Job 21:32
Job 21:32 in Multiple Translations
He is carried to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.
Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
Yet shall he be borne to the grave, And men shall keep watch over the tomb.
He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
When they eventually die and are carried to the graveyard, their tomb is guarded. The earth of the grave softly covers them.
Yet shall he be brought to the graue, and remaine in the heape.
And he — to the graves he is brought. And over the heap a watch is kept.
Yet he will be borne to the grave. Men will keep watch over the tomb.
Yet he shall be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
He shall be brought to the graves, and shall watch in the heap of the dead.
The corpses of wicked people are carried to their graves, and people are put there to guard those graves.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 21:32
BAB
Word Study
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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 21:32 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ֭/הוּא
לִ/קְבָר֣וֹת
יוּבָ֑ל
וְֽ/עַל
גָּדִ֥ישׁ
יִשְׁקֽוֹד
וְ֭/הוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Conj | Pron
לִ/קְבָר֣וֹת
qeber
H6913
grave
Prep | N-mp
יוּבָ֑ל
yâbal
H2986
to conduct
V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms
וְֽ/עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Conj | Prep
גָּדִ֥ישׁ
gâdîysh
H1430
stack
N-ms
יִשְׁקֽוֹד
shâqad
H8245
to watch
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
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 21:32
וְ֭/הוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
לִ/קְבָר֣וֹת
qeber
H6913
"grave"
Prep | N-mp
A grave or sepulchre is a place where the dead are buried, often a tomb or burial site. This word is used in the Bible to describe the final resting place of individuals, and is translated as burying place or sepulchre in the KJV.
Definition: grave, sepulchre, tomb
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: burying place, grave, sepulchre. See also: Genesis 23:4; 2 Chronicles 32:33; Psalms 5:10.
יוּבָ֑ל
yâbal
H2986
"to conduct"
V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lead or conduct someone or something, often with grandeur. It's first used in Genesis to describe God's power. The word can also mean to carry or bring something along.
Definition: 1) to bring, lead, carry, conduct, bear along 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to bear along, bring 1a2) to carry away, lead away 1a3) to lead, conduct 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be borne along 1b2) to be borne (to the grave) 1b3) to be brought, be led, be conducted Aramaic equivalent: ye.val (יְבַל "to bring" H2987)
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: bring (forth), carry, lead (forth). See also: Job 10:19; Isaiah 18:7; Psalms 45:15.
וְֽ/עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
גָּדִ֥ישׁ
gâdîysh
H1430
"stack"
N-ms
A stack of sheaves or a tomb, used to describe a place where grain is stored or a burial site. The Bible uses this word to describe both a stack of corn and a tomb. The KJV translates it as 'shock' or 'tomb'.
Definition: heap, stack, pile
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: shock (stack) (of corn), tomb. See also: Exodus 22:5; Job 5:26; Job 21:32.
יִשְׁקֽוֹד
shâqad
H8245
"to watch"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
Being watchful or alert is what this word means, often used to describe staying awake or vigilant. In the book of Psalms, it is used to describe God watching over his people. It implies a sense of careful attention or surveillance.
Definition: 1) to wake, watch, awake, be alert 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep watch of, be wakeful over 1a2) to be wakeful, wake (as mourner or sufferer)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: hasten, remain, wake, watch (for). See also: Ezra 8:29; Isaiah 29:20; Psalms 102:8.
Study Notes — Job 21:32
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 21:32 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 21:32
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 21:32
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 21:32
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 21:32
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 21:32
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 21:32
- Cambridge Bible on Job 21:32
- Barnes' Notes on Job 21:32
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 21:32
- Sermons on Job 21:32
Context — Job: God Will Punish the Wicked
30Indeed, the evil man is spared from the day of calamity, delivered from the day of wrath.
31Who denounces his behavior to his face? Who repays him for what he has done?
32He is carried to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.
33The clods of the valley are sweet to him; everyone follows behind him, and those before him are without number. 34So how can you comfort me with empty words? For your answers remain full of falsehood.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 16:22 | One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried. |
| 2 | Psalms 49:14 | Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 32:21–32 | Mighty chiefs will speak from the midst of Sheol about Egypt and her allies: ‘They have come down and lie with the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword.’ Assyria is there with her whole company; her graves are all around her. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword. Her graves are set in the depths of the Pit, and her company is all around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword— those who once spread terror in the land of the living. Elam is there with all her multitudes around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword— those who went down uncircumcised to the earth below, who once spread their terror in the land of the living. They bear their disgrace with those who descend to the Pit. Among the slain they prepare a resting place for Elam with all her hordes, with her graves all around her. All of them are uncircumcised, slain by the sword, although their terror was once spread in the land of the living. They bear their disgrace with those who descend to the Pit. They are placed among the slain. Meshech and Tubal are there with all their multitudes, with their graves all around them. All of them are uncircumcised, slain by the sword, because they spread their terror in the land of the living. They do not lie down with the fallen warriors of old, who went down to Sheol with their weapons of war, whose swords were placed under their heads, whose shields rested on their bones, although the terror of the mighty was once in the land of the living. But you too will be shattered and lie down among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword. Edom is there, and all her kings and princes, who despite their might are laid among those slain by the sword. They lie down with the uncircumcised, with those who descend to the Pit. All the leaders of the north and all the Sidonians are there; they went down in disgrace with the slain, despite the terror of their might. They lie uncircumcised with those slain by the sword and bear their shame with those who descend to the Pit. Pharaoh will see them and be comforted over all his multitude— Pharaoh and all his army, slain by the sword, declares the Lord GOD. For I will spread My terror in the land of the living, so that Pharaoh and all his multitude will be laid to rest among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword, declares the Lord GOD.” |
Job 21:32 Summary
This verse, Job 21:32, talks about how even bad people can have a peaceful death and be treated with respect after they die. It might seem unfair that they get to die with dignity while good people suffer, but we have to remember that God sees everything and will judge everyone fairly in the end (as seen in Romans 2:16 and Revelation 20:12). This verse is a reminder to trust in God's justice and not get caught up in how the world rewards or punishes people. We should focus on living a life that honors God, just like Job did, and trust that He will take care of everything else (Job 1:21, Psalm 37:3-7).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be carried to the grave in Job 21:32?
Being carried to the grave means to die and be buried, often with the implication of a dignified or honorable funeral, as seen in the case of Jacob in Genesis 49:33 and Joseph in Genesis 50:26.
Why is watch kept over the tomb in this verse?
The watch over the tomb may symbolize the respect and honor given to the deceased, but it also serves as a reminder that even in death, the wicked may seem to have escaped judgment, as noted in Psalm 73:4, but God's justice will ultimately prevail.
Is this verse suggesting that the wicked always have an easy death?
No, this verse is not making a universal statement about the ease of death for the wicked, but rather highlighting the seeming injustice that the wicked often appear to die with dignity, as opposed to the suffering of the righteous, as expressed in Psalm 73:3-5.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of the book of Job?
This verse contributes to the book of Job's exploration of the problem of evil and the seeming injustice of the world, where the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer, a theme also touched upon in Ecclesiastes 7:15 and Jeremiah 12:1-2.
Reflection Questions
- What are my own feelings towards the death of those who have lived wickedly, and how do I reconcile those feelings with God's justice?
- In what ways do I see the world's values and honors being bestowed upon those who do not follow God, and how does this affect my own trust in God's sovereignty?
- How does the image of the watch over the tomb make me think about the way I treat the memory of those who have passed away, and what does this reveal about my own values and priorities?
- What does this verse teach me about the nature of death and the afterlife, and how should this impact my daily living and decisions?
Gill's Exposition on Job 21:32
Yet shall he be brought to the grave,.... Or "and", "or yea he shall be brought", c.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 21:32
Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. Yet - rather, And, brought-with solemn pomp . Not only when alive, but even when dead, he is treated with honour.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 21:32
Yet, Heb. and. The pomp of his death shall be suitable to the glory of his life. Shall he be brought, with pomp and state, as the word signifies. To the grave, Heb. to the graves, i.e. to an honourable and eminent grave; the plural number being oft used emphatically to note eminency, as . He shall not die a violent, but a natural death, and shall lie in the bed of honour. Shall remain in the tomb, Heb. shall watch (i.e. have a constant and fixed abode, as watchmen have in the watching-place) in the heap, i.e. in his grave, which is called a heap, either because the earth is there heaped up, or because it was adorned with some pyramid or other monument raised up to his honour. His body shall quietly rest in his grave or monument, where he shall be embalmed and preserved so entire and uncorrupted, that he might rather seem to be a living watchman, set there to guard the body, than to be a dead corpse.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 21:32
Job 21:32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.Ver. 32. Yet shall he be brought to the grave] He that was erst so stern and terrible shall shortly be laid low enough, and then leoni mortuo vel mus insultabit. the corpse of a lion or a leaping mouse. Though he were such a son of Belial that none could speak to him (as Nabal was, 1 Samuel 25:17), yet death will speak with him, and confute this proud haughty scorner, that dealeth in proud wrath. When death comes, saith Sir Walter Raleigh, which hates and destroys men, that is believed and obeyed; but God, that loveth and maketh men, he is not regarded. Oh mighty death! Oh eloquent death! whom none could advise, thou art able to prevail with. And shall remain in the tomb] Heb. He shall watch over the heap, super tumulum cumulo frugum in area constructo similem (Lavat.); as a watchman, there he is fixed and keeps this place. Or, He shall be watched in the tomb.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 21:32
(32) And shall remain in the tomb.—The word rendered tomb is rendered shock of corn in Job 5:26, and is not found in the sense of tomb elsewhere. It is doubtful, therefore, whether this is its meaning here. The verse may mean: “He shall be borne to the grave, and men shall watch over his sheaves,” i.e., his possessions; or “He shall be borne to the grave with as much deference as when he used to watch over his sheaves” (to protect them from robbery).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 21:32
Verse 32. Yet shall he be brought to the grave] He shall die like other men; and the corruption of the grave shall prey upon him. Mr. Carlyle, in his specimens of Arabic poetry, Translations, p. 16, quotes this verse, which he translates and paraphrases, והוא לקברות יובל "He shall be brought to the grave," ועל גדוש ישקוד And shall watch upon the high-raised heap." It was the opinion of the pagan Arabs, that upon the death of any person, a bird, by them called Manah, issued from the brain, and haunted the sepulchre of the deceased, uttering a lamentable scream. This notion, he adds, is evidently alluded to in Job 21:32. Thus Abusahel, on the death of his mistress: - "If her ghost's funereal screech Through the earth my grave should reach, On that voice I loved so well My transported ghost would dwell."
Cambridge Bible on Job 21:32
27–34. Finally, still pursuing his argument, Job turns to the insinuations of his friends against himself, which lie under their descriptions of the fate of the wicked. He knows what they mean when they say, Where is the house of the prince? But their conclusions were against the testimony of those who had travelled far and seen much. These testified that the wicked man was preserved in the day of destruction; that he came to an honoured grave, and the clods of the valley lay softly on him; and that his example, so far from being shunned, was followed by the mass of men, as there were multitudes that preceded him in the way he walked.
Barnes' Notes on Job 21:32
Yet shall he be brought to the grave - Margin, “graves.” That is, he is brought with honor and prosperity to the grave. He is not cut down by manifest divine displeasure for his sins.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 21:32
32. The grave — Like “dwelling-places” in Job 21:28, “the graves” here is an amplificative plural. (Delitzsch.) Brought — The idea of pomp, or ceremony, is involved in the word youbal.
Sermons on Job 21:32
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Between Death and Resurrection - Part 2 by David Pawson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of regret and the certainty of the afterlife. He emphasizes that once a person is in the prison of death, there is no going back |
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The Significance of Resurrection - Part 1 by Derek Prince | This sermon delves into the concept of resurrection, emphasizing the distinction between the body, soul, and spirit, and the significance of the resurrection of the body. It explor |
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The Eternal Torment of the Wicked by Robert Murray M'Cheyne | Robert Murray M'Cheyne delivers a sobering sermon on 'The Eternal Torment of the Wicked', emphasizing that the eternal punishment of the wicked will be a source of joy and praise f |
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After You Die by Bakht Singh | Bakht Singh preaches about the contrasting beliefs of reincarnation and the afterlife as depicted in the Bible. He emphasizes that the story of the rich man and Lazarus is a real-l |
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1 Peter 3:19 by John Gill | John Gill explores 1 Peter 3:19, discussing the various interpretations of Christ's preaching to the spirits in prison. He argues against the notion that Christ's human soul descen |
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Of the Punishment of Sin. by John Gill | John Gill addresses the punishment of sin, emphasizing that all humanity, as descendants of Adam, is subject to both temporal and eternal punishment due to original sin and actual |
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Death by Thomas Boston | Thomas Boston preaches about the contrasting states of the wicked and the righteous in death. The wicked are driven away in their wickedness, hopeless and without solid ground for |