Job 21:23

Death Levels Everything

21:23 “One man dies in his full vigor, ¹ 

completely secure and prosperous,

Job 31:40

31:40 then let thorns sprout up in place of wheat,

and in place of barley, weeds!” ² 

The words of Job are ended.

[21:23]  ¹ tn The line has “in the bone of his perfection.” The word עֶצֶם (’etsem), which means “bone,” is used pronominally to express “the same, very”; here it is “in the very fullness of his strength” (see GKC 449 §139.g). The abstract תֹּם (tom) is used here in the sense of physical perfection and strengths.

[31:40]  ² tn The word בָּאְשָׁה (bo’shah, from בָּאַשׁ [ba’as, “to have a foul smell”]) must refer to foul smelling weeds.