Job 17:5

This verse is very obscure. In some way or other it must carry on Job's severe reflection on the conduct of his friends (Job 17:4), and express it in a stronger way. The word rendered in A.V. flatteryusually means a portionor share, that which falls to one on a division of land, booty, and the like, or that which is one's possession. This must be the meaning here. The sense may be,

They give over (their) fellow for a prey,

While the eyes of his children fail.

The expression seems to be of the nature of a proverb, which illustrates the cruel treatment to which men are subjected they are given over, lit. assignedor declared, as a prey or possession to others (to whom, as debtors and the like, they are sold), while no pity is had for their perishing children. The language is general, though the conduct of Job's friends towards him furnishes an illustration of the truth. The word "fellow" is plur., "fellows" or friends, the plur. being used to express the general idea; the sing., referring to each individual, appears in hischildren. Job regards his own treatment as an instance of similar ruthlessness, and his friends and those around him as shewing a similar cruelty. The passage expresses a sentiment similar to that in ch. Job 6:27. Others render, he that betrayeth(or, denounceth) friends for a prey, may the eyes of his children fail, or, the eyes of his children shall fail. But a malediction or a threat on Job's part does not suit his tone at this moment, nor the general scope of the passage, in which he is drawing a gloomy picture of his own treatment at the hands of men and God.