Job 27:19
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Job 27:19
19 The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not.
Chapter Context
Job 27 is a wisdom dialogue chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of salvation, judgment, obedience. Written during the patriarchal period (literary composition later), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ancient wisdom traditions often wrestled with the problem of suffering and divine justice.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-23: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Job and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Job 27:19
19 The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not.
Analysis
The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered—the verse describes sudden reversal. The verb שָׁכַב (shakhav, lie down) can mean sleeping or dying; here it suggests going to bed wealthy. But he shall not be gathered uses אָסַף (asaf, gather/be gathered), often referring to being gathered to one's ancestors in honorable death (Genesis 25:8, 35:29). The negation suggests either no honorable burial or no gathering of wealth—interpretations differ. He openeth his eyes, and he is not echoes Psalm 37:10, 36—the wicked vanish suddenly. The Hebrew וְאֵינֶנּוּ (ve'eynennu, "and he is not") indicates complete disappearance, like Enoch who "was not, for God took him" (Genesis 5:24), but here it's judgment, not translation.
The dramatic image captures sudden loss: a rich man goes to sleep wealthy but wakes to find everything gone—or worse, dies without warning, unable to enjoy his wealth. This describes Job's own experience: he was prosperous one day, devastated the next. The irony is profound—Job describes the wicked's fate while having experienced it himself.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature frequently addressed the sudden reversal of fortune. Wealth provided no ultimate security against divine judgment, plague, war, or robbery. Job's original audience, living in unstable times, would recognize this reality. The phrase "he is not" recalls biblical language for sudden death or disappearance, emphasizing the transitory nature of human life and possessions.
Reflection
- How does the reality of sudden loss challenge our confidence in material security?
- What does it mean to hold wealth as a steward rather than an owner, prepared for sudden reversal?
- How can we cultivate contentment that doesn't depend on maintaining our current circumstances?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Job 24:24, Psalms 58:9