King James Version

What Does Job 5:26 Mean?

Job 5:26 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season. cometh in: Heb. ascendeth — study this verse from Job chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Job 5:26 · KJV


Context

24

And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin. thy tabernacle: or, peace is thy tabernacle sin: or, err

25

Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth. great: or, much

26

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

27

Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good. for: Heb. for thyself


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Eliphaz concludes: 'Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.' The imagery pictures death as natural harvest at the proper time—a full, blessed life ending peacefully. The Hebrew 'kelach' (full age/maturity) contrasts with premature death. Eliphaz promises Job will die peacefully in old age if he repents, implying his current suffering threatens premature death because of sin. This contradicts God's own assessment of Job's righteousness (Job 1:8).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Dying in 'full age' with many descendants and seeing one's children established was the ideal ancient Near Eastern blessing (Genesis 25:8, Job 42:17). Eliphaz uses this cultural ideal to pressure Job to confess non-existent sins.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you maintain faith when God doesn't grant the culturally-defined 'blessed life'?
  2. What does a truly blessed life look like from a biblical rather than cultural perspective?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
תָּב֣וֹא1 of 7

Thou shalt come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְכֶ֣לַח2 of 7

in a full age

H3624

maturity

אֱלֵי3 of 7
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קָ֑בֶר4 of 7

to thy grave

H6913

a sepulcher

כַּֽעֲל֖וֹת5 of 7

cometh in

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

גָּדִ֣ישׁ6 of 7

like as a shock of corn

H1430

a stack of sheaves; by analogy, a tomb

בְּעִתּֽוֹ׃7 of 7

in his season

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc


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 5:26 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 5:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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