Job 14:21
His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
Original Language Analysis
יִכְבְּד֣וּ
come to honour
H3513
יִכְבְּד֣וּ
come to honour
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
1 of 8
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
בָ֭נָיו
His sons
H1121
בָ֭נָיו
His sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 8
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵדָ֑ע
and he knoweth
H3045
יֵדָ֑ע
and he knoweth
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
4 of 8
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וְ֝יִצְעֲר֗וּ
it not and they are brought low
H6819
וְ֝יִצְעֲר֗וּ
it not and they are brought low
Strong's:
H6819
Word #:
5 of 8
to be small, i.e., (figuratively) ignoble
וְֽלֹא
H3808
וְֽלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 9:5For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.Isaiah 63:16Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
Historical Context
Many ancient cultures practiced ancestor veneration, believing the dead influenced or observed the living (widespread in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Canaan). Job's statement counters this—the dead are cut off from earthly events unless God acts.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this truth counter both ancestor veneration and presuming the dead watch over us?
- What does this separation teach about the importance of resurrection for reuniting with loved ones?
- How should the dead's ignorance of earthly affairs shape how we think about those who have passed?
Analysis & Commentary
The dead know nothing of their descendants: 'His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.' Death severs earthly connections—the deceased don't experience their family's fortunes. This counters pagan practices of ancestor veneration and intercession. It emphasizes death's finality apart from resurrection hope. Only divine intervention can overcome this separation.