Job 17:5
New International Version
If anyone denounces their friends for reward, the eyes of their children will fail.

New Living Translation
They betray their friends for their own advantage, so let their children faint with hunger.

English Standard Version
He who informs against his friends to get a share of their property— the eyes of his children will fail.

Berean Standard Bible
If a man denounces his friends for a price, the eyes of his children will fail.

King James Bible
He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

New King James Version
He who speaks flattery to his friends, Even the eyes of his children will fail.

New American Standard Bible
“He who informs against friends for a share of the spoils, The eyes of his children also will perish.

NASB 1995
“He who informs against friends for a share of the spoil, The eyes of his children also will languish.

NASB 1977
“He who informs against friends for a share of the spoil, The eyes of his children also shall languish.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who informs against friends for a share of the spoil, The eyes of his children also will come to an end.

Amplified Bible
“He who denounces and informs against his friends for a share of the spoil, The eyes of his children will also languish and fail.

Christian Standard Bible
If a man denounces his friends for a price, the eyes of his children will fail.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If a man informs on his friends for a price, the eyes of his children will fail.

American Standard Version
He that denounceth his friends for a prey, Even the eyes of his children shall fail.

Contemporary English Version
They have condemned me, just to benefit themselves; now blind their children.

English Revised Version
He that denounceth his friends for a prey, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
(Whoever turns in friends to get their property should have his children's eyesight fail.)

Good News Translation
In the old proverb someone betrays his friends for money, and his children suffer for it.

International Standard Version
Now as for the one who testifies against his friends to take their property, even the eyes of his children will fail.

Majority Standard Bible
If a man denounces his friends for a price, the eyes of his children will fail.

NET Bible
If a man denounces his friends for personal gain, the eyes of his children will fail.

New Heart English Bible
He who denounces his friends for a prey, Even the eyes of his children shall fail.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

World English Bible
He who denounces his friends for plunder, even the eyes of his children will fail.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For a portion he shows friendship, "" And the eyes of his sons are consumed.

Young's Literal Translation
For a portion he sheweth friendship, And the eyes of his sons are consumed.

Smith's Literal Translation
He will commence evils for a position, and the eyes of his sons shall be consumed.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He promiseth a prey to his companions, and the eyes of his children shall fail.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He promises prey to his companions, but the eyes of his sons will grow faint.

New American Bible
For a share of property he informs on friends, while the eyes of his children grow dim.

New Revised Standard Version
Those who denounce friends for reward— the eyes of their children will fail.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When a friend behaves insolently toward his friend, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And a friend will be lifted up over his friend, also the eyes of their sons will be darkened
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He that denounceth his friends for the sake of flattery, Even the eyes of his children shall fail.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He shall promise mischief to his companions: but their eyes have failed for their children.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Prepares for Death
4You have closed their minds to understanding; therefore You will not exalt them. 5If a man denounces his friends for a price, the eyes of his children will fail. 6He has made me a byword among the people, a man in whose face they spit.…

Cross References
Proverbs 11:9
With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Micah 7:5-6
Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms. / For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.

Matthew 26:14-16
Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests / and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. / So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Psalm 55:12-14
For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. / But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. / We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

Jeremiah 9:4
“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander.

Matthew 10:21
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.

Luke 22:47-48
While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. / But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Proverbs 25:19
Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.

John 13:21-30
After Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit and testified, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” / The disciples looked at one another, perplexed as to which of them He meant. / One of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at His side. ...

Psalm 12:2
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.

Mark 14:10-11
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted to hear this, and they promised to give him money. So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Proverbs 20:19
He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.

Matthew 24:10
At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,

Psalm 28:3
Do not drag me away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while malice is in their hearts.


Treasury of Scripture

He that speaks flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

He that

Job 32:21,22
Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man…

Psalm 12:2,3
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak…

Proverbs 20:19
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

the eyes

Exodus 20:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Deuteronomy 28:65
And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:

1 Kings 11:12
Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

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Betrayeth Children Consumed Cut Denounces Eyes Fail Flattery Friend Friends Friendship Languish Portion Prey Property Reward Sake Share Sheweth Speaketh Spoil
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Job 17
1. Job appeals from men to God
6. The unmerciful dealing of men with the afflicted may astonish,
9. but not discourage the righteous
11. His hope is not in life, but in death














If a man denounces
The Hebrew root for "denounces" is "נָגַד" (nagad), which means to declare, announce, or expose. In the context of Job, this word suggests a betrayal or a public declaration against someone. Historically, denunciation was a serious accusation, often leading to social and legal consequences. In the biblical narrative, this act is seen as a grave sin, reflecting a breach of trust and loyalty. The act of denouncing a friend for personal gain is portrayed as morally reprehensible, highlighting the importance of integrity and faithfulness in relationships.

his friends
The term "friends" in Hebrew is "רֵעַ" (rea), which can mean companion, associate, or neighbor. In the context of Job, it refers to those who are close and trusted. The book of Job is replete with themes of friendship and the trials of maintaining loyalty amidst suffering. The betrayal of friends is a recurring theme, emphasizing the value of true companionship and the pain of betrayal. In a broader biblical context, friendship is a sacred bond, often reflecting the covenantal relationship between God and His people.

for a price
The phrase "for a price" indicates a transaction or exchange, often involving money or material gain. The Hebrew word "שָׂכָר" (sachar) can mean wages, reward, or hire. This phrase underscores the moral corruption involved in valuing material gain over human relationships. In biblical times, such actions were seen as a violation of divine law, which prioritizes love and loyalty over greed. The notion of selling out a friend for personal benefit is condemned, reflecting the biblical principle that true wealth lies in righteousness and faithfulness.

the eyes of his children
The "eyes" in Hebrew, "עֵינַיִם" (einaim), often symbolize perception, understanding, and future prospects. The mention of "his children" suggests the generational impact of one's actions. In the ancient Near Eastern context, children were seen as a continuation of one's legacy. The consequences of a parent's moral failings were believed to affect their descendants, emphasizing the biblical theme of generational responsibility and the importance of living a righteous life for the sake of future generations.

will fail
The Hebrew word "כָּהָה" (kahah) means to grow dim, faint, or weak. This phrase implies a loss of vision, both literally and metaphorically. In the biblical context, failing eyes can symbolize a lack of hope, direction, or divine favor. The consequence of betrayal and moral failure is depicted as a loss of clarity and purpose for one's descendants. This serves as a warning that the sins of the present can cast a shadow over the future, urging believers to uphold integrity and righteousness to ensure a blessed legacy.

(5) He that speaketh flattery to his friends.--The three words thus rendered are, from their very brevity, most obscure. Literally, they run: for a portion he will tell friends. But what is the meaning of this? Some render, "He denounceth his friends for a prey," i.e., such is the conduct of Job's friends towards Job. Others understand it, "He would say, friends should take their part," i.e., any one who would undertake to be surety for me would naturally expect my friends to share the responsibility; but so far from this, the eyes of his sons would fail in looking for it; they would never see it.

Verse 5. - He that speaketh flattery to his friends; rather, he that denounceth his friends for a prey. Job means to accuse his "comforters" of so acting. By their persistent belief in his grievous wickedness they give him up, as it were, for a prey to calamity, which they pronounce him to have deserved on account of his secret sins. Even the eyes of his children shall fail. Whoever so acts shall be punished, not only in his own person, but also in the persons of his descendants (comp. Exodus 20:5).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If a man denounces
יַגִּ֣יד (yag·gîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

his friends
רֵעִ֑ים (rê·‘îm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

for a price,
לְ֭חֵלֶק (lə·ḥê·leq)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2506: Portion, tract, territory

the eyes
וְעֵינֵ֖י (wə·‘ê·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of his children
בָנָ֣יו (ḇā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

will fail.
תִּכְלֶֽנָה׃ (tiḵ·le·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent


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OT Poetry: Job 17:5 He who denounces his friends (Jb)
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