Job 5:2

Job 5:1 asked, Will any one answer thy complaint? will complaining bring any deliverance? This verse gives the other side nay, rather, such murmuring betrays a mind "most incorrect to heaven," and such a fool will by his impatience but bring upon himself increased calamity till he altogether perish.

Nay, rather, the foolish man impatience killeth,

And the silly one his passion slayeth.

The meaning, of course, is not that the fool and silly one vex themselves to death, but that their rebellious impatience and resentment of the chastisements of heaven bring down upon them more grievous chastisement, under which they perish. There are several words for "fool" in the Old Testament. Two characteristics of the fool here spoken of are mentioned: he rejects instruction or correction, Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 12:15; and he openly exhibits his chagrin or angry impatience, Proverbs 12:16 (ka-asas here). The last word describes impatient bearing under affliction, or under that which offends, such as an affront. These words of Eliphaz hurt Job deeply, and in the very first sentence of his reply he alludes to them, "Oh that my impatience (ka-as) were weighed and laid in the balances against my affliction," ch. Job 6:2. The word in the second half of the verse means properly heat, hence any strong passion, as jealousy, the wild ardour of battle, Isaiah 42:13, and the like. On the use of "fool" and similar words in a moral sense to denote wicked, that is, without true insight into the ways of God and right feeling towards Heaven, see on ch. Job 2:10.