Book of Job - Chapter 17 - Verse 5

When someone speaks flattery to their friends, they are engaging in deceitful and manipulative behavior. By showering their friends with insincere compliments and praise, they are seeking to gain favor or advantage. However, this verse warns that even if they succeed in deceiving their friends, their actions will ultimately have consequences for their own family. The phrase "even the eyes of his children shall fail" suggests that their children will suffer as a result of their deceptive ways. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of using flattery as a means to an end. It highlights the importance of honesty and integrity in all our interactions, as well as the long-lasting impact our actions can have on our loved ones. By understanding this verse, readers are reminded of the importance of sincerity and the potential harm that can come from practicing deceit and manipulation.

In a theological interpretation of this verse, the act of speaking flattery to friends is seen as a deceptive and manipulative behavior. Flattery involves insincere praise or compliments given to someone in order to gain favor or advantage. The Bible warns against flattery as it is a form of dishonesty and can lead to trust being broken. The consequences of speaking flattery to friends are highlighted in the second part of the verse, which mentions that even the eyes of the flatterer's children shall fail. This can be understood to mean that the consequences of deceitful behavior can extend beyond the individual who engages in it, affecting their family as well. The word study on "flattery" in this verse may involve looking at the original Hebrew word used and exploring its nuances and connotations in different contexts throughout the Bible. By delving deeper into the meaning of the words used in this verse, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the message being conveyed about the dangers of insincere speech and the impact it can have on relationships and families.