Job 30:23
For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָ֭דַעְתִּי
For I know
H3045
יָ֭דַעְתִּי
For I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
2 of 8
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מָ֣וֶת
me to death
H4194
מָ֣וֶת
me to death
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
3 of 8
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
תְּשִׁיבֵ֑נִי
that thou wilt bring
H7725
תְּשִׁיבֵ֑נִי
that thou wilt bring
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
4 of 8
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וּבֵ֖ית
and to the house
H1004
וּבֵ֖ית
and to the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 8
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
מוֹעֵ֣ד
appointed
H4150
מוֹעֵ֣ד
appointed
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
Historical Context
Ancient cultures universally acknowledged death but differed on afterlife. Most Near Eastern views portrayed Sheol/underworld as shadowy half-existence. Job's phrase "house appointed" suggests order even in death—it's not random but divinely scheduled. This orderliness anticipates fuller revelation of God's control over death and eventual resurrection hope that developed through biblical revelation.
Questions for Reflection
- How should the certainty of death shape our daily priorities and long-term planning?
- What is the relationship between acknowledging death's reality and maintaining Christian hope?
- How does Job's recognition of death's universality inform our evangelism and view of human equality?
Analysis & Commentary
Job acknowledges death's certainty: "For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living." The verb yada (יָדַע, "know") expresses certainty, not mere opinion. The phrase "house appointed" (bet mo'ed, בֵּית מוֹעֵד) means the designated meeting place—Sheol, the grave. The universal scope ("for all living") democratizes death: rich and poor, righteous and wicked all face this appointment. Hebrews 9:27 echoes this: "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." From a Reformed perspective, Job's acknowledgment demonstrates proper awareness of human mortality that should inform all earthly pursuits. Unlike modern death-denial, biblical wisdom embraces mortality's reality while looking beyond it. Job's statement contains no despair, merely clear-eyed recognition that God is sovereign even over death's timing. This prepares for the doctrine of resurrection—while death is universal, it is not final for those in covenant with God.