King James Version

What Does Job 5:25 Mean?

Job 5:25 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth. great: or, much — study this verse from Job chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth. great: or, much

Job 5:25 · KJV


Context

23

For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.

24

And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin. thy tabernacle: or, peace is thy tabernacle sin: or, err

25

Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth. great: or, much

26

Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season. cometh in: Heb. ascendeth

27

Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good. for: Heb. for thyself


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Eliphaz promises: 'Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth.' Numerous descendants represented divine blessing (Genesis 15:5). For Job, who has lost all ten children, this promise of future children is particularly painful. Eliphaz implies Job can have a new family if he repents, treating Job's deceased children as replaceable and their deaths as deserved. This reveals profound pastoral insensitivity and theological error.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Numerous offspring was considered the primary sign of divine blessing in ancient Near Eastern culture. Eliphaz's promise of future children follows conventional blessing formulas but cruelly ignores Job's devastating loss.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you offer hope for future blessings without minimizing present losses?
  2. What does Eliphaz's promise teach us about the danger of formulaic comfort that ignores individual pain?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
וְֽ֭יָדַעְתָּ1 of 7

Thou shalt know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי2 of 7
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

רַ֣ב3 of 7

shall be great

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

זַרְעֶ֑ךָ4 of 7

also that thy seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

וְ֝צֶֽאֱצָאֶ֗יךָ5 of 7

and thine offspring

H6631

issue, i.e., produce, children

כְּעֵ֣שֶׂב6 of 7

as the grass

H6212

grass (or any tender shoot)

הָאָֽרֶץ׃7 of 7

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 5:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 5:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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