Job 17:16
Job 17:16 in Multiple Translations
Will it go down to the gates of Sheol? Will we go down together into the dust?”
They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.
It shall go down to the bars of Sheol, When once there is rest in the dust.
Will they go down with me into the underworld? Will we go down together into the dust?
Will hope go down with me to the gates of Sheol? Will we go down together into the dust?”
They shall goe downe into the bottome of the pit: surely it shall lye together in the dust.
[To] the parts of Sheol ye go down, If together on the dust we may rest.
Shall it go down with me to the gates of Sheol, or descend together into the dust?”
They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.
All that I have shall go down into the deepest pit: thinkest thou that there at least I shall have rest?
After I descend to the place where the dead are, ◄will I be able to confidently expect anything good there?/I certainly will not be able to confidently expect anything good there.► [RHQ] It will be as though [RHQ] I and the things I hope for will descend with me into the dust where the dead are.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 17:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 17:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בַּדֵּ֣י
שְׁאֹ֣ל
תֵּרַ֑דְנָה
אִם
יַ֖חַד
עַל
עָפָ֣ר
נָֽחַת
בַּדֵּ֣י
bad
H905
alone
N-mp
שְׁאֹ֣ל
shᵉʼôwl
H7585
hell
N-proper
תֵּרַ֑דְנָה
yârad
H3381
to go down
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
יַ֖חַד
yachad
H3162
unitedness
Adv
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
עָפָ֣ר
ʻâphâr
H6083
dust
N-ms
נָֽחַת
Nachath
H5183
quietness
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Job 17:16
בַּדֵּ֣י
bad
H905
"alone"
N-mp
The Hebrew word 'bad' can mean alone, apart, or a separate part of something, like a branch or a bar. It's used to describe something that's only or except for something else.
Definition: : pole 1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone 1a) separation, alone, by itself 1a1) only (adv) 1a2) apart from, besides (prep) 1b) part 1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength. See also: Genesis 2:18; Judges 20:15; Psalms 51:6.
שְׁאֹ֣ל
shᵉʼôwl
H7585
"hell"
N-proper
Sheol refers to the underworld or grave, a place of no return where the dead reside, as seen in the Old Testament. It is often translated as hell or pit in the KJV. This concept is mentioned in various books, including Psalms and Isaiah.
Definition: Sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit 1a) the underworld 1b) Sheol-the OT designation for the abode of the dead 1b1) place of no return 1b2) without praise of God 1b3) wicked sent there for punishment 1b4) righteous not abandoned to it 1b5) of the place of exile (fig) 1b6) of extreme degradation in sin
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: grave, hell, pit. See also: Genesis 37:35; Psalms 139:8; Psalms 6:6.
תֵּרַ֑דְנָה
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
יַ֖חַד
yachad
H3162
"unitedness"
Adv
This adverb means together, describing people doing something in unity, like in Psalm 133:1.
Definition: 1) union, unitedness
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-) together, withal. See also: Genesis 13:6; Psalms 62:10; Psalms 2:2.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
עָפָ֣ר
ʻâphâr
H6083
"dust"
N-ms
Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish 1a) dry or loose earth 1b) debris 1c) mortar 1d) ore
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 28:6; Psalms 7:6.
נָֽחַת
Nachath
H5183
"quietness"
N-fs
This word refers to a descent or a coming down, often in the sense of a punishment or a judgment from God. It can also mean restfulness or quietness, like the stillness after a storm.
Definition: 1) rest, quietness 1a) quietness, quiet attitude 1b) rest (of death)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: lighting down, quiet(-ness), to rest, be set on. See also: Job 17:16; Ecclesiastes 6:5; Proverbs 29:9.
Study Notes — Job 17:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 17:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 17:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 17:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 17:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 17:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 17:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 17:16
- Cambridge Bible on Job 17:16
- Barnes' Notes on Job 17:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 17:16
- Sermons on Job 17:16
Context — Job Prepares for Death
14and say to corruption, ‘You are my father,’ and to the worm, ‘My mother,’ or ‘My sister,’
15where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me?
16Will it go down to the gates of Sheol? Will we go down together into the dust?”
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 3:17–19 | There the wicked cease from raging, and there the weary find rest. The captives enjoy their ease; they do not hear the voice of the oppressor. Both small and great are there, and the slave is freed from his master. |
| 2 | Jonah 2:6 | To the roots of the mountains I descended; the earth beneath me barred me in forever! But You raised my life from the pit, O LORD my God! |
| 3 | Ezekiel 37:11 | Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look, they are saying, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off.’ |
| 4 | Psalms 143:7 | Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit. |
| 5 | Psalms 88:4–8 | I am counted among those descending to the Pit. I am like a man without strength. I am forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, who are cut off from Your care. You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths. Your wrath weighs heavily upon me; all Your waves have submerged me. Selah You have removed my friends from me; You have made me repulsive to them; I am confined and cannot escape. |
| 6 | Job 33:18–28 | to preserve his soul from the Pit and his life from perishing by the sword. A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones, so that he detests his bread, and his soul loathes his favorite food. His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude. He draws near to the Pit, and his life to the messengers of death. Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him, to be gracious to him and say, ‘Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found his ransom,’ then his flesh is refreshed like a child’s; he returns to the days of his youth. He prays to God and finds favor; he sees God’s face and shouts for joy, and God restores His righteousness to that man. Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved. He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will live to see the light.’ |
| 7 | 2 Corinthians 1:9 | Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. |
| 8 | Job 18:13–14 | It devours patches of his skin; the firstborn of death devours his limbs. He is torn from the shelter of his tent and is marched off to the king of terrors. |
| 9 | Isaiah 38:17–18 | Surely for my own welfare I had such great anguish; but Your love has delivered me from the pit of oblivion, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back. For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness. |
Job 17:16 Summary
[Job 17:16 is a verse where Job is wondering if his hope will die with him, and if he will go to the afterlife, or Sheol, alone. He is questioning the nature of death and the afterlife, and whether his hope will be lost forever. This verse reminds us that, just like Job, we all face the reality of death, but we can hold on to hope, as stated in Psalm 23:4, where David says that even in the valley of the shadow of death, God is with him. Job's words also encourage us to consider what we will leave behind when we die, and what will go with us to the afterlife, as mentioned in Ecclesiastes 12:7, where it says that the dust will return to the earth as it was.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Job mean by 'the gates of Sheol' in this verse?
Job is referring to the entrance of the afterlife, or the place of the dead, as described in Psalm 9:13 and Isaiah 38:10, where Sheol is often mentioned as a destination after death.
Is Job expressing hope or despair in this verse?
Job seems to be expressing a sense of despair and hopelessness, questioning if his hope will also die with him, as mentioned in the previous verse, Job 17:15, where he asks who can see any hope for him.
What does the phrase 'go down together into the dust' signify?
This phrase signifies the inevitability of death and the return to dust, as stated in Genesis 3:19, where God tells Adam that he will return to the dust from which he was made.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of the book of Job?
This verse reflects the overall theme of the book of Job, which explores the nature of suffering, death, and the afterlife, as seen in Job 14:14, where Job asks if a man can live again after he dies.
Reflection Questions
- What are the things in my life that I fear will 'go down to the gates of Sheol' with me, and how can I release them to God?
- In what ways can I, like Job, acknowledge the reality of death and the afterlife, and how can this perspective shape my daily life?
- How can I, in the midst of suffering or uncertainty, hold on to hope, just as Job holds on to the hope that his Redeemer lives, as stated in Job 19:25?
- What does it mean for me to 'go down together into the dust' with someone or something, and how can I ensure that my relationships and priorities are aligned with God's will?
Gill's Exposition on Job 17:16
They shall go down to the bars of the pit,.... He himself, and his friends, and the hopes they would have him entertain; these should all go down together to the grave, and there lie barred and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 17:16
They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust. They - namely, my hopes, shall be buried with me.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 17:16
They; either, 1. They that would see my hope, they must go into the grave to behold it. Or rather, 2. My hopes; of which he spoke in the singular number, , which he here changeth into the plural, as is very usual in these poetical books. To the bars of the pit, i.e. into the closest and innermost parts of the pit: my hopes are dying, and will be buried in my grave. When our rest together is in the dust: so the sense is, when those spectators, together with myself, shall be in our graves. Heb. seeing that (as this Hebrew particle im oft signifies; or, certainly, as it is used , and elsewhere) our rest shall be together in the dust, i.e. I and my hopes shall be buried together.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 17:16
Job 17:16 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when [our] rest together [is] in the dust.Ver. 16. They shall go down to the bars of the pit] That is, I and my things, or I and my hopes of prosperity, Job 17:15, and they that will see the good I hope for must pass through the gates of death to behold it, and lie down in the grave with me, and then it shall appear. Cajetan thinks that this is spoken ironically to his friends, and by way of derrision, Per irrisionem haec dicta sunt; q.d. It seems like you think I shall be rich in the grave (who promise so much to me, and make me such overtures of a happiness here), for I have no hope to be rich in this world. And the Septuagint seem to favour this sense, rendering it, Shall my goods go into the grave with me? See 1 Timothy 6:7. When our rest together is in the dust] Or, When I shall rest alone in the dust, as Job 34:29; and then (De Annibal. Sil. Ital.), - Modo quem fortuna fovendo, Congestis opibus donisque refersit opimis, Nudum tartarea portabit navita cymba
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 17:16
(16) They shall go down to the bars of the pit.—The last verse of this chapter, which is itself one of the most difficult, is the most difficult of all. The difficulty consists in this: the bars of the grave are masculine, and the verb, they shall go down, is feminine plural; it seems improbable that the bars of the grave should be the subject of the verb (though perhaps not absolutely impossible); but if the bars of the grave are the place to which the going down is, as in the Authorised Version, then what is the subject to the verb, go down, seeing that hope, the apparent subject, is a feminine singular? Some render “it shall go down,” but this is in defiance of the grammar, though, probably, the meaning it conveys is not far from the truth. The words clearly express a condition of utter despair, and that Job’s only hope of rest is in the grave. It is a rule in Hebrew grammar that when the verb precedes its subject it need not agree with it in gender or number; but here the verb must, at all events, come after its subject, and consequently, it is very difficult to determine what that subject is. The only apparent subject is to be found in the corruption of the worm of Job 17:14; but they, instead of going down to the grave, are already there.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 17:16
Verse 16. They shall go down to the bars of the pit] All that I have must descend into the depths of the grave. Thither are we all going; and there alone can I rest. בדי baddey, which we translate bars, signifies also branches, distended limbs, or claws, and may here refer either to a personification of the grave, a monster who seizes on human bodies, and keeps them fast in his deadly gripe; or to the different branching-off-alleys in subterranean cemeteries, or catacombs, in which niches are made for the reception of different bodies. When our rest together is in the dust.] That is, according to some critics, My hope and myself shall descend together into the grave. It shall never be realized, for the time of my departure is at hand. IN those times what deep shades hung on the state of man after death, and on every thing pertaining to the eternal world! Perplexity and uncertainty were the consequences; and a corresponding gloom often dwelt on the minds of even the best of the Old Testament believers. Job's friends, though learned in all the wisdom of the Arabians, connected with the advantages derivable from the Mosaic writings, and perhaps those of the earlier prophets, had little clear or distinct in their minds relative to all subjects post mortem, or of the invisible world. Job himself, though sometimes strongly confident, is often harassed with doubts and fears upon the subject, insomuch that his sayings and experience often appear contradictory. Perhaps it could not be otherwise; the true light was not then come: Jesus alone brought life and immortality to light by his Gospel.
Cambridge Bible on Job 17:16
16. The truth in regard to his hope is this, something different from the tale of his friends, It shall go down to the bars of the pit, When once there is rest in the dust. The pit is in Heb. Sheol. As a great subterranean prison-house it has bars or bolts, for it has also gates, ch. Job 38:17; cf. Isaiah 38:10, Psalms 9:13. In the New Test, its “keys” are spoken of, Revelation 1:18. The word together means perhaps, “at the same time”; his hope shall go down to the grave, when at the same time, or, “when once” he himself finds rest in the dust. See the Additional Note to ch. 19. in the Appendix.
Barnes' Notes on Job 17:16
They shall go down - That is, my hopes shall go down. All the expectations that I have cherished of life and happiness, will descend there with me.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 17:16
16. They — Better, It shall go down to the bars of sheol. The verb is not plural, but a poetical form of the singular. Its subject is, the hope of renewed prosperity with which Job’s friends had flattered him.
Sermons on Job 17:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Through the Bible) Job 1-4 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Job from the Bible. Job was a man who experienced extreme loss and suffering, losing his wealth, possessions, and even his child |
|
A Sermon Occasioned by the Death of Mr. Benjamin Seward, Esquire. by John Gill | John Gill preaches a heartfelt sermon in memory of Mr. Benjamin Seward, emphasizing the characteristics of a truly good man as perfect and upright, and the peace that comes at the |
|
The Trouble and Rest of Good Men by John Wesley | John Wesley preaches on the troubles faced by good men in a world filled with wickedness, emphasizing that while they endure suffering and persecution, these trials serve to streng |
|
Sign of the Prophet Jonah by Dr. A.E. Wilder-Smith | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jonah from the Bible. Jonah was a Hebrew who feared the Lord and was called by God to go to the city of Nineveh and preach agai |
|
Essentials of Mortification: Resting and Conquering by Paul West | Paul West delves into the spiritual battle that believers face, emphasizing the unseen warfare that occurs within and around them. He highlights the importance of understanding tha |
|
Raising the Dead by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of giving one's heart to Jesus and seeking forgiveness for sins. He shares a story about a man from Nigeria who, after hearin |
|
|
Born of Water and the Spirit 02 John 3: by J. Henry Brown | In this sermon, the speaker uses a story about a sailing ship heading towards the Niagara Falls to illustrate the concept of being born again and understanding the kingdom of God. |