Job 5:14

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 5:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They meet with darkness in the day-time, And grope at noonday as in the night.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They meet with darkness in the day-time, And grope at noonday as in the night.
Job 5:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14They meet with darkness in the day-time, And grope at noonday as in the night.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They meet with darkness in the daytime, etc.] Which may denote their infatuation in things the most plain and clear, and which are obvious to everyone’s view, even to such as are of much meaner capacities the themselves; and so it sometimes is, that the greatest politicians, men of the greatest sagacity and penetration, capable of forming and conducting the wisest counsels, yet blunder in things plain and easy to everyone; which must be imputed to their being given up to a judicial blindness of mind by the Lord, who destroys the wisdom of the wise, and brings to nothing the understanding of the prudent; or this may signify the defeat of their counsels, when they are in the highest pitch of…”
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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
“Judicial blindness often is sent upon keen men of the world (Deu 28:29; Isa 59:10; Joh 9:39).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“They meet with darkness in the day-time - Margin, “run into;” compare the notes at Isaiah 59:10. The sense is, that where there is really no obstacle to the accomplishment of an honest plan - any more than there is for a man to walk in the day-time - they become perplexed and embarrassed, as much as a man would be, should sudden darkness come around him at mid-day. The same sentiment occurs in Job 12:25. A life of honesty and uprightness will be attended with prosperity, but a man who attempts to carry his plans by trick and art, will meet with unexpected embarrassments. The sentiment in all these expressions is, that God embarrasses the cunning, the crafty, and the artful, but gives success…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Meet - In plain things they run into gross mistakes, and chuse those courses which are worst for themselves. Darkness often notes misery, but here ignorance or error. Grope - Like blind men to find their way, not knowing what to do. Job 5:15”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“meet with: or, run into darkness: Job 12:25; Deu 28:29; Pro 4:19; Isa 59:10; Amo 8:9 Job 5:15”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification