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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 4:21 Are not their tent cords pulled up, so that they die without wisdom?'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/4-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/18_Job_04_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 4:21 - Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Are not their tent cords pulled up, so that they die without wisdom?'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/4-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/4-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.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/4-20.htm" title="Job 4:20">◄</a> Job 4:21 <a href="/job/5-1.htm" title="Job 5:1">►</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 />Are not the cords of their tent pulled up, so that they die without wisdom?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Their tent-cords are pulled and the tent collapses, and they die in ignorance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them, do they not die, and that without wisdom?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are not their tent cords pulled up, so that they die without wisdom?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Doth not their excellency <i>which is</i> in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Does not their own excellence go away? They die, even without wisdom.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />‘Is their tent-cord not pulled out within them? They die, yet without wisdom.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, yet without wisdom.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, yet without wisdom.’ <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Is not their tent-cord pulled up within them? They die, yet without wisdom.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />‘Is not their tent-cord drawn up within them [so that the tent collapses]? Do they not die, and yet without [acquiring] wisdom?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are their tent cords not pulled up? They die without wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are their tent cords not pulled up? They die without wisdom. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Your tent pegs are pulled up, and you leave this life, having gained no wisdom." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? they die, and that without wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Haven't the ropes of their tent been loosened? Won't they die without wisdom?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />All that we have is taken away; we die, still lacking wisdom." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Their wealth perishes with them, doesn't it? They die, and do so without having wisdom, don't they?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Is not their excess wealth taken away from them? They die, yet without attaining wisdom. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Isn't their tent cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Doth not their excellence which is in them depart? they die, even without wisdom.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are not their tent cords pulled up, so that they die without wisdom?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Isn’t their tent cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Has their excellence not been removed with them? They die, and not in wisdom!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Hath not their excellency been removed with them? They die, and not in wisdom!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Did not their remainder in them remove? They will die, and not in wisdom.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they that shall be left, shall be taken away from them: they shall die, and not in wisdom. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But those who are left behind will be taken away from them; they will die, and not in wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The pegs of their tent are plucked up; they die without knowing wisdom.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Their tent-cord is plucked up within them, and they die devoid of wisdom.’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Behold, their possessions are taken away from them; and the rest of them shall die without wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Behold, he takes up their property from them, and their remnants among them will die, and not in wisdom. <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For he blows upon them, and they are withered: they have perished for lack of wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/4-21.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=663" 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">20</span>They are smashed to pieces from dawn to dusk; unnoticed, they perish forever. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3499.htm" title="3499: yiṯ·rām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- From yathar; properly, an overhanging, i.e. an excess, superiority, remainder; also a small rope.">Are not their tent cords</a> <a href="/hebrew/bām (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5265.htm" title="5265: nis·sa‘ (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To pull out or up, set out, journey. A primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. Start on a journey.">pulled up,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: yā·mū·ṯū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">so that they die</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">without</a> <a href="/hebrew/2451.htm" title="2451: ḇə·ḥā·ḵə·māh (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- Wisdom. From chakam; wisdom.">wisdom?’</a> </span><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/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5-6</a></span><br />You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah / Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-5.htm">Psalm 90:5-6</a></span><br />You sweep them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning— / in the morning it springs up new, but by evening it fades and withers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-15.htm">Psalm 103:15-16</a></span><br />As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Isaiah 40:6-8</a></span><br />A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a></span><br />You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a></span><br />For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:7</a></span><br />before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-1.htm">2 Corinthians 5:1</a></span><br />For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/146-4.htm">Psalm 146:4</a></span><br />When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-22.htm">Isaiah 2:22</a></span><br />Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-42.htm">1 Corinthians 15:42-44</a></span><br />So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. / It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. / It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-10.htm">2 Peter 3:10</a></span><br />But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-20</a></span><br />Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-20.htm">Luke 12:20</a></span><br />But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-27.htm">Hebrews 9:27</a></span><br />Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Does not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.</p><p class="hdg">excellency.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5,11</a></b></br> Behold, thou hast made my days <i>as</i> an handbreadth; and mine age <i>is</i> as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state <i>is</i> altogether vanity. Selah… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/49-14.htm">Psalm 49:14</a></b></br> Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/146-3.htm">Psalm 146:3,4</a></b></br> Put not your trust in princes, <i>nor</i> in the son of man, in whom <i>there is</i> no help… </p><p class="hdg">die.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/36-12.htm">Job 36:12</a></b></br> But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/49-20.htm">Psalm 49:20</a></b></br> Man <i>that is</i> in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts <i>that</i> perish.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/2-22.htm">Isaiah 2:22</a></b></br> Cease ye from man, whose breath <i>is</i> in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/19-28.htm">Cord</a> <a href="/esther/1-6.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/job/1-21.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/job/3-11.htm">Die</a> <a href="/job/4-20.htm">End</a> <a href="/ruth/3-11.htm">Excellence</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-29.htm">Excellency</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-25.htm">Plucked</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-25.htm">Pulled</a> <a href="/esther/2-6.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-22.htm">Tent</a> <a href="/ezra/9-5.htm">Torn</a> <a href="/ezra/7-25.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/esther/4-2.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/18-10.htm">Cord</a> <a href="/job/18-8.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/job/7-19.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/job/12-2.htm">Die</a> <a href="/job/5-2.htm">End</a> <a href="/job/13-11.htm">Excellence</a> <a href="/job/13-11.htm">Excellency</a> <a href="/job/18-14.htm">Plucked</a> <a href="/job/12-14.htm">Pulled</a> <a href="/job/8-18.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/job/5-24.htm">Tent</a> <a href="/job/8-18.htm">Torn</a> <a href="/job/5-2.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/job/6-4.htm">Within</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>Are not their tent cords pulled up</b><br>This phrase uses the imagery of a nomadic lifestyle, common in the ancient Near East, where tents were a primary form of dwelling. The "tent cords" symbolize the temporary and fragile nature of human life. In biblical context, tents often represent the transient nature of earthly existence (<a href="/2_corinthians/5.htm">2 Corinthians 5:1-4</a>). The pulling up of tent cords signifies the end of life, akin to dismantling a tent when moving on. This imagery is consistent with the biblical theme of life’s brevity and the inevitability of death (<a href="/psalms/39-4.htm">Psalm 39:4-5</a>).<p><b>so that they die without wisdom?</b><br>The conclusion of this verse highlights the spiritual and moral implications of dying without wisdom. In the wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly in Proverbs, wisdom is portrayed as a divine attribute and a path to righteousness (<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>). To die without wisdom implies a life lived without understanding or reverence for God, which is considered a tragic end. This connects to the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>). The absence of wisdom at death suggests a life not aligned with God's will, echoing the fate of the foolish who reject divine instruction (<a href="/matthew/7-26.htm">Matthew 7:26-27</a>).<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. Eliphaz is the speaker in this passage, offering his perspective on Job's suffering.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A righteous man who experiences immense suffering and loss. The book of Job explores his trials and the dialogues between him and his friends.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/teman.htm">Teman</a></b><br>A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz, being a Temanite, is considered a man of wisdom.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tent.htm">The Tent</a></b><br>Symbolic of a person's life or dwelling. The imagery of tent cords being pulled up suggests the fragility and temporary nature of life.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom.htm">Wisdom</a></b><br>A central theme in the book of Job, representing understanding and insight that comes from God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fragility_of_life.htm">The Fragility of Life</a></b><br>Life is temporary and fragile, much like a tent that can be easily dismantled. We must live with an awareness of our mortality.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit_of_wisdom.htm">The Pursuit of Wisdom</a></b><br>True wisdom comes from God. We should seek His wisdom to navigate life's challenges and uncertainties.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_preparedness.htm">The Importance of Preparedness</a></b><br>Just as a tent can be taken down suddenly, our lives can change in an instant. We must be spiritually prepared for the unexpected.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_friends_in_suffering.htm">The Role of Friends in Suffering</a></b><br>Eliphaz's approach to Job's suffering reminds us to be compassionate and discerning when offering counsel to those in distress.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_limitations_of_human_understanding.htm">The Limitations of Human Understanding</a></b><br>Human wisdom is limited. We must rely on God's infinite wisdom, especially in times of suffering and confusion.<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/are_there_sources_supporting_jael's_act.htm">Judges 4:21 tells of Jael killing Sisera with a tent peg--are there archaeological or extra-biblical sources supporting the historicity of this event?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_proverbs_4_13_stress_instruction.htm">Why does Proverbs 4:13 insist on unwavering adherence to instruction when other biblical passages (like Job) suggest wisdom doesn't always prevent hardship?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_a_wise_god_allow_suffering.htm">In Job 9:4, how can an all-powerful God allow innocent suffering if He is truly wise and mighty?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_the_righteous_suffer_harm.htm">How does Proverbs 12:21, declaring no harm befalls the righteous, hold up when many faithful people throughout biblical and modern times have endured great suffering and tragedy?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Doth not their excellency which is in them go away!</span> "Their excellency" (<span class="hebrew">יתרם</span>) would seem to mean that which is highest in them - their spirit, or soul. It does not make much difference if we translate, with the Old Testament Revisers" their tent-cord," since that would be merely a metaphor for the soul, which <span class="accented">sustains the</span> body as the tent-cord does the tent. What deserves especial remark is that the "excellency" does not perish; it goes away, departs, or is removed. They die, even without wisdom; literally, <span class="accented">not in wisdom</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> not having learnt in the whole course of their lives that true wisdom which their life-trials were intended to teach them. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/4-21.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">Are not their tent cords</span><br /><span class="heb">יִתְרָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(yiṯ·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3499.htm">Strong's 3499: </a> </span><span class="str2">An overhanging, an excess, superiority, remainder, a small rope</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pulled up,</span><br /><span class="heb">נִסַּ֣ע</span> <span class="translit">(nis·sa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5265.htm">Strong's 5265: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pull up, the tent-pins, start on a, journey</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that they die</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֝מ֗וּתוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mū·ṯū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">without</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wisdom?’</span><br /><span class="heb">בְחָכְמָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·ḥā·ḵə·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2451.htm">Strong's 2451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wisdom</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/4-21.htm">Job 4:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/4-21.htm">Job 4:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/4-21.htm">Job 4:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/4-21.htm">Job 4:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/4-21.htm">Job 4:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/4-21.htm">Job 4:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/4-21.htm">Job 4:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/4-21.htm">Job 4:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/4-21.htm">Job 4:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/4-21.htm">Job 4:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/4-21.htm">OT Poetry: Job 4:21 Isn't their tent cord plucked up within (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/4-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 4:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 4:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/5-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 5:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 5:1" /></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>