Job 42:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, old and full of days, Iyov died.

Berean Standard Bible

And so Job died, old and full of years.

American Standard Version

So Job died, being old and full of days.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 42:17 provides the serene and conclusive statement to the profound narrative of Job, declaring, "So Job died, [being] old and full of days." This verse serves as the final capstone to Job's extraordinary journey of suffering, questioning, and ultimate divine vindication and restoration. It encapsulates the peaceful resolution of a life profoundly tested, affirming God's sovereign goodness and the complete fulfillment of His promises to His faithful servant, bringing the entire book to a satisfying and hopeful close.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 42:17 stands as the concluding verse of the book's epilogue, which spans [Job 42:7-17](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7-17 - The Lord's Rebuke and Job's Restoration"). This epilogue immediately follows Job's humble repentance and submission to God's incomprehensible wisdom after the Lord's powerful speeches from the whirlwind ([Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - The Lord's Speeches")). Having been thoroughly humbled and having acknowledged God's sovereignty, Job is restored to a state of prosperity far exceeding his former wealth ([Job 42:10](/job/42-10 "Job 42:10 - The Lord Restores Job's Fortunes")). The narrative emphasizes not only material blessings but also the gift of new children and the privilege of seeing four generations of his descendants ([Job 42:12-16](/job/42-12 "Job 42:12-16 - Job's New Family and Longevity")). Thus, Job's death, described as "old and full of days," is the ultimate confirmation of his restoration and the final, peaceful culmination of a life lived in God's favor, despite immense trials.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, longevity, numerous offspring, and material prosperity were universally regarded as tangible signs of divine blessing and favor. A long life, especially one that allowed an individual to witness their descendants to the fourth generation, was considered the epitome of a blessed existence and a reward for righteousness. The phrase "full of days" (Hebrew: *śāḇēaʿ yāmîm*) was a common idiomatic expression signifying not merely advanced age, but a life fully lived, complete, and satisfied, having experienced all the intended blessings and purposes. This concept is seen in the deaths of other patriarchs like [Abraham](/genesis/25-8 "Genesis 25:8 - Abraham's Death") and [Isaac](/genesis/35-29 "Genesis 35:29 - Isaac's Death"). For Job, whose life had been violently disrupted by suffering, his death "old and full of days" was a profound cultural affirmation of his restored honor, God's vindication, and the ultimate triumph of divine justice over inexplicable suffering.

* **Key Themes:** Job 42:17 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Book of Job and broader biblical theology. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, demonstrating that God ultimately has the final word in human affairs, bringing about a just and peaceful end even after profound suffering. It highlights **Restoration and Blessing**, showing that God's capacity to restore goes beyond mere material gain, encompassing a full and satisfying life. The verse also speaks to the theme of **Endurance and Faithfulness**, as Job's steadfastness (albeit imperfect) through his trials is ultimately rewarded with a blessed end. Finally, it provides a sense of **Resolution and Closure** to the intense theological debates and personal anguish that define much of the book, offering a comforting assurance that God's plan culminates in peace and fulfillment for those who trust Him, as seen in Job's final state of being "old and full of days."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Old (Hebrew, _zāqēn'_):** This word signifies advanced age, but in the context of ancient Israel and the Near East, it carried connotations of wisdom, experience, and respect. To die "old" was not merely a biological fact but a mark of having lived a full life, accumulated knowledge, and often, having seen one's family thrive. For Job, after his body was ravaged by disease, to die "old" signifies a complete physical restoration and the passage of many years in health and prosperity.
* **Full of days (Hebrew, _śāḇēaʿ yāmîm'_):** This idiomatic phrase is crucial. It literally means "satisfied with days" or "satiated with days." It denotes more than just a long life; it implies a life that has been lived to its complete potential, experienced fully, and concluded without regret or unfulfilled desires. It suggests a qualitative richness and completeness, where all that God intended for Job's earthly existence had been realized. It signifies a profound sense of contentment and completion, a peaceful departure after a life that had truly run its course and achieved its divinely appointed purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Job died":** This simple declarative statement brings the narrative to its ultimate conclusion. After the dramatic dialogues, the divine speeches, and the profound restoration, Job's earthly life cycle is completed. It emphasizes the reality of human mortality, even for the most righteous and blessed, but within the context of a life fully lived.
* **"[being] old":** This phrase confirms Job's advanced age at the time of his death, a direct contrast to the premature death that might have been expected during his period of intense suffering. It indicates a long life, a sign of God's blessing and a fulfillment of the ancient ideal of longevity. It suggests that Job enjoyed many years of his restored prosperity.
* **"and full of days":** This powerful idiom signifies that Job's life was not merely long but complete and satisfying. It implies that he had experienced all that life had to offer, both its trials and its profound blessings, and that he departed with a sense of fulfillment and contentment. This phrase underscores the qualitative aspect of his restored life, marking it as one that had reached its divinely appointed and satisfying conclusion.

#### Literary Devices
Job 42:17 employs several literary devices to achieve its powerful concluding effect. The most prominent is **Resolution**, bringing a sense of finality and peace to a narrative fraught with tension and suffering. This verse provides the ultimate **Closure** to Job's story, assuring the reader that his trials did not lead to a tragic end but to a blessed and complete life. The phrase "full of days" functions as a significant **Idiom**, conveying a deeper meaning of satisfaction and completeness beyond mere longevity, serving as a **Symbolism** for a life fully lived under God's favor. The entire epilogue, culminating in this verse, acts as a form of **Vindication**, demonstrating God's ultimate justice and faithfulness to His servant, affirming the righteous one's perseverance. The quiet dignity of Job's death, contrasted with his earlier anguish, highlights the **Dramatic Irony** of his situation, where what seemed like divine abandonment ultimately led to profound blessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 42:17 serves as a profound theological statement on God's ultimate faithfulness and the nature of true blessing. After Job's inexplicable suffering, this verse affirms that God's plan for His faithful servants culminates in peace, completion, and satisfaction. It underscores the biblical truth that while suffering is a real and often mysterious part of the human experience, it does not have the final word for those who trust in God. Instead, God's sovereign hand guides life to a meaningful and blessed conclusion, demonstrating that His justice and goodness prevail. Job's "fullness of days" is a testament to divine grace, proving that God's restoration is comprehensive, encompassing not just material wealth but also the quality and duration of life itself, culminating in a satisfied departure.

* [Genesis 25:8](/genesis/25-8 "Genesis 25:8 - Abraham's Death")
* [Genesis 35:29](/genesis/35-29 "Genesis 35:29 - Isaac's Death")
* [Psalm 91:16](/psalms/91-16 "Psalm 91:16 - Promise of Long Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 42:17 offers a powerful message of hope and assurance for all who navigate life's inevitable trials. It reminds us that our story, however painful or perplexing in the middle, is ultimately in God's hands, and He is capable of bringing it to a peaceful and satisfying conclusion. This verse encourages us to persevere in faith, even when circumstances defy understanding, trusting that God's ultimate purpose for us is good and that He will grant us a "fullness of days" in His own way, whether in earthly longevity or in the profound satisfaction of a life lived completely for Him. It challenges us to redefine "fullness" not merely by material accumulation or worldly success, but by the depth of our relationship with God and the peace that comes from resting in His sovereign plan. Job's end is a testament to God's restorative power, inviting us to believe that even after the deepest valleys, He can lead us to green pastures and a peaceful end.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's ultimate peace and "fullness of days" challenge or affirm your understanding of God's justice in the face of suffering?**
* **What does it mean to live a life "full of days" in a contemporary context, beyond mere longevity or material success?**
* **How can the ending of Job's story encourage you when you are experiencing trials or unanswered questions about God's plan?**

### FAQ
**What does "full of days" truly mean in Job 42:17?**

Answer: The phrase "full of days" (Hebrew: *śāḇēaʿ yāmîm*) is a rich Hebrew idiom that means far more than simply being very old. It 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, seen all the blessings God intended, and having no regrets or unfulfilled desires at the time of death. It suggests a qualitative completeness and contentment, a life that has run its full course in a meaningful way, rather than just a quantitative measure of years. This idiom is also used for other patriarchs like [Abraham in Genesis 25:8](/genesis/25-8 "Genesis 25:8 - Abraham's Death") and [Isaac in Genesis 35:29](/genesis/35-29 "Genesis 35:29 - Isaac's Death"), highlighting a consistent biblical ideal of a blessed and complete life.

**Does Job's happy ending contradict the book's message about suffering?**

Answer: No, Job's happy ending does not contradict the book's profound exploration of suffering; rather, it completes it. The Book of Job is not primarily about why good people suffer, but about the nature of faith and God's sovereignty in the midst of suffering. Job's restoration and peaceful death ("old and full of days") underscore several key messages: (1) God's ultimate justice and faithfulness: Though suffering may be mysterious and undeserved, God ultimately vindicates the righteous. (2) The limits of human understanding: Job's suffering was not due to sin, and God's ways are beyond human comprehension ([Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - The Lord's Speeches")). (3) The value of perseverance: Job, despite his struggles and complaints, ultimately humbled himself before God ([Job 42:1-6](/job/42-1 "Job 42:1-6 - Job's Response to God")). His blessed end is not a simplistic "reward for good behavior" but a demonstration of God's sovereign grace and restoration, affirming that suffering is not the final word for those who trust Him. It provides a hopeful, though not simplistic, resolution to the complex questions raised throughout the book.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 42:17, with its depiction of a life brought to a peaceful and "full" conclusion after immense suffering and restoration, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Job's journey, from undeserved suffering to divine vindication and a blessed end, mirrors the trajectory of Christ, the ultimate righteous sufferer. Jesus, though innocent, endured unimaginable pain and death on the cross ([Isaiah 53:3-5](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant")), not for His own sin, but to atone for humanity's sin. His suffering, unlike Job's, was purposeful and redemptive, leading not merely to His personal restoration but to the salvation of all who believe. Christ's resurrection from the dead ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ's Resurrection")) is the ultimate vindication, demonstrating God's sovereign power over death and suffering. Through Christ, believers are offered not just a restored earthly life, but eternal life and a true "fullness of days" that transcends temporal existence ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Abundant Life")). Our ultimate peace and satisfaction, our true "fullness of days," will be found in the new heavens and new earth, where God will wipe away every tear and there will be no more death or suffering ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Suffering")), a fulfillment far grander than Job's earthly restoration.

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.