Job 27:8

Authorized King James Version

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For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מַה H4100
מַה
Strong's: H4100
Word #: 2 of 10
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תִּקְוַ֣ת For what is the hope H8615
תִּקְוַ֣ת For what is the hope
Strong's: H8615
Word #: 3 of 10
literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy
חָ֭נֵף of the hypocrite H2611
חָ֭נֵף of the hypocrite
Strong's: H2611
Word #: 4 of 10
soiled (i.e., with sin), impious
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 5 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִבְצָ֑ע though he hath gained H1214
יִבְצָ֑ע though he hath gained
Strong's: H1214
Word #: 6 of 10
to break off, i.e., (usually) plunder; figuratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop
כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 7 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יֵ֖שֶׁל taketh away H7953
יֵ֖שֶׁל taketh away
Strong's: H7953
Word #: 8 of 10
to draw out or off, i.e., remove (the soul by death)
אֱל֣וֹהַּ when God H433
אֱל֣וֹהַּ when God
Strong's: H433
Word #: 9 of 10
a deity or the deity
נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃ his soul H5315
נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃ his soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 10 of 10
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Analysis & Commentary

Job asks rhetorically, "What is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?" The Hebrew chaneph (חָנֵף, "hypocrite") denotes a godless, profane person—one who may maintain religious appearance without genuine faith. The verb batsa' (בָּצַע, "gained") means to cut off or gain profit, often with connotations of unjust gain. Job recognizes that temporal prosperity means nothing at death when God "taketh away his soul" (nesho, נַפְשׁוֹ). This anticipates Jesus' parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:20) and His question, "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36). From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates the futility of profession without possession—mere external religion without regeneration. True hope lies not in accumulated wealth but in a right relationship with God that extends beyond death. Job's question exposes the ultimate bankruptcy of hypocrisy and worldly success apart from genuine faith.

Historical Context

Ancient societies measured success by visible prosperity—wealth, offspring, longevity. Job challenges this calculus by introducing the eschatological dimension: what does earthly gain mean at death? This question would become central to later Jewish theology (Ecclesiastes, intertestamental wisdom literature) and finds its answer in Christ's teaching on eternal life. The concept anticipated the Pharisaic-Sadducean debates about afterlife and resurrection.

Questions for Reflection