a bear lying in wait, a lion hiding in ambush.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/7-4.htm">Daniel 7:4</a></span><br />The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man and given the mind of a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-17.htm">2 Timothy 4:17</a></span><br />But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-6.htm">Isaiah 11:6-9</a></span><br />The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them. / The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. / The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.</p><p class="hdg">old lion.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/38-39.htm">Job 38:39</a></b></br> Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/49-9.htm">Genesis 49:9</a></b></br> Judah <i>is</i> a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/23-24.htm">Numbers 23:24</a></b></br> Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat <i>of</i> the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.</p><p class="hdg">perisheth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/34-10.htm">Psalm 34:10</a></b></br> The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good <i>thing</i>.</p><p class="hdg">the stout.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/1-19.htm">Job 1:19</a></b></br> And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/8-3.htm">Job 8:3,4</a></b></br> Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/27-14.htm">Job 27:14,15</a></b></br> If his children be multiplied, <i>it is</i> for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/1-10.htm">Abroad</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-8.htm">Cubs</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-12.htm">Directions</a> <a href="/job/4-9.htm">End</a> <a href="/job/3-24.htm">Food</a> <a href="/job/4-10.htm">Lion</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-22.htm">Lion's</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-21.htm">Need</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-7.htm">Perishes</a> <a href="/numbers/24-20.htm">Perisheth</a> <a href="/numbers/24-24.htm">Perishing</a> <a href="/esther/9-16.htm">Prey</a> <a href="/esther/3-8.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-3.htm">Separate</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-20.htm">She-Lion</a> <a href="/malachi/3-13.htm">Stout</a> <a href="/job/4-3.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/job/2-2.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-8.htm">Whelps</a> <a href="/job/4-10.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/15-23.htm">Abroad</a> <a href="/job/38-32.htm">Cubs</a> <a href="/psalms/18-14.htm">Directions</a> <a href="/job/4-15.htm">End</a> <a href="/job/5-5.htm">Food</a> <a href="/job/10-16.htm">Lion</a> <a href="/psalms/22-21.htm">Lion's</a> <a href="/job/5-5.htm">Need</a> <a href="/job/8-13.htm">Perishes</a> <a href="/job/14-10.htm">Perisheth</a> <a href="/job/29-13.htm">Perishing</a> <a href="/job/9-12.htm">Prey</a> <a href="/job/18-11.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/psalms/17-7.htm">Separate</a> <a href="/job/38-39.htm">She-Lion</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-12.htm">Stout</a> <a href="/job/5-15.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/job/12-24.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/job/28-8.htm">Whelps</a> <a href="/job/11-12.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Job 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/4-1.htm">Eliphaz reproves Job that the innocent do not suffer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/4-7.htm">He teaches God's judgments to be not for the righteous, but for the wicked.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/4-12.htm">His fearful vision to humble the excellency of creatures before God.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The old lion perishes for lack of prey</b><br>This phrase uses the imagery of a lion, a symbol of strength and dominance in the animal kingdom, to convey a message about the consequences of losing one's source of sustenance. In the ancient Near Eastern context, lions were often seen as powerful and fearsome creatures, representing kings and warriors. The "old lion" here can symbolize a person or nation that once held power and influence but now faces decline due to the absence of resources or support. This imagery is consistent with other biblical references to lions, such as in <a href="/proverbs/30-30.htm">Proverbs 30:30</a>, where the lion is described as mighty among beasts. The idea of perishing for lack of prey suggests a natural consequence of failing to maintain one's strength or position, echoing themes of divine justice and retribution found throughout the Book of Job.<p><b>and the cubs of the lioness are scattered</b><br>The scattering of the cubs signifies the breakdown of a family or community structure following the loss of leadership or protection. In the cultural context of the time, the lioness and her cubs would rely on the male lion for protection and provision. The scattering implies vulnerability and disarray, a common theme in biblical literature when discussing the consequences of sin or divine judgment. This imagery can be connected to other scriptural passages, such as <a href="/ezekiel/19-5.htm">Ezekiel 19:5-9</a>, where the lioness's cubs are captured and taken away, symbolizing the exile and dispersion of Israel. The scattering of the cubs also foreshadows the scattering of the disciples after Jesus' arrest, as seen in <a href="/matthew/26-31.htm">Matthew 26:31</a>, drawing a parallel to the vulnerability and fear experienced by those who lose their leader.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/eliphaz_the_temanite.htm">Eliphaz the Temanite</a></b><br>One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. He is the speaker in this passage and represents a traditional wisdom perspective.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure of the Book of Job, known for his suffering and endurance. This verse is part of the dialogue between Job and his friends.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/lions_and_lionesses.htm">Lions and Lionesses</a></b><br>Used metaphorically by Eliphaz to illustrate the fate of the wicked or those who rely on their own strength.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/teman.htm">Teman</a></b><br>A region known for its wise men, from which Eliphaz hails.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dialogue.htm">The Dialogue</a></b><br>This verse is part of the larger discourse between Job and his friends, exploring themes of suffering, justice, and divine sovereignty.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/reliance_on_god_vs._self-reliance.htm">Reliance on God vs. Self-Reliance</a></b><br>Eliphaz uses the metaphor of lions to illustrate the futility of relying on one's own strength. Just as lions perish without prey, humans falter without God's provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_pride.htm">The Consequences of Pride</a></b><br>The scattering of the lioness's cubs symbolizes the downfall that comes from pride and self-sufficiency. It serves as a warning against arrogance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_suffering.htm">Understanding Suffering</a></b><br>Eliphaz's perspective suggests that suffering is a result of wrongdoing. While this is not the complete biblical view, it prompts reflection on the causes and purposes of suffering.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_friends_in_times_of_trouble.htm">The Role of Friends in Times of Trouble</a></b><br>Eliphaz's approach to Job's suffering reminds us to be cautious in how we counsel others, ensuring our advice is compassionate and biblically sound.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_god_vs._satan.htm">What does the Bible say about God versus Satan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_consistently_achieve_goals.htm">What defines a monitoring spirit?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_delaying_jesus'_return.htm">Who is The Wicked One in the story?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_11_12_align_with_genesis.htm">Job 11:12 likens humans to wild donkeys; how does this align with Genesis' teaching that humans reflect God's image?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">The old lion perisheth . . .</span>--This means that even though wickedness is joined with strength, it is equally unable to prosper. It is to be observed that no less than five different words are here used for <span class= "ital">lion, </span>showing that these animals must have been common and of various kinds in Job's country.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The old lion perisheth for lack of prey</span>. The human counterpart of the "old lion" is the oppressor whose strength and cunning begin to fail him, who can no longer carry things with a high hand, enforce his will on men by bluster and throats, or even set traps for them so skilfully that they blindly walk into them. Political charlatans whose role is played out, bullies whose nerve is beginning to fail, cardsharpers whose manual dexterity has de-sorted them, come under this category. And the stout lion's whelps; rather, the <span class="accented">whelps of the lioness</span> (<span class="accented">see the</span> Revised Version). Are scattered abroad. Even the seed of ill-doers suffer. They are involved in their parents' punishment (see <a href="/exodus/20-5.htm">Exodus 20:5</a>). Eliphaz darkly hints that Job may have been among the class of oppressors, or (at any rate) of transgressors, and that the untimely fate of his children may have been the consequence of his evil-doings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/4-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The old lion</span><br /><span class="heb">לַ֭יִשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(la·yiš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3918.htm">Strong's 3918: </a> </span><span class="str2">A lion</span><br /><br /><span class="word">perishes</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹבֵ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ḇêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6.htm">Strong's 6: </a> </span><span class="str2">To wander away, lose oneself, to perish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for lack</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבְּלִי־</span> <span class="translit">(mib·bə·lî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> </span><span class="str2">Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of prey,</span><br /><span class="heb">טָ֑רֶף</span> <span class="translit">(ṭā·rep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2964.htm">Strong's 2964: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something torn, a fragment, a fresh leaf, prey, food</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the cubs</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the lioness</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֝בִ֗יא</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3833.htm">Strong's 3833: </a> </span><span class="str2">To roar, a lion,</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are scattered.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִתְפָּרָֽדוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiṯ·pā·rā·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6504.htm">Strong's 6504: </a> </span><span class="str2">To break through, spread, separate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/4-11.htm">Job 4:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/4-11.htm">Job 4:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/4-11.htm">Job 4:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/4-11.htm">Job 4:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/4-11.htm">Job 4:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/4-11.htm">Job 4:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/4-11.htm">Job 4:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/4-11.htm">Job 4:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/4-11.htm">Job 4:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/4-11.htm">Job 4:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/4-11.htm">OT Poetry: Job 4:11 The old lion perishes for lack (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/4-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 4:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 4:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/4-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 4:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 4:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>