Job 27 19

Job 27:19 kjv

The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not.

Job 27:19 nkjv

The rich man will lie down, But not be gathered up; He opens his eyes, And he is no more.

Job 27:19 niv

He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more; when he opens his eyes, all is gone.

Job 27:19 esv

He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.

Job 27:19 nlt

The wicked go to bed rich
but wake to find that all their wealth is gone.

Job 27 verses

Job 27 19 Meaning

Job 27:19 declares the swift and utter demise of the rich wicked person. Despite their temporary prosperity and material security, they experience an abrupt and ignoble death, unable to benefit from their accumulated wealth. Their life vanishes instantly, and their wealth offers no solace or extension of life, nor does it guarantee an honorable end. Job asserts that outward appearances of prosperity for the unrighteous are deceiving, for divine justice ultimately leads to their complete disappearance and the loss of everything they treasured.

Job 27 19 Context

This verse is found within Job's final discourse (chapters 27-31), where he eloquently asserts his own integrity and God's ultimate justice. In chapter 27, Job challenges the simplified retribution theology held by his three friends – that only the wicked suffer, and the righteous prosper. Ironically, Job articulates a description of the wicked's fate (vv. 7-23) that, in some ways, echoes his friends' arguments but emphasizes the certainty and totality of their eventual downfall. This particular verse highlights the dramatic contrast between the wicked person's apparent present success (lying down rich) and their inescapable, sudden, and complete ruin. Job's assertion is a statement of faith in a just God who, though perhaps delaying His judgment, will assuredly bring it to bear. He argues that true blessedness is not found in transient wealth but in a relationship with God.

Culturally and historically, ancient Near Eastern societies, much like the one Job describes, valued wealth as a sign of blessing and status, often associated with a long and peaceful life, including an honorable burial ("gathered to his people"). Job's statement directly counters this notion by showing that for the wicked, wealth cannot buy honor in death or prolong life, challenging the common perception of unmitigated prosperity as God's unending approval.

Job 27 19 Word analysis

• He lies down rich (יִשְׁכַּב עָשִׁיר - yishkav ashir):

  • יִשְׁכַּב (yishkav): "He lies down." This verb implies rest or sleep, but in contexts related to death (as here), it denotes lying down for the final sleep. It paints a picture of apparent tranquility and security just before an abrupt change.
  • עָשִׁיר (ashir): "Rich, wealthy." The object of focus. It defines the character whose ultimate fate is described, emphasizing their material prosperity as the very thing that proves ephemeral.

• but is not gathered (וְלֹא יֵאָסֵף - v'lo ye'asef):

  • וְלֹא (v'lo): "And not." A strong negation, completely overturning the positive expectation.
  • יֵאָסֵף (ye'asef): "He is gathered" (passive form of asaf). This is a key idiom in Hebrew, typically referring to a peaceful, honorable death and burial, where one joins their ancestors or people (e.g., Gen 25:8; Num 27:13). The negation "not gathered" signifies an ignominious end – without proper burial rites, without descendants, unlamented, or possibly even a violent and disgraceful demise, implying divine rejection rather than peaceful rest.

• his eyes he opens (עֵינָיו פָּקַח - einav pakach):

  • עֵינָיו (einav): "His eyes." Direct object, drawing attention to the action.
  • פָּקַח (pakach): "He opens." This verb signifies opening the eyes, often quickly or suddenly. In this context, it may not refer to literally waking but represents a momentary, perhaps shocking, perception or a sudden cessation, immediately followed by disappearance. It underscores the swiftness of the transition.

• and he is gone (וְאֵינֶנּוּ - v'einennu):

  • וְאֵינֶנּוּ (v'einennu): "And he is not," "he is no more," or "he is gone/vanished." This conveys utter and complete disappearance. There is nothing left, no trace, no lingering presence or legacy. It emphasizes finality and eradication.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "He lies down rich, but is not gathered": This phrase dramatically contrasts a superficial appearance of security and prosperity ("lies down rich") with an underlying reality of dishonorable and uncommemorated demise ("is not gathered"). It directly challenges the idea that wealth guarantees honor or protection in death, highlighting the limits of material gain.
  • "His eyes he opens, and he is gone": This paints a vivid picture of instantaneous transition. The two clauses are presented almost simultaneously, illustrating the shocking swiftness of the wicked's disappearance. It's a vivid portrayal of life abruptly cut short, without warning or lingering effect, erasing the individual from existence as if they had never been.

Job 27 19 Bonus section

This verse, delivered by Job, contributes significantly to the theological depth of the book. While his friends incorrectly assumed suffering was always due to personal sin, Job, through this and other statements, demonstrates a nuanced understanding: God does bring judgment upon the wicked, and their worldly success is not a final indicator of divine approval. However, this judgment may not be immediately apparent, or its timing and method may differ from human expectation. This challenges simplistic retribution theology. The concept of "not gathered" is not merely about burial, but a state of being ostracized by God in death, lacking spiritual fellowship or peace, a contrast to the righteous who "rest in peace" or are "gathered to their people." This statement is part of Job's struggle to reconcile God's justice with observable reality, concluding that ultimately, the wicked will meet their deserved fate, often in a manner that strips them of all earthly pride and achievement.

Job 27 19 Commentary

Job 27:19 articulates a profound truth about the transient nature of worldly success and the certainty of divine justice. Job asserts that the rich wicked, despite their opulent lives, face a sudden, ignominious, and ultimate end. Their wealth, which seemed to be their stronghold, offers no protection against the finality of death and provides no avenue for an honorable legacy or a peaceful departure. The seemingly tranquil act of "lying down rich" is juxtaposed with the absolute "not gathered," implying a disgraceful end lacking traditional societal rites of honor. The imagery of "his eyes he opens, and he is gone" underscores the instantaneous and irreversible vanishing of such individuals, their former prosperity evaporating without a trace. This verse is Job's emphatic declaration that God's justice, though perhaps not always immediate, is utterly absolute and will ultimately dismantle the temporary prosperity of the wicked, proving its worthlessness beyond life. It teaches that true security lies not in amassed fortunes but in righteousness before God.

For practical application, this verse serves as a powerful reminder to prioritize spiritual eternal wealth over transient material possessions, warning against the futility of chasing worldly gain at the expense of righteousness. It encourages believers not to envy the temporary prosperity of the wicked, knowing that their end will be desolate and their seeming advantages illusory.