He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.
The book presents its teaching through poetry shaped as extended arguments about suffering. Within that form this saying stands in Job's reply to Zophar's argument, where Job turns in appeal to God. It declares that God pours contempt upon nobles and drains the vigor of the mighty, thereby displaying his supreme power over political and military leaders.
Not every utterance by every speaker in such debate is therefore true in its application. The friends of Job generally stated truths yet misapplied them to Job himself. Suffering does not prove that the sufferer lies under divine displeasure, for God may chasten those whom he loves.
The book presents its teaching through poetry shaped as extended arguments about suffering. Within that form this saying stands in Job's reply to Zophar's argument, where Job turns in appeal to God. It declares that God pours contempt upon nobles and drains the vigor of the mighty, thereby displaying his supreme power over political and military leaders.
Not every utterance by every speaker in such debate is therefore true in its application. The friends of Job generally stated truths yet misapplied them to Job himself. Suffering does not prove that the sufferer lies under divine displeasure, for God may chasten those whom he loves.