Job 3:14
With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;
Original Language Analysis
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
1 of 7
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְיֹ֣עֲצֵי
and counsellors
H3289
וְיֹ֣עֲצֵי
and counsellors
Strong's:
H3289
Word #:
3 of 7
to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern kings built massive tombs and monuments to preserve their memory (pyramids, ziggurats, burial complexes). Despite their grandeur, these eventually became ruins—'desolate places.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does death's equalizing of all people affect your perspective on current status and suffering?
- What does Job's meditation on the vanity of human monuments teach us about true significance?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Job imagines himself at rest 'with kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves.' This likely refers to rulers who built great monuments and tombs that eventually fell to ruins. Even the mighty and wise find only empty monuments in death. Job's point is that death levels all distinctions—in the grave, the sufferer rests alongside kings. This reflects ancient wisdom's recognition that death is the great equalizer (Ecclesiastes 2:16).