Job 42 17

Job 42:17 kjv

So Job died, being old and full of days.

Job 42:17 nkjv

So Job died, old and full of days.

Job 42:17 niv

And so Job died, an old man and full of years.

Job 42:17 esv

And Job died, an old man, and full of days.

Job 42:17 nlt

Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life.

Job 42 verses

Job 42 17 Meaning

Job 42:17 concludes the extraordinary narrative of Job by stating, "So Job died, being old and full of days." This verse signifies the peaceful and blessed end to Job's life, serving as the ultimate vindication of his faithfulness and God's restorative power. The phrase "full of days" carries profound theological weight, indicating not merely a long life, but a life brought to its divinely appointed and satisfying conclusion, demonstrating God's complete reversal of Job's prior suffering and loss. It confirms that Job received the ultimate earthly blessing, lived out to its natural and fulfilled completion under God's grace.

Job 42 17 Context

Job 42:17 stands as the culminating verse of the entire book of Job, providing a conclusive statement on the life of its protagonist. The book primarily grapples with the question of innocent suffering and God's justice. After experiencing unimaginable loss—his children, wealth, and health—Job endured intense debates with his friends, who adhered to the traditional theology that suffering was a direct result of sin. Job, maintaining his innocence, struggled to reconcile his experience with God's justice. The verse directly follows God's restoration of Job's fortunes, doubling his possessions and granting him new children. Historically and culturally, in the ancient Near East, longevity and a large progeny were clear indicators of divine blessing and prosperity, serving as tangible signs of God's favor. Thus, Job's prolonged and fulfilled life completely overturns the punitive assumptions of his friends and reestablishes his standing as righteous in God's eyes, not through a lack of suffering, but through endurance and divine grace.

Job 42 17 Word analysis

• So: (Hebrew: va·yye·he·w) - This serves as a consequential conjunction, marking the completion and outcome of the entire narrative that preceded it. It signifies the peaceful and ultimate resolution to Job's tumultuous life.

• Job: (Hebrew: 'Iyyôḇ) - Refers to the central figure of the book, whose identity and faithfulness were the focus of profound theological and philosophical debate. The ending of his story directly resolves the core tension.

• died: (Hebrew: wa·yya·moṯ) - A straightforward declaration of Job's physical end. Crucially, in Job's context, it signifies a full and natural lifespan, a sharp contrast to the expectation of a premature and tragic death for one perceived as having offended God.

• being old: (Hebrew: zaqen) - This adjective emphasizes Job's advanced age at the time of his death. It serves as a clear indication of a life lived long and sustained by God, dispelling any notion that his suffering led to a curtailed existence. It represents the fulfillment of divine blessing of long life promised to the righteous.

• and full of days: (Hebrew: uś·ḇa‘ yā·mîm) - This is a significant Hebrew idiom. "Śaḇa‘" (to be satisfied, sated) joined with "yamim" (days) implies not just reaching an advanced age, but a life that was complete, fulfilling, and divinely satisfied. It suggests that Job experienced life to its full measure, not wishing for it to be longer or feeling it was cut short. It is a sign of immense divine blessing and favor, similar to how it's used for Abraham and Isaac.

• "So Job died": This phrase succinctly delivers the narrative's conclusion regarding Job's earthly journey. It signifies the appointed, peaceful end of a remarkable life, particularly remarkable given the severity of his previous trials. This finality emphasizes that despite immense suffering, Job completed his life's course under God's guidance.

• "being old and full of days": This specific combination highlights the quality and divinely appointed duration of Job's life post-restoration. "Old" refers to a natural, extensive lifespan, affirming divine protection. "Full of days" conveys profound blessing, meaning his life was lived to a state of completion and satisfaction in God's will. It refutes the idea that suffering automatically implies unrighteousness leading to a premature or unfulfilled life. Instead, it powerfully affirms that Job experienced a life of complete blessedness from the hand of God until its natural and satisfactory end.

Job 42 17 Bonus section

• The phrase "full of days" (śeḇa‘ yamim) is specifically associated with patriarchs like Abraham (Gen 25:8) and Isaac (Gen 35:29), highlighting Job's esteemed place among the truly blessed in faith. It signifies God's complete satisfaction with the life of His servant, bringing it to a meaningful closure.
• This verse stands as a powerful polemic against the "retribution theology" prevalent in Job's time and throughout parts of the Old Testament where good was strictly tied to blessing and evil to curse. Job's story, ending with profound blessing after extreme suffering, fundamentally challenges this simplistic view, demonstrating God's mysterious ways and ultimate justice beyond human understanding.
• Job's narrative culminates in physical blessing and longevity, echoing covenantal promises for obedience (Deut 11:21) and honor (Exo 20:12). This shows that despite suffering not being a result of sin in Job's case, God's promise of abundant life to the righteous remained true in the end.

Job 42 17 Commentary

Job 42:17 serves as a vital epilogue, sealing the powerful lessons of the book of Job. It presents the definitive answer to the intense theological debates within the narrative: God is just, and He rewards those who are faithful to Him, even when they suffer unjustly. Job's long and fulfilled life, encapsulated by "old and full of days," acts as God's clear vindication of His servant. This phrase directly contradicts the traditional theology proposed by Job's friends, who believed Job's calamities were proof of his secret sins. Instead, Job’s ending proclaims that a life can be deeply afflicted and yet still divinely blessed, reaching a complete and satisfied conclusion. This outcome underscores that human wisdom cannot fully comprehend God's ways, but His ultimate character is one of compassion and mercy, bringing restoration and purpose even through pain. The verse reminds us that true blessedness is not the absence of trials, but God's sustaining presence and His eventual glorious resolution of them. Job’s example offers hope that faithfulness in adversity is honored by God, culminating in a fulfilled life that bears testimony to His sovereignty and grace.