Job 5:26
Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.
Original Language Analysis
תָּב֣וֹא
Thou shalt come
H935
תָּב֣וֹא
Thou shalt come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 7
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
כַּֽעֲל֖וֹת
cometh in
H5927
כַּֽעֲל֖וֹת
cometh in
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
5 of 7
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
Genesis 15:15And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.Proverbs 9:11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.Genesis 25:8Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.Psalms 91:16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.Proverbs 10:27The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
Historical Context
Dying in 'full age' with many descendants and seeing one's children established was the ideal ancient Near Eastern blessing (Genesis 25:8, Job 42:17). Eliphaz uses this cultural ideal to pressure Job to confess non-existent sins.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain faith when God doesn't grant the culturally-defined 'blessed life'?
- What does a truly blessed life look like from a biblical rather than cultural perspective?
Analysis & Commentary
Eliphaz concludes: 'Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.' The imagery pictures death as natural harvest at the proper time—a full, blessed life ending peacefully. The Hebrew 'kelach' (full age/maturity) contrasts with premature death. Eliphaz promises Job will die peacefully in old age if he repents, implying his current suffering threatens premature death because of sin. This contradicts God's own assessment of Job's righteousness (Job 1:8).