Job 21:33
The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
Original Language Analysis
מָֽתְקוּ
shall be sweet
H4985
מָֽתְקוּ
shall be sweet
Strong's:
H4985
Word #:
1 of 11
to suck, by implication, to relish, or (intransitively) be sweet
נָ֥חַל
of the valley
H5158
נָ֥חַל
of the valley
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
4 of 11
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
וְ֭אַחֲרָיו
after
H310
וְ֭אַחֲרָיו
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אָדָ֣ם
unto him and every man
H120
אָדָ֣ם
unto him and every man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
7 of 11
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
יִמְשׁ֑וֹךְ
shall draw
H4900
יִמְשׁ֑וֹךְ
shall draw
Strong's:
H4900
Word #:
8 of 11
to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern tombs for the wealthy included guards and monuments. Important people's tombs were maintained and honored. That the wicked received such honor while the righteous suffered challenged simple retribution theology.
Questions for Reflection
- How do earthly honors given to the undeserving test our faith in divine justice?
- What does it mean to live for divine approval rather than earthly legacy?
- How does final judgment reorder all temporal honors and disgraces?
Analysis & Commentary
The wicked's tomb is guarded: 'And he shall remain in the tomb.' Job may refer to guarded monuments ensuring the wicked's memory endures honorably. Or this might mean their corpses rest peacefully rather than being desecrated. Either way, even death doesn't bring the justice his friends claim—the wicked rest honored while the righteous like Job suffer shamefully in life. Ultimate justice requires more than temporal observation.