Job 15:22

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

He despairs of his return from darkness; he is marked for the sword.

American Standard Version (1901)

He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, And he is waited for of the sword.

Bible in Basic English

He has no hope of coming safe out of the dark, and his fate will be the sword;

Free Bible Version

They don't believe they will escape the darkness—they know a sword is waiting for them.

King James (Authorized) Version

He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.

Translation for Translators

Wicked people surely know that they will not escape from darkness/death, because they are sure that someone is waiting to kill them with a sword.

Unlocked Literal Bible

He does not think that he will return out of darkness; the sword waits for him.

Noah Webster Bible

He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for by the sword.

World English Bible

He doesn’t believe that he will return out of darkness. He is waited for by the sword.

Young's Literal Translation

He believeth not to return from darkness, And watched [is] he for the sword.

Context

Eliphaz: Job Does Not Fear God

²¹Sounds of terror fill his ears; in his prosperity the destroyer attacks him. ²²He despairs of his return from darkness; he is marked for the sword. ²³He wanders about as food for vultures; he knows the day of darkness is at hand.

Summary

In this verse, Eliphaz, one of Job's friends, accuses Job of being wicked and deserving of punishment from God. Eliphaz believes that Job's suffering is a direct result of his sin and that he is reaping what he has sown. This verse reflects the common belief in the Old Testament that suffering was a consequence of wrongdoing, but it also serves as a reminder of the importance of showing compassion and understanding towards those who are going through difficult times, rather than jumping to conclusions or passing judgment.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

That he shall return out of darkness - If he take but a few steps in the dark, he expects the dagger of the assassin. This appears to be the only meaning of the place. Some think the passage should be understood to signify that he has no hope of a resurrection; he can never escape from the tomb. This I doubt: in the days of the writer of this book, the doctrine of a future judgment was understood in every part of the East where the knowledge of the true God was diffused.