Job 21 25

Job 21:25 kjv

And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.

Job 21:25 nkjv

Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, Never having eaten with pleasure.

Job 21:25 niv

Another dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good.

Job 21:25 esv

Another dies in bitterness of soul, never having tasted of prosperity.

Job 21:25 nlt

Another person dies in bitter poverty,
never having tasted the good life.

Job 21 verses

Job 21 25 Meaning

Job 21:25 highlights a stark contrast in human experience concerning death, directly challenging the simplistic retribution theology advocated by Job's friends. This verse describes an individual who dies in a state of deep emotional anguish or despair, having never experienced significant prosperity, joy, or well-being in their life. It underscores that some lives are marked by continuous suffering and a complete lack of earthly blessings, yet their end does not necessarily align with the friends' dogmatic assertion that only the wicked suffer intensely or die miserably. This point is crucial to Job's argument that human observation reveals the world's complexities often defy easy categorization of moral character based on material circumstances.

Job 21 25 Context

Job chapter 21 presents Job's final and most forceful response to the accusations of his friends, particularly countering Zophar's recent speech in chapter 20. Zophar, like Eliphaz and Bildad, adamantly argued for a strict system of divine retribution: the wicked always suffer intensely and meet a dire end, while the righteous are always blessed and die in peace. Job vehemently opposes this simplistic theology with empirical evidence from his observations of life.

Job 21:1-6 sees Job begging his friends to listen patiently. In 21:7-16, Job launches his counter-argument by observing that, contrary to his friends' assertions, the wicked often prosper, live long, raise families, and die peacefully. Verses 23-24 depict an individual dying "in his full strength," illustrating that not all seemingly 'bad' individuals face a hard death. Job 21:25 then presents a contrasting scenario to this. It shows that another individual dies "in bitterness of soul, never having tasted of good." This verse is a direct polemic against the prevalent ancient Near Eastern retribution theology that linked outward prosperity/suffering directly and immediately to a person's moral standing. Job challenges the notion that all suffering indicates sin and all prosperity indicates righteousness, demonstrating that God's ways are more complex and inscrutable to human understanding. Historically and culturally, such fixed beliefs about immediate retribution were common, and Job’s protest represented a profound intellectual and spiritual challenge to accepted wisdom.

Job 21 25 Word analysis

• And another: This phrase, introduced by the Hebrew conjunction וְ (v') meaning "and" or "but," and אַחֵר (a·KHÊR) meaning "another" or "other," signifies a contrasting example. Job immediately draws a distinction from the person just described in Job 21:23-24, who dies in apparent prosperity and ease. It highlights the diversity of human experience regarding life's end, presenting a stark counter-argument to the idea of uniform consequences.
• dies: The Hebrew word יָמוּת (yā·MŪT) from the root מות (mūt), signifies the physical act of cessation of life. The use of the imperfect verb form can convey ongoing or potential action, but in this context describes the eventual reality of death for "another." Its inclusion emphasizes the finality of an earthly life, regardless of how it was lived or the circumstances surrounding it.
• in bitterness of soul: This translates the Hebrew בְּנֶפֶשׁ מָרָה (bê·NEPHesh mā·RĀH).
  • בְּ (bê) means "in" or "with."
  • נֶפֶשׁ (NEPHesh) refers to the "soul," "life-force," "self," or the entire person. It is often the seat of emotions and inner being.
  • מָרָה (mā·RĀH), from the root מרה (mārar), means "bitter," "troubled," "grieved," or "unhappy."
  • The phrase describes a profound internal state of anguish, sorrow, or despair that characterizes the person's death. It points to a deep, pervading unhappiness, rather than a transient emotion, implying a life overshadowed by affliction and distress that persists even to their end. It speaks to a quality of death marked by internal pain.
• never having tasted of good: This translates the Hebrew וְלֹא טָעַם טוֹב (vê·LŌ ṭā·'AM ṭōV).
  • וְלֹא (vê·LŌ) means "and not" or "never."
  • טָעַם (ṭā·'AM) means "tasted" or "experienced," suggesting an encounter with something. The negation "not tasted" implies a complete absence of such an experience, not merely a fleeting or small one.
  • טוֹב (ṭōV) means "good," encompassing a wide range of positive things: well-being, prosperity, happiness, peace, success, pleasantness, or blessing in general.
  • Combined, this phrase suggests a life devoid of significant joy, comfort, pleasure, prosperity, or any substantial positive experiences. This individual's existence has been one of continuous hardship and lack, making their "bitterness of soul" understandable. This powerfully undermines the simplistic correlation of good outcomes with righteousness, as Job implies this person, regardless of their moral standing, has simply not known a good life.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And another dies in bitterness of soul": This opening segment sets up a counter-narrative to the seemingly ideal death just described (vv. 23-24). It immediately focuses on the manner of dying—not peaceful ease, but profound inner distress. This challenges the friends' belief that only the wicked die a miserable death, as Job makes no claim as to the deceased's character. The "bitterness of soul" emphasizes the internal torment experienced right up to their last breath.
• "in bitterness of soul, never having tasted of good": This powerful pairing profoundly describes a life utterly unblessed and characterized by pervasive unhappiness. The "bitterness" is intrinsically linked to the continuous "not tasted good." This isn't just a physical ailment but a profound existential lack, emphasizing a life perceived as a burden without any moments of true blessing, contrasting sharply with the life of prosperity often attributed to the righteous in conventional theology. This deepens Job's challenge, asking how such an outcome fits into the friends' rigid framework of divine justice.

Job 21 25 Bonus section

• Job 21:25 subtly points towards the "hiddenness" of God's ways, where outcomes are not always transparently linked to actions, reinforcing themes found elsewhere in Job that God's wisdom transcends human understanding (e.g., Job 11:7; 26:14).
• The use of "soul" (nephesh) for "bitterness" emphasizes that this suffering is not merely physical, but an existential and emotional burden that permeated the person's very being throughout their life, culminating in their death. It is a portrait of profound internal lack and distress.
• This verse contributes to a broader biblical conversation found in books like Ecclesiastes and parts of Psalms, which also grapple with the apparent injustice or randomness of earthly experiences, prompting readers to seek meaning or justice in a more ultimate, eschatological sense.

Job 21 25 Commentary

Job 21:25 is a critical verse within Job's overarching argument, directly refuting his friends' rigid doctrine of immediate and strict divine retribution. By presenting a scenario of someone dying in deep despair and having never experienced life's "good," Job introduces observed reality that clashes with their theological assumptions. He offers this stark contrast (with the person in vv. 23-24) to demonstrate that the distribution of life's fortunes and final moments is not as predictable or merit-based as his friends believe. Job challenges them to reconcile such observed realities with their understanding of God’s justice. The verse compels listeners to move beyond a simplistic, works-based view of suffering and prosperity, urging contemplation of a more complex divine plan, where justice might manifest beyond the confines of earthly life or in ways incomprehensible to human reason. It teaches us to be cautious about quick judgments based on observed circumstances and highlights that many experience immense suffering with no apparent correlation to sin, while others live comfortable lives despite known wickedness.