Job 15:29

He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth.

He shall not be rich {H6238}, neither shall his substance {H2428} continue {H6965}, neither shall he prolong {H5186} the perfection {H4512} thereof upon the earth {H776}.

therefore he will not remain rich, his wealth will not endure, his produce will not bend [the grain stalks] to the earth.

He will no longer be rich; his wealth will not endure. His possessions will not overspread the land.

He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, Neither shall their possessions be extended on the earth.

Job 15:29 is part of Eliphaz the Temanite's second speech, where he continues to argue that Job's suffering is a direct consequence of his sin. In this verse, Eliphaz describes the inevitable downfall and lack of lasting prosperity for the wicked, subtly implying this fate for Job.

Context

This verse is found within the broader discourse of the Book of Job, which grapples with the profound question of why the righteous suffer. Eliphaz, one of Job's three friends, operates under the conventional wisdom of his time: that God rewards the righteous with prosperity and punishes the wicked with adversity. His first speech (see Job chapters 4-5) laid this foundation, and here in chapter 15, he reiterates and expands upon the miserable end awaiting those who, in his view, defy God. Eliphaz's words are a harsh indictment, intended to convince Job to confess his supposed hidden sins, which Eliphaz believes are the cause of his calamities.

Key Themes

  • The Transience of Wicked Prosperity: The core message is that any wealth or success achieved by the wicked is fleeting. Eliphaz asserts, "He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue." This stands in stark contrast to the common human desire for lasting security and legacy. While the wicked may seem to flourish for a time, their prosperity is built on unstable ground and will ultimately vanish. This theme is echoed in other wisdom literature, such as Psalm 73:18-19, which speaks of the wicked being set in "slippery places" and suddenly brought to ruin.
  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: Underlying Eliphaz's statements is the belief that God actively ensures the downfall of the wicked. Though not explicitly stating "God will do this," the passive construction implies a divine decree or natural consequence within God's moral order. This reflects a rigid view of divine justice that the book of Job ultimately challenges, as Job's suffering is not a direct result of his sin.
  • Flawed Human Wisdom: While Eliphaz's observations about the instability of ill-gotten gains can be true in general, his application to Job is flawed. The entire drama of Job serves to demonstrate that God's ways are more complex than human wisdom can fully grasp, and suffering is not always a direct punishment for sin, nor is prosperity always a sign of righteousness.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "prolong the perfection thereof" (Hebrew: יִקּוֹם - yiqom, from the root קוּם - qum) can be better understood. The root qum means "to rise, stand, establish, confirm." So, "he shall not prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth" might more accurately convey that the wicked person "will not establish his prosperity" or "his root will not be made firm upon the earth." It speaks to the inability of the wicked to secure or make permanent their position, wealth, or lineage on earth, emphasizing their ultimate instability and lack of a lasting foundation.

Practical Application

Job 15:29, despite being spoken from a flawed theological perspective regarding Job's specific situation, still offers valuable insights for a general audience:

  • Beware of Materialism: The verse serves as a reminder that wealth and material possessions, especially when pursued apart from righteousness, are inherently temporary and cannot provide true security or lasting satisfaction. Matthew 6:19-21 similarly warns against storing up treasures on earth, where they are subject to decay and theft.
  • Focus on Enduring Values: True lasting "substance" and "perfection" come from a right relationship with God and a life lived in accordance with His principles, which build an eternal foundation, not a temporal one. Genuine security is found in God's faithfulness, not in worldly possessions.
  • Question Simplistic Explanations of Suffering: The broader context of Job reminds us not to jump to conclusions about others' suffering being a direct consequence of their sin. God's ways are often beyond our understanding, and true compassion involves walking with those who suffer, rather than judging them based on their circumstances.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Job 27:16

    Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;

  • Job 27:17

    He may prepare [it], but the just shall put [it] on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.

  • James 1:11

    For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

  • Luke 16:19

    There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

  • Luke 16:22

    And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

  • James 5:1

    ¶ Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you].

  • James 5:3

    Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
← Back