Job 38:17
Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
Original Language Analysis
הֲנִגְל֣וּ
been opened
H1540
הֲנִגְל֣וּ
been opened
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
1 of 7
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
מָ֑וֶת
of death
H4194
מָ֑וֶת
of death
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
4 of 7
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
Cross References
Psalms 9:13Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:Psalms 107:18Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.Job 3:5Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures conceived death as a realm with gates and guardians. Mesopotamian descent myths featured gates of the underworld. Israel's understanding, while using similar imagery, affirmed that Yahweh alone controlled access to and exit from death. This distinguished biblical faith from pagan underworld mythology.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's resurrection victory over death's gates transform our relationship with mortality?
- What fears about death does this passage address when we remember God's sovereignty over it?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?" God questions whether Job has accessed death's realm. The Hebrew sha'are mavet (שַׁעֲרֵי־מָוֶת, "gates of death") and sha'are tsalmavet (שַׁעֲרֵי צַלְמָוֶת, "gates of the shadow of death") present death as a guarded domain. Only God possesses authority over death and Sheol. This anticipates Christ who holds "the keys of hell and of death" (Revelation 1:18) and conquered death through resurrection. Job cannot comprehend death's mysteries; God alone governs life and death.