He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil shall touch you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The numbers "six" and "seven" aren't literal counts of troubles, but a Hebrew idiom emphasizing that God's protection extends through every possible number of afflictions, even an overwhelming "seven," ensuring no true, destructive evil will touch you. This highlights God's comprehensive and perfect care, not just against some troubles, but against all that could ultimately harm you.
He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil shall touch you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Eliphaz is offering words of comfort and reassurance to Job, who is enduring immense suffering. Building on the idea that God's discipline is a sign of love, Eliphaz assures Job that if he humbles himself, God will protect him. This promise highlights that even through numerous trials, no ultimate harm will come to the faithful.
Ever feel like trouble just keeps coming, one thing after another? Job's friend Eliphaz uses a specific number pattern here that sounds like a guarantee.
When Eliphaz says God will deliver in "six troubles" and "seven," he's not talking about a precise mathematical formula. This is a common Hebrew way of speaking to express completeness and a multitude.
The promise is that 'no evil shall touch you.' But Job is clearly experiencing immense evil! How can this promise hold true?
This promise isn't about a lack of suffering, but about the nature and ultimate impact of that suffering.
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Understand the original words
natsal · Hebrew Verb
To rescue, save, or set free from danger, distress, or judgment. It carries the sense of God's active intervention to protect His people.
tsarah · Hebrew Noun
A state of hardship, distress, or adversity; often used to describe the trials that believers face in a fallen world.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Morally bad, harmful, or calamitous; denotes anything that is opposed to God's will and brings suffering or corruption to humanity.
This passage also uses a numbered list of things God hates, culminating in 'yea, seven,' highlighting the rhetorical use of numbers to express completeness or a wide range, similar to Job 5:19's promise of deliverance through all troubles.
Amos 1:3Amos employs a similar prophetic structure, citing 'three transgressions... and for four,' to signify a pattern of repeated offenses. This echoes Job 5:19's use of numbers to denote not just a few instances, but a pervasive or complete situation.
Psalm 34:19This Psalm directly states, 'Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.' This aligns perfectly with the promise in Job 5:19 that God will provide deliverance regardless of the number or severity of troubles.
Hebrews 12:11While not about deliverance from trouble, this verse speaks to the purpose of afflictions, noting they are grievous but yield 'the peaceful fruit of righteousness.' This offers a perspective on what it means for 'no evil' to 'touch' us in Job 5:19 – that even severe trials, under God's hand, do not ultimately bring harm but lead to good.
jfbJob 5:19: "He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee."
- in six … yea, in seven—(Pr 6:16; Am 1:3). The Hebrew idiom fixes on a certain number (here "six"), in order to call attention as to a thing of importance; then increases the force by adding, with a "yea, nay seven," the next higher number; here "seven," the sacred and perfect number. In all possible troubles; not merely in the precise number "seven."
pulpitJob 5:19: "He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee."
Verse 19. - He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven (comp. Amos 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13, "For three transgressions... and for four"). An idiomatic way of expressing an indefinite number. There shall no evil touch thee; i.e. no real evil, nothing calculated to do thee real hurt. All affliction is "for the present grievous;" but if it "afterward yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unt…
The numbers "six" and "seven" aren't literal counts of troubles, but a Hebrew idiom emphasizing that God's protection extends through every possible number of afflictions, even an overwhelming "seven," ensuring no true, destructive evil will touch you. This highlights God's comprehensive and perfect care, not just against some troubles, but against all that could ultimately harm you.
Eliphaz is offering words of comfort and reassurance to Job, who is enduring immense suffering. Building on the idea that God's discipline is a sign of love, Eliphaz assures Job that if he humbles himself, God will protect him. This promise highlights that even through numerous trials, no ultimate harm will come to the faithful.
Eliphaz is offering words of comfort and reassurance to Job, who is enduring immense suffering. Building on the idea that God's discipline is a sign of love, Eliphaz assures Job that if he humbles himself, God will protect him. This promise highlights that even through numerous trials, no ultimate harm will come to the faithful.
"He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil shall touch you." — The numbers "six" and "seven" aren't literal counts of troubles, but a Hebrew idiom emphasizing that God's protection extends through every possible number of afflictions, even an overwhelming "sev…
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Last reviewed October 2026