Job 5

The Hebrew words for “resentment” and “anger” have broad meaning, which is why Bible translations use a variety of terms including, resentment, jealousy, envy, and more. Translators have to take their best guess based on the context of the words in the verse and in the chapter. Whatever words the writer had in mind, the topic was about the fact that negative thinking and bad behavior hurts us.

People who are mourning are often people who feel lost. This may be a wife who has lost her husband’s care for her. It may be a child who has lost parents. Women and children were the ones most likely to find themselves in great trouble after the death of a loved one. Unable to care for themselves, they may agree to become slaves, if they’re able to find a master. Many would become destitute and die of starvation or of exposure to the weather. One of God’s most frequent requests is for his people to protect widows, orphans, and immigrants.

This sounds like either an abusive spouse or a strict but loving parent. People of faith bet on the second option. Context is everything. In the Bible, God holds people accountable for their failures. He allows them to experience the consequences. But he welcomes them back when they want to come back.

Well, that sounds like we’re in a fix when the eighth trouble hits. But the writer more likely meant that God would protect people over and over, time and again. Seven was a symbolic number to Jewish people because in the creation story it was on the seventh day that God finished his work and was able to rest. The number seven came to represent perfection or completion or God’s help.