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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 4:7 Consider now, I plead: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Or where have the upright been destroyed?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/4-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/18_Job_04_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 4:7 - Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Consider now, I plead: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? 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Where were the upright ever destroyed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Stop and think! Do the innocent die? When have the upright been destroyed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Remember: who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Consider now, I plead: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Or where have the upright been destroyed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Remember, I pray thee, who <i>ever</i> perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Remember now, who <i>ever</i> perished being innocent? Or where were the upright <i>ever</i> cut off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Remember now, who <i>ever</i> perished being innocent? Or where were the upright destroyed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright destroyed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Remember now, who <i>ever</i> perished being innocent? Or where were the upright destroyed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Remember now, who <i>ever</i> perished being innocent? Or where were the upright wiped out?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Remember now, who, being innocent, ever perished? Or where [and in what circumstances] were those upright <i>and</i> in right standing with God destroyed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Consider: Who has perished when he was innocent? Where have the honest been destroyed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Consider: who has perished when he was innocent? Where have the honest been destroyed? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />No truly innocent person has ever died young. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the upright cut off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Now think about this: Which innocent person [ever] died [an untimely death]? Find me a decent person who has been destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Think back now. Name a single case where someone righteous met with disaster. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now please think: Who has ever perished when they're innocent? Where have the upright been destroyed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Call to mind now: Who, being innocent, ever perished? And where were upright people ever destroyed? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Remember, now, whoever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off;<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Consider now, I plead: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Or where have the upright been destroyed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Remember, now, whoever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Now remember, "" Who, being innocent, has perished? And where have the upright been cut off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Remember, I pray thee, Who, being innocent, hath perished? And where have the upright been cut off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Remember now, who perished, he being innocent? and where were the upright cut off?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished being innocent? or when were the just destroyed? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Consider this, I beg you: who ever perished being innocent? Or when have the righteous been destroyed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Reflect now, what innocent person perishes? Where are the upright destroyed? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Think now, who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Remember, I pray you, whoever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright ever put to shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Remember now, who is innocent that is destroyed, and where are the upright who were put to shame?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Remember then who has perished, being pure? or when were the true-hearted utterly destroyed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/4-7.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=570" 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">6</span>Is your reverence not your confidence, and the uprightness of your ways your hope? <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2142.htm" title="2142: zə·ḵār- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- Remember. A primitive root; properly, to mark, i.e. To remember; by implication, to mention; also to be male.">Consider</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">now, I plead:</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">Who,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5355.htm" title="5355: nā·qî (Adj-ms) -- Clean, free from, exempt. Or naqiyi,; from naqah; innocent.">being innocent,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6.htm" title="6: ’ā·ḇāḏ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To perish. A primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. Lose oneself; by implication to perish.">has ever perished?</a> <a href="/hebrew/375.htm" title="375: wə·’ê·p̄ōh (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- Where?. From 'ay and poh; what place?; also when?; or how?.">Or where</a> <a href="/hebrew/3477.htm" title="3477: yə·šā·rîm (Adj-mp) -- Straight, right. From yashar; straight.">have the upright</a> <a href="/hebrew/3582.htm" title="3582: niḵ·ḥā·ḏū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- To hide. A primitive root; to secrete, by act or word; hence to destroy.">been destroyed?</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>As I have observed, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble reap the same.…<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="/psalms/37-25.htm">Psalm 37:25</a></span><br />I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-21.htm">Proverbs 12:21</a></span><br />No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-21.htm">Proverbs 13:21</a></span><br />Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-19.htm">Psalm 34:19</a></span><br />Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/91-10.htm">Psalm 91:10</a></span><br />no evil will befall you, no plague will approach your tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-8.htm">Proverbs 11:8</a></span><br />The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-24.htm">Proverbs 10:24</a></span><br />What the wicked man dreads will overtake him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-28.htm">Psalm 37:28</a></span><br />For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/92-12.htm">Psalm 92:12-13</a></span><br />The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. / Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-32.htm">Proverbs 14:32</a></span><br />The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-12.htm">1 Peter 3:12</a></span><br />For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a></span><br />And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-13.htm">1 Corinthians 10:13</a></span><br />No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-12.htm">2 Timothy 3:12</a></span><br />Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-10.htm">Matthew 5:10-12</a></span><br />Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. / Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Remember, I pray you, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?</p><p class="hdg">who ever.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-22.htm">Job 9:22,23</a></b></br> This <i>is</i> one <i>thing</i>, therefore I said <i>it</i>, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/37-25.htm">Psalm 37:25</a></b></br> I have been young, and <i>now</i> am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:15</a></b></br> All <i>things</i> have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just <i>man</i> that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked <i>man</i> that prolongeth <i>his life</i> in his wickedness.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/19-6.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/esther/7-4.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/esther/9-12.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/job/3-3.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/job/1-9.htm">God-Fearing</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-23.htm">Innocent</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-8.htm">Perished</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-31.htm">Remember</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-33.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/job/4-3.htm">Think</a> <a href="/job/4-6.htm">Upright</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/8-8.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/job/4-9.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/job/4-9.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/job/4-9.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/psalms/66-16.htm">God-Fearing</a> <a href="/job/8-20.htm">Innocent</a> <a href="/job/10-18.htm">Perished</a> <a href="/job/7-7.htm">Remember</a> <a href="/job/4-17.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/job/6-26.htm">Think</a> <a href="/job/4-17.htm">Upright</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>Consider now, I plead:</b><br>This phrase introduces a plea for reflection and introspection. It suggests urgency and importance, urging the listener to think deeply about the matter at hand. In the context of Job, Eliphaz is speaking, and his plea is rooted in the belief that suffering is a result of sin. This reflects the wisdom literature's emphasis on contemplation and understanding, as seen in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.<p><b>Who, being innocent, has ever perished?</b><br>Eliphaz implies that the innocent do not suffer destruction, a common belief in ancient Near Eastern thought. This reflects the retributive justice theology prevalent in the Old Testament, where righteousness leads to blessing and wickedness to punishment. However, the book of Job challenges this notion, as Job is described as blameless and upright (<a href="/job/1.htm">Job 1:1</a>). This question also foreshadows the suffering of Christ, the truly innocent one who perished for the sins of humanity, highlighting the complexity of divine justice.<p><b>Or where have the upright been destroyed?</b><br>This rhetorical question assumes that the upright are protected by God, aligning with the covenantal promises found in Deuteronomy, where obedience leads to protection and prosperity. However, Job's experience contradicts this assumption, as he suffers despite his righteousness. This tension is explored throughout the book, inviting readers to consider the mystery of God's ways. The ultimate fulfillment of the upright not being destroyed is seen in the resurrection of Jesus, who, though destroyed in death, was raised to life, affirming the hope of eternal justice and vindication for the righteous.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A wealthy and righteous man from the land of Uz, who experiences severe trials and suffering.<br><br>2. <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 but ends up questioning Job's integrity and righteousness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/teman.htm">Teman</a></b><br>A region in Edom, known for its wise men, from which Eliphaz hails.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dialogue.htm">The Dialogue</a></b><br>This verse is part of the first speech by Eliphaz, who suggests that suffering is a result of sin.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heavenly_court.htm">The Heavenly Court</a></b><br>The backdrop of Job's trials, where God allows Satan to test Job's faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_suffering.htm">Understanding Suffering</a></b><br>Eliphaz's perspective reflects a common belief that suffering is always a result of sin. However, the book of Job challenges this notion, encouraging believers to seek a deeper understanding of God's purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_complexity_of_divine_justice.htm">The Complexity of Divine Justice</a></b><br>While Eliphaz assumes a direct correlation between righteousness and prosperity, the Bible presents a more nuanced view of divine justice, where the righteous may suffer for reasons beyond human understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/compassionate_counsel.htm">Compassionate Counsel</a></b><br>Eliphaz's approach to Job's suffering lacks empathy and understanding. Believers are called to offer compassionate and wise counsel, recognizing the complexity of each individual's circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_trials.htm">Faith in Trials</a></b><br>Job's account encourages believers to maintain faith and integrity amidst trials, trusting in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_advice.htm">Discernment in Advice</a></b><br>Eliphaz's advice, though well-intentioned, is based on incomplete understanding. Believers should seek discernment and wisdom from God when offering advice to others.<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/why_does_eliphaz_claim_innocents_don't_perish.htm">In Job 4:7, how could Eliphaz assert that no innocent person has ever perished when history shows countless examples of righteous people suffering? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_job_4_contradict_psalms.htm">Why does Job 4 seem to contradict other biblical teachings, such as the Book of Psalms, that the righteous can and do suffer? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_42_contradict_divine_justice.htm">Why does the final chapter (Job 42) seemingly contradict earlier statements about divine justice and fairness, hinting that God’s blessing can be won through passive endurance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_job's_three_friends_visit_him.htm">Why did Job's three friends visit him?</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>(7) Re<span class= "bld">member, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent?</span>--He challenges Job's experience, and quotes his own in proof of the universal connection between sin and suffering. In so doing, his object may be to insinuate that Job is sinful; or, as seems perhaps more probable, and certainly more gracious, to prove to him that if he is what he was supposed to be, that itself is a ground of hope, inasmuch as no innocent person is allowed to perish. He utters here a half-truth, which, however, is after all true, inasmuch as God will never <span class= "ital">fail, </span>though He may <span class= "ital">try, </span>those who trust in Him.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent?</span> The heart of the matter is now approached. Job is called upon to "remember" the long-established moral axiom, that only evil-doing brings down upon men calamities, and that therefore, where calamities fall, them must be precedent wickedness. If he does not admit this, he-is challenged to bring forward examples, or even a single example, of suffering innocence. If he does admit it, he is left to apply the axiom to himself<span class="cmt_word">. Or where were the righteous cut off?</span> Was the example of "righteous Abel" (<a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Matthew 23:35</a>) unknown to Eliphaz? And had he really never seen that noblest of all sights, the good man struggling with adversity? One would imagine it impossible to attain old age, in the world wherein we live, without becoming convinced by our own observation that good and evil, prosperity and adversity, are not distributed in this life according to moral desert; but a preconceived notion of what ought to have been seems here, as elsewhere so often in the field of speculation, to have blinded men to the actual facts of the case, and driven them to invent explanations of the facts, which militated against their theories, of the most absurdly artificial character. To account for the sufferings of the righteous, the explanation of "secret sins" was introduced, and it was argued that, where affliction seemed to fall on the good man, his goodness was not real goodness - it was a counterfeit, a sham - the fabric of moral excellence, so fair to view, was honeycombed by secret vices, to which the seemingly good man was a prey. Of course, if the afflictions wore abnormal, extraordinary, then the secret sins must be of a most heinous and horrible kind to deserve such a terrible retribution. This is what Eliphaz hints to be the solution in Job's case. God has seen his secret sins - he has "set them in the light of his countenance" (<a href="/psalms/90-8.htm">Psalm 90:8</a>) - and is punishing them openly. Job's duty is to humble himself before God, to confess, repent, and amend. Then, and then only, may he hope that God will remove his hand, and put an end to his sufferings <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/4-7.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">Consider</span><br /><span class="heb">זְכָר־</span> <span class="translit">(zə·ḵār-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2142.htm">Strong's 2142: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male</span><br /><br /><span class="word">now:</span><br /><span class="heb">נָ֗א</span> <span class="translit">(nā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> </span><span class="str2">I pray', 'now', 'then'</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has perished</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבָ֑ד</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person 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">when</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֣וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he was innocent?</span><br /><span class="heb">נָקִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(nā·qî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5355.htm">Strong's 5355: </a> </span><span class="str2">Clean, free from, exempt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Or where</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝אֵיפֹ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ê·p̄ōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_375.htm">Strong's 375: </a> </span><span class="str2">What place?, when?, how?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were the upright</span><br /><span class="heb">יְשָׁרִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(yə·šā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3477.htm">Strong's 3477: </a> </span><span class="str2">Straight, right</span><br /><br /><span class="word">destroyed?</span><br /><span class="heb">נִכְחָֽדוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(niḵ·ḥā·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3582.htm">Strong's 3582: </a> </span><span class="str2">To secrete, by act, word, to destroy</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/4-7.htm">Job 4:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/4-7.htm">Job 4:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/4-7.htm">Job 4:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/4-7.htm">Job 4:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/4-7.htm">Job 4:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/4-7.htm">Job 4:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/4-7.htm">Job 4:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/4-7.htm">Job 4:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/4-7.htm">Job 4:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/4-7.htm">Job 4:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/4-7.htm">OT Poetry: Job 4:7 Remember now whoever perished being innocent? (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/4-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 4:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 4:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/4-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 4:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 4:8" /></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>