Job 17:16
They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.
Original Language Analysis
בַּדֵּ֣י
to the bars
H905
בַּדֵּ֣י
to the bars
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
שְׁאֹ֣ל
of the pit
H7585
שְׁאֹ֣ל
of the pit
Strong's:
H7585
Word #:
2 of 8
hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
תֵּרַ֑דְנָה
They shall go down
H3381
תֵּרַ֑דְנָה
They shall go down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
3 of 8
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
4 of 8
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Historical Context
The 'bars of the pit' refers to Sheol's gates—ancient tombs had literal bars, creating imagery for death's realm as fortified place. 'Rest in dust' became crucial concept for later resurrection theology—dust doesn't eliminate identity but preserves it for recreation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does resurrection hope address the despair of death as final destination?
- What does it mean that even Job's most hopeless language contains seeds of future hope?
- How do we minister to those whose only 'hope' is that suffering will end in death?
Analysis & Commentary
Hope descends to death: 'They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.' Job's hope—if any remains—has descended to Sheol's bars (gates). Even there, the language of 'rest together' suggests Job hasn't fully abandoned faith. The dust recalls creation ('dust you are,' Genesis 3:19) and anticipates resurrection hope ('your dead shall live,' Isaiah 26:19). Job's lowest point paradoxically points toward hope's only true source—resurrection power.