James 5:4

James 5:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

Behold, the hire of the laborers who mowed your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth out: and the cries of them that reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

Bible in Basic English BBE

See, the money which you falsely kept back from the workers cutting the grass in your field, is crying out against you; and the cries of those who took in your grain have come to the ears of the Lord of armies.

Free Bible Version FBV

Look, the wages of your farm workers that you cheated are crying out against you—the cries of the farm workers have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Behold, the hire of ye labourers, which haue reaped your fieldes (which is of you kept backe by fraude) cryeth, and the cryes of them which haue reaped, are entred into the eares of the Lord of hostes.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

lo, the reward of the workmen, of those who in-gathered your fields, which hath been fraudulently kept back by you — doth cry out, and the exclamations of those who did reap into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth have entered;

World English Bible WEB

Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Armies.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped your fields, which is by you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them who have reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Behold the hire of the labourers, who have reaped down your fields, which by fraud has been kept back by you, crieth: and the cry of them hath entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

Translation for Translators T4T

Think about what you have done. You have not paid wages to the workmen who have harvested your fields for you, with the result that [PRS] those reapers are crying out to God for him to help them. And God, the all-powerful Lord, has heard their loud cries.

Plain English Version PEV

You cheated to get that money. You got men to work on your farm, and they cut down the food crop that grew there, and they brought all that food to you. But you didn’t pay them for that work. You sent them away with no pay. Then they cried about it, and our God heard them. He is very strong, and he can see that you cheated them. God can see their money. It is still in your pocket. So God will make big trouble for you.

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Berean Amplified Bible — James 5:4

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

James 5:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ιδου ο μισθος των εργατων των αμησαντων τας χωρας υμων ο απεστερημενος αφ υμων κραζει και αι βοαι των θερισαντων εις τα ωτα κυριου σαβαωθ εισεληλυθασιν

ιδου horaō G3708 to see: see Verb-2AMM-2S

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

μισθος misthos G3408 wage Noun-NSM

των ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GPM

εργατων ergatēs G2040 worker Noun-GPM

των ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GPM

αμησαντων amaō G270 to mow Verb-AAP-GPM

τας ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APF

χωρας chōra G5561 country Noun-APF

υμων su G4771 you Pron-2GP

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

απεστερημενος apostereō G650 to defraud Verb-RPP-NSM

αφ apo G575 away from Prep

υμων su G4771 you Pron-2GP

κραζει krazō G2896 to cry Verb-PAI-3S

και kai G2532 and Conj

αι ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NPF

βοαι boē G995 outcry Noun-NPF

των ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GPM

θερισαντων therizō G2325 to reap Verb-AAP-GPM

εις eis G1519 toward Prep

τα ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APN

ωτα ous G3775 ear Noun-APN

κυριου kurios G2962 lord: God Noun-GSM

σαβαωθ sabaōth G4519 hosts Hebrew

εισεληλυθασιν eiserchomai G1525 to enter Verb-2RAI-3P

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — James 5:4

ιδου horaō G3708 "to see: see" Verb-2AMM-2S

This word means 'to see' or 'to perceive', and can also mean 'to attend to' or 'to experience', like in Mark 6:38 and John 1:46. It's a key word for understanding and perceiving things.

Definition: ὁράω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for ראה, also for חזה, etc. ;] in "durative" sense (hence aor. act., εἶδον, pass., ὤφθην, fut., ὄψομαι, from different roots; see M, Pr., 110f.), to see (in colloq. even the present is rare, its place being generally taken by θεωρέω, see BL, §24). __1. Of bodily vision, to see, perceive, behold: absol., Mrk.6:38, al.; ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε, Jhn.1:46, al.; before ὅτι, Mrk.2:16, al.; with accusative, Mat.2:2, Mrk.1:10 16:7, Gal.1:19, al.; θεόν, Jhn.1:18, 1Jn.4:20, al. __2. to see with the mind, perceive, discern: absol, Rom.15:21; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.9:2 27:54, Act.8:23, Col.2:18, al. __3. to see, take heed, beware: ὅρα μή, with aor. subjc., Mat.8:4 18:10, Mrk.1:44, 1Th.5:15; id., sc. μὴ ποήσῃς, Rev.19:10 22:9 (Bl., §81, 1); before imperat. Mat.9:30 16:6, Mrk.8:15 __4. to experience: τ. θάνατον, Luk.2:26, Heb.11:5; ζωήν, Jhn.3:36; τ. διαφθοράν, Act.2:27. __5. to visit: with accusative of person(s), Luk.8:20, Jhn.12:21, Rom.1:11, al.; with accusative loc, Act.19:21. __6. to see to, care for: Mat.27:4, Act.18:15 (cf. ἀφ-, καθ-, προ-, συν-οράω). SYN.: see: βλέπω. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 605 NT verses. KJV: behold, perceive, see, take heed See also: 1 Corinthians 2:9; Acts 16:40; 1 Peter 1:8.

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

μισθος misthos G3408 "wage" Noun-NSM

A wage is payment for work done, and can be good or bad. The Bible talks about wages in Matthew 20:8 and 1 Timothy 5:18.

Definition: μισθός, -οῦ, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for שָׂכָר ;] __1. prop., wages, hire: Mat.20:8, Luk.10:7, Rom.4:4, 1Ti.5:18, Jas.5:4, Ju 11; μ. ἀδικίας, Act.1:18, 2Pe.2:13 (but see Mayor and ICC, in l), 2Pe.2:15. __2. Generally, reward: Jhn.4:36, 1Co.9:18; esp. of divine rewards, Mat.5:12 6:1-2, 5 6:16 10:41-42 Mrk.9:41, Luk.6:23, 35, 1Co.3:8 3:14, 2Jn.8, Rev.11:18 22:12; ἔχειν μ., Mat.5:46, 1Co.9:17.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 28 NT verses. KJV: hire, reward, wages See also: 1 Corinthians 3:8; Luke 10:7; James 5:4.

των ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GPM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

εργατων ergatēs G2040 "worker" Noun-GPM

This word means worker or laborer, often describing a field worker or husbandman. In the Bible, it is used to describe various types of workers, including Christian teachers and preachers.

Definition: ἐργάτης, -ου, ὁ (ἐργάζομαι, which see), [in LXX: Wis.17:17, Sir.19:1 40:18, 1Ma.3:6 * ;] __1. prop., a field labourer, husbandman: Mat.9:37-38 20:1-2, 8, Luk.10:2, Jas.5:4 (cf. Wis, l.with). __2. Generally, a workman, labourer: Mat.10:10, Luk.10:7, Act.19:25 (opposite to τεχνίτης), 1Ti.5:18; of Christian teachers, 2Co.11:13, Php.3:2, 2Ti.2:15. __3. a worker, doer: τ. ἀδικίας, Luk.13:27 (cf. 1Mac, l.with).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 15 NT verses. KJV: labourer, worker(-men) See also: 1 Timothy 5:18; Luke 13:27; James 5:4.

των ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GPM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

αμησαντων amaō G270 "to mow" Verb-AAP-GPM

This word means to reap or collect, as in harvesting a crop, and is used in James 5:4 to describe the punishment of those who withhold wages from workers.

Definition: ἀμάω, -ῶ (in cl. chiefly poët.), to reap: Jas.5:4.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: reap down See also: James 5:4.

τας ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

χωρας chōra G5561 "country" Noun-APF

The Greek word for a region or country, used in Matthew 12:2 to describe a place where Jesus and his disciples were walking.

Definition: χώρα, -ας, ἡ [in LXX for אֶרֶץ, מְדִינָה, etc. ;] __1. most frequently in cl., a space, place. __2. land, i.e. __(a) a land, country, region: Mat.12:2, Mrk.5:10 6:55, Luk.2:8 15:13-15 19:12, Jhn.11:54, Act.13:49 27:27; χ. Γαλατική, Act.16:6 18:23; Τραχωνίτιδος, Luk.3:1; τ. Ἰουδαίας, Act.26:20; τ. Ἰουδαίων, Act.10:39; pl., τῆς Ἰουδαίας κ. Σαμαρείας, Act.8:1; Γεργεσηνῶν (Γερασηνῶν, Γαδαρηνῶν) Mat.8:28, Mrk.5:1, Luk.8:26; ἐν χ. καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτου, Mat.4:16; __(b) land, property: Luk.12:16; __(with) the country, opposite to the town; so in pl., Luk.21:21, Jhn.4:35, Jas.5:4.† SYN.: ἄγρος, τόπος (cf. DCG, i, 591a; LS, see word χώρα, ad init.). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 27 NT verses. KJV: coast, county, fields, ground, land, region See also: Acts 8:1; Luke 3:1; James 5:4.

υμων su G4771 "you" Pron-2GP

This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.

Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

απεστερημενος apostereō G650 "to defraud" Verb-RPP-NSM

To defraud means to cheat or deprive someone of something, like money or rights. The Bible warns against defrauding others, as seen in Mark 10:19 and 1 Corinthians 6:8.

Definition: ἀπο-στερέω, -ῶ (στερέω, to rob), [in LXX: Exo.21:10 (גָּרַע), Deu.24:14 (עָשַׁק), Mal.3:5, Sir.4:1 29:6-7 31:21-22 * ;] to defraud, deprive of, despoil (in cl. chiefly of the misappropriation of trust funds, Field, Notes, 33; cf. MM, see word): absol., Mrk.10:19, 1Co.6:8; with accusative of person(s), 1Co.7:5. Mid., endure deprivation: 1Co.6:7 (WM, § 38, 3; but see Bl., § 54, 5; M, Pr., 162); pass., ἀπεστερημένοι, bereft of: 1Ti.6:5.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: defraud, destitute, kept back by fraud See also: 1 Corinthians 6:7; 1 Timothy 6:5; James 5:4.

αφ apo G575 "away from" Prep

This word means moving away from something, like a place or a time. It's used in many parts of the Bible, like Matthew 5:29 and Luke 5:2, to show movement or separation. It can also mean because of something.

Definition: ἀπό (on the frequently neglect of elision bef. vowels, see Tdf., Pr., 94, WH, App., 146), prep. with genitive (WM, 462ff.; on its relation to ἐκ, παρά, ὑπό, ib. 456f.), [in LXX for לְ ,בְּ ,מִן ;] from (i.e. from the exterior). __1. Of separation and cessation; __(1) of motion from a place: Mat.5:29, 30 7:23, Luk.5:2 22:41, al.; __(2) in partitive sense (M, Pr., 72, 102, 245; MM, see word; Bl., §40, 2), Mat.9:16 27:21, Jhn.21:10, Act.5:2, al.; also after verbs of eating, etc.; __(3) of alienation (cl. genitive of separation), after such verbs as λούω (Deiss., BS, 227), λύω, σώζω, παύω, etc.; ἀνάθεμα ἀ., Rom.9:3; ἀποθνήσκειν ἀ., Col.2:20; σαλευθῆναι, 2Th.2:2, καθαρός, -ίζειν, ἀ. (Deiss., BS, 196, 216), Act.20:26, 2Co.7:1, Heb.9:14; __(4) of position, Mat.23:34 24:31, al.; after μακράν, Mat.8:30; transposed before measures of distance, Jhn.10:18 21:8, Rev.14:20 (Abbott, JG, 227); __(5) of time, ἀπὸ τ. ὥρας, ἡμέρας, etc., Mat.9:22, Jhn.19:27, Act.20:18, Php.1:5, al.; ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος, Luk.1:70, al.; ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς, etc., Mat.19:4, Rom.1:20; ἀπὸ βρέφους, 2Ti.3:15; ἀφ᾽ ἧς, since, Luk.7:45, al.; ἀπὸ τ. νῦν, Luk.1:48, al.; ἀπὸ τότε, Mat.4:17, al.; ἀπὸ πέρυσι, a year ago, 2Co.8:10 9:2; ἀπὸ πρωΐ, Act.28:23; __(6) of order or rank, ἀπὸ διετοῦς, Mat.2:16; ἀπὸ Ἀβραάμ, Mat.1:17; ἐβδομος ἀπὸ Ἀδάμ, Ju 14; ἀπὸ μικροῦ ἕως μεγάλου, Act.8:10, Heb.8:11; ἄρχεσθαι ἀπό, Mat.20:8, Jhn.8:9, Act.8:35, al. __2. Of origin; __(1) of birth, extraction, and hence, in late writers, __(a) of local extraction (cl. ἐξ; Abbott, JG, 227ff.), Mat.21:11, Mrk.15:43, Jhn.1:45, Act.10:38, al.; οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας (WM, §66, 6; M, Pr., 237; Westc, Rendall, in l.), Heb.13:24; __(b) of membership in a community or society (BL, §40, 2), Act.12:1, al.; __(with) of material (= cl. genitive; Bl. l.with; M, Pr., 102), Mat.3:4 27:21; __(d) after verbs of asking, seeking, etc., Luk.11:50, 51 1Th.2:6 (Milligan, in l.); __(2) of the cause, instrument, means or occasion (frequently = ὑπό, παρά, and after verbs of learning, hearing, knowing, etc.; Bl., §40, 3), Mat.7:16 11:29, Luk.22:45, Act.2:22 4:36 9:13 12:14, 1Co.11:23, Gal.3:2, al.; ἀπὸ τ. ὄχλου, Luk.19:3 (cf. Jhn.21:6, Act.22:11); ἀπὸ τ. φόβου, Mat.14:26, al. (cf. Mat.10:26 13:44). __3. Noteworthy Hellenistic phrases: φοβεῖσθαι ἀπό (M, Pr., 102, 107); προσέχειν ἀπό (M, Pr., 11. with; Milligan, NTD, 50); ἀπὸ νότου (Heb. מִגֶּנֶב), Rev.21:13; ἀπὸ προσώπου (מִפְּנֵי), 2Th.1:9 (Bl., §40, 9); ἀπὸ τ. καρδιῶν (בְּלֵב), Mat.18:35; ἀπὸ ὁ ὤν (WM, §10, 2; M, Pr., 9), Rev.1:4. __4. In composition, ἀπό denotes separation, departure, origin, etc. (ἀπολύω, ἀπέρχομαι, ἀπογράφω); it also has a perfective force (M, Pr., 112, 247), as in ἀφικνεῖσθαι, which see (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 600 NT verses. KJV: (X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; Acts 8:10; 1 Peter 1:12.

υμων su G4771 "you" Pron-2GP

Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.

κραζει krazō G2896 "to cry" Verb-PAI-3S

This verb means to cry out loudly, like a raven, and is used to describe people shouting for help or mercy, as in Mark 10:48.

Definition: κράζω [in LXX for זָעַק, צָעַק, קָרָא, etc. ;] in cl. chiefly poët., __1. prop. onomatop., of the raven, to croak, hence generally, of inartic. cries, to scream, cry out (Æsch., al.): Mrk.5:5 9:26 15:39 (Rec., R, mg.), Luk.9:39, al.; of crying for vengeance (cf. Gen.4:10), Jas.5:4. __2. to cry, call out with a loud voice: with accusative of thing(s), Act.19:32; before orat. dir., Mrk.10:48, Luk.18:39, al.; (ἐν) φωνῇ μεγάλῃ, Mrk.5:7, Rev.14:15, al.; λέγων, Mat.8:29, al.; of public teaching, Jhn.1:15, Rom.9:27, al.; of importunate prayer (cf. Job.35:12, Psa.3:5, al.), Rom.8:15, Gal.4:6; pf. with Pres. sense (vernac.; M, Pr., 147), Jhn.1:15 SYN.: see: βοάω (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 59 NT verses. KJV: cry (out) See also: Acts 7:57; Mark 9:26; James 5:4.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

αι ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NPF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

βοαι boē G995 "outcry" Noun-NPF

An outcry is a loud cry for aid or help, like in James 5:4. It's a call for support or rescue in a difficult situation.

Definition: βοή, -ῆς, ἡ, [in LXX for זְעָקָה, etc. ;] a cry: Jas.5:4.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: cry See also: James 5:4.

των ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GPM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

θερισαντων therizō G2325 "to reap" Verb-AAP-GPM

To reap or harvest, as in Matthew 6:26 and Luke 12:24, where Jesus teaches about God's care for His people.

Definition: θερίζω (θέρος), [in LXX chiefly for קָצַר ;] to reap: Mat.6:26, Luk.12:24, Jas.5:4; figuratively, Mat.25:24, 26, Luk.19:21-22, Jhn.4:36-38, 2Co.9:6, Gal.6:7, 9, Rev.14:15; with accusative, τ. σαρκικά, 1Co.9:11; φθοράν, ζωὴν αἰώνιον, Gal.6:8; τ. γῆν, Rev.14:16.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 17 NT verses. KJV: reap See also: 1 Corinthians 9:11; John 4:38; James 5:4.

εις eis G1519 "toward" Prep

This word means toward or into, indicating direction or purpose, as seen in Matthew 8:23 and Mark 1:45. It can also imply a sense of movement or action. The KJV translates it in various ways.

Definition: εἰς, prep. with accusative, expressing entrance, direction, limit, into, unto, to, upon, towards, for, among (Lat. in, with accusative). __I. Of place. __1. After verbs of motion; __(a) of entrance into: Mat.8:23, 9:7, Mrk.1:45, Luk.2:15, 8:31, al.; __(b) of approach, to or towards: Mrk.11:1, Luk.6:8, 19:28, Jhn.11:31, 21:6, al.; __(with) before pl. and collective nouns, among: Mrk.4:7, 8:19, 20, Luk.11:49, Jhn.21:23, al.; __(d) Of a limit reached, unto, on, upon: Mat.8:18, 21:1, Mrk.11:1, 13:16, Luk.14:10, Jhn.6:3, 11:32, al.; with accusative of person(s) (as in Ep. and Ion.), Act.23:15, Rom.5:12, 16:19, 2Co.10:14; __(e) elliptical: ἐπιστολαὶ εἰς Δαμασκόν, Act.9:2; ἡ διακονία μου ἡ εἰς Ἱ., Rom.15:31; metaphorically, of entrance into a certain state or condition, or of approach or direction towards some end (Thayer, B, i, 1; ii, 1), εἰς τ. ὄνομα, M, Pr., 200. __2. Of direction; __(a) after verbs of seeing: Mat.6:26, Mrk.6:41, Luk.9:16, 62, Jhn.13:22, al.; metaphorically, of the mind, Heb.11:26, 12:2, al.; __(b) after verbs of speaking: Mat.13:10, 14:9, 1Th.2:9, al. __3. After verbs of rest; __(a) in "pregnant" construction, implying previous motion (cl.; see WM, 516; Bl., §39, 3; M, Pr., 234f.): Mat.2:23, 4:13, 2Th.2:4, 2Ti.1:11, Heb.11:9, al.; __(b) by an assimilation general in late Gk (see Bl., M, Pr., ll. with) = ἐν: Luk.1:44, 4:23, Act.20:16, 21:17, Jhn.1:18 (but see Westc, in l.), al. __II. Of time, for, unto; __1. accentuating the duration expressed by the accusative: εἰς τ. αἰῶνα, Mat.21:19; εἰς γενεὰς καὶ γ., Luk.1:50; εἰς τ. διηνεκές, Heb.7:3, al. __2. Of a point or limit of time, unto, up to, until: Mat.6:34, Act.4:3, 25:21, Php.1:10, 2:16, 1Th.4:15, 2Ti.1:12; of entrance into a future period, σεις τὸ μέλλον (see: μέλλω), next (year), Luk.13:9 (but with ICC, in l.); εἰς τ. μεταξὺ σάββατον, on the next Sabbath, Act.13:42; εἰς τὸ πάλιν (see: πάλιν, 2Co.13:2. __III. Of result, after verbs of changing, joining, dividing, etc.: στρέφειν εἰς, Rev.11:6; μετας-, Act.2:20, Jas.4:9; μεταλλάσσειν, Rom.1:26; σχίζειν εἰς δύο, Mat.27:51, al.; predicatively with εἴναι, Act.8:23. __IV. Of relation, to, towards, for, in regard to (so in cl., but more frequently in late Gk., εἰς encroaching on the simple dative, which it has wholly displaced in MGr.; Jannaris, Gr., §1541; Robertson, Gr., 594; Deiss., BS, 117f.): Luk.7:30, Rom.4:20, 15:2, 26, 1Co.16:1, Eph.3:16, al.; ἀγάπη εἰς, Rom.5:8, al.; χρηστός, Eph.4:32; φρονεῖν εἰς, Rom.12:16; θαρρεῖν, 2Co.10:1. __V. Of the end or object: εὔθετος εἰς, Luk.14:34; σόφος, Rom.16:19; ἰσχύειν, Mat.5:13; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, al.; ἀφορίζειν εἰς, Rom.1:1; indicating purpose, εἰς φόβον, Rom.8:15; εἰς ἔνδειξιν, Rom.3:25; εἰς τό, with inf. (= ἵνα or ὥστε; Bl., §71, 5; M, Pr., 218ff.): Mat.20:19, Rom.1:11, 1Co.9:18, al. __VI. Adverbial phrases: εἰς τέλος, εἰς τὸ πάλιν, etc (see: τέλος, πάλιν, etc.). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1512 NT verses. KJV: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 Peter 1:2.

τα ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

ωτα ous G3775 "ear" Noun-APN

The Greek word for ear refers to both the physical ear and the ability to hear and understand. It's used in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 13:16 and Luke 22:50. This word represents listening and perceiving.

Definition: οὖς genitive, ὠτός, τό, [in LXX chiefly for אֹזֶן ;] the ear: Mat.13:16, Mrk.7:33, Luk.22:50, 1Co.2:9 12:16, 1Pe.3:12; ἐν τ. ὠσί, Luk.4:21; εἰς τ. ὦτα ἀκούεσθαι, Act.7:57; γίνεσθαι, Luk.1:44; εἰσέρχεσθαι, Jas.5:4; εἰς τ. οὖς ἀκούειν, Mat.10:27; πρὸς τ. οὖς λαλεῖν, Luk.12:3; τὰ ὦ. συνέχειν (MM, xviii), Act.7:57. Metaphorical, of understanding, perceiving, knowing: Mat.13:16; ὁ ἔχων (εἴ τις ἔχει) οὖς ἀκουσάτω, Rev.2:7, 11 2:17, 29 3:6, 13 13:9; ὁ ἔχων (ὃς ἔχει, εἴ τις ἔχει) ὦτα (ἀκούειν) ἀκουέτω, Mat.11:15 13:9, 43, Mrk.4:9, 23 7:16 (R, mg.), Luk.8:8 14:35; τοῖς ὠ. βαρέως ἀκούειν, Mat.13:15 Act.28:27" (LXX) ; ὦ. ἔχοντες οὐκ ἀκούειν, Mrk.8:18; ὦ. τοῦ μὴ ἀκούειν, Rom.11:8; θέσθε εἰς τὰ ὦ., Luk.9:44; ἀπερίτμητος τοῖς ὠ., Act.7:51.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 35 NT verses. KJV: ear See also: 1 Corinthians 2:9; Mark 7:16; 1 Peter 3:12.

κυριου kurios G2962 "lord: God" Noun-GSM

The Greek word for lord or master, used to address God or a person in authority, showing respect and power. In the New Testament, it appears in Matthew 9:38 and Mark 12:9. It signifies a controller or ruler.

Definition: κύριος, -α, -ον (also -ος, -ον), [in LXX (subst.) chiefly for יהוה, also for בַּעַל ,אָדוֹן, etc. ;] having power (κῦρος) or authority; as subst., ὁ κ., lord, master; __1. in general: with genitive of thing(s), Mat.9:38 20:8, Mrk.12:9 13:35, Luk.19:33; τ. σαββάτου, Mat.12:8, Mrk.2:28, Luk.6:5; with genitive of person(s), δούλου, etc., Mat.10:24, Luk.14:21, Act.16:16, al.; absol, opposite to οἱ δοῦλοι, Eph.6:5, 9 al.; of the Emperor (Deiss., LAE, 161), Act.25:26; θεοὶ πολλοὶ καὶ κ. πολλοί, 1Co.8:5; of a husband, 1Pe.3:6; in voc, as a title of respect to masters, teachers, magistrates, etc., Mat.13:27 16:22 27:63, Mrk.7:28, Luk.5:12, Jhn.4:11, Act.9:5, al. __2. As a divine title (frequently in π.; Deiss., LAE, 353 ff.); in NT, __(a) of God: ὁ κ., Mat.5:33, Mrk.5:19, Luk.1:6, Act.7:33, Heb.8:2, Jas.4:15, al.; anarth. (Bl., §46, 6), Mat.21:9, Mrk.13:20, Luk.1:17, Heb.7:21, 1Pe.1:25, al.; κ. τ. οὐρανοῦ καὶ τ. γῆς, Mat.11:25; τ. κυριευόντων, 1Ti.6:15; κ. ὁ θεός, Mat.4:7, 10 al.; id. before παντοκράτωρ, Rev.4:8; κ. σαβαώθ, Rom.9:29; (ὁ) ἄγγελος κυρίου, Mat.1:20 2:13, Luk.1:11, al.; πνεῦμα κυρίου, Luk.4:18, Act.8:39; __(b) of the Christ: Mat.21:3, Mrk.11:3, Luk.1:43 20:44, al.; of Jesus after his resurrection (Dalman, Words, 330), Act.10:36, Rom.14:8, 1Co.7:22, Eph.4:5, al.; ὁ κ. μου, Jhn.20:28; ὁ κ. Ἰησοῦς, Act.1:21, 1Co.11:23, al.; id. before Χριστός, Eph.1:2, al.; ὁ κ. ἡμῶν, 1Ti.1:14, Heb.7:14, al.; id. before Ἰησοῦς, 1Th.3:11, Heb.13:20, al.; Χριστός, Rom.16:18; Ἰ Χ., 1Co.1:2, 1Th.1:3, al.; Ἰ. Χ. (Χ. Ἰ) ὁ κ. (ἡμῶν), Rom.1:4, Col.2:6, Eph.3:11, al.; ὁ κ. καὶ ὁ σωτὴρ, 2Pe.3:2; id. before Ἰ. Χ., ib. 18; anarth., 1Co.7:22, 25 Jas.5:4, al.; κ. κυρίων, Rev.19:16; with prep., ἀπὸ (κατὰ, πρὸς, σὺν, etc.) κ., Col.3:24, al. SYN: see: δεσπότης. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 686 NT verses. KJV: God, Lord, master, Sir See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Peter 1:3.

σαβαωθ sabaōth G4519 "hosts" Hebrew

This term refers to God's armies or hosts, emphasizing His power and authority. It appears in Romans 9:29 and James 5:4, highlighting God's majesty. The phrase is often used to describe God's military might.

Definition: σαβαώθ indecl., [in LXX for צָבָא, chiefly in Isaiah (in other places, the phrase is also rendered by κύριος παντοκράτωρ, κ. τῶν δυνάμεων; see DB, iii, 137 f.) ;] Sabaoth, i.e. hosts or armies (see DB, l.with): Rom.9:29 (LXX), Ja 54.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: sabaoth See also: James 5:4; Romans 9:29.

εισεληλυθασιν eiserchomai G1525 "to enter" Verb-2RAI-3P

To enter means to go into a place or situation, like Jesus entering a house in Matthew 9:25 or a city in Mark 1:21. It can be physical or symbolic, like entering a new phase of life. This word is used in many Bible stories, including when Jesus entered Jerusalem in Mark 11:11.

Definition: εἰσ-έρχομαι, [in LXX chiefly for בּוֹא ;] to go in or into, enter: Mat.9:25, Luk.7:45, al.; before εἰς, Mat.10:12, Mrk.2:1, al.; before διά (πύλης, θύρας, etc.), Mat.7:13, Jhn.10:1, al.; ὑπὸ τ. στέγην, Mat.8:8; with adv.: ὅπου, Mrk.14:14, Heb.6:20; ὧδε, Mat.22:12; ἔσω, Mat.26:58; before πρός, with accusative of person(s), Mrk.15:43, Luk.1:28, Act.10:3 11:3 16:40 17:2 28:8, Rev.3:20; of demons taking possession, Mrk.9:25, Luk.8:30 22:3, Jhn.13:27; of food, Mat.15:11, Act.11:8. Metaphorical, of thoughts, Luk.9:46; εἰς κόπον, Jhn.4:38; εἰς πειρασμόν, Mat.26:41, Luk.22:40, 46; of hope as an anchor, Heb.6:19; βοαί, Jas.5:4; πνεῦμα ζωῆς, Rev.11:11; εἰς τ. κόσμον (cf. Wis.2:24 14:14, Jhn.18:37), Rom.5:12, Heb.10:5; in counterparts of Jewish Aram. phrases relating to the theocracy (cf. Dalman, Words, 116ff.): εἰς τ. γάμους, Mat.25:10; εἰς τ. χάραν τ. κυρίου, Mat.25:21, 23; εἰς τ. ζωήν, Mat.18:8, 9 19:17, Mrk.9:43, 45; εἰς τ. βασιλ. τ. οὐρανῶν, Mat.5:20 7:21, al. (see: βασιλεία); εἰς τ. κατάπαυσιν, Heb.3:11, 18 4:1ff.; εἰς τ. δόξαν, Luk.24:26; εἰσ. καὶ ἐξερχ., to go in and out (like Heb. בוֹא וְצֵאת, Deu.28:6, etc.), of familiar intercourse, Act.1:21; figuratively, of moral freedom, Jhn.10:9 (cf. ἐπ-, παρ-, συν-εισέρχομαι). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 185 NT verses. KJV: X arise, come (in, into), enter in(-to), go in (through) See also: 1 Corinthians 14:23; Luke 11:37; Hebrews 3:11.

Study Notes — James 5:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
James 5:4 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on James 5:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on James 5:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on James 5:4
Trapp's Commentary on James 5:4
Ellicott's Commentary on James 5:4
Adam Clarke's Commentary on James 5:4
Cambridge Bible on James 5:4
Barnes' Notes on James 5:4
Whedon's Commentary on James 5:4
Sermons on James 5:4

Context — A Warning to the Rich

2Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. 3Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days.

4Look, 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.

5You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter. 6You have condemned and murdered the righteous, who did not resist you.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Leviticus 19:13	You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand.
2	Jeremiah 22:13	“Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages,
3	Deuteronomy 24:14–15	Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
4	Romans 9:29	It is just as Isaiah foretold: “Unless the Lord of Hosts had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.”
5	Malachi 3:5	“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.
6	Job 24:10–11	Without clothing, they wander about naked. They carry the sheaves, but still go hungry. They crush olives within their walls; they tread the winepresses, but go thirsty.
7	Exodus 22:27	because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
8	Genesis 4:10	“What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.
9	Job 34:28	They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
10	Exodus 3:9	And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them.

James 5:4 Summary

This verse is talking about how important it is to treat others fairly, especially those who work for us or are less fortunate than we are. When we don't pay our workers what they deserve or treat them poorly, it's like we're hurting God Himself, as seen in Matthew 25:40. We need to make sure we're being fair and just in all our interactions, because God is watching and will hold us accountable (Proverbs 22:22-23). By treating others with kindness and respect, we can show God's love and care for them, and bring glory to His name.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that the wages of the workmen are crying out against us?

This phrase suggests that the unfair treatment of workers will have serious consequences, as seen in James 5:4, and is reminiscent of the principles of fairness and justice found in Deuteronomy 24:14-15 and Jeremiah 22:13.

Who is the Lord of Hosts mentioned in this verse?

The Lord of Hosts is a title for God, emphasizing His power and authority over all creation, as seen in Isaiah 6:3 and Romans 9:29, and it is to Him that the cries of the harvesters have reached.

Is this verse only talking about literal harvesters and fields?

While the verse uses the metaphor of harvesters and fields, it is also speaking to the broader issue of fairness and justice in all aspects of life, as supported by verses like Amos 8:4-6 and 1 Timothy 5:18.

What is the significance of the wages being withheld from the workmen?

The withholding of wages is a violation of the principles of fairness and justice, and is condemned by God, as seen in Malachi 3:5 and Luke 10:7, and is a serious offense that will be judged by the Lord of Hosts.

Reflection Questions

In what ways have I withheld fairness or justice from those around me, and how can I make it right?
How do I prioritize the needs of others, especially those who are vulnerable or marginalized, in my daily life?
What are some areas where I may be unintentionally contributing to injustice or unfairness, and how can I change my actions to align with God's principles of justice?
How can I use my resources and influence to promote fairness and justice in my community, and to stand up for those who are being taken advantage of?

Gill's Exposition on James 5:4

Behold the hire of the labourers, which have reaped down your fields,.... The wages agreed for by the day, with the labourers in their fields, particularly their reapers; which one instance serves

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on James 5:4

Matthew Poole's Commentary on James 5:4

Behold; this is either a note of demonstration, as ; q.d. The case is plain, and cannot be denied; or of excitation; q.d. Seriously consider it; or rather, of confirmation, to intimate, that the threatenings here denounced should certainly be made good upon them: see . The hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields; the wages of those by whose labour and sweat ye yourselves live and are nourished. Which is of you kept back by fraud; either wholly denied them, or detained from them when due to them, contrary to the law, ,15. Deferring payment is a sort of defrauding, as it bereaves the creditor of the benefit of improvement; and so they are taxed here with injustice, as well as covetousness, in that they lived upon other men’ s labours, and starved the poor to enrich themselves. Crieth; viz. to God for vengeance, as such sins are said to do, which either are so openly and boldly committed, as to dare the justice of God, or so secretly, or securely, that they are like to escape the justice of men, 18:20,21. Among others, oppression of the poor is a loud crying sin, ,12 Hab 2:9,11,12. The Lord of sabaoth; i. e. the Lord of hosts, as having all the creatures above and below, of all sorts, ranked under him as their great Commander, whose will they are ready to execute. He mentions God by this title, not only for the encouragement of the poor oppressed, whose Patron and Protector he avows himself to be, ,24,27 Proverbs 23:11; but for terror to the powerful oppressors, who think themselves out of the reach of men’ s judgment.

Trapp's Commentary on James 5:4

4 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. Ver. 4. Kept back by fraud crieth] Bloodshed, Genesis 4:10, unnatural lust, Genesis 18:21, and oppression (whether by force or fraud), cry to God, and he will hear, for "he is gracious," Exodus 22:27. Oppression is a bony sin, Amos 5:12-13. " Clamitat in caelum vex sanguinis, et Sodomorum, Vex oppressorum, et merces detenta laborum." Lord of Sabaoth] Who hath all power in his hand, and can easily reach you.

Ellicott's Commentary on James 5:4

(4) Behold, the hire of the labourers.—Not merely the wrong of the poor, but the wages kept back from him by the niggardly master, contrary to the merciful Jewish law (Leviticus 19:13), which permitted no delay in payment whatever (comp. Jeremiah 22:13; Malachi 3:5). And the indignant remonstrance of the text is “a swift witness” also against the like-minded of this generation—whose God is self, whose religion political economy, and whose one great object in life is to buy in the cheapest market and sell in the dearest: as if for these ignoble purposes the Lord God had given them a brain and a soul. The hire of the labourers . . . kept back by fraud, crieth (out).—A question has arisen concerning the right position of the word translated “of,” or from you, in this clause; whether the withholden dues appeal “from the wronger to God,” or as the Authorised version has it above, “the hire of the labourers of you kept back by fraud.” The balance of opinion seems to be with the latter. Are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.—“A sublime and awful picture” is in the mind of the Apostle. The Lord of Hosts, the name by which He is called, especially by the last of the prophets, Malachi, is seated as a judge on His throne, to hear the right; the charge is laid, the guilty called, the witnesses are heard: the cries of the wronged have entered into His ears:— “The Lord of the Vineyard beholdeth afar; The arm of His fury is bared to the war: The day of His terrible wrath is at hand.” It is the reflection of our own Bede that St. James thus speaks (comp. Romans 9:29) of the Lord of Sabaoth, or armies, to terrify those who suppose that the poor have no helpers. (Comp. Psalms 72:12.) God’s majestic title is proclaimed, we may believe, by an Hebrew to Hebrews, for a warning against their darling sin of covetousness, and in hope that the vision of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-4) would move them to consider who and what the Lord of Hosts, of angels, of cherubim, of seraphim, might be “when He maketh inquisition for blood,” forgetting not the complaint of the poor” (Psalms 9:12).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on James 5:4

Verse 4. The hire of the labourers] The law, Leviticus 19:13, had ordered: The wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning, every day's labour being paid for as soon as ended. This is more clearly stated in another law, Deuteronomy 24:15: At his day thou shalt give him his hire; neither shall the sun go down upon it;-lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee. And that God particularly resented this defrauding of the hireling we see from Malachi 3:5: I will come near to you in judgment, and will be a swift witness against those who oppress the hireling in his wages. And on these laws and threatenings is built what we read in Synopsis Sohar, p. 100, l. 45: "When a poor man does any work in a house, the vapour proceeding from him, through the severity of his work, ascends towards heaven. Wo to his employer if he delay to pay him his wages." To this James seems particularly to allude, when he says: The cries of them who have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of hosts; and the rabbins say, "The vapour arising from the sweat of the hard-worked labourer ascends up before God." Both images are sufficiently expressive. The Lord of sabaoth.] St. James often conceives in Hebrew though he writes in Greek. It is well known that יהוה צבאות Yehovah tsebaoth, Lord of hosts, or Lord of armies, is a frequent appellation of God in the Old Testament; and signifies his uncontrollable power, and the infinitely numerous means he has for governing the world, and defending his followers, and punishing the wicked.

Cambridge Bible on James 5:4

4. Behold, the hire of the labourers …] The evil was one of old standing in Judæa. The law had condemned those who kept back the wages of the hired labourer even for a single night (Leviticus 19:13). Jeremiah (Jeremiah 22:13) had uttered a woe against him “that useth his neighbour’s service without wages.” Malachi (James 3:5) had spoken of the swift judgment that should come on those who “oppressed the hireling in his wages.” The grasping avarice that characterized the latter days of Judaism shewed itself in this form of oppression among others.are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth] The divine Name thus used was pre-eminently characteristic of tie language of the Prophets. It does not appear at all in the Pentateuch, nor in Joshua, Judges, or Ruth; and probably took its rise in the Schools of the Prophets, founded by Samuel. Whether its primary meaning was that Jehovah was the God of all the armies of earth, the God, as we say, of battles, or that He ruled over the armies of the stars of heaven, or over the unseen hosts of angels, or was wide enough, as seems probable, to include all three ideas, is a question which cannot be very definitely answered. It is characteristic of St James that he gives the Hebrew form of the word, as also St Paul does in citing Isaiah 1:9 in Romans 9:29. For the most part the LXX. renders it by “Almighty” (Pantokratôr), and in this form it appears in Revelation 4:8, where “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty” answers to “Lord God of sabaoth,” or “of hosts” in Isaiah 6:3. This title is specially characteristic of Malachi, in whom it occurs not less than 23 times.

Barnes' Notes on James 5:4

Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields - In the previous verses the form of the sin which the apostle specified was that they had hoarded their property.

Whedon's Commentary on James 5:4

4. Hire of the labourers—The rich men were great landholders, who had, perhaps, thousands of tenants or serfs, kept to a barely living recompense.

Sermons on James 5:4

	Sermon	Description
	Vii. the Commercial Sign by Lewis Sperry Chafer	Lewis Sperry Chafer discusses the last Biblical sign of the times mentioned in James 5:1-8, focusing on the 'heaping up' of treasures in 'the last days,' which signifies an increas
	Ii. Abuses to Be Discussed in Councils by Martin Luther	Martin Luther preaches against the abuses in the Roman Catholic Church, particularly focusing on the corruption, greed, and exploitation of power by the pope, cardinals, and bishop
	Jeremiah 22 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith addresses God's complaints against the leaders and prophets in Jeremiah 22, emphasizing how the kings have exploited their positions for personal gain, leading to spiri
	A Continual Allowance by J. Wilbur Chapman	J. Wilbur Chapman preaches on the contrasting lives of Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin, illustrating the consequences of sin and the eventual restoration and redemption offered by God. Th
	Ill-Gotten Gain - Part 2 by Alistair Begg	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the theme of injustice and greed in society. He uses vivid imagery to describe the consequences of employers withholding wages from their wor
	On Eagles' Wings Pt 134 by Don Courville	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of waiting on God. He shares his personal experience of being in a season where all invitations and opportunities stopped, and
	Remembering and Forgetting (Deuteronomy 8) by T. Austin-Sparks	The preacher delves into the deep meaning of 'deserted' in the Bible, emphasizing the act of forsaking, abandoning, and leaving someone in a state of helplessness or defeat. Throug