Job 42:17

So Job died, [being] old and full of days.

So Job {H347} died {H4191}, being old {H2205} and full {H7649} of days {H3117}.

Then, old and full of days, Iyov died.

And so Job died, old and full of years.

So Job died, being old and full of days.

Commentary on Job 42:17 KJV

Job 42:17 concludes the dramatic narrative of the Book of Job, offering a concise summary of the patriarch's final days: "So Job died, [being] old and full of days." This verse provides a powerful and peaceful resolution to a story marked by immense suffering, profound questioning, and ultimate divine vindication.

Context

This verse is the final statement in the epilogue of the Book of Job, following the Lord's direct intervention and Job's repentance for his misguided words (Job 42:1-6). After enduring unimaginable trials, Job is not only restored but blessed abundantly. The Lord restores Job's fortunes twofold, gives him new children, and allows him to live to see four generations of his descendants (Job 42:12-16). Thus, Job's death "old and full of days" signifies the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise and the complete resolution of his suffering.

Key Themes

  • Divine Restoration and Blessing: Job's peaceful death, after a life extended and enriched, underscores God's faithfulness. Despite the profound suffering Job experienced, his story ends with a clear demonstration of divine justice and overwhelming blessing, reassuring readers that God ultimately vindicates the righteous.
  • The Ideal of a "Full Life": In ancient Near Eastern culture, a long life, especially one that allowed a person to see their descendants, was considered a profound blessing and a mark of God's favor. Job's longevity and prosperity signify a life lived to its complete potential, free from the earlier afflictions.
  • Resolution and Peace: After the intense theological debates and Job's personal anguish, this verse provides a sense of closure and tranquility. It shows that even after the most severe trials, God can bring about a peaceful and satisfying conclusion.
  • Endurance and Faithfulness: Job's steadfastness through suffering, though imperfect, is ultimately rewarded. His final days represent the fruit of his enduring faith and God's sovereign plan for his life.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "full of days" is a common Hebrew idiom, śāḇēaʿ yāmîm (שָׂבֵעַ יָמִים). It doesn't merely mean "very old," but conveys the idea of a life that has been completely lived, experienced to its fullest, and is now satisfied. It implies having achieved all one's purposes and seen all the blessings God intended. Other biblical figures described this way include Abraham in Genesis 25:8 and Isaac in Genesis 35:29. This idiom highlights the quality and completeness of Job's restored life, not just its length.

Practical Application

Job 42:17 offers profound encouragement to those enduring hardship. It reminds us that:

  1. God Has the Final Word: No matter how dire circumstances may seem, God's plan for restoration and blessing can bring a peaceful and fulfilling end to a life of faith.
  2. Suffering is Not the End: The book of Job teaches that trials are part of the human experience, but they are not the defining characteristic of a believer's ultimate destiny. God's grace and restoration can transform even the deepest pain.
  3. A "Full Life" is God-Defined: True fullness of life is not measured by worldly success alone, but by a life lived in relationship with God, culminating in His peace and blessing.

This final verse assures the reader that Job's story is one of ultimate triumph, not tragedy, a testament to God's sovereignty and His unfailing goodness to those who humbly trust in Him.

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.

  • Genesis 25:8

    Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full [of years]; and was gathered to his people.

  • Genesis 15:15

    And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

  • Job 5:26

    Thou shalt come to [thy] grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.

  • Deuteronomy 6:2

    That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

  • Psalms 91:16

    With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

  • Proverbs 3:16

    Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left hand riches and honour.

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