Job 4:11
Job 4:11 in Multiple Translations
The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion’s whelps are scattered abroad.
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, And the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.
The old lion comes to his end for need of food, and the young of the she-lion go wandering in all directions.
Even a lion dies from lack of food, and the lioness' cubs are scattered.
The Lyon perisheth for lacke of pray, and the Lyons whelpes are scattered abroade.
An old lion is perishing without prey, And the whelps of the lioness do separate.
The old lion perishes for lack of prey. The cubs of the lioness are scattered abroad.
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.
The tiger hath perished for want of prey, and the young lions are scattered abroad.
They will die like fierce lions that starve to death when there are no animals that they can kill and eat, and their children will be separated from each other like young lions separate from each other to find food.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 4:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 4:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לַ֭יִשׁ
אֹבֵ֣ד
מִ/בְּלִי
טָ֑רֶף
וּ/בְנֵ֥י
לָ֝בִ֗יא
יִתְפָּרָֽדוּ
לַ֭יִשׁ
layish
H3918
lion
N-ms
אֹבֵ֣ד
ʼâbad
H6
to perish
V-Qal
מִ/בְּלִי
bᵉlîy
H1097
without
Prep | N-ms
טָ֑רֶף
ṭereph
H2964
prey
N-ms
וּ/בְנֵ֥י
bên
H1121
son
Conj | N-mp
לָ֝בִ֗יא
lâbîyʼ
H3833
lion
N-cs
יִתְפָּרָֽדוּ
pârad
H6504
to separate
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 4:11
לַ֭יִשׁ
layish
H3918
"lion"
N-ms
This word means a lion, known for its destructive power. It is translated as lion in the KJV Bible, symbolizing strength and ferocity.
Definition: lion
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: (old) lion. See also: Job 4:11; Proverbs 30:30; Isaiah 30:6.
אֹבֵ֣ד
ʼâbad
H6
"to perish"
V-Qal
To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
Definition: 1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) perish, die, be exterminated 1a2) perish, vanish (fig.) 1a3) be lost, strayed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate 1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.) 1b3) cause to stray, lose 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to destroy, put to death 1c1a) of divine judgment 1c2) object name of kings (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee. See also: Exodus 10:7; Psalms 112:10; Psalms 1:6.
מִ/בְּלִי
bᵉlîy
H1097
"without"
Prep | N-ms
This word means without or nothing, often used for negation. It appears in various forms, such as without or not yet, in the Old Testament.
Definition: subst 1) wearing out adv of negation 2) without, no, not
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: corruption, ig(norantly), for lack of, where no...is, so that no, none, not, un(awares), without. See also: Genesis 31:20; Job 38:41; Psalms 19:4.
טָ֑רֶף
ṭereph
H2964
"prey"
N-ms
This word refers to something that has been torn apart, like prey or food. In Genesis 49:27 and Isaiah 18:6, it describes the spoils of war or the leftovers of a predator's meal.
Definition: 1) prey, food, leaf 1a) prey 1b) food 1c) leaf
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: leaf, meat, prey, spoil. See also: Genesis 49:9; Isaiah 5:29; Psalms 76:5.
וּ/בְנֵ֥י
bên
H1121
"son"
Conj | N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
לָ֝בִ֗יא
lâbîyʼ
H3833
"lion"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for lion, this term refers to a fierce lioness. It's used in the Bible to describe powerful animals, like the ones in the stories of Daniel and David. The word is about strength and power.
Definition: lion
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: (great, old, stout) lion, lioness, young (lion). See also: Genesis 49:9; Isaiah 5:29; Psalms 57:5.
יִתְפָּרָֽדוּ
pârad
H6504
"to separate"
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3mp
To separate or divide, as seen in Exodus when God parted the Red Sea. It can also mean to scatter or disperse, like when the Israelites were sent out of Egypt. This verb is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to separate, divide 1a) (Qal) to divide 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to divide, separate 1b2) to be divided, be separated 1c) (Piel) to be separated 1d) (Pual) to be divided 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to divide, separate 1e2) to make a division, make a separation 1f) (Hithpael) to be divided, be separated, get separated Aramaic equivalent: be.dar (בְּדַר "to scatter" H0921)
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: disperse, divide, be out of joint, part, scatter (abroad), separate (self), sever self, stretch, sunder. See also: Genesis 2:10; Nehemiah 4:13; Psalms 22:15.
Study Notes — Job 4:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 4:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 4:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 4:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 4:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 4:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 4:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 4:11
- Cambridge Bible on Job 4:11
- Barnes' Notes on Job 4:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 4:11
- Sermons on Job 4:11
Context — Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper
9By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger they are consumed.
10The lion may roar, and the fierce lion may growl, yet the teeth of the young lions are broken.
11The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.
12Now a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it. 13In disquieting visions in the night, when deep sleep falls on men,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 34:10 | Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. |
| 2 | Job 8:3–4 | Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right? When your children sinned against Him, He gave them over to their rebellion. |
| 3 | Job 1:19 | when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” |
| 4 | Hosea 11:10 | They will walk after the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west. |
| 5 | Psalms 7:2 | or they will shred my soul like a lion and tear me to pieces with no one to rescue me. |
| 6 | Genesis 49:9 | Judah is a young lion— my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? |
| 7 | Numbers 24:9 | He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.” |
| 8 | Jeremiah 4:7 | A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his lair to lay waste your land. Your cities will be reduced to ruins and lie uninhabited. |
| 9 | Job 27:14–15 | Though his sons are many, they are destined for the sword; and his offspring will never have enough food. His survivors will be buried by the plague, and their widows will not weep for them. |
| 10 | 2 Timothy 4:17 | But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion. |
Job 4:11 Summary
This verse is saying that even the strongest animals, like lions, can die or struggle if they don't have what they need to survive. The same is true for us - we need spiritual food and nourishment to truly live, as Jesus teaches in John 6:35. When we lack this, we can become weak and scattered, but God promises to provide for us and protect us if we trust in Him, as seen in Matthew 6:26 and Psalm 23:1-4. By trusting in God's care, we can find true strength and security, even in the midst of challenges and uncertainties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the image of the old lion perishing mean in this verse?
The image of the old lion perishing for lack of prey is a metaphor for how even the strongest and most powerful can fall when they lack the necessities of life, reminding us of the fragility of life as seen in Psalm 103:15-16, and the importance of trusting in God for our daily bread as in Matthew 6:11.
Why are the cubs of the lioness scattered in this verse?
The scattering of the cubs of the lioness symbolizes the dispersal and vulnerability of those who are left without protection or provision, much like the Israelites were scattered when they lacked faith in God's promises as seen in Deuteronomy 28:64 and Ezekiel 34:5-6.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of the book of Job?
This verse contributes to the book of Job's exploration of suffering and the nature of God by highlighting the transient nature of earthly power and the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, as Job eventually comes to understand in Job 42:2-3.
What does this verse teach us about God's role in the world?
This verse teaches us that God is actively involved in the world, sometimes allowing or causing the downfall of the powerful to demonstrate His authority and to bring about justice, as also seen in Isaiah 40:23-24 and Daniel 4:35.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I feel like I'm perishing for lack of spiritual nourishment, and how can I seek God's provision?
- How do I respond when I see the strong and powerful falling, and what does this reveal about my trust in God's sovereignty?
- In what ways can I be a source of protection and provision for those around me who may be feeling scattered or vulnerable, as a reflection of God's love and care?
- What are some idols or false sources of strength that I may be relying on, and how can I surrender them to God in order to find true security and peace?
Gill's Exposition on Job 4:11
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey,.... Or rather "the stout" and "strong lion" (e), that is most able to take the prey, and most skilful at it, yet such shall perish for want of it; not so much
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 4:11
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad. The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 4:11
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey; because they cannot go abroad to seek it, and their young ones either cannot find or do not bring it to them. See ,15 119:10. Are scattered abroad; gone from their dens several ways to hunt for prey, and can find none.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 4:11
Job 4:11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion’ s whelps are scattered abroad.Ver. 11. The old lion perishelh for lack of prey] As not being able to hunt and get it. The meaning is (saith one) that men who reign like lions, that their children who equalled them in cruelty, that their wives who surpassed them in insolence, do end their lives tragically, Quotidiana et domestica experimenta hoc docent; all this is true for the most part. Eliphaz speaks of what is usually done, saith another (Mercer), in Psalms 30:1-12. Or he speaks of what God can easily do at any time; and of what God may justly do at all times. If he suspend this justice, it is for weighty reasons, &c. Some wicked men God punisheth here, saith Augustine, lest his providence, but not all, lest his patience and promise of judgment, should be called into question.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 4:11
(11) The old lion perisheth . . .—This means that even though wickedness is joined with strength, it is equally unable to prosper. It is to be observed that no less than five different words are here used for lion, showing that these animals must have been common and of various kinds in Job’s country.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 4:11
Verse 11. The old lion perisheth] In this and the preceding verse the word lion occurs five times; and in the original the words are all different: - 1. אריה aryeh, from ארה arah, to tear off. 2. שחל shachal, which as it appears to signify black or dark, may mean the black lion, which is said to be found in Ethiopia and India. 3. כפיר kephir, a young lion, from כפר caphar, to cover, because he is said to hide himself in order to surprise his prey, which the old one does not. 4. ליש lavish, from לש lash, to knead, trample upon; because of his method of seizing his prey. 5. לביא labi, from לבא laba, to suckle with the first milk; a lioness giving suck; at which time they are peculiarly fierce. All these words may point out some quality of the lion; and this was probably the cause why they were originally given: but it is likely that, in process of time, they served only to designate the beast, without any particular reference to any of his properties. We have one and the same idea when we say the lion, the king of beasts, the monarch of the forest, the most noble of quadrupeds, &c.
Cambridge Bible on Job 4:11
Ch. Job 4:1-11. Eliphaz wonders that Job, who had comforted so many in trouble, and was a righteous man, should fall into such despair under his afflictions Eliphaz would gladly have kept silence in the circumstances of his friend, but the tone of Job’s words constrains him to speak (Job 4:2). He wonders at the despondency of Job, one who had shewn himself so skilful in comforting other good men in affliction (Job 4:3-4), and who was himself a righteous man. He should place confidence in his righteousness, and remember that the righteous never perish under affliction. God does not send trouble upon them to destroy them, but for very different ends (Job 4:6-7). It is only the wicked whom He chastises unto death, and causes to reap the trouble which they sow (Job 4:8-9), and perish like beasts of prey (Job 4:10-11). Eliphaz’s doctrine of the meaning of suffering or evil comes out in the very forefront of his remonstrance with Job.
Barnes' Notes on Job 4:11
The old lion - The word used here, לישׁ layı̂sh, denotes a lion, “so called,” says Gesenius,” from his strength and bravery,” or, according to Urnbreit, the lion in the strength of his old ago; see
Whedon's Commentary on Job 4:11
11. The old lion — Layish, (the Homeric λις,) not indicative of decrepitude, but maturity of strength; the root of the word signifying “to be strong.” The stout lion — Labi, the lioness, whose
Sermons on Job 4:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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2006 Heart-Cry - Journal Reading and Message by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the goodness of God and His plans for believers. He encourages young men to seek and avail themselves of God's promises through prayer and pe |
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Life of Elijah - Part 3 by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the speaker shares stories of individuals who were at the end of their rope and on the verge of quitting. However, in these moments of despair, God showed His kindn |
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Fri. Evening Service (2002 C&ma Council) by Jim Cymbala | The video showcases the work of South Hills Church Community in Las Vegas, a city known for its excesses and struggles. It highlights the impact of these struggles on children grow |
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Hunger for God by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker recounts a powerful experience he had in Madras, India. He describes waking up early in the morning to attend a worship service led by Brother Buck Sing |
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No Good Thing Did the Lord Withhold From the Sons of Korah by James Jennings by James Malachi Jennings | This sermon delves into Psalms 84, focusing on the truth that no good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly. The message emphasizes the importance of trusting |
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God Wants to Give by Basilea Schlink | In this sermon, Basilia Schlink emphasizes that it is not the rich, but the poor who have always experienced and testified to the presence and love of God. She highlights that God' |
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Joy and Peace in Believing by John Newton | John Newton preaches about the unwavering faith and trust in God's provision and care, even in the midst of trials and uncertainties. He emphasizes the reassurance that God will al |