Job 14:21
Job 14:21 in Multiple Translations
If his sons receive honor, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he is unaware.
His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; And they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
His sons come to honour, and he has no knowledge of it; they are made low, but he is not conscious of it.
Their children may become important or fall from their positions, but they don't know or see any of this.
And he knoweth not if his sonnes shall be honourable, neither shall he vnderstand concerning them, whether they shalbe of lowe degree,
Honoured are his sons, and he knoweth not; And they are little, and he attendeth not to them.
His sons come to honor, and he doesn’t know it. They are brought low, but he doesn’t perceive it of them.
His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
Whether his children come to honour or dishonour, he shall not understand.
When we die we do not know if our sons will grow up and do things that will cause them to be honored. And if they become disgraced, we do not see that, either.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 14:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 14:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יִכְבְּד֣וּ
בָ֭נָי/ו
וְ/לֹ֣א
יֵדָ֑ע
וְ֝/יִצְעֲר֗וּ
וְֽ/לֹא
יָבִ֥ין
לָֽ/מוֹ
יִכְבְּד֣וּ
kâbad
H3513
to honor
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
בָ֭נָי/ו
bên
H1121
son
N-mp | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יֵדָ֑ע
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ֝/יִצְעֲר֗וּ
tsâʻar
H6819
be little
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
וְֽ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יָבִ֥ין
bîyn
H995
to understand
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לָֽ/מוֹ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 14:21
יִכְבְּד֣וּ
kâbad
H3513
"to honor"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This word can mean to honor or make something weighty, like when God is glorified in Psalm 138, or to be heavy with burdens, as the Israelites were in Exodus 18.
Definition: : honour/glory 1) to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honoured 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be heavy 1a2) to be heavy, be insensible, be dull 1a3) to be honoured 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made heavy, be honoured, enjoy honour, be made abundant 1b2) to get oneself glory or honour, gain glory 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to make heavy, make dull, make insensible 1c2) to make honourable, honour, glorify 1d) (Pual) to be made honourable, be honoured 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to make heavy 1e2) to make heavy, make dull, make unresponsive 1e3) to cause to be honoured 1f) (Hithpael) 1f1) to make oneself heavy, make oneself dense, make oneself numerous 1f2) to honour oneself
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: abounding with, more grievously afflict, boast, be chargeable, [idiom] be dim, glorify, be (make) glorious (things), glory, (very) great, be grievous, harden, be (make) heavy, be heavier, lay heavily, (bring to, come to, do, get, be had in) honour (self), (be) honourable (man), lade, [idiom] more be laid, make self many, nobles, prevail, promote (to honour), be rich, be (go) sore, stop. See also: Genesis 13:2; Job 6:3; Psalms 15:4.
בָ֭נָי/ו
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יֵדָ֑ע
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
וְ֝/יִצְעֲר֗וּ
tsâʻar
H6819
"be little"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To be small or insignificant is the meaning of this word, sometimes used to describe humble people or those who are oppressed, like the poor in the book of Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to be or grow insignificant, grow small 1a) (Qal) to ge insignificant
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: be brought low, little one, be small. See also: Job 14:21; Jeremiah 30:19; Zechariah 13:7.
וְֽ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יָבִ֥ין
bîyn
H995
"to understand"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To understand or discern, this verb means to separate mentally and know something with your mind, as seen in Proverbs where it talks about gaining insight.
Definition: 1) to discern, understand, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to perceive, discern 1a2) to understand, know (with the mind) 1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider 1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding 1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to understand 1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach 1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently 1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct 2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
Usage: Occurs in 162 OT verses. KJV: attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man). See also: Genesis 41:33; Psalms 139:2; Psalms 5:2.
לָֽ/מוֹ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Job 14:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 14:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 14:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 14:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 14:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 14:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 14:21
- Cambridge Bible on Job 14:21
- Barnes' Notes on Job 14:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 14:21
- Sermons on Job 14:21
Context — Job Laments the Finality of Death
19as water wears away the stones and torrents wash away the soil, so You destroy a man’s hope.
20You forever overpower him, and he passes on; You change his countenance and send him away.
21If his sons receive honor, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he is unaware.
22He feels only the pain of his own body and mourns only for himself.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecclesiastes 9:5 | For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten. |
| 2 | Ecclesiastes 2:18–19 | I hated all for which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. |
| 3 | Isaiah 63:16 | Yet You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name. |
| 4 | Psalms 39:6 | Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 4:20 | As she was dying, the women attending to her said, “Do not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son!” But she did not respond or pay any heed. |
| 6 | Isaiah 39:7–8 | And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” But Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “At least there will be peace and security in my lifetime.” |
Job 14:21 Summary
This verse, Job 14:21, is saying that when we die, we won't know what happens to our children or family members, whether they do well or struggle. This can be a hard truth to accept, but it reminds us to focus on what really matters in life, like our relationship with God (as seen in Psalms 73:25-26). We can trust that God is in control, even when we're not around to see what happens, and that He has a plan to bring good out of all things, as promised in Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main idea of Job 14:21?
The main idea of Job 14:21 is that when a person dies, they are no longer aware of what happens to their family or descendants, as seen in the Berean Standard Bible text, which says, 'If his sons receive honor, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he is unaware.' This is similar to what is stated in Ecclesiastes 9:5, which says the dead are unaware of anything that happens on earth.
Is this verse saying that death is the end of all existence?
No, this verse is not saying that death is the end of all existence, but rather that the dead are no longer aware of earthly events, as supported by Job 14:21 and also hinted at in Psalms 146:4, which states that when a person dies, their thoughts perish.
How does this verse relate to the concept of an afterlife?
This verse does not directly address the concept of an afterlife, but it does highlight the separation between the living and the dead, as seen in Job 14:21, which can be contrasted with the hope of eternal life and reunion with loved ones found in John 11:25-26.
What does this verse teach us about the importance of legacy?
This verse teaches us that our legacy, in the sense of what happens to our family or descendants after we die, is not something we will be aware of or able to control, as stated in Job 14:21, which is why it's essential to focus on our relationship with God and living a life that honors Him, as encouraged in Matthew 6:19-21.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things that you worry about leaving behind when you die, and how can you trust God with those concerns?
- How does the reality of death and the afterlife impact your priorities and decisions in life?
- In what ways can you use your time on earth to build a legacy that honors God, even if you won't be aware of its impact after you're gone?
- What does this verse reveal about the nature of human existence and our place in the world?
Gill's Exposition on Job 14:21
His sons come to honour,.... Or "are multiplied" (s), see Nahum 3:15; their families increase like a flock, become very numerous, which was reckoned a great blessing; or "become heavy" (t); being
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 14:21
His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 14:21
He knoweth it not; either, 1. Is ignorant of all such events; or, 2. Is not concerned nor affected with them. A dead or dying man minds not these things.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 14:21
Job 14:21 His sons come to honour, and he knoweth [it] not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth [it] not of them.Ver. 21. His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not] While he lieth sick, he regardeth no earthly thing, no, not what becometh of his children (formerly his greatest care), whether they be advanced or impaired in their outward condition, Omnis hi Ascanio churi stat cura parentis (Vir.). As when he is dead he can take no knowledge of anything done in this world, Isaiah 63:16 Ecclesiastes 2:19; Ecclesiastes 9:6, be his children or friends rich or poor, high or low, he is both ignorant and insensible. It was a base slander, published by a Jesuit, some years after Queen Elizabeth’ s death, That as she died without sense or feeling of God’ s mercies, so that she wished she might after her death hang a while in the air, to see what striving would be for her kingdom. As for that opinion of some Papists, That the dead do sometimes return into the land of the living, that they know how things go here, and make report thereof to those in heaven, it is contrary to the whole Scripture.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 14:21
Verse 21. His sons come to honour] When dead, he is equally indifferent and unconscious whether his children have met with a splendid or oppressive lot in life; for as to this world, when man dies, in that day all his thoughts perish.
Cambridge Bible on Job 14:21
21. “The dead know not anything … also their love … is now perished,” Ecclesiastes 9:5-6.
Barnes' Notes on Job 14:21
His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not - He is unacquainted with what is passing on the earth.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 14:21
21. He knoweth it not — The dead are ignorant of what takes place among the living. Compare Ecclesiastes 9:5-6.
Sermons on Job 14:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Through the Bible) Ecclesiastes 7-12 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of remembering God in one's youth. He highlights that most conversions to Jesus Christ happen during the teenage years and en |
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The Times of the World. 3:1-22 by W.J. Erdman | In this sermon by W.J. Erdman, the Preacher reflects on the fleeting nature of human life and the inscrutable ways of God's eternal purpose. He contemplates the limited understandi |
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Under the Sun by W.J. Erdman | W.J. Erdman preaches on the perspective of the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, emphasizing the focus on earthly life 'under the sun' and the natural man's absorption with present labor a |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 184 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the danger of being influenced by man rather than God. He highlights the vanity and emptiness of worldly pursuits and the need to be free to |
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Homily 12 on Ephesians by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of living a life separate from the ways of the world, urging believers to walk in the path of God and not in the vanity of their minds lik |
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Vanity of Vanities by Michael Wigglesworth | Michael Wigglesworth delivers a powerful sermon on the emptiness and fleeting nature of worldly pursuits, highlighting how man's best estate is still filled with restlessness and v |
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Some More Particular Directions for Maintaining Continual Communion With God by Philip Doddridge | Philip Doddridge preaches about the importance of maintaining a devout, spiritual, and heavenly character in daily life, emphasizing the need for self-examination, prayer, and devo |