Job 42:17 — Word Study
WLCוַיָּ֣מָת אִיּ֔וֹב זָקֵ֖ן וּשְׂבַ֥ע יָמִֽים׃
BSAAnd so JobʼÎyôwb [the patriarch famous for his patience] diedmûwth▸ [came to his end, passed away] oldzâqên [aged, elderly] and fullsâbêaʻ [satisfied, sated] of yearsyôwm [days, a long life]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיָּ֣מָת | and he died | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אִיּ֔וֹב | Job | Noun proper masculine |
| זָקֵ֖ן | old | Adj |
| וּשְׂבַ֥ע | and satisfied of | Conjunction |
| יָמִֽים׃ | days | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And so Job died, old and full of years. |
| KJV | So Job died, being old and full of days. |
| ASV | So Job died, being old and full of days. |
| YLT | and Job dieth, aged and satisfied [with] days. |
| WEB | So Job died, being old and full of days. |
| BBE | And Job came to his end, old and full of days. |
Where they part company is זָקֵ֖ן — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause with a descriptive phrase following it, providing a clear and concise summary of Job's life.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאִיּוֹב
verbמוּת
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 42:17
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Conclusion of Job's Storygenerated
Job 42:17 marks the end of Job's trials and tribulations, highlighting his death after a long life filled with experiences. The preceding verses reflect on Job's legacy, including his children and the blessings he received, emphasizing the themes of patience and faithfulness throughout his life. This conclusion serves as a testament to Job's character and the fulfillment of his days.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 5:26 | You will come to the grave in full vigor, like a sheaf of grain gathered in season. |
| 2 | Genesis 15:15 | You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a ripe old age. |
| 3 | Genesis 25:8 | And at a ripe old age he breathed his last and died, old and contented, and was gathered to his people. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 6:2 | so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that your days may be prolonged. |
| 5 | Psalm 91:16 | With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — זָקֵ֖ן, za.Kengenerated
The Hebrew word זָקֵן (zaqen) means 'old' or 'elderly.' It describes a state of advanced age, often associated with wisdom and authority. The parsing indicates it is an adjective, modifying Job's state at the time of his death.
This term is frequently used in contexts that denote respect for elders and the roles they play in society. In this verse, it emphasizes Job's long life and the respect he earned through his experiences.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB has old, and so do the ASV, KJV, and WEB: all maintain the straightforward meaning of זָקֵ֖ן.
Where others part company with the BSB, they do so over the rendering of זָקֵ֖ן — aged (YLT, LSV) emphasizes a similar meaning but with a slightly different nuance.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb וַיָּ֣מָת (vai.Ya.mot), and he died, governs the sentence, with the subject אִיּ֔וֹב ('i.Yov) following it. The structure is straightforward, presenting Job's death directly.
The adjective phrases זָקֵ֖ן and וּשְׂבַ֥ע modify Job, providing additional information about his state at death, creating a clear picture of his life.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיָּ֣מָת with ἐτελεύτησεν (etelētesen), meaning 'he completed' or 'he came to an end.' This choice reflects a focus on the finality of Job's life.
The Greek word πρεσβύτερος is used for זָקֵ֖ן, emphasizing age and respect, similar to the Hebrew term.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 42:17 tells us that Job died after living a long life. He is described as old and satisfied, highlighting the fulfillment of his years and the legacy he leaves behind.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It indicates that Job lived a long and fulfilling life, experiencing many days and likely gaining wisdom and respect.
Job's patience is a central theme in the book, demonstrating his faith in God despite immense suffering and loss.
Job's life teaches us about enduring faith, the importance of patience, and the value of a life lived in integrity.
Job's story concludes with his death, marking the end of his trials and a return to peace, emphasizing the themes of restoration and fulfillment.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does it mean to live a life that is 'full of years' in today's context?
- How can we apply Job's patience and faithfulness in our own lives?
- In what ways can we honor the elderly in our communities, reflecting the respect shown to Job?
- What lessons can we take from Job's experiences to navigate our own struggles?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 42:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSo Job died,.... As every man does, though he lived so long, and as Methuselah the oldest man did, Genesis 5:27; and though a good man, the best of men die as well as others: so Job died, as a good
Read John Gill on Job 42 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryFull of days - fully sated and contented with all the happiness that life could give him; realizing what Eliphaz had painted as the lot of the godly (Job 5:26, "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 42 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAfter God had turned his captivity, as is said . Old and full of days; by which length of his days it seems most probable that he lived before the times of Moses, when the days of human life were much shortened, as he complains. END OF VOL. I.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 42 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 42:17 So Job died, [being] old and full of days.Ver. 17. So Job died, being old and full of days] How long he lived we know not. The Rabbis say, about two hundred years, which was longer than either Abraham or Isaac lived; of both whom it is likewise said, that they were saturi dierum, sated with this earthly life, and desirous of life eternal. To those old men that would yet live longer, we may say, Cur non ut satur vitae conviva recedis? (Lucret.) It is enough, Lord, said Elijah. I desire to be dissolved, said Paul. Go forth, my soul, go forth to God, said Hilarion. What make I here? said Monica. Job is now as willing to die as ever he was to dine; he is satisfied with days, saith the…
Read John Trapp on Job 42 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(17) So Job died, being old and full of days.—Such is the close of this mysterious book, which deals with the greatest problems that can engage the human mind, and shows us the way in which the ancients solved them, and the help which God vouchsafed them, apart from His covenant revelation and before the dawning of the Gospel light. And the great lesson of the history is the way in which the malice of Satan is foiled. He had insinuated that all service of God was interested and done for advantage. Job had clearly shown that he was capable of loving God even under the most severe afflictions; and the issue which was eventually brought about was no contradiction of this fact, inasmuch as it…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 42 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 17. Job died, being old and full of days.] He had seen life in all its varieties; he had risen higher than all the men of the East, and sunk lower in affliction, poverty, and distress, than any other human being that had existed before, or has lived since. He died when he was satisfied with this life; this the word שבע seba implies. He knew the worst and the best of human life; and in himself the whole history of Providence was exemplified and illustrated, and many of its mysteries unfolded. We have now seen the end of the life of Job, and the end or design which God had in view by his afflictions and trials, in which he has shown us that he is very pitiful, and of tender mercy, James…
Read AdamClarke on Job 42 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges17. Job dies, old and full of days. “Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:11).
Read Cambridge on Job 42 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSo Job died, being old and full of days - Having filled up the ordinary term of human life at that period of the world. He reached an honored old age, and when he died was not prematurely cut down.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 42 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
And so Job died, old and full of years.
So Job died, being old and full of days.
And so Job died, old and full of years.
And so Job died, old and full of days.
Tyndale line
So Job died, being old and full of days.
So Job died, being old and full of days.
So Job died, being old and full of days.
So Job died, being old and full of days.
So Iob dyed, being old, and full of dayes.
Strictly literal
And Job died, old and full of days.
and Job dieth, aged and satisfied [with] days.
and Job dies, aged and satisfied [with] days.
Then died Job, being old and full of days.
Then Job died, being old and full of days.
Simplified
Then Job died at an old age, having lived a very full life.
And Job came to his end, old and full of days.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in the wording of this verse, with all five words matched. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of Job's death and the respect given to his long life.
וַיָּ֣מָת אִיּ֔וֹב זָקֵ֖ן וּשְׂבַ֥ע יָמִֽים׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 42:17
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מוּת (mūth) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to die' or 'to kill.' It encompasses a range of meanings from dying naturally to being executed as a penalty. The word can refer to both humans and animals, and it includes various forms such as causing death or being killed. There is a distinction in usage based on the subject, whether it is a person or God inflicting death.
מוּת vb. die
Qal
die, of natural or other causes
die as a penalty = be put to death
Po‛lel. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)
Hiph.
abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man
subj. God, by inflicting penalty
of animals killing men
bring to a premature death
Hoph. be killed, put to death
base
H4191 מוּת die .. die, of natural or other causes
. die as a penalty = be put to death
. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)
. . abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man
. subj. God, by inflicting penalty
. of animals killing men
. bring to a premature death
. be killed, put to death
4191 muwth mooth
a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively);
causatively, to kill:--X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body,
man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to,
be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), X must needs,
slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in (no) wise.
מוּת (mut) — to die.
1) to die, kill, have one executed
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to die
1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death
1a3) to die, perish (of a nation)
1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct)
1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch
1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death
1d) (Hophal)
1d1) to be killed, be put to death
1d1a) to die prematurely
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
אִיּוֹב (Iyowb) refers to Job, a patriarch known for his patience, as described in the book of Job. The name is associated with the meaning 'hated' or 'persecuted.' It is mentioned in the context of the Exile and Return, and its exact meaning remains uncertain.
אִיּוֹב n.pr.m. Job (meaning unknown)
base
H347 אִיּוֹב
347 'Iyowb ee-yobe'
from 340; hated (i.e. persecuted); Ijob, the patriarch famous
for his patience:--Job.
see HEBREW for 0340
אִיּוֹב (iy.yov) — Job.
A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Job.1.1
Also named: Iōb (Ἰώβ "Job" G2492)
§ Job = "hated"
a patriarch, the subject of the book of Job
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
job ('iyobh, meaning of name doubtful; some conjecturing "object of enmity," others "he who turns," etc., to God; both uncertain guesses; Iob): The titular hero of the Book of Job, represented as a wealthy and pious land-holder who lived in patriarchal times, or at least conditions, in the land of Uz, on the borders of Idumea. Outside of the Book of Job he is mentioned by Ezekiel (Eze 14:14,20) as one of 3 great personages whose representative righteousness would presumably avail, if that of any individuals could, to redeem the nation; the other two being Noah, an ancient patriarch, and Daniel, a contemporary of the prophet. It is difficult to determine whether Job was an actual personage or not. If known through legend, it must have been on account of some such experience as is narrated in the book, an experience unique enough to…
Job
Persecuted, an Arabian patriarch who resided in the land of Uz (q.v.). While living in the midst of great prosperity, he was suddenly overwhelmed by a series of sore trials that fell upon him. Amid all his sufferings he maintained his integrity. Once more God visited him with the rich tokens of his goodness and even greater prosperity than he had enjoyed before. He survived the period of trial for one hundred and forty years, and died in a good old age, an example to succeeding generations of integrity (Ezek. 14:14, 20) and of submissive patience under the sorest calamities (James 5:11). His history, so far as it is known, is recorded in his book.
the patriarch, from whom one of the books of the Old Testament is named. His residence in the land of Uz marks him as belonging to a branch of the Aramean race, which had settled in the lower part of Mesopatamia (Probably to the south or southeast of Palestine, in Idumean Arabia), adjacent to the Sabeans and Chaldeans. The opinions of Job and his friends are thus peculiarly interesting as exhibiting an aspect of the patriarchal religion outside of the family of Abraham, and as yet uninfluenced by the legislation of Moses. The form of worship belongs essentially to the early patriarchal type; with little of ceremonial ritual, without a separate priesthood, it is thoroughly domestic in form and spirit. Job is represented as a chieftain of immense wealth and high rank, blameless in all the relations of life. What we know of his history is given in the book that bears his name.
A patriarch distinguished for his integrity and piety, his wealth, honors, and domestic happiness, whom God permitted, for the trial of his faith, to be deprived of friends, property, and health, and at once plunged into deep affliction. He lived in the land of Uz, lying, it is generally thought, in Eastern Edom, probably not far from Bozrah.
THE BOOK OF JOB, has originated much criticism, and on many points a considerable diversity of opinion still exists. Sceptics have denied its inspiration, and called it a mere philosophical romance; but no one who respects revelation can entertain this notion, or doubt that Job was a real person. Inspired writers testify to both. See Eze 14:14 Jas 5:11, and compare 1Co 3:19 with
זָקֵן (zaqen) means 'old' and is used to refer to human beings, often as a noun for 'old man' or 'elder.' It encompasses meanings related to age and authority, indicating both age and leadership roles. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to be old,' and it is consistently associated with the concept of elders in various contexts.
זָקֵן adj. old
old, of human beings
usu. as subst.
old man (or woman)
elder
base
H2205 זָקֵן old . old, of human beings
. usu. as subst. . old man (or woman)
. elder
2205 zaqen zaw-kane'
from 2204; old:--aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man,
men and...women), senator.
see HEBREW for 02204
זָקֵן (za.qen) — old: elder.
: elder/leader
1) old
1a) old (of humans)
1b) elder (of those having authority)
זָקֵן (za.qen) — old.
: old
1) old
1a) old (of humans)
1b) elder (of those having authority)
Also means: za.qen (זָקֵן ": elder" H2205)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
old.
See AGE, OLD.
שָׂבֵעַ (sabea`) means sated or satisfied, with a nuance of being surfeited. It is derived from a root that conveys the idea of being full, and can carry both positive and negative connotations. The word appears in contexts that reflect a state of abundance or excess.
שָׂבֵעַ adj. sated, satisfied, surfeited
base
H7649 שָׂבֵעַ sated, satisfied, surfeited
7649 sabea` saw-bay'-ah
from 7646; satiated (in a pleasant or disagreeable
sense):--full (of), satisfied (with).
see HEBREW for 07646
שָׂבֵעַ (sa.ve.a) — sated.
1) sated, satisfied, surfeited
1a) sated, abounding, satisfied
1b) surfeited (bad sense)
Conj | Adj — ConjunctionHC/Aamsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
יוֹם 2285 n.m. day
day, opp. night
Day as division of time
יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
Pl. days of anyone
Days
יוֹם = time
Phrases
base
H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night
. Day as division of time
. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
. Pl. days of anyone
. Days
. יוֹם = time
. Phrases
3117 yowm yome
from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm
hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one
sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by
an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +
chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)
day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +
(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as
(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,
presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,
then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,
weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole
(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.
יוֹם (yom) — day.
: day/when/time/period
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: old.
: old/(full/many)[days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: year.
: year[of_days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa