Job 27:19

KJV

The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he [is] not.

KJV (with Strong's)

The rich {H6223} man shall lie down {H7901}, but he shall not be gathered {H622}: he openeth {H6491} his eyes {H5869}, and he is not.

Complete Jewish Bible

He may lie down rich, but his wealth yields nothing; when he opens his eyes, it isn't there.

Berean Standard Bible

He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more; when he opens his eyes, all is gone.

American Standard Version

He lieth down rich, but he shall not be gathered to his fathers; He openeth his eyes, and he is not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 27:19 delivers a stark pronouncement on the ultimate futility of earthly wealth and the ignominious end awaiting those who place their trust in it rather than in God. It vividly portrays the rich individual's descent into death, emphasizing not just the cessation of life but a profound lack of honor, proper burial, or lasting legacy, culminating in a sudden and complete disappearance from the earthly sphere. This verse serves as a powerful testament to divine justice, asserting that worldly prosperity offers no shield against the inevitable, often abrupt, judgment of the unrighteous.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 27:19 is situated within Job's final, extended discourse (chapters 27-31), where he offers a profound and nuanced defense of divine justice, challenging the simplistic retribution theology espoused by his friends. After their arguments have largely failed to convince him of his guilt, Job reasserts his own integrity while simultaneously affirming God's ultimate righteousness and the inevitable downfall of the wicked. This particular verse comes after Job has sworn an oath of integrity and before his magnificent discourse on wisdom in [Job 28](/job/28 "Job 28 - The Search for Wisdom"). It serves as a stark counterpoint to the idea that the wicked always prosper, instead highlighting the transient nature of their success and the definitive, often abrupt, judgment that awaits them, thereby aligning Job's perspective more closely with traditional wisdom while maintaining his personal innocence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a dignified death and proper burial were paramount, signifying honor, peace, and the continuation of one's lineage and memory. The concept of "being gathered to one's people" (e.g., [Genesis 25:8](/genesis/25-8 "Genesis 25:8 - Abraham Gathered to His People") for Abraham) implied a peaceful passing and a joining with ancestors in the afterlife, often accompanied by elaborate burial rites. To "not be gathered" was a profound curse, suggesting an unburied corpse, dishonor, and a severance from one's lineage and community, often reserved for those who died in disgrace or judgment. Wealth, while providing status and security in life, was understood to be utterly powerless in the face of death, a common theme in ancient wisdom literature that recognized the universal equalizer of mortality.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and wider biblical wisdom literature. Primarily, it underscores **the transience of worldly wealth** and the ultimate futility of placing one's security in material possessions rather than in God. The "rich man" may accumulate great riches, but they offer no protection or dignity in the face of death, echoing the sentiment that "riches certainly make themselves wings" as seen in [Proverbs 23:5](/proverbs/23-5 "Proverbs 23:5 - The Fleeting Nature of Riches"). Secondly, it highlights the **ignominious end for the wicked**, contrasting their temporary prosperity with a final state of dishonor and oblivion. The phrase "he shall not be gathered" speaks volumes about a lack of proper burial, remembrance, or a dignified passing, a clear sign of divine displeasure. Lastly, the verse vividly portrays the **sudden and complete disappearance** of the wicked, emphasizing that their earthly achievements and presence simply cease, much like the unexpected demise of the rich fool in [Luke 12:20](/luke/12-20 "Luke 12:20 - The Parable of the Rich Fool").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rich man (Hebrew, _'ashir'_):** This term refers to an individual of considerable material wealth. In the context of wisdom literature and Job's discourse, it often carries the implication of one who trusts in their riches, potentially at the expense of righteousness or reliance on God. The focus is not on wealth itself as inherently evil, but on the misplaced security and ultimate impotence of such wealth in the face of mortality and divine judgment.
* **Gathered (Hebrew, _'asaf'_):** The verb "to gather" (אָסַף) in this context is a euphemism for death and burial, specifically "being gathered to one's people" or ancestors. Its negation, "shall not be gathered," signifies a fate of profound dishonor. This implies either an unburied corpse, a lack of proper funeral rites, or exclusion from the communal resting place of one's family, all of which were considered a severe curse and a mark of divine judgment in ancient Israelite and Near Eastern cultures.
* **He is not (Hebrew, _'einennu'_):** This is a stark and absolute declaration of non-existence. It conveys a complete and sudden disappearance, an utter vanishing without a trace or legacy. It emphasizes the finality and abruptness of the wicked person's demise, where their presence, influence, and memory are utterly obliterated, leaving nothing behind.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The rich man shall lie down":** This clause describes the rich man's death, using "lie down" as a common biblical euphemism for entering the grave or sleeping in death. It might imply a sense of security or comfort in his final moments, perhaps even a peaceful resting, which immediately sets up a powerful contrast with the subsequent clauses.
* **"but he shall not be gathered":** This is the crucial turning point, introducing the element of divine judgment and dishonor. Despite his wealth, which might have afforded him status and a grand burial in life, he will be denied the customary and honorable "gathering" to his ancestors. This signifies a lack of peace, an ignominious end, and a severance from the communal memory and blessing associated with a proper burial.
* **"he openeth his eyes, and he [is] not":** This vivid and abrupt phrase depicts a sudden, shocking realization of utter non-existence. It can be interpreted in two ways: either the rich man himself "wakes up" in the afterlife only to find himself utterly annihilated or without substance, or, more commonly, others "open their eyes" to discover that he is suddenly, completely, and irrevocably gone from the world, leaving no trace or lasting impact despite his former prominence. It underscores the swift and absolute nature of his disappearance.

#### Literary Devices
Job 27:19 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Juxtaposition** is central, contrasting the apparent security and prominence of the "rich man" with his ultimate, ignominious end. The initial image of him "lying down" (a **euphemism** for death, suggesting rest) is immediately shattered by the declaration that "he shall not be gathered," highlighting the stark difference between expectation and reality for the unrighteous. There is a strong element of **irony** in the rich man's fate; his wealth, which presumably afforded him power and influence in life, proves utterly useless in securing a dignified death or lasting legacy. Finally, the phrase "he openeth his eyes, and he [is] not" is a powerful piece of **vivid imagery** and **asyndeton**, creating a sense of abruptness and finality. It paints a picture of sudden, complete disappearance, leaving the reader with a chilling sense of the wicked's ultimate oblivion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 27:19 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine justice and the ultimate vanity of earthly pursuits when divorced from righteousness. It underscores the biblical principle that true security and lasting inheritance are not found in material wealth, which is inherently transient and powerless in the face of death and judgment. This verse challenges the human tendency to place ultimate trust in possessions, asserting God's sovereignty over life and death, and His prerogative to determine the fate of all, regardless of their earthly status. It reinforces the wisdom tradition's emphasis on the brevity of life and the eternal consequences of one's choices, particularly regarding integrity and reliance on God.

* [Psalm 49:10](/psalms/49-10 "Psalm 49:10 - The Universality of Death for All, Rich and Poor")
* [Luke 16:22-23](/luke/16-22-23 "Luke 16:22-23 - The Rich Man and Lazarus")
* [James 1:10-11](/james/1-10-11 "James 1:10-11 - The Rich Man Fading Like a Flower")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 27:19 powerfully calls us to re-evaluate where we place our ultimate trust and what we truly prioritize in life. In a world that often equates success with material accumulation, this verse serves as a sobering reminder that earthly wealth, no matter how vast, offers no lasting security, dignity in death, or shield against divine judgment. It challenges us to consider our legacy: will it be one of fleeting riches that vanish with our last breath, or one of righteousness and faith that endures beyond the grave? The "rich man" who "is not" after opening his eyes should prompt us to examine our own spiritual vision. Are we living for temporal gains that will ultimately disappear, or are we investing in eternal values that secure our true "gathering" into God's presence? This verse encourages a radical reorientation of our desires, shifting our focus from accumulating perishable treasures on earth to cultivating a life of integrity, generosity, and devotion to God, recognizing that our true inheritance lies beyond this transient world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I primarily place my trust for security and significance in life? Is it in my possessions, my achievements, or in God alone?**
* **How does the concept of "not being gathered" challenge my understanding of a meaningful life and a dignified death?**
* **In what ways might I be "opening my eyes" to find that what I've pursued is ultimately "not"?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to shift my focus from transient earthly treasures to eternal spiritual investments?**

### FAQ

**Does Job 27:19 condemn all rich people?**

Answer: No, Job 27:19 does not condemn wealth itself, nor does it imply that all rich people will face a dishonorable end. Instead, it speaks to the **ultimate fate of the wicked**, particularly those who place their trust in their riches rather than in God, or who acquire wealth through unrighteous means. Job's discourse in [Job 27](/job/27 "Job 27 - Job's Final Discourse") through [Job 31](/job/31 "Job 31 - Job's Oath of Integrity") is a nuanced defense of divine justice, asserting that while the wicked may prosper temporarily, their end is often abrupt and ignominious. The verse highlights the **futility of wealth** as a source of lasting security or honor in the face of death and divine judgment, a theme echoed in other wisdom literature like [Proverbs 11:4](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches Do Not Profit in the Day of Wrath") and [Psalm 49:6-7](/psalms/49-6-7 "Psalm 49:6-7 - Trusting in Wealth Cannot Redeem a Soul"). The issue is not the possession of wealth, but the heart's posture towards it and the source of one's ultimate security.

**What does "he shall not be gathered" mean in ancient culture?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern culture, the phrase "being gathered to one's people" (e.g., [Genesis 25:8](/genesis/25-8 "Genesis 25:8 - Abraham's Peaceful Death and Burial")) was a significant euphemism for a peaceful, honorable death and burial. It implied joining one's ancestors in the communal resting place, signifying a dignified passing, proper funeral rites, and the continuation of one's memory and lineage. Conversely, to "not be gathered" meant a profound dishonor. This could imply being left unburied, having one's corpse exposed, or being denied a place among one's family in death. It was considered a severe curse and a clear sign of divine displeasure or judgment, indicating that the individual's life had been cut short in disgrace and their memory would be obliterated. This concept underscores the importance of a proper burial and legacy in ancient society.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 27:19 speaks to the transient nature of worldly wealth and the ignominious end of the unrighteous, its Christ-centered fulfillment illuminates the ultimate security and true "gathering" found only in Jesus. The "rich man" who "is not" stands in stark contrast to those who are "in Christ," for whom death is not an end but a transition to eternal life. Jesus Himself taught extensively on the danger of misplaced trust in riches, warning against storing up "treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal" ([Matthew 6:19](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")), and famously declaring that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God" ([Matthew 19:24](/matthew/19-24 "Matthew 19:24 - The Rich Young Ruler")). The rich fool in [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16-21 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool") perfectly embodies Job's "rich man" who, in his self-sufficiency, suddenly finds his soul required of him, and all his accumulated wealth becomes "not." In contrast, Jesus, though "He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Incarnation and Atonement")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ ensures that those who trust in Him are not "un-gathered" but are eternally "gathered" to God, receiving an imperishable inheritance that "can never perish, spoil or fade" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable")). He is the true treasure, and in Him, believers find not only a dignified end but everlasting life and a secure place in the presence of God.

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

Job 24:24

They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all [other], and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.

Psalms 58:9

Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in [his] wrath.

Psalms 73:19

How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

Psalms 73:20

As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

Jeremiah 8:2

And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.

Job 14:12

So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens [be] no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

Job 14:15

Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.