What does Job 15:35 mean?
"They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit." - Job 15:35

The Bible verse Job 15:35 from the King James Version reads, "They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit." This verse is part of a speech given by one of Job's friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, who is speaking to Job as he attempts to persuade him to repent of any sins he may have committed and turn back to God. Eliphaz's speech reflects his belief in the idea of divine retribution, that those who have sinned will suffer and those who are righteous will prosper.
The verse itself contains strong language and imagery that conveys the idea of the wicked conceiving and giving birth to evil. The word "conceive" suggests a deliberate and premeditated action, while the phrase "bring forth vanity" further emphasizes the futility and emptiness of their actions. The imagery of the belly preparing deceit implies that wickedness is nurtured and cultivated within the individual, ultimately leading to their downfall.
In interpreting this verse, it's important to understand the context in which it was spoken. Eliphaz is speaking to Job, who has suffered immense loss and is in the midst of great physical and emotional pain. Eliphaz and his friends have come to comfort Job, but their attempts to explain his suffering as a punishment for sin reflect a limited understanding of God's ways. This verse, along with the rest of Eliphaz's speech, comes from a place of judgment and condemnation rather than empathy and understanding.
One of the key themes in this verse is the idea of the consequences of sin. Eliphaz is painting a vivid picture of the fate of the wicked, suggesting that their actions will ultimately lead to their own downfall. The language used in the verse conveys a sense of inevitability and finality, as if the wicked are condemned to a fate they cannot escape.
The imagery of conceiving mischief and bringing forth vanity also speaks to the deceptive and destructive nature of sin. It suggests that sin has a way of taking root within a person, leading them to pursue actions that are ultimately meaningless and harmful. The emphasis on vanity also speaks to the fleeting and transient nature of worldly pursuits that are not grounded in God.
From a Christian perspective, this verse can also be seen as reflecting the fallen nature of humanity and the need for redemption. It serves as a reminder of the destructive power of sin and the importance of turning to God for forgiveness and salvation.
In addition to its thematic significance, the imagery and language of the verse hold symbolic meaning. The concept of conceiving and bringing forth can be seen as a metaphor for the way in which sin takes root within a person and manifests in their thoughts, words, and actions. The belly preparing deceit can be understood as a symbol of the internal nature of sin, lying at the core of a person's being and leading them astray.
In conclusion, Job 15:35 holds deep thematic, contextual, and symbolic significance within the wider narrative of the Book of Job. It reflects the complex and often challenging discussions around the nature of suffering, sin, and divine retribution, while also pointing to the need for redemption and forgiveness. It serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of wickedness and the importance of turning to God for guidance and grace.
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Job 15:35 - "They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit."
"They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit." - Job 15:35
Job 35:15 - "But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity:"
Job 34:35 - "Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom."
"But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity:" - Job 35:15
Job 35:16 - "Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge."
Job 35:1 - "Elihu spake moreover, and said,"
Job 35:4 - "I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee."
Job 9:35 - "Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me."
Job 35:13 - "Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it."
Job 35:12 - "There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men."
Job 35:5 - "Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou."
Job 35:2 - "Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?"
Joshua 15:35 - "Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,"
"Elihu spake moreover, and said," - Job 35:1
Job 38:35 - "Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?"
Job 35:10 - "But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;"
"Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom." - Job 34:35
Job 35:7 - "If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?"
Job 35:9 - "By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty."
Job 35:11 - "Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?"
Matthew 15:35 - "And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground."
"I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee." - Job 35:4
Job 35:8 - "Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man."
Job 35:6 - "If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?"
Job 35:14 - "Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him."
"Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge." - Job 35:16
1 Corinthians 15:35 (KJVA) 35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
Job 31:35 - "Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book."
Job 35:3 - "For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?"