Job 21:24
His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
Original Language Analysis
עֲ֭טִינָיו
His breasts
H5845
עֲ֭טִינָיו
His breasts
Strong's:
H5845
Word #:
1 of 6
a receptacle (for milk, i.e., pail; figuratively, breast)
מָלְא֣וּ
are full
H4390
מָלְא֣וּ
are full
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
2 of 6
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern medicine recognized that even the apparently healthy could die suddenly. Milk and marrow imagery suggests optimal nutrition and health. Job's point: neither health nor wealth prevents death, so they can't be used as simple righteousness indicators.
Questions for Reflection
- How does death's unpredictability regardless of health challenge health-and-wealth gospel?
- What does it mean to steward health while recognizing it doesn't guarantee longevity?
- How should awareness of mortality's unpredictability shape our daily living?
Analysis & Commentary
Some die in prosperity: 'His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.' Job describes someone in peak health ('breasts full' suggests abundant nourishment, 'bones moistened with marrow' indicates vigor) who dies nonetheless. Health isn't protection from death. This further undermines using physical condition as divine favor indicator. The healthy and unhealthy alike face mortality.