Job 5:3

I myself ¹  have seen the fool ²  taking root, but suddenly I cursed his place of residence. ³ 

I myself have seen a fool taking root, but suddenly his house was cursed.

"I have seen the foolish taking root, And I cursed his abode immediately.

From my experience, I know that fools who turn from God may be successful for the moment, but then comes sudden disaster.

I've seen it myself--seen fools putting down roots, and then, suddenly, their houses are cursed.

I have seen the foolish taking root, but suddenly the curse came on his house.

I have seen fools taking root, but suddenly I cursed their dwelling.

I have seen the foolish taking root, But suddenly I cursed his dwelling place.

I myself ¹  have seen the fool ²  taking root, but suddenly I cursed his place of residence. ³ 

¹ tn The use of the pronoun here adds emphasis to the subject of the sentence (see GKC 437 §135.a).

² tn This word is אֱוִיל (’evil), the same word for the “senseless man” in the preceding verse. Eliphaz is citing an example of his principle just given – he saw such a fool for a brief while appearing to prosper (i.e., taking root).

³ tn A. B. Davidson argues that the verse does not mean that Eliphaz cursed his place during his prosperity. This line is metonymical (giving the effect). God judged the fool and his place was ruined; consequently, Eliphaz pronounced it accursed of God (see A. B. Davidson, Job, 36). Many emend the verb slightly to read “and it was suddenly cursed” (וַיֻּכַב [vayyukhav] instead of וָאֶקּוֹב [va’eqqov]; see H. H. Rowley, Job [NCBC], 51).