· Translation: KJV

Job 5:11so that he sets up on high those who are low, those who mourn are exalted to safety.

The setting

Eliphaz concludes his first speech to mourning Job, promising that God lifts up the downtrodden — ironically, this will prove true for Job, but not in the way Eliphaz imagines.

The emotion here: self-righteously confident he's giving Job the answer, not realizing he's misdiagnosing the situation

The original word

śāgab (שָׂגַב) — to be set on high, elevated to safety like on a high tower or mountain fortress

Why it matters

Ancient cities were built on high places for protection — being 'set on high' meant safety from enemies

Read with care

What most readers miss in Job 5:11

Eliphaz thinks Job's suffering means Job sinned — but this promise will actually apply to Job after his friends are rebuked

Common misconceptionPeople claim this as a personal promise without realizing it's spoken by Eliphaz, whom God later says 'has not spoken rightly.' The principle is true, but the context is flawed theology.

Bible Genome reading

Job 5:11 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerEliphaz
EraPatriarchal
Primary emotionjoyful
Literary typepoetry
MarkPromise of God

Emotional genome

Comfort power80%
Quotability80%
Memorability70%
Crisis relevance70%
Standalone80%
Themes:God's justicehopereversal

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Job 5

Job 5:11 comes from the book of Job, written during the Patriarchal period. These words are attributed to Eliphaz. The dominant emotion in this verse is joyful, with a comfort power of 80% and a tone that is joyful. It belongs to the poetry genre of biblical literature. Key themes include God's justice, hope, reversal. Notable phrases: sets up on high those who are low; those who mourn are exalted. This verse contains a promise of God.

Your reflection

What does Job 5:11 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "joyful"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.