Job 21:23
One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
Original Language Analysis
יָ֭מוּת
One dieth
H4191
יָ֭מוּת
One dieth
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
2 of 7
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
בְּעֶ֣צֶם
strength
H6106
בְּעֶ֣צֶם
strength
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
3 of 7
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
תֻּמּ֑וֹ
in his full
H8537
תֻּמּ֑וֹ
in his full
Strong's:
H8537
Word #:
4 of 7
completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually (morally) innocence
כֻּ֝לּ֗וֹ
H3605
כֻּ֝לּ֗וֹ
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Ancient observation confirmed that death comes to all regardless of condition (Ecclesiastes 9:2-3). The righteous and wicked, healthy and sick, all face mortality. This challenged theological systems that saw death's manner or timing as primary evidence of divine judgment or favor.
Questions for Reflection
- How does death's universality humble human pretensions to discern divine favor by circumstances?
- What does it mean that the 'same thing happens to all' temporally while ultimate destinies differ?
- How does resurrection hope transform death from ending to transition?
Analysis & Commentary
Death comes to all conditions: 'One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.' Job observes that death doesn't discriminate based on righteousness—the comfortable and prosperous die just like the suffering. The Hebrew 'tom' (full/perfect) describes peak condition. Physical health doesn't guarantee long life or indicate divine favor. Death's universality relativizes the friends' use of suffering as evidence.