Job 22:16

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

They were snatched away before their time, and their foundations were swept away by a flood.

American Standard Version (1901)

Who were snatched away before their time, Whose foundation was poured out as a stream,

Bible in Basic English

Who were violently taken away before their time, who were overcome by the rush of waters:

Free Bible Version

They were taken before their time; all they had built was washed away.

King James (Authorized) Version

Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:

Translation for Translators

They suddenly died while they were still young; they disappeared like everything disappears when there is a flood [MET].

Unlocked Literal Bible

those who were snatched away before their time, those whose foundations have washed away like a river,

Noah Webster Bible

Who were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflowed with a flood!

World English Bible

who were snatched away before their time, whose foundation was poured out as a stream,

Young's Literal Translation

Who have been cut down unexpectedly, A flood is poured out on their foundation.

Context

Eliphaz: Can a Man Be of Use to God?

¹⁵Will you stay on the ancient path that wicked men have trod? ¹⁶They were snatched away before their time, and their foundations were swept away by a flood. ¹⁷They said to God, ‘Depart from us. What can the Almighty do to us?’

Summary

This verse in the book of Job highlights the wickedness of the people of the ancient world who were cut off before their time due to their rebellion against God. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from the Lord and living in sin. The imagery of a flood sweeping away the foundations of these evildoers emphasizes the swiftness and severity of divine judgment. Ultimately, this verse underscores the importance of living in obedience to God and the need for repentance to avoid facing His righteous wrath.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Whose foundation was overflown with a flood - The unrighteous in the days of Noah, who appear to have had an abundance of all temporal good, (Job 22:18), and who surpassed the deeds of all the former wicked, said in effect to God, Depart from us. And when Noah preached unto them the terrors of the Lord, and the necessity of repentance, they rejected his preaching with, What can the Almighty do for us? Let him do his worst; we care not for him, Job 22:17. For למו lamo, to Them, the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic have evidently read לנו lanu, to Us. This reading quotes their own saying; the former reading narrates it in the third person. The meaning, however, is the same.