Job 3:14

KJV

With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;

KJV (with Strong's)

With kings {H4428} and counsellors {H3289} of the earth {H776}, which built {H1129} desolate places {H2723} for themselves;

Complete Jewish Bible

along with kings and their earthly advisers, who rebuilt ruins for themselves,

Berean Standard Bible

with kings and counselors of the earth, who built for themselves cities now in ruins,

American Standard Version

With kings and counsellors of the earth, Who built up waste places for themselves;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 3:14 is a poignant expression within Job's initial lament, where he curses the day of his birth and yearns for the oblivion of death as an escape from his excruciating suffering. In this verse, Job envisions himself finding peaceful repose in the grave, sharing the ultimate resting place with powerful earthly rulers—kings and counselors—who, despite their grand ambitions and monumental constructions, ultimately see their legacies reduced to desolate ruins. This imagery powerfully underscores death's role as the ultimate equalizer, stripping away all earthly distinctions and highlighting the transient and ultimately futile nature of human power and achievement in the face of mortality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 3 marks a profound and dramatic turning point in the Book of Job. After enduring seven days of silent mourning with his three friends (as described in [Job 2:13](/job/2-13 "Job 2:13 - Job's Friends Sit with Him")), Job breaks his silence with a deeply personal and agonizing lament rather than a prayer of faith or an affirmation of divine sovereignty. This chapter serves as Job's initial, raw outburst of grief, despair, and existential questioning, setting the stage for the extensive theological dialogues that comprise the majority of the book. He begins by cursing the very day of his birth ([Job 3:1-10](/job/3-1-10 "Job 3:1-10 - Job Curses His Birth")), then transitions to expressing a fervent longing for the peace and oblivion that death would bring ([Job 3:11-19](/job/3-11-19 "Job 3:11-19 - Job Longs for Death")). He concludes by questioning the very purpose of life for those burdened with such misery ([Job 3:20-26](/job/3-20-26 "Job 3:20-26 - Job Questions Life's Purpose")). Verse 14 specifically contributes to Job's vision of death as the ultimate release, where even the mightiest are humbled and find an unburdened rest.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the ancient land of Uz, a region generally believed to be located east of Palestine, though its precise geographical boundaries remain a subject of scholarly debate. The narrative's portrayal of patriarchal customs, exceptionally long lifespans, and the notable absence of references to the Mosaic Law strongly suggest an ancient setting, possibly predating or being contemporary with the time of the patriarchs. In the ancient Near East, kings and their counselors represented the apex of human power, wealth, and authority. These rulers frequently commissioned colossal building projects—including magnificent palaces, grand temples, elaborate tombs, and fortified cities—with the explicit aim of immortalizing their legacies and demonstrating their enduring power and influence. Job's pointed reference to these powerful figures "building desolate places" is a profound and ironic commentary on the ultimate futility of such earthly endeavors when confronted with the inevitability of death. This theme resonates deeply with wisdom literature from across the ancient world, including Egyptian and Mesopotamian texts, which frequently ponder mortality and the transient nature of human achievement.

* **Key Themes:** Job 3:14 significantly contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the Book of Job. Foremost among these is the theme of **the universality of death and its power as an equalizer**. Job's poignant vision of resting alongside kings powerfully highlights that death obliterates all earthly distinctions of status, wealth, and power, a concept profoundly echoed in passages like [Ecclesiastes 9:2](/ecclesiastes/9-2 "Ecclesiastes 9:2 - Death Comes to All, Regardless of Righteousness"). Another prominent theme is the **vanity of earthly ambition and human achievement**. The "desolate places" built by kings serve as a potent symbol of the transient and ultimately ephemeral nature of human constructs and legacies, aligning seamlessly with the "vanity of vanities" motif explored extensively in [Ecclesiastes 1:2](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - Vanity of Vanities"). Furthermore, the verse encapsulates Job's profound longing for **rest and release from suffering**, which is a central and recurring aspect of his lament throughout [Job chapter 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament"). Here, death is presented not as an end to be feared, but as a desired cessation of pain and turmoil, offering a state of peace that Job cannot find in his tormented life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kings (Hebrew, _melek'_):** (H4428) From a primitive root meaning "to rule," this noun refers to a monarch, sovereign, or ruler. In the ancient world, kings were considered the pinnacle of human power and influence, often claiming divine endorsement for their authority. Their inclusion in Job's vision emphasizes the absolute leveling effect of death, demonstrating that even those with ultimate earthly dominion are subject to its inescapable grasp.
* **Counsellors (Hebrew, _yâʻats'_):** (H3289) This word, derived from a primitive root meaning "to advise" or "to deliberate," refers to those who give counsel, offer strategic advice, or are involved in policy-making. These influential figures stood alongside kings, wielding significant power through their wisdom and guidance. Their presence alongside kings reinforces the idea that no amount of wisdom, political acumen, or influence can exempt one from the grave's universal embrace.
* **Desolate places (Hebrew, _chorbâh'_):** (H2723) This feminine noun, derived from a root meaning "to be dry" or "to be waste," properly signifies "drought" and, by implication, "desolation," "ruins," or "waste places." The term carries strong connotations of decay, abandonment, and emptiness. Its use here is deeply ironic; the powerful kings and counselors built magnificent structures intended as monuments to their lasting glory, yet in death, these very structures, or the ultimate outcome of their endeavors, are depicted as ruins, underscoring the ephemeral nature of human legacy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"With kings and counsellors of the earth":** Job envisions himself in the grave, not in isolation, but in the company of the most powerful and influential figures of his age. This is a dramatic leveling. While Job was a man of great stature and wealth in life ([Job 1:3](/job/1-3 "Job 1:3 - Job's Wealth and Righteousness")), he was still distinct from kings. In death, all social hierarchies are dissolved, and the suffering man finds himself in the same ultimate condition as the most powerful rulers. This clause sets up the stark contrast between their earthly power and the ultimate equality found in the grave.
* **"which built desolate places for themselves;":** This is the most poignant and ironic part of the verse. The powerful rulers, renowned for their grand construction projects—palaces, cities, tombs, and monuments—intended to secure their legacy and demonstrate their might, are here paradoxically described as having built "desolate places." This phrase can be interpreted in several profound ways:
* **Literal Ruins:** Their magnificent structures, despite their initial grandeur, are ultimately destined to become ruins, abandoned, decaying, and forgotten, serving as a testament to the impermanence of human endeavor.
* **Empty Tombs:** The elaborate tombs they constructed for themselves, designed to preserve their memory, are ultimately desolate places—empty of life and power, serving as stark reminders of mortality's finality.
* **Spiritual Emptiness:** Their relentless pursuit of earthly glory, power, and material accumulation, though seemingly grand, ultimately leads to a spiritual emptiness or desolation in the face of eternity. The "desolate places" are not merely physical ruins but a powerful metaphor for the ultimate futility and vanity of a life lived solely for temporal power and ambition.

#### Literary Devices
Job 3:14 is rich in **Irony**, **Juxtaposition**, and **Symbolism**. The primary literary device at play is **Irony**, specifically a form of situational irony, as Job, in his profound despair, imagines a state of rest that ironically levels the powerful with the suffering. The kings and counselors, who dedicated their lives to building grand monuments to their power and legacy, are depicted as having ultimately built "desolate places." This is deeply ironic because their ambition for lasting glory results in emptiness and decay, highlighting the futility of human endeavors against the backdrop of mortality. **Juxtaposition** is powerfully employed by placing the immense power, wealth, and ambition of "kings and counselors" directly against the humbling and universal reality of death and the "desolate places" they ultimately leave behind. This stark contrast vividly emphasizes the great equalizer that death is, stripping away all earthly distinctions. Furthermore, the phrase "desolate places" functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing not merely literal ruins but the ultimate emptiness, transience, and vanity of earthly power, wealth, and human achievement when confronted with the finality of the grave. It symbolizes the ultimate futility of all things "under the sun" when viewed from an eternal perspective.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 3:14 powerfully articulates a profound biblical truth regarding the universal dominion of death and the transient nature of all earthly glory and human achievement. It serves as a stark and sobering reminder that no amount of power, wealth, or human accomplishment can ultimately withstand the leveling force of mortality. This perspective challenges humanity's inherent tendency to find ultimate security, meaning, or lasting legacy in temporal constructs and material possessions, thereby redirecting focus towards what truly endures beyond the grave. For Job, death is presented as a longed-for escape, a release from suffering that even the most powerful cannot avoid, underscoring a deep and universal human yearning for rest and peace beyond the toil and pain of life.

* [Psalm 49:10-12](/psalms/49-10-12 "The Folly of Trusting in Wealth")
* [Ecclesiastes 2:18-19](/ecclesiastes/2-18-19 "The Futility of Toil")
* [Isaiah 14:9-11](/isaiah/14-9-11 "The King of Babylon in Sheol")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's raw lament in Job 3:14 offers a profound and challenging lens through which to examine our own lives, societal values, and personal aspirations. In a world often consumed by the pursuit of status, the accumulation of wealth, and the desire to build lasting legacies, this verse serves as a sobering reminder that all earthly achievements are ultimately temporary and subject to decay. It compels us to consider what truly endures beyond the grave and to re-evaluate the foundations upon which we build our lives. For individuals grappling with intense suffering, Job's honest and unvarnished expression of longing for rest can foster deep empathy and validate the legitimate human experience of pain and despair, even as faith points to a different and ultimate hope. The verse challenges us to critically assess our priorities, asking whether we are primarily building monuments to ourselves that will eventually become "desolate places," or investing our time, energy, and resources in an eternal legacy that aligns with God's kingdom and purposes. It encourages a transformative shift from a temporal, self-centered ambition to a more eternal, God-centered perspective, recognizing that true peace, lasting significance, and ultimate fulfillment are found not in what we accumulate or build on earth, but in our relationship with the Creator and His enduring purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of death as the "great equalizer" challenge your personal aspirations and pursuits of earthly success and recognition?**
* **In what ways might you be "building desolate places" (i.e., investing in things that are ultimately transient or have no lasting spiritual value) in your own life?**
* **How does Job's profound longing for rest in death inform your understanding of human suffering and the universal desire for relief and peace?**
* **Considering the impermanence of earthly achievements, what enduring legacy are you striving to build, and how does it align with an eternal, God-centered perspective?**

### FAQ

**Does Job 3:14 promote suicide or a negative desire for death?**

Answer: Job 3:14, and indeed the entirety of Job's lament in [Job chapter 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament"), expresses a profound and agonizing desire for death as an escape from unbearable suffering, not as a promotion or endorsement of suicide. Job is not seeking to take his own life; rather, he wishes he had never been born or had died at birth. His words are a raw, honest outpouring of despair and a longing for the peace and oblivion he believes death would offer, a cessation of his torment. The Bible consistently affirms the sanctity of life, but it also unflinchingly records the depths of human suffering, allowing figures like Job to voice their anguish and despair without condoning self-harm. This verse serves to illustrate the extreme nature of Job's pain and his desperate search for relief, highlighting the human condition under immense duress and the profound yearning for an end to unceasing agony.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 3:14 expresses a desperate longing for the ultimate equalizer of death, the New Testament reveals that true and lasting rest, and the ultimate victory over death and its desolation, are found not in the grave's oblivion but in Jesus Christ. Job's vision of powerful kings building "desolate places" powerfully foreshadows the inherent futility and ultimate transience of all human kingdoms and achievements apart from God. The empires of this world, no matter how grand or seemingly invincible, are ultimately destined for ruin and decay, a truth vividly depicted in prophetic visions such as those found in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the Statue"). Jesus Christ, however, is the King whose kingdom is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), and His reign is eternal, indestructible, and unshakeable ([Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - Your Throne, O God, is Forever")). Unlike earthly rulers who build monuments that eventually become desolate, Christ builds His church, against which the gates of hell will not prevail ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter's Confession and the Church")). For those who are "in Christ," death is not the final equalizer into desolation and oblivion, but a transition into eternal rest and glory ([Revelation 14:13](/revelation/14-13 "Revelation 14:13 - Blessed are the Dead Who Die in the Lord")). He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), having conquered death and the grave through His resurrection, thereby offering a living hope that transcends the grave and transforms what was once a desolate end into a glorious beginning for all who believe ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")).

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 15:28

And he dwelleth in desolate cities, [and] in houses which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps.

Isaiah 14:10

All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?

Isaiah 14:16

They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, [and] consider thee, [saying, Is] this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;

Psalms 49:6

¶ They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

Psalms 49:10

For he seeth [that] wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

Isaiah 58:12

And [they that shall be] of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

Ecclesiastes 8:8

[There is] no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither [hath he] power in the day of death: and [there is] no discharge in [that] war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.