Job 4:5

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 4:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But now it is come unto thee, and thou faintest; It toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But now it is come unto thee, and thou faintest; It toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
Job 4:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5But now it is come unto thee, and thou faintest; It toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest, etc.] The affliction and evil that he feared, (<180325>Job 3:25); or rather the same trials and afflictions were come upon him as had been on those whom he had instructed and reproved, and whose hands and hearts he had strengthened and comforted; and yet now thou thyself “faintest”, or “art weary” f137, or art bore down and sinkest under the burden, and bearest it very impatiently f138 , quite contrary to the advice given to others; and therefore it was concluded he could not be a virtuous, honest, and upright man at heart, only in show and appearance. Bolducius renders the words, “God cometh unto thee”, or “thy God cometh”; very wrongly,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“thou art troubled--rather, "unhinged," hast lost thy self-command (Th1 3:3).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But now it is come upon thee - That is, calamity; or, the same trial which others have had, and in which thou hast so successfully exhorted and comforted them. A similar sentiment to that which is here expressed, is found in Terence: Facile omnes, cum valemus, recta consilia aegrotis damus. And. ii. i. 9. It toucheth thee - That is, affliction has come to yourself. It is no longer a thing about which you can coolly sit down and reason, and on which you can deliver formal exhortations. And thou art troubled - Instead of evincing the calm submission which you have exhorted others to do, your mind is now disturbed and restless. You vent your complaints against the day of your birth, and you…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“it is come: Job 3:25, Job 3:26 thou faintest: Pro 24:10; Co2 4:1, Co2 4:16; Heb 12:3, Heb 12:5 it toucheth: Job 1:11, Job 2:5, Job 19:21 Job 4:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification