Deuteronomy 32:39

Hebrew Bible

37 He will say, “Where are their gods, the rock in whom they sought security, 38 who ate the best of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise and help you; let them be your refuge! 39 “See now that I, indeed I, am he!” says the Lord, “and there is no other god besides me. I kill and give life, I smash and I heal, and none can resist my power. 40 For I raise up my hand to heaven, and say, ‘As surely as I live forever, 41 I will sharpen my lightning-like sword, and my hand will grasp hold of the weapon of judgment; I will execute vengeance on my foes, and repay those who hate me!

Job 5:18

Hebrew Bible

16 Thus the poor have hope, and iniquity shuts its mouth. 17 “Therefore, blessed is the man whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. 18 For he wounds, but he also bandages; he strikes, but his hands also heal. 19 He will deliver you from six calamities; yes, in seven no evil will touch you. 20 In time of famine he will redeem you from death, and in time of war from the power of the sword.

 Notes and References

"... On what basis can one claim that Eliphaz appeals to common tradition about divine discipline? First, the similarities between Job 5:17–18 and Proverbs 3:11–12 ... Second, the affinities between Job 5:18 and Deuteronomy 32:39 ... What can we make of this recurring theme over such a long time? Has a single text influenced the others, or is the theological connection between afflictions and healing a simple fact of experience that would occur to any devout worshipper? It is often claimed that either Deuteronomy 32:39 or Proverbs 3:11–12 is the source of the idea that the deity both afflicts and heals. The accuracy of that claim is not easily proven. Why? First, because the dating of biblical texts is notoriously difficult. Proverbs 3:11–12 belongs to the latest major collection in the book, but chapters 1–9 undoubtedly have much early material that has been subjected to a particular theological understanding of reality. The teaching about divine discipline may fall into this category. In short, we often need to distinguish between the time of composition and the date of specific units within a literary work. Even if Proverbs 1–9 were post-exilic, it could contain some very old proverbial sayings. The same caution pertains to the dating of Deuteronomy 32:39 ..."

Crenshaw, James L. "Divine Discipline in Job 5:17-18, Proverbs 3:11-12, Deuteronomy 32:39, And Beyond" in Dell, Katharine Julia, and Will Kynes (eds.) Reading Job Intertextually (pp. 178-189) Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2013

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