Job 4:3

Job 4:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
• New International Version (NIV)Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Surely you have instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands.

Context of Job 4:3

1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, 2“If we dare to converse with you, will you be impatient [or offended]? But who can restrain himself from speaking? Behold, you have admonished and instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands. 4Your words have helped the one who was stumbling to stand, And you have strengthened feeble knees. 5But now adversity comes upon you, and you are impatient and intolerant; It touches you, and you are horrified.

Job 4:3 word by word

הִ֭נֵּה יִסַּ֣רְתָּ רַבִּ֑ים וְיָדַ֖יִם רָפ֣וֹת תְּחַזֵּֽק׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Behold, thou hast instructedיָסַרyâsar · to disciplineH3256
• manyרַבrab · manyH7227
• and thou hast strengthenedחָזַקchâzaq · to strengthen: strengthenH2388
• the weakרָפֶהrâpheh · weakH7504
• handsיָדyâd · handH3027

Cross-references for Job 4:3

• Genesis 18:19For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach and command his children and [the sons of] his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is righteous and just, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has promised him.”
• Proverbs 10:21The lips of the righteous feed and guide many, But fools [who reject God and His wisdom] die for lack of understanding.
• Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain]; But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are not so.
• Proverbs 16:21The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].
• Isaiah 50:4The Lord God has given Me [His Servant] the tongue of disciples [as One who is taught], That I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple [as One who is taught].
• Ephesians 4:29Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].
• Colossians 4:6Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].
• Job 16:5[But instead] I could strengthen and encourage you with [the words of] my mouth, And the consolation and solace of my lips would soothe your suffering and lessen your anguish.
• Deuteronomy 3:28But command Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall go across and lead this people, and he will give them the land which you see as an inheritance.’
• Ezra 6:22They observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with joy, for the Lord had caused them to rejoice and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, so that he encouraged them and strengthened their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
• Isaiah 35:3Encourage the exhausted, and make staggering knees firm.
• Ezekiel 13:22Because you disheartened the righteous with falsehood when I did not cause him grief, but have encouraged the wicked not to turn from his wicked way and preserve his life,
• Luke 22:32but I have prayed [especially] for you [Peter], that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith].”

Commentaries on Job 4:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Thou hast instructed many - Thou hast seen many in affliction and distress, and thou hast given them such advice as was suitable to their state, and effectual to their relief; and by this means thou hast strengthened the weak hands, and the feeble knees - the desponding have been encouraged, and the irresolute confirmed and excited to prompt and proper actions, by thy counsel and example.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Behold, thou hast instructed many - That is, thou hast instructed many how they ought to bear trials, and hast delivered important maxims to them on the great subject of the divine government. This is not designed to be irony, or to wound the feelings of Job. It is intended to recall to his mind the lessons which he had inculcated on others in times of calamity, and to show him how important it was now that he should reduce his own lessons to practice…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4These were people who were weak, felt depressed, and had low confidence in themselves (Isaiah 13:7; 35:3; Ezekiel 7:17).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. weak hands--Is 35:3; 2Sa 4:1.Read the comment

Topics related to Job 4:3

• Doubting
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Clay
• Crush
• Prey
• Eliphaz (2)
• Eliphaz

Commentaries on Job 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings