Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands. New Living Translation “In the past you have encouraged many people; you have strengthened those who were weak. English Standard Version Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands. Berean Standard Bible Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands. King James Bible Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. New King James Version Surely you have instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands. New American Standard Bible “Behold, you have taught many, And you have strengthened weak hands. NASB 1995 “Behold you have admonished many, And you have strengthened weak hands. NASB 1977 “Behold you have admonished many, And you have strengthened weak hands. Legacy Standard Bible Behold, you have disciplined many, And you have strengthened limp hands. Amplified Bible “Behold, you have admonished and instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands. Christian Standard Bible Indeed, you have instructed many and have strengthened weak hands. Holman Christian Standard Bible Indeed, you have instructed many and have strengthened weak hands. American Standard Version Behold, thou hast instructed many, And thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Contemporary English Version Remember how your words English Revised Version Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. GOD'S WORD® Translation Certainly, you have instructed many people: When hands were weak, you made them strong. Good News Translation You have taught many people and given strength to feeble hands. International Standard Version Look! You've admonished many people, and you've strengthened feeble hands. NET Bible Look, you have instructed many; you have strengthened feeble hands. New Heart English Bible Look, you have instructed many, you have strengthened the weak hands. Webster's Bible Translation Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSurely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands. World English Bible Behold, you have instructed many, you have strengthened the weak hands. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBehold, you have instructed many, "" And feeble hands you make strong. Young's Literal Translation Lo, thou hast instructed many, And feeble hands thou makest strong. Smith's Literal Translation Behold, thou didst instruct many, and thou wilt strengthen the weak hands. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBehold thou hast taught many, and thou hast strengthened the weary hands: Catholic Public Domain Version Behold, you have taught many, and you have strengthened weary hands. New American Bible Look, you have instructed many, and made firm their feeble hands. New Revised Standard Version See, you have instructed many; you have strengthened the weak hands. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBehold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Behold, you have instructed many, and you would strengthen the hands of the weak OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Behold, thou hast instructed many, And thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Brenton Septuagint Translation For whereas thou hast instructed many, and hast strengthened the hands of the weak one, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper…2“If one ventures a word with you, will you be wearied? Yet who can keep from speaking? 3Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands. 4Your words have steadied those who stumbled; you have braced the knees that were buckling.… Cross References Galatians 6:1-2 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. / Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. Hebrews 12:12-13 Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees. / Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Isaiah 35:3-4 Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees! / Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.” Romans 15:1-2 We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. / Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 2 Corinthians 1:4 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. 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you. James 5:19-20 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, / consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins. Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up. Proverbs 15:23 A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word! Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Isaiah 50:4 The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. Treasury of Scripture Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands. Behold. Genesis 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. and thou hast. Job 16:5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief. Deuteronomy 3:28 But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see. Ezra 6:22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. Jump to Previous Admonished Feeble Hands Helper Instructed Makest Others Strengthened Strong Think WeakJump to Next Admonished Feeble Hands Helper Instructed Makest Others Strengthened Strong Think WeakJob 4 1. Eliphaz reproves Job that the innocent do not suffer7. He teaches God's judgments to be not for the righteous, but for the wicked. 12. His fearful vision to humble the excellency of creatures before God. Surely you have instructed many This phrase acknowledges Job's role as a teacher and counselor, suggesting he was a man of wisdom and influence. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, wisdom was highly valued, and those who possessed it were often sought after for guidance. Job's reputation for instructing many indicates he was respected and had a significant impact on his community. This aligns with the biblical portrayal of wisdom literature, where figures like Solomon are also depicted as sources of wisdom (1 Kings 4:29-34). Job's role as an instructor can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate teacher and source of wisdom (Matthew 7:28-29). and have strengthened their feeble hands Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and faithfulness. 2. Eliphaz the Temanite One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In this verse, Eliphaz begins his first speech, attempting to offer counsel to Job. 3. Teman A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz, being a Temanite, is presumed to be wise and knowledgeable. 4. The Suffering of Job The context of this verse is Job's immense suffering after losing his wealth, children, and health, which sets the stage for the dialogues between Job and his friends. 5. The Role of Counsel This verse highlights the importance of providing counsel and support to those in need, a theme that runs throughout the dialogues in the Book of Job. Teaching Points The Power of EncouragementJob's past actions of instructing and strengthening others highlight the significant impact of encouragement. As believers, we are called to uplift those around us, especially in times of need. The Importance of Community Support Eliphaz's recognition of Job's role in supporting others underscores the value of community and mutual support within the body of Christ. Reflecting on Personal Influence Consider how your words and actions can influence and strengthen others. Are you using your influence to build up those who are struggling? The Role of Wisdom in Counsel Eliphaz, as a Temanite, is expected to be wise. This reminds us of the importance of seeking and offering wise counsel grounded in Scripture. Responding to Suffering Job's situation challenges us to think about how we respond to suffering—both our own and that of others. Are we quick to judge, or do we offer compassionate support? Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 4:3?2. How can we "instruct many" like Job did in Job 4:3 today? 3. What does Job 4:3 teach about the power of encouraging others? 4. How does Job 4:3 connect with Proverbs 12:25 on uplifting words? 5. In what ways can we "strengthen feeble hands" in our community? 6. How can we apply Job's example of encouragement in our daily lives? 7. How does Job 4:3 reflect the theme of encouragement in times of suffering? 8. What historical context influenced the message of Job 4:3? 9. How does Job 4:3 align with the overall theology of the Book of Job? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 4? 11. How can a young man purify his path? 12. How do preaching and teaching differ in purpose and method? 13. Job 11:12 likens humans to wild donkeys; how does this align with Genesis' teaching that humans reflect God's image? 14. Why does Proverbs 4:13 insist on unwavering adherence to instruction when other biblical passages (like Job) suggest wisdom doesn't always prevent hardship? What Does Job 4:3 Mean SurelyEliphaz opens with a word of certainty—“Surely.” He is not guessing about Job’s past; he is confident. Scripture often uses such affirming language to underscore what is well-known (2 Corinthians 5:1, “For we know…”). Here, Eliphaz is reminding Job—and the listening readers—that Job’s character and conduct were public facts, not private rumors. You have instructed many Eliphaz testifies that Job was a teacher of truth: • Job’s counsel had brought clarity and direction to large numbers (“many”), echoing the esteem shown in Job 29:21-22, where men “listened and waited in silence for my counsel.” • This ministry of instruction mirrors the call found later in Proverbs 9:9, “Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still,” showing that godly wisdom multiplies when shared. • By teaching others, Job fulfilled the principle in Matthew 5:14-16—letting his light shine before men—long before Jesus said it. Eliphaz’s point: Job’s life has been marked by consistent, faithful teaching that shaped families, workers, and communities in righteousness. And have strengthened their feeble hands Job’s help went beyond words; he fortified the weary: • “Feeble hands” recalls Isaiah 35:3, “Strengthen the weak hands and steady the knees that give way,” a call to practical care. • Hebrews 12:12 later echoes the same imagery, urging believers to “strengthen your limp hands and weak knees,” indicating that Job modeled a timeless duty. Specific ways Job may have strengthened others (see Job 29:12-17): – Rescuing the poor who cried for help – Caring for orphans and widows – Acting as eyes to the blind and feet to the lame – Breaking the fangs of the wicked to deliver the oppressed Such tangible acts embody Galatians 6:2, “Carry one another’s burdens,” showing that real faith rolls up its sleeves. summary Eliphaz’s opening words in Job 4:3 remind us that Job was renowned for two intertwined ministries: teaching truth and bolstering the weak. The verse celebrates a life that spoke wisdom and supplied strength, illustrating James 2:18, “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” Though Eliphaz will soon misapply his observations, his testimony here affirms that God’s people are called to instruct many and strengthen feeble hands, trusting that such labor is seen, remembered, and ultimately rewarded by the Lord. (3) Behold, thou hast instructed many.--There is a conspicuous want of feeling in Eliphaz. Without any true sympathy, however, he may have given the outward signs of it (Job 2:12-13). He charges Job with inability to derive from his own principles that support which he had expected them to afford to others, and seems almost to rejoice malevolently that one who had been so great a help to others was now in need of help himself. "Calamity touches thee, and thou art overwhelmed by it."Verse 3. - Behold, thou hast instructed many; or, corrected many. When others have been afflicted and murmured, thou hast corrected them, and shown them that they were suffering only what they deserved to suffer. In so doing, thou hast strengthened the weak hands; "given moral strength," i.e., "to those who were morally weak," upheld them, saved them from impatient words and hard thoughts of God.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Surelyהִ֭נֵּה (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! you have instructed יִסַּ֣רְתָּ (yis·sar·tā) Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3256: To discipline, chasten, admonish many, רַבִּ֑ים (rab·bîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 7227: Much, many, great and have strengthened תְּחַזֵּֽק׃ (tə·ḥaz·zêq) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer their feeble רָפ֣וֹת (rā·p̄ō·wṯ) Adjective - feminine plural Strong's 7504: An Israelite in the line of Saul hands. וְיָדַ֖יִם (wə·yā·ḏa·yim) Conjunctive waw | Noun - fd Strong's 3027: A hand Links Job 4:3 NIVJob 4:3 NLT Job 4:3 ESV Job 4:3 NASB Job 4:3 KJV Job 4:3 BibleApps.com Job 4:3 Biblia Paralela Job 4:3 Chinese Bible Job 4:3 French Bible Job 4:3 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 4:3 Behold you have instructed many you have (Jb) |
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