Call out if you please, but who will answer?This phrase reflects the challenge of seeking help or intervention from divine beings other than God. In the context of the Book of Job, Eliphaz is speaking to Job, suggesting that his cries for help may go unanswered if directed towards anyone other than God. This highlights the belief in the sovereignty and uniqueness of God as the ultimate source of help and wisdom. The rhetorical question implies the futility of seeking aid from other spiritual entities, emphasizing the monotheistic belief that only God can truly respond to human distress. This can be connected to passages like
Isaiah 45:22, where God invites people to turn to Him for salvation, underscoring His role as the sole responder to human needs.
To which of the holy ones will you turn?
The "holy ones" likely refer to angelic beings or celestial figures considered to be part of the divine council. In the ancient Near Eastern context, there was a belief in a pantheon of gods or divine beings, but the Hebrew Scriptures consistently affirm the supremacy of Yahweh over any other spiritual entities. This phrase challenges the notion of turning to intermediaries instead of directly to God. It reflects the cultural and religious milieu of the time, where people might have been tempted to seek the favor of lesser deities or spiritual beings. Theologically, this aligns with the biblical teaching that God alone is the source of wisdom and help, as seen in passages likePsalm 121:1-2, which emphasizes looking to the Lord for assistance. This also prefigures the New Testament understanding of Jesus Christ as the sole mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5), reinforcing the idea that turning to any other "holy ones" is unnecessary and ineffective.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Eliphaz the TemaniteOne of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. Eliphaz is the speaker in this verse, offering his perspective on Job's suffering.
2.
JobThe central figure of the Book of Job, known for his patience and faithfulness amidst severe trials and suffering.
3.
The Holy OnesLikely referring to angels or heavenly beings, whom Eliphaz suggests Job might call upon for help.
Teaching Points
The Limitations of Human WisdomEliphaz's question underscores the limitations of human understanding and the need for divine wisdom. We should seek God's guidance rather than relying solely on human counsel.
The Role of IntercessionWhile Eliphaz questions who will answer Job, Scripture assures us that Jesus is our intercessor, always ready to hear and respond to our cries.
The Importance of DiscernmentEliphaz's advice, though well-intentioned, is flawed. We must discern the truth of advice we receive, aligning it with God's Word.
The Assurance of God's PresenceUnlike Eliphaz's implication, believers have the assurance that God is always present and attentive to our prayers.
The Power of PrayerThis verse challenges us to consider who we turn to in times of trouble. It encourages us to develop a strong prayer life, knowing that God is our ultimate source of help.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Job 5:1?
2.How does Job 5:1 challenge us to seek God's wisdom over man's advice?
3.What does Job 5:1 reveal about the limitations of human counsel in trials?
4.How can Job 5:1 encourage reliance on God during personal suffering?
5.In what ways does Job 5:1 connect to Proverbs 3:5-6 on trust?
6.How can we apply the message of Job 5:1 in daily decision-making?
7.What does Job 5:1 imply about seeking help from heavenly beings?
8.How does Job 5:1 challenge the belief in intercessory prayer?
9.What historical context influences the message of Job 5:1?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 5?
11.What does 'The Patience of Job' mean?
12.Am I the one, Lord?
13.What does the Bible say about Lucifer's fall?
14.Job 34:10 - If God never does wrong, why do the innocent still suffer without clear divine intervention?What Does Job 5:1 Mean
Call out if you please• Eliphaz challenges Job to cry out for help, highlighting the natural human impulse to seek aid when suffering (Job 4:1–6).
• Scripture affirms that calling out to God is not only permissible but encouraged (Psalm 50:15;Jeremiah 33:3).
• Yet Eliphaz implies that Job’s pleas will be futile because, in his view, Job’s troubles stem from hidden sin (Job 4:7-9).
• The tension introduces a key lesson: sincerity in prayer matters, but so does aligning our hearts with God’s revealed righteousness (Proverbs 15:29;Isaiah 59:1-2).
but who will answer?• Eliphaz hints that no one—human or divine—will respond favorably to Job (Job 5:7).
• This reflects a limited perspective, for God repeatedly promises to hear the cries of the righteous (Psalm 34:15-17;1 Peter 3:12).
• The question underscores how discouragement can cloud spiritual perception; trials often tempt believers to doubt God’s attentiveness (Psalm 13:1-2).
• The verse invites readers to examine whether their confidence rests in circumstances or in the consistent character of God (Malachi 3:6;Hebrews 13:8).
To which of the holy ones will you turn?• In the ancient setting, “holy ones” likely refers to angels or heavenly beings (Job 15:15;Psalm 89:6-7).
• Eliphaz suggests even they would not intervene, reinforcing his assertion that Job stands condemned.
• Yet Scripture confirms that angels serve those who inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14), and more importantly, believers have direct access to God Himself through faith (Hebrews 4:14-16).
• Turning to intermediaries becomes unnecessary when the Lord invites personal fellowship and provides the Mediator, Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5;John 14:6).
summaryJob 5:1 captures Eliphaz’s skeptical verdict: Job can call out all he wants, but no one in heaven or earth will answer. While Eliphaz intends to warn Job that unseen sin blocks divine help, the broader biblical witness assures us that God listens to the upright, responds to humble repentance, and offers direct access through His Son. The verse thus contrasts human misjudgment with God’s faithful readiness to hear and rescue those who truly trust Him.
V.(1)Call now.--The speaker now becomes more personal and direct in his tone and bearing. He insinuates that Job is"unwise" and "silly," and promises swift destruction for all such.
Verses 1-27. - Eliphaz, having narrated his vision, and rehearsed the words which the spirit spoke in his ear, continues in his own person, first (vers. 1-7) covertly reproaching Job, and then (vers. 8-27) seeking to comfort him by the suggestion that, if he will place himself unreservedly in the hands of God, it is still possible that God may relent, remove his chastening hand, deliver him from his troubles, and even give him back all his former prosperity. The anticipation is in remarkable accordance with the ultimate event (
Job 42:10-17), and shows that Eliphaz, if not a prophet in the higher sense, is at least a sagacious interpreter of God's ways with men, and can very happily forecast the future.
Verse 1. -
Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; rather,
call now;
is there any that will answer thee? What aid, that is, wilt thou invoke, if thou turnest away from God, and reproachest him? Thinkest thou to find any one in heaven or earth to answer to the call and come to thy assistance? Utterly vain is any such hope.
And to which of the saints wilt thou turn? By "the saints" are meant in this place "the holy angels" (comp.
Job 15:15;
Psalm 89:7;
Zechariah 14:5). The question, "To
which wilt thou turn?" seems to imply that there was already in Job's time some knowledge of individual members of the angelic host, such as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, etc., though we have no mention of any names of angels in Scripture until the time of Daniel (
Daniel 8:16;
Daniel 9:21). That invocation of angels was an actual practice in Job's age is, however, scarcely proved by this passage.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Call outקְֽרָא־(qə·rā-)Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7121:To call, proclaim, readif you please,נָ֭א(nā)Interjection
Strong's 4994:I pray', 'now', 'then'but who will answer?עוֹנֶ֑ךָּ(‘ō·w·ne·kā)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6030:To answer, respondToוְאֶל־(wə·’el-)Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, towhichמִ֖י(mî)Interrogative
Strong's 4310:Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffixof the holy onesמִקְּדֹשִׁ֣ים(miq·qə·ḏō·šîm)Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6918:Sacred, God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuarywill you turn?תִּפְנֶֽה׃(tip̄·neh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6437:To turn, to face, appear, look
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OT Poetry: Job 5:1 Call now (Jb) 
