Job 21:25
And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
Original Language Analysis
וְזֶ֗ה
H2088
יָ֭מוּת
And another dieth
H4191
יָ֭מוּת
And another dieth
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
2 of 7
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
בְּנֶ֣פֶשׁ
of his soul
H5315
בְּנֶ֣פֶשׁ
of his soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מָרָ֑ה
in the bitterness
H4751
מָרָ֑ה
in the bitterness
Strong's:
H4751
Word #:
4 of 7
bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern wisdom recognized life's inequities—some prosper, others suffer. Job's observation that both meet the same end (death) anticipates Ecclesiastes' reflections on life's apparent meaninglessness apart from God's ultimate judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does death's universality relativize the importance of temporal circumstances?
- What comfort does eternal perspective provide to those who 'never eat with pleasure' in this life?
- How do we maintain that circumstances matter while recognizing they're not ultimate?
Analysis & Commentary
Others die in bitterness: 'And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.' The contrast is stark—one dies in prosperity and ease, another in bitterness never having enjoyed life. Both experience death. Life's circumstances vary radically, but death comes to all. This observation should humble interpretive certainty about suffering indicating divine displeasure.