Job 29 18

Job 29:18 kjv

Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.

Job 29:18 nkjv

"Then I said, 'I shall die in my nest, And multiply my days as the sand.

Job 29:18 niv

"I thought, 'I will die in my own house, my days as numerous as the grains of sand.

Job 29:18 esv

Then I thought, 'I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand,

Job 29:18 nlt

"I thought, 'Surely I will die surrounded by my family
after a long, good life.

Job 29 verses

Job 29 18 Meaning

Job 29:18 captures Job's profound and confident expectation of continued prosperity, security, and a long life prior to his immense suffering. He believed he would live to a full, natural end in his established home, seeing his days multiplied greatly, much like grains of sand are innumerable, or perhaps even implying a mythical renewal of life, like a phoenix rising anew. This verse starkly highlights the chasm between Job's human expectations and God's sovereign, unforeseen plan.

Job 29 18 Context

Job chapter 29 forms the first part of Job's third and final monologue, following the dialogues with his three friends (chapters 3-27). In this section, Job laments his present suffering by nostalgically recounting his past blessed state (vv. 1-25). He describes a time when he walked in the light of God's favor (vv. 2-6), was highly respected in the community (vv. 7-10), and actively demonstrated justice and compassion by caring for the poor, the oppressed, the blind, and the lame (vv. 11-17). Verse 18 is embedded in this recollection, reflecting his profound sense of security and enduring stability based on his righteous conduct and the apparent divine blessing on his life. It represents his firm conviction at that time that his prosperity would continue indefinitely, culminating in a peaceful end.

Historically, this verse resonates with ancient Near Eastern ideals of a prosperous life being a sign of divine favor, often culminating in a long life and many descendants. It also sets up a stark contrast to Job's reality—loss of home, family, health, and status—which immediately precedes this monologue.

Job 29 18 Word analysis

• Then I thought, (יֹאמַר - Yo'mar): From the verb 'amar, "to say, to speak." Here used impersonally, reflecting Job's internal deliberation or assumption, akin to "it was said by me" or "I resolved/expected." It denotes his settled conviction.
• 'I shall die (אָצוּץ - 'atsuwtz): This word presents an interpretive challenge. It is potentially derived from two roots.
  • If from atzats, it could mean "to be firm, strong, stable," or related to 'es ("wood") implying firmness, suggesting "I shall remain strong" or "I shall become old/flourish." Many scholars propose this meaning, indicating longevity and continued vigor.
  • If interpreted as linked to dying, it refers to a natural, peaceful death after a long and prosperous life. Given the context of "multiply my days," the sense of living long and reaching a full life (then naturally dying) or continuing to flourish is prevalent. The ESV's "die" implies a peaceful end after a full life.
• in my nest, (עִם-קִנִּי - 'im-qinniy): The word "nest" (qen) metaphorically represents Job's secure dwelling, his home, his family, his lineage, and his accumulated wealth. It signifies stability, comfort, safety, and a protected, permanent establishment. This is where he expected to finish his life's course undisturbed.
• and multiply (וְכַחוֹל אַרְבֶּה - w'khakhol 'arbeh):
  • and (וְ - we): Connects the idea of dying/flourishing in the nest with the multiplication of days.
  • I will multiply (אַרְבֶּה - 'arbeh): From the verb rabah, meaning "to be or become many, great, numerous." It speaks of abundance, increase, and continuation. Job expected a significant, ongoing expansion of his life's span.
• my days (יָמִים - yamim): Refers to the length of his life. He envisioned not merely continued life, but an extended, rich, and abundant one.
• like the phoenix.' (וְכַחוֹל - w'khakhol): Another highly debated term.
  • Like sand (חֹל - chol): Literally, chol means "sand." This interpretation suggests an innumerable quantity of days, reflecting the biblical promises of descendants "like the sand of the sea." Job thus expects his days to be as countless as grains of sand, signifying extreme longevity.
  • Like the phoenix: This is an alternative, often older, interpretation, supported by the Septuagint and Jewish traditions (Targum, Midrash) where chol is associated with the legendary phoenix. The phoenix is a mythical bird that lives for centuries, burns itself to ashes, and then rises anew from its own ashes, symbolizing rebirth, renewal, and immortality. If this interpretation is taken, Job envisioned a perpetual renewal of his life and vitality, never truly succumbing to age or decay, but rising again.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• 'I shall die in my nest': This phrase encapsulates Job's desire for a peaceful, dignified end to a long and successful life, secure within his established family and home, rather than suffering an unexpected or violent demise in exile or destitution. It signifies ultimate domestic tranquility and a complete life cycle. Alternatively, if "atsuwtz" is "flourish," it implies continuous strength and prosperity within his secure dwelling.
• 'and multiply my days like the phoenix': This signifies Job's expectation of boundless longevity and perpetual renewal. Whether understood as "innumerable like sand" or "continually reborn like the phoenix," both images convey a concept of an almost unending lifespan, far exceeding common human experience. It points to a confident, almost hubristic, expectation of divine favor and freedom from the ravages of time and misfortune.

Job 29 18 Bonus section

The choice between "sand" and "phoenix" for chol significantly impacts the nuances of Job's expectation. If "sand," Job expresses hope for simply immense longevity—a quantifiable extension of life. If "phoenix," it implies an aspiration for an unending, self-renewing existence, a transcendence over decay and death. While "sand" is often favored for its literal rendering and consistency with other biblical uses of chol for numerosity (e.g., Gen 22:17), the "phoenix" interpretation, though mythical, was deeply embedded in ancient Jewish and Christian thought as a symbol of immortality and resurrection, resonating with the theme of ultimate restoration found later in the book of Job. This dual interpretation underscores the rich symbolism and deep theological questions embedded even in single words within biblical texts. This verse serves as a potent reminder that human security is often built on assumptions, and only God truly holds the times and seasons of our lives.

Job 29 18 Commentary

Job 29:18 profoundly illuminates Job's pre-calamity mindset: an assured confidence rooted in perceived righteousness and divine blessing. He anticipates a tranquil end in his home, symbolizing a complete life of stability and continued prosperity. The imagery of multiplying days "like the sand" highlights an expectation of countless years, echoing Abrahamic promises of numerous offspring. The alternative "like the phoenix" underscores an expectation of perpetual renewal, rising above adversity, which provides a stark ironic contrast to his actual trials. This verse encapsulates the common ancient belief that righteousness equated to long life and prosperity, a belief shattered by Job's subsequent suffering. His expectation, while perhaps not sinful in itself, highlights the human tendency to project current blessings into an uninterrupted future, revealing a limitation in understanding God's diverse purposes. The verse ultimately serves as a poignant setup for the deeper theological questions of suffering and divine sovereignty explored in the book.