· Translation: KJV

Job 5:2For resentment kills the foolish man, and jealousy kills the simple.

The setting

Ancient Uz. Eliphaz continues lecturing Job, implying that Job's resentment toward God is killing him spiritually and physically...

The emotion here: self-righteous while delivering harsh truth

The original word

ka'as (כעס) — vexation, the kind of anger that burns in your chest and won't leave

Why it matters

Ancient Hebrew medicine recognized the physical effects of prolonged anger on health

Read with care

What most readers miss in Job 5:2

Eliphaz is subtly accusing Job of being angry at God for his suffering

Common misconceptionPeople quote this as pure biblical wisdom, but it's Eliphaz making assumptions. The verse is true, but his application to Job's situation was wrong.

Bible Genome reading

Job 5:2 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerEliphaz
EraPatriarchal
Primary emotiondeciding
Literary typepoetry

Emotional genome

Comfort power20%
Quotability80%
Memorability70%
Crisis relevance40%
Standalone80%
Themes:wisdomconsequences

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Job 5

Job 5:2 comes from the book of Job, written during the Patriarchal period. These words are attributed to Eliphaz. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the poetry genre of biblical literature. Key themes include wisdom, consequences. Notable phrases: resentment kills; jealousy kills.

Your reflection

What does Job 5:2 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 "deciding"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.