Job 4:3
in Job 4Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Behold, thou hast instructed many, And thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
KJV
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
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This verse in Job 4
Commentary
9 notes on this verseBehold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. If the text of the historical account be regarded in itself, it is of great service to the reader, that in blessed Job, instead of the ripping up of vices, proclaim is made of his virtues by his reviling friends; for the testimony to our manner of life is never so strong, as when commendable things are told by him, who aims to fasten guilt upon our head.
This site's exposition
Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied
on Job 4:1-6
Eliphaz opens with a question that answers itself, so his gentleness is a formality before the argument begins. He recalls the counsel Job once gave, how he "strengthened their feeble hands". Then he turns that memory into a charge, "But now trouble has come upon you, and you are weary".
This site's exposition
Surely you have instructed many
Barnes reads the praise as sincere, for Job had instructed many who stumbled under trouble. Ephrem the Syrian adds that Job urged the weary to endure and so strengthened their feeble hands. Now Eliphaz sets that record beside Job's own trouble.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
"See, you have reproached many." Eliphaz shows Job that he has corrected many with his action and has brought them back to a fitting moderation with his advice and warnings. "And you have strengthened the weak hands," that is, since you exhorted others to endure …
The Medieval Church1 voice
He next proceeds to clearly demonstrate Job's impatience, by exaggerating this impatience from two points of view: his former teaching and his former life. From his former teaching, indeed, because it is shameful for a man to not practice what he teaches to others. As …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Behold, thou hast instructed many,....
O that this example of Job were imitated by our great men! If he met with those who were ready to fall into sin, or sink under their troubles, his words upheld them: a wonderful dexterity he had in offering that which was proper to fortify persons against temptations, to support them under their burdens, and to comfort afflicted consciences.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Behold, 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, and show their power in sustaining himself.
1 more voice on this verse
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
Thou 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.
The words behind it
6 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| הִ֭נֵּה | hineh | there! | H2009 → | 843 times |
| יִסַּ֣רְתָּ | yisarta | you have instructed | H3256 → | |
| רַבִּ֑ים | rabim | many [people] | H7227 → | 454 times |
| וְיָדַ֖יִם | veyadayim | and hands | H3027 → | 1618 times |
| רָפ֣וֹת | rafot | slack | H7504 → | |
| תְּחַזֵּֽק׃ | techazek | you strengthened | H2388 → | 291 times |
הִ֭נֵּהthere!
hinehH2009 →843 times
יִסַּ֣רְתָּyou have instructed
yisartaH3256 →
רַבִּ֑יםmany [people]
rabimH7227 →454 times
וְיָדַ֖יִםand hands
veyadayimH3027 →1618 times
רָפ֣וֹתslack
rafotH7504 →
תְּחַזֵּֽק׃you strengthened
techazekH2388 →291 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Isaiah 35:3Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees!
it leads to
- Job 4:3–4
Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands.
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- Hebrews 12:12
Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees.
- Job 4:3–4
Through
Hebrews 12:12Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees.
it leads to
- Isaiah 35:3
Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees!
- Isaiah 35:3
Through
Luke 22:32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
it leads to
- John 21:15–17
When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”
- 1 Peter 5:8–10
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
- John 17:9–11
I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours.
- Romans 8:34
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.
- 2 Corinthians 1:4–6
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
- John 21:15–17
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About Job
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ephrem the Syrian, Commentary on Job; Ephrem the Syrian, COMMENTARY ON JOB 4:3; Gregory the Dialogist, Morals on the Book of Job, Book V; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Job.