He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.
Eliphaz, having touched Job in a very tender part, in mentioning both the loss of his estate and the death of his children as the just punishment of his sin, that he might not drive him to despair, here begins to encourage him, and puts him in a way to make himself easy.
Commenting on Job 5:6-16
He taketh the wise in their own craftiness,.... As beasts are taken in a pit, or birds in a snare or net, or with birdlime; so these crafty men, who are wise in their own opinion, and really so in things natural, civil, and worldly, or however, to do evil are entangled and taken in their own schemes; they fall into the pit they have...
Paul (Co1 3:19) quoted this clause with the formula establishing its inspiration, "it is written." He cites the exact Hebrew words, not as he usually does the Septuagint, Greek version (Psa 9:15). Haman was hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai (Est 5:14; Est 7:10). the wise--that is, "the cunning." is carried headlong--Their scheme is precipitated before it is ripe.