King James Version

What Does Job 27:15 Mean?

Job 27:15 in the King James Version says “Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep. — study this verse from Job chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.

Job 27:15 · KJV


Context

13

This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.

14

If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.

15

Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.

16

Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;

17

He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Those that remain of him shall be buried in death—the Hebrew בַּמָּוֶת יִקָּבֵרוּ (bammavet yiqqaveru) literally means "in death they shall be buried," emphasizing that death itself is their grave—no honorable burial, no memorial. The plague or pestilence personified as "death" consumes survivors. His widows shall not weep reverses normal mourning customs; the Hebrew תִבְכֶּינָה (tivkeynah, shall weep) appears negated, indicating even wives refuse lamentation. Ancient Near Eastern culture considered proper burial and mourning essential for honoring the dead—their absence signified ultimate disgrace.

Job describes complete social breakdown: the wicked man's death is so shameful that even widows—who depended on him and should mourn most—refuse tears. Either they're glad he's gone (suggesting his wickedness), or they're too devastated to mourn (suggesting plague killed them too). The verse depicts the erasure of memory and legacy—no honorable burial, no mourning, no continuation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Proper burial and mourning were sacred duties in ancient Israel and surrounding cultures. Professional mourners were hired for funerals (Jeremiah 9:17-18), and widows especially were expected to lament (2 Samuel 14:2). Job's description of unburied dead recalls covenant curses in Deuteronomy 28:26, where corpses become food for birds and beasts. The plague or pestilence ("death" as divine judgment) appears throughout ancient Near Eastern texts as punishment for covenant violation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the absence of mourning reveal about how the wicked person lived and impacted others?
  2. How does Job's description of shameful death contrast with the honorable burial and legacy he once enjoyed?
  3. In what ways do our lives earn either genuine grief or relief when we die?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
שְׂ֭רִידָיו1 of 6

Those that remain

H8300

a survivor

בַּמָּ֣וֶת2 of 6

in death

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

יִקָּבֵ֑רוּ3 of 6

of him shall be buried

H6912

to inter

וְ֝אַלְמְנֹתָ֗יו4 of 6

and his widows

H490

a widow; also a desolate place

לֹ֣א5 of 6
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִבְכֶּֽינָה׃6 of 6

shall not weep

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 27:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 27:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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