The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
Lion - i:e., wicked men, upon whom Eliphaz wished to show that calamities come in spite of their various resources, just as destruction comes on the lion in spite of his strength (Psalms 58:6; 2 Timothy 4:17). Five different Hebrew terms here occur for lion. The raging of the lion-the tearer х 'aryeeh (H738)] - and the roaring of the bellowing lion х shaachal (H7826)], and the teeth of the young lions х kªpiyriym (H3715)], not whelps х bªneey (H1121)], but grown up enough to hunt for prey; the strong lion (English version, old), etc., х layish (H3918)], the whelps of the lioness, not the stout lion, as English version, х laabiy' (H3833)] (Umbreit). The various phases of wickedness are expressed by this variety of terms: obliquely Job, his wife, and children, may be hinted at by the lion, lioness, and whelps. The one verb, are broken does not suit both subjects: therefore supply, 'the roaring of the bellowing lion is silenced.' The strong lion dies of want at last and the whelps, torn from the mother, are scattered, and the race becomes extinct.