King James Version

What Does Job 34:15 Mean?

Job 34:15 in the King James Version says “All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.” — study this verse from Job chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.”

Job 34:15 · KJV

Salvation

Context

13

Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world? the whole: Heb. all of it?

14

If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; man: Heb. him

15

All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

16

If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

17

Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just? govern: Heb. bind?

Read Job 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust. The inevitable consequence of God withdrawing His breath: universal death. "All flesh" (kol-basar, כָּל־בָּשָׂר) encompasses all living creatures, emphasizing humanity's solidarity with creation in mortality. "Perish" (gava, גָּוַע) means to expire, breathe one's last, or die. "Together" (yachad, יַחַד) stresses simultaneity—if God withdrew His sustaining power, death would be instant and universal, not gradual or selective.

Man shall turn again unto dust (adam al-afar yashuv, אָדָם עַל־עָפָר יָשׁוּב) echoes Genesis 3:19's curse: "dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." The verb shuv (שׁוּב, "turn again") implies returning to one's source or origin. Adam (אָדָם, man) shares etymology with adamah (אֲדָמָה, ground), emphasizing humanity's earthy origin. This verse reveals life's contingency—we exist only because God wills it, not by inherent necessity. The doctrine should inspire both fear (we stand moment-by-moment at God's mercy) and gratitude (He sustains us despite our sin). It also underscores the gospel's necessity—only divine intervention (resurrection) can reverse the dust-to-dust trajectory. Christ's resurrection demonstrates God's power to reverse the curse, prefiguring believers' future resurrection when mortality puts on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53-54).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Genesis 2:7 describes God forming man from dust and breathing life into him; Genesis 3:19 pronounces the curse of returning to dust. Elihu's words would resonate with Job's earlier lament (10:9, "thou hast made me as the clay"). The dust-to-dust cycle was visible reality in ancient Near East, where death was ever-present. Yet covenant faith hoped for resurrection (Job 19:25-27), distinguishing Israel's theology from surrounding cultures that viewed death as final.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering your origin from dust and certain return to it (apart from Christ) cultivate humility?
  2. What hope does the gospel provide against the seemingly inevitable dust-to-dust cycle?
  3. How should awareness of life's contingency on God's sustaining breath affect your daily priorities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
יִגְוַ֣ע1 of 8

“shall perish”

H1478

to breathe out, i.e., (by implication) expire

כָּל2 of 8
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בָּשָׂ֣ר3 of 8

“All flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

יָ֑חַד4 of 8

“together”

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

וְ֝אָדָ֗ם5 of 8

“and man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

עַל6 of 8
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עָפָ֥ר7 of 8

“unto dust”

H6083

dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

יָשֽׁוּב׃8 of 8

“shall turn again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

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 34:15 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 34:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 3:19Ecclesiastes 12:7Isaiah 57:16Psalms 90:3-10Isaiah 27:4Job 9:22

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