Job 15:32
It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֣א
before
H3808
לֹ֣א
before
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 6
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
י֭וֹמוֹ
his time
H3117
י֭וֹמוֹ
his time
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 6
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
תִּמָּלֵ֑א
It shall be accomplished
H4390
תִּמָּלֵ֑א
It shall be accomplished
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
3 of 6
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 7:17Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?Job 22:16Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:Psalms 55:23But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures valued posterity highly—descendants represented blessing, continuation, and honor. Dying childless or losing all children indicated curse (Deuteronomy 28:18). This cultural value makes Eliphaz's accusation particularly cruel.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we comfort those who've lost children without implying their loss indicates divine displeasure?
- What does Gospel hope offer to those without biological descendants?
- How does eternal family in Christ transform our understanding of posterity and legacy?
Analysis & Commentary
Judgment arrives suddenly: 'He shall not see his branch, neither shall his offspring spring up as grass.' The wicked won't see descendants flourish—cutting off posterity represented ultimate curse in ancient Israel. Loss of lineage meant loss of future, inheritance, and memory. Eliphaz implies Job's loss of children proves divine judgment. This cruel logic ignores that the righteous also sometimes lose children, and that Job's losses came through Satan's attack, not divine displeasure.