Job 36:11
If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
Original Language Analysis
אִֽם
H518
אִֽם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 8
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִשְׁמְע֗וּ
If they obey
H8085
יִשְׁמְע֗וּ
If they obey
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 8
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְֽיַ֫עֲבֹ֥דוּ
and serve
H5647
וְֽיַ֫עֲבֹ֥דוּ
and serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
3 of 8
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
יְכַלּ֣וּ
him they shall spend
H3615
יְכַלּ֣וּ
him they shall spend
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
4 of 8
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
יְמֵיהֶ֣ם
their days
H3117
יְמֵיהֶ֣ם
their days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 8
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
בַּטּ֑וֹב
in prosperity
H2896
בַּטּ֑וֹב
in prosperity
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
6 of 8
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
Cross References
Jeremiah 7:23But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.Isaiah 1:19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:Deuteronomy 4:30When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;Hebrews 11:8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.Jeremiah 26:13Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.James 5:5Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.Revelation 18:7How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.Job 22:23If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.Job 22:21Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.Romans 6:17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Historical Context
Covenant blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 28-30) shaped Israelite theology. Generally, the nation experienced prosperity under righteous kings and judgment under wicked ones, reinforcing retribution theology. However, prophets (Habakkuk, Jeremiah) and wisdom literature (Job, Ecclesiastes) complicated this picture, showing that individual experience often departed from expected patterns. This tension required more nuanced understanding of providence.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we maintain belief in God's justice while acknowledging that righteous people often suffer?
- What is the relationship between covenant promises of blessing and the mystery of providence?
- How does the New Testament reframe prosperity gospel in light of Christ's suffering and call to take up our cross?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Elihu presents a conditional promise: "If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures." The verb shama (שָׁמַע, "obey") means to hear and heed. The verb abad (עָבַד, "serve") means to work or worship. The promise of prosperity (tov, טוֹב, good) and pleasures (ne'imim, נְעִימִים, pleasant things) reflects covenant theology (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). Elihu's statement contains truth—obedience often leads to blessing in God's general providence. However, his application to Job is problematic. Reformed theology distinguishes between
Job's case demonstrates that suffering doesn't prove disobedience, nor does prosperity prove righteousness. The New Testament clarifies that godliness with contentment is gain (1 Timothy 6:6), but following Christ may mean suffering (Philippians 1:29).