Bible Strands
Job 36:18
Be careful that no one lures you with riches; do not let a large bribe lead you astray.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elihu speaks to Job to warn him against accepting financial compensation that would compromise his standing while facing imminent divine judgment.
The words — The Hebrew כֹּ֝֗פֶר (Kofer) literally means ransom or bribe, paired with יְסִֽיתְ/ךָ֣ (ye.si.te./Kha), meaning to entice or lure.
The thread — This warning against deceptive compensation echoes Job 33:24, where ransom spares one from the Pit, and aligns with Ephesians 5:6 and Romans 1:18, which link deception and suppressed truth to the wrath of God.
Why it lands — The text demands that readers refuse financial incentives that would distort justice, recognizing that such corruption invites divine wrath rather than deliverance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.
Cross-references
- Job 33:24 to be gracious to him and say, ‘Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found his ransom,’
- Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
- Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
- Psalms 49:7 No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.
- Psalms 110:5 The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath.
- Romans 2:5 But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
- Psalms 2:5 Then He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His fury:
- Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
- Psalms 39:10 Remove Your scourge from me; I am perishing by the force of Your hand.
- Isaiah 14:6 It struck the peoples in anger with unceasing blows; it subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution.