Job 4:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

‘Dhnu’ - meaning without exertion: he merely desired, and their existence came to an end. This expression metaphorically describes the behavior of the wrathful, who, rather than offering correction, inflate their own importance. The phrase ‘Between morning and evening they dissolve’ (from morning ... to evening ... they are not) indicates either that Job faced all trials within a single day or emphasizes that God does not require time when administering justice to the unrighteous.

Maintaining his original perspective, which views these afflictions as a result of transgressions, he expresses these sentiments as well. When they sought repentance for their wrongdoings, their inability to rely on virtue ultimately led to their tribulations. He reflects on the inability to prevent the dire misfortunes that struck them due to their frailty, leading to their downfall and highlighting the limitations of human strength.

Job’s expressions of anguish regarding his circumstances provoke a series of objections from his companions, leading into a prolonged discussion about the reasons behind his suffering. Eliphaz is the first to challenge him. After requesting the opportunity to speak, he expresses his astonishment that someone who had frequently brought solace to the afflicted could now voice such intense grievances, especially when his own virtues should reassure him of a blessed future. He asserts that experience validates his belief that the innocent are spared from destruction, while brutality and aggression cannot shield one from the Lord’s fury. This leads him to the conclusion that had Job been truly virtuous, he would not have encountered such calamities.