Job 15:32

KJV

It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green.

KJV (with Strong's)

It shall be accomplished {H4390} before {H3808} his time {H3117}, and his branch {H3712} shall not be green {H7488}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This will be accomplished in advance of its day. His palm frond will not be fresh and green;

Berean Standard Bible

It will be paid in full before his time, and his branch will not flourish.

American Standard Version

It shall be accomplished before his time, And his branch shall not be green.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 15:32, a pronouncement from Eliphaz the Temanite, serves as a stark articulation of his rigid retribution theology against Job. Within Eliphaz's second discourse, this verse asserts that the wicked will experience a premature and barren end, their life's purpose cut short, and their legacy, symbolized by a "green branch," will fail to flourish. It encapsulates the belief that divine judgment is swift and visible, leading to a complete and irreversible decline for those deemed unrighteous, thereby implicitly accusing Job of hidden sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 15:32 is embedded within Eliphaz's second and most aggressive discourse (Job 15:1-35), following Job's passionate defense and lament in [Job 12-14](/job/12-14 "Job 12-14 - Job's Response to His Friends"). Eliphaz, acting as the primary spokesman for the friends' conventional wisdom, intensifies his argument that Job's profound suffering is a direct consequence of his wickedness. His speech in this chapter paints a grim picture of the ungodly, detailing their inevitable downfall, constant anxiety, and terror. Verse 32 contributes significantly to this portrayal, utilizing vivid imagery to describe the sudden and complete destruction awaiting those who, in Eliphaz's view, defy God. This serves as a pointed, though indirect, accusation against Job, implying that he fits the very description of the ungodly whose fate is so dire.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job deeply engages with the prevailing ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, which commonly posited a direct and observable correlation between one's moral conduct and one's material well-being. This concept, known as retribution theology, held that prosperity indicated divine favor and righteousness, while suffering signified divine displeasure and sin. In this cultural milieu, a long life and a flourishing lineage (posterity) were considered paramount blessings, embodying honor, divine approval, and a lasting legacy. Conversely, to have one's life "cut short" or one's "branch" fail to be green was the ultimate curse, denoting a profound loss of honor, a barren legacy, and the unequivocal withdrawal of divine favor. Eliphaz's words in Job 15:32 draw heavily on these deeply ingrained cultural assumptions, reinforcing a conventional understanding of divine justice that the book of Job ultimately challenges and transcends.
* **Key Themes:** This verse directly contributes to the overarching theme of **retribution theology** as championed by Job's friends, asserting that the wicked will inevitably face swift and decisive judgment. This stands in stark contrast to the book's broader exploration of **righteous suffering**, where Job's experience profoundly challenges the simplistic notion that all suffering is a direct punishment for sin. The potent imagery of the "branch" also introduces themes of **vitality, legacy, and barrenness**, highlighting the friends' conviction that the wicked will have no lasting impact or progeny. Ultimately, the book of Job questions the human capacity to fully comprehend **divine justice** and the **nature of wisdom**, culminating in God's powerful rebuke of Job's friends for their inaccurate portrayal of Him, as seen in [Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God Rebukes Job's Friends").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **accomplished (Hebrew, _mâlê’_):** From H4390, this verb means "to fill or (intransitively) be full of," but also "to accomplish" or "be at an end." In Job 15:32, it conveys the idea of a life or purpose being brought to a premature and complete end, not by natural progression, but by a decisive, external force. It suggests that the wicked's time or plans will be "filled up" or "fulfilled" in the sense of being terminated, preventing them from reaching their expected conclusion or enjoying a full lifespan.
* **time (Hebrew, _yôwm_):** From H3117, this word primarily means "a day," but figuratively refers to a "space of time defined by an associated term," or a "season." Here, "his time" refers to the full, natural span of a person's life or the expected duration of their prosperity and influence. Eliphaz's assertion that the wicked's end will be "before his time" signifies a divinely ordained cutting short of their existence or flourishing, preventing them from experiencing the full measure of life's blessings.
* **green (Hebrew, _raʻănân_):** From H7488, this adjective describes something as "verdant," "flourishing," or "new," and figuratively, "prosperous." When applied to a "branch," it denotes vibrant life, health, and the promise of growth and fruitfulness. The declaration that the branch "shall not be green" powerfully communicates the absence of these qualities, indicating decay, barrenness, and an utter lack of future prospects or productivity for the wicked, signifying a complete cessation of their vitality and legacy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"It shall be accomplished before his time":** This clause pronounces a sudden, premature, and divinely ordained end for the wicked. Eliphaz suggests that their life, prosperity, or plans will be abruptly cut short, never reaching their natural or expected conclusion. This implies a belief in immediate and visible divine judgment, where God intervenes decisively to prevent the wicked from enjoying a full lifespan or the perceived fruits of their unrighteousness, thereby demonstrating His justice.
* **"and his branch shall not be green":** This second clause utilizes powerful agricultural imagery to reinforce the idea of complete ruin and barrenness. The "branch" (Hebrew, _kippâh_, H3712) symbolizes the wicked person's vitality, prosperity, and, crucially, their descendants or lasting legacy. The statement that it "shall not be green" means it will not flourish, bear fruit, or continue to grow. It signifies barrenness, decay, and the ultimate failure to establish a lasting lineage or enduring influence. This imagery underscores the finality and desolation of the wicked's fate, leaving no hope for future generations or a positive remembrance.

#### Literary Devices
Job 15:32 is rich in **Imagery**, particularly **agricultural imagery**, which is a common and potent rhetorical tool in ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature. The phrase "his branch shall not be green" paints a vivid and stark picture of a tree limb that is withered, lifeless, and barren, contrasting sharply with the expected vitality and fruitfulness of a healthy, thriving plant. This imagery functions as powerful **Symbolism**, where the "branch" represents not only the individual's life force and prosperity but, more significantly, their posterity, legacy, and potential for future influence. The absence of "greenness" symbolizes decay, a lack of spiritual or physical vitality, and the ultimate failure to leave a lasting mark. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as Eliphaz intends these words to predict the inevitable, grim fate of the wicked, which he implicitly applies to Job. Finally, from the perspective of the book's larger narrative, there is a profound **Irony** in Eliphaz's confident pronouncements, as the very theology he espouses—a rigid, simplistic retribution—is ultimately shown to be flawed and insufficient in explaining the complexities of God's ways and human suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Eliphaz's declaration in Job 15:32 is a classic expression of retribution theology, a perspective that asserts a direct and observable correlation between one's actions and one's destiny. While the Bible affirms that sin has consequences and that God is just, the book of Job ultimately challenges the simplistic application of this principle, especially in cases of righteous suffering. It highlights the mystery of God's ways and the limits of human understanding concerning divine justice. Nevertheless, the underlying principle that wickedness leads to a barren end, even if not always immediate or visible, resonates with broader biblical wisdom that warns against the fleeting nature of unrighteous gain and the ultimate futility of a life lived apart from God.

* [Psalm 37:2](/psalms/37-2 "Psalm 37:2 - The Fleeting Nature of the Wicked")
* [Psalm 1:3](/psalms/1-3 "Psalm 1:3 - The Flourishing Righteous")
* [Proverbs 10:27](/proverbs/10-27 "Proverbs 10:27 - The Years of the Wicked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 15:32, though spoken from a flawed theological premise by Eliphaz, offers profound points for reflection on the nature of true flourishing and lasting legacy. It serves as a stark reminder that a life disconnected from God's wisdom and righteousness often leads to a barren existence, devoid of true vitality, lasting impact, and meaningful purpose. While we must resist the temptation to adopt Eliphaz's simplistic and often cruel judgment of others' suffering, we are called to examine our own lives. Are we pursuing fleeting pleasures and temporary gains that ultimately wither, or are we investing in spiritual fruitfulness that endures? The imagery of the "green branch" challenges us to consider what kind of "branch" we are, and what kind of "fruit" we are producing. Our ultimate flourishing is not found in material prosperity or human achievement, but in a vibrant, living relationship with God, which alone yields eternal life and a lasting spiritual legacy that transcends earthly limitations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of a "green branch" speak to your understanding of a truly flourishing life?**
* **In what ways might a life lived apart from God's truth lead to a "branch that is not green," even if outwardly successful?**
* **How can we avoid the error of Eliphaz, judging others' suffering based on simplistic retribution theology, and instead offer compassion and understanding?**
* **What steps can you take today to ensure your "branch" remains spiritually "green" and fruitful, bearing fruit for God's glory?**

### FAQ
**What is "retribution theology" and why is it important in Job?**

Answer: Retribution theology is the belief that God directly rewards righteousness with prosperity and punishes wickedness with suffering. It posits a clear, observable, and immediate cause-and-effect relationship between one's moral actions and one's life circumstances. In the book of Job, this theology is central to the arguments of Job's friends, including Eliphaz, who repeatedly assert that Job's immense suffering must be a direct consequence of his sin. The book of Job is crucial because it challenges this simplistic view, demonstrating that righteous people can suffer, and that God's ways are more complex and mysterious than human theology can fully grasp. While the Bible affirms that sin has consequences, Job shows that not all suffering is punitive, and God's justice operates beyond human comprehension, as highlighted in God's speeches from the whirlwind in [Job 38-41](/job/38-41 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches to Job").

**Does this verse mean all suffering is due to sin?**

Answer: No. While Job 15:32, spoken by Eliphaz, certainly presents suffering as a direct result of wickedness, the overarching message of the book of Job itself refutes this simplistic conclusion. Eliphaz and the other friends operate under the assumption that all suffering is punitive, directly linking Job's calamity to his supposed hidden sins. However, the narrative framework of Job, particularly the prologue in [Job 1-2](/job/1-2 "Job 1-2 - The Prologue of Job"), reveals that Job is a righteous man whose suffering is not a punishment for sin but part of a divine test and a larger cosmic drama. The book ultimately teaches that God's justice is profound and often beyond human understanding, and that suffering can serve various purposes, including refinement, testimony, or simply remaining a mystery.

**What does 'branch' symbolize here?**

Answer: In Job 15:32, the "branch" (Hebrew, _kippâh_, H3712) is a powerful symbol. Primarily, it represents **vitality, life, and prosperity**. Just as a healthy branch indicates a thriving tree, a "green branch" signifies a flourishing life. More specifically, in the context of ancient Near Eastern culture, it strongly symbolizes **posterity, descendants, and a lasting legacy**. To have one's "branch" not be green means that one's lineage will not continue, one's influence will not endure, and one's future will be barren. It speaks to the complete cutting off of one's potential for continuity and enduring impact, signifying a total and irreversible ruin for the wicked.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 15:32 speaks of the barren end of the wicked from a human perspective, its imagery of the "branch" finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The Old Testament frequently uses "branch" imagery to refer to the coming Messiah, particularly in passages like [Isaiah 11:1](/isaiah/11-1 "Isaiah 11:1 - The Branch from Jesse"), which prophesies a "shoot from the stump of Jesse" and a "Branch" (נֵצֶר, _netzer_) that will bear fruit and bring justice. Unlike the wicked whose "branch shall not be green," Jesus, the true Branch, is eternally green, vibrant, and fruitful, offering abundant life to all who are united with Him. His death, though seemingly "before his time" from a human standpoint, was in fact God's perfect timing, the ultimate sacrifice that conquered sin and death, ensuring that those who believe in Him will never experience the barrenness described by Eliphaz. Through Christ, we are grafted into the true vine ([John 15:1-5](/john/15-1-5 "John 15:1-5 - Jesus the True Vine")), and our lives, far from being cut short or barren, bear eternal fruit for God's glory, flourishing in Him forever.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ecclesiastes 7:17

Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

Psalms 55:23

But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Job 22:16

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

Ezekiel 17:8

It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.

Ezekiel 17:10

Yea, behold, [being] planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.

Job 18:16

His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.

Job 18:17

His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.