Job 21:33

Authorized King James Version

The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מָֽתְקוּ
shall be sweet
to suck, by implication, to relish, or (intransitively) be sweet
#2
ל֗וֹ
H0
#3
רִגְבֵ֫י
The clods
a lump of clay
#4
נָ֥חַל
of the valley
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
#5
וְ֭אַחֲרָיו
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#6
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#7
אָדָ֣ם
unto him and every man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#8
יִמְשׁ֑וֹךְ
shall draw
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.)
#9
וּ֝לְפָנָ֗יו
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#10
אֵ֣ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#11
מִסְפָּֽר׃
him as there are innumerable
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Job Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection