Keraia
James 5

James 5:4

A Warning to the Rich · James 5:1–6
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Translations

Modern
Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.
Traditional
Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
Literal
Behold, the wage of the workers having mowed your fields—that having been kept back by you—cries out, and the cries of those having reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Hosts.
Latin
Ecce merces operariorum, qui messuerunt regiones vestras, quæ fraudata est a vobis, clamat: et clamor eorum in aures Domini sabbaoth introivit.

Original

Greek
English
Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

Notes

James 5:4

  • These wealthy individuals were landowners who exploited their workers (5:1). They are like those in 2:6 who oppressed and took Christians to court. These rich people exploited the day laborers who harvested their fields.

  • cries … have reached the ears of the Lord: God hears the prayers of the oppressed (see Deuteronomy 24:14–15). Even while the laborers are still suffering, the Lord has heard them (see Exodus 3:7).

  • the Lord of Hosts (1 Samuel 17:45; Psalm 103:20–21; Romans 9:29): This title emphasizes God’s power to act when the oppressed cannot.

James 5:1–6

This section criticizes wealthy people for being greedy and proud mistreatment of the poor (Leviticus 19:13). James warns them to change their ways while they still can. If they do not, they will encounter frightening consequences on judgment day.

Theme notes and profiles

James, Brother of Jesus

Parallels

Proverbs 23:1–5 1 Timothy 6:17–19

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Host, Host of Heaven Letter of James Wages Wealth Work

Topics

Buying and Selling Condemnation: Increased by Oppression Dishonesty: General Scriptures Concerning Employee: Oppressions of Employees Employer: General Scriptures Concerning Employers Injustice: God: Hears the Cry of Those Who Suffer Labor: General Scriptures Concerning Master: Scriptures Relating to Masters of Serv Ants Masters: Unjust, Denounced Money was Given: As Wages Oppression: God Will Judge Paying Debts Poor: Duty To Reaping: Persons Engaged in Received Wages Riches: General Scriptures Concerning Riches: Often Lead to Fraud Salary Servant: Hired: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Servants: Hired: Often Oppressed and Their Wages Kept Back The Harvest: Persons Engaged in Often Defrauded of Their Wages The Poor: Guilt of Defrauding Theft: Includes Fraud Concerning Wages Treatment of Employees Wages: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To