Job 21:32 — Word Study
WLCוְ֭הוּא לִקְבָר֣וֹת יוּבָ֑ל וְֽעַל־ גָּדִ֥ישׁ יִשְׁקֽוֹד׃
BSA◂Hehûwʼ [the wicked one] is carriedyâbal▸ [brought, conducted with honor] to the graveqeber [sepulchre, tomb, place of burial] and watch is keptshâqad▸ [vigilant attention, careful observation, men shall keep, people are put to guard] overʻal his tombgâdîysh [heap of the dead, burial site, stack of memorial]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְ֭הוּא | and he | Conjunction, pronoun |
| לִקְבָר֣וֹת | to [the] grave | Preposition, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| יוּבָ֑ל | he will be borne | Verb, Hophal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| וְֽעַל־ | and over | Conjunction, preposition |
| גָּדִ֥ישׁ | a tomb | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| יִשְׁקֽוֹד׃ | someone will keep watch | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He is carried to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb. |
| KJV | Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. |
| ASV | Yet shall he be borne to the grave, And men shall keep watch over the tomb. |
| YLT | And he — to the graves he is brought. And over the heap a watch is kept. |
| WEB | Yet he will be borne to the grave. Men will keep watch over the tomb. |
| BBE | He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it. |
The translations agree on the rendering of יוּבָ֑ל as 'is carried' — see How Translations Differ.
The structure features a main clause followed by two subordinate phrases, indicating the actions and their contexts.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectהוּא
verbיָבַל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 21:32
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job's Reflection on the Wickedgenerated
Job 21:32 reflects on the fate of the wicked, who, despite their actions, are treated with a certain level of honor in death. Job contrasts their burial with the lack of comfort he receives from his friends, who offer empty words. This passage is part of a larger discussion where Job questions the justice of God regarding the apparent prosperity of the wicked, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 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. |
| 2 | 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.’ |
| 3 | 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. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יוּבָ֑ל, yu.Valgenerated
The verb יָבַל (yabal) means to conduct or carry, often with a sense of honor or importance. In this context, it indicates that the wicked are not just buried but are borne to their graves with a certain reverence.
The Hophal form indicates a passive meaning, suggesting that the wicked are led to their graves by others, emphasizing the communal aspect of burial practices.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses is carried for יוּבָ֑ל.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יוּבָ֑ל, he will be borne, governs the main clause, indicating the action of being carried to the grave. The structure includes a prepositional phrase describing the destination and another prepositional phrase indicating the attention given to the tomb.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the subject וְ֭הוּא (and he), highlighting the wicked one as the focus of the statement.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יוּבָ֑ל as ἀπηνέξθη, meaning 'to be carried away.' This choice reflects a similar sense of honor in burial, aligning with the Hebrew meaning but perhaps emphasizing the act of removal from life.
The translation shows continuity in the understanding of burial practices, as both texts convey the importance of how the dead are treated.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 21:32 tells us that the wicked are honored in death, being carried to their graves while others keep watch over their tombs. This reflects societal norms regarding burial and respect for the dead, even for those who lived unrighteously.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It indicates that even those who lived wickedly receive a burial with honor, which contrasts with Job's suffering.
This reflects the societal customs of honoring the dead, showing that their memory is preserved even after death.
It highlights Job's struggle with the apparent prosperity of the wicked, questioning the justice of their treatment in life and death.
The verse indicates that burial practices were significant and involved communal respect, even for those deemed wicked.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does this verse reveal about societal views on death and burial?
- How does the treatment of the wicked in death challenge our understanding of justice?
- In what ways can we reflect on how we honor the memory of those who have passed?
- How does Job's perspective on the wicked influence your view of fairness in life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentary on this verse discusses the treatment of the wicked in death, with references from Gregory the Dialogist's work on Job.
Ver. 32. He shall be brought to the graves, and in the heap of the dead bodies he shall watch. 70. Whereas graves cover dead bodies, what else is denoted by 'the graves' but the lost,Early Church Fathers on Job 21 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 21:32 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleYet shall he be brought to the grave,.... Or "and", "or yea he shall be brought", c.
Read John Gill on Job 21 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryYet 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.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 21 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleYet, 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…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 21 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 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…
Read John Trapp on Job 21 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(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).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 21 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 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…
Read AdamClarke on Job 21 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges27–34. 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.
Read Cambridge on Job 21 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleYet 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.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 21 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He is carried to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.
Yet he will be borne to the grave. Men will keep watch over the tomb.
He is carried to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.
And when he is carried to the tombs, and watch is kept over the funeral mound,
Tyndale line
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.
Yet shall he be borne to the grave, and shall keep watch over the tomb.
Yet he shall be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
Yet shall he be brought to the graue, and remaine in the heape.
Strictly literal
Yet is he carried to the graves, and watch is kept over the tomb.
And he — to the graves he is brought. And over the heap a watch is kept.
And he is brought to the graves, || And a watch is kept over the heap.
Yea he will indeed be carried to the grave, and men will quickly think of his monument:
Yet he will be borne to the grave; men will keep watch over his tomb.
From the Latin
He shall be brought to the graves, and shall watch in the heap of the dead.
Simplified
When they eventually die and are carried to the graveyard, their tomb is guarded. The earth of the grave softly covers them.
He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording for this verse, indicating a consistent understanding of the fate of the wicked in both traditions.
וְ֭הוּא לִקְבָר֣וֹת יוּבָ֑ל וְֽעַל־ גָּדִ֥ישׁ יִשְׁקֽוֹד׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 21:32
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.
הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it
an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
It resumes the subj. with emph.
Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
As an emph. predicate, of God
In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
base
H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
. It resumes the subj. with emph.
. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
. As an emph. predicate, of God
. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
1931 huw' hoo
of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a
primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or
it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also
(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;
sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally
(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),
it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,
this, those, which (is), who.
הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.
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)
Conj | Pron — Conjunction · pronounHC/Pp3ms
ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.
קֶ֫בֶר (qeber) refers to a grave or sepulchre, indicating a burial place. It is derived from the root word for 'to bury' and is used in contexts related to tombs. The entries consistently define it as a place of interment without notable disagreement.
קֶ֫בֶר 67 n.m. grave, sepulchre
base
H6913 קֶ֫בֶר grave, sepulchre
6913 qeber, keh'-ber
or (feminine) qibrah {kib-raw'}; from 6912; a
sepulchre:--burying place, grave, sepulchre.
see HEBREW for 06912
קֶ֫בֶר (qe.ver) — grave.
grave, sepulchre, tomb
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common feminine plural absoluteHR/Ncfpa
Grave
Among the ancient Hebrews graves were outside of cities in the open field (Luke 7:12; John 11:30). Kings (1 Kings 2:10) and prophets (1 Sam. 25:1) were generally buried within cities. Graves were generally grottoes or caves, natural or hewn out in rocks (Isa. 22:16; Matt. 27:60). There were family cemeteries (Gen. 47:29; 50:5; 2 Sam. 19:37). Public burial-places were assigned to the poor (Jer.…
[BURIAL, SEPULCHRES]
יָבַל (yabal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to conduct or carry along. It encompasses various actions such as leading, bearing offerings, and being led to the grave. The word has both Hiphil and Hophal forms, indicating active and passive meanings, respectively. There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְבַל (ye.val), also meaning 'to bring'.
[יָבַל] vb. Hiph. conduct, bear along
Hiph.
bear along offerings
carry away
Hoph.
be borne along
be borne to the grave
be led, conducted
base
H2986 יָבַל Hiph. conduct, bear along . . bear along offerings
. carry away
. . be borne along
. be borne to the grave
. be led, conducted
2986 yabal yaw-bal'
a primitive root; properly, to flow; causatively, to bring
(especially with pomp):--bring (forth), carry, lead (forth).
יָבַל (ya.val) — to conduct.
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)
V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hophal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVHi3ms
See BORN.
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence 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
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence 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 . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
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)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Conj | Prep — Conjunction · prepositionHC/R
גָּדִישׁ (gadiysh) refers to both a 'heap' or 'stack' and a 'tomb.' It is derived from an unused root meaning to heap up. The word encompasses physical stacks, such as sheaves of grain, and metaphorically extends to burial sites, as noted in Job 21:32.
ref
H1430a גָּדִישׁ heap, stack H1430b גָּדִישׁ tomb
1430 gadiysh gaw-deesh'
from an unused root (meaning to heap up); a stack of sheaves;
by analogy, a tomb:--shock (stack) (of corn), tomb.
גָּדִישׁ (ga.dish) — stack.
heap, stack, pile
גָּדִישׁ (ga.dish) — tomb.
tomb
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
toom.
See BURIAL.
From the burial of Sarah in the cave of Machpelah, (Genesis 23:19) to the funeral rites prepared for Dorcas, (Acts 9:37) there is no mention of any sarcophagus, or even coffin, in any Jewish burial. Still less were the rites of the Jews like those of the Pelasgi or Etruscans. They were marked with the same simplicity that characterized all their religious observances. This simplicity of rite led to what may be called the distinguishing characteristic of Jewish sepulchres --the deep loculus --which, so far as is now known, is universal in all purely Jewish rock-cut tombs, but hardly known elsewhere. Its form will be understood by referring to the following diagram, representing the forms of Jewish sepulture. In the apartment marked A there are twelve such loculi about two feet in…
See SEPULCHRE.
→ See BURIAL
שָׁקַד (sha.qad) means to watch or be alert, often implying a state of sleeplessness or vigilance. It encompasses keeping watch over something, being wakeful, or waking as a mourner or sufferer. The entries indicate its use in various forms, including a denominative verb, but do not provide specific verse references.
שָׁקַד vb. watch, wake
Qal
keep watch of, be wakeful over
be wakeful, wake, as mourner, sufferer
Niph. watch has been kept over my transgressions
Pu. denom. v. infra.
base
H8245 שָׁקַד watch, wake .. keep watch of, be wakeful over
. be wakeful, wake, as mourner, sufferer
. watch has been kept over my transgressions
. denom. v. infra.
8245 shaqad shaw-kad'
a primitive root; to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on
the lookout (whether for good or ill):--hasten, remain, wake,
watch (for).
שָׁקַד (sha.qad) — to watch.
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)
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
woch ('ashmurah, 'ashmoreth; phulake): A division of the night. The night was originally divided into three watches (Jud 7:19), but later into four, as we find in the New Testament (Mt 14:25; Mr 6:48). We do not know the limits of the watches in the first division, but the middle watch probably began two hours before midnight and ended two hours after. The fourfold division was according to the Roman system, each of which was a fourth part of the night.
See TIME.
"Watch" is also the guard placed on watch (mishmar, Ne 4:9; koustodia, from Latin custodia, Mt 27:65,66; 28:11). It sometimes refers to the act of watching, as in…
A division of the night. See HOURS.
→ (A division of time)
See NIGHT TIME