Bible Strands
Job 27:19
He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more; when he opens his eyes, all is gone.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Job addresses his friends while defending his own integrity, describing the sudden collapse of a wealthy man who has just enjoyed unearned prosperity. He places this declaration within a broader discourse on the fleeting nature of wicked success.
The words — The Hebrew יֵאָסֵף (ye.'a.Sef) literally means "he will be removed" or gathered, paired with עָשִׁיר ('a.Shir) for "rich." The phrase עֵינָיו פָּקַח (his eyes open) uses פָּקַח (pa.Kach) to denote waking or opening sight, marking the transition from sleep to sudden loss.
The thread — This pattern of abrupt ruin appears in Job 24:24, where the exalted are cut off like all others. It aligns with Psalms 73:19 and Psalms 58:9, which describe the wicked being swept away by terrors or divine judgment.
Why it lands — The verse states that material wealth provides no lasting security when sudden ruin arrives. It requires the reader to abandon reliance on temporary possessions and acknowledge the certainty of divine reckoning.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not.
Cross-references
- Job 24:24 They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain.
- Psalms 58:9 Before your pots can feel the burning thorns—whether green or dry—He will sweep them away.
- Psalms 73:19 How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
- Jeremiah 8:2 They will be exposed to the sun and moon, and to all the host of heaven which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered up or buried, but will become like dung lying on the ground.
- Genesis 49:10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.
- Job 7:8 The eye that beholds me will no longer see me. You will look for me, but I will be no more.
- Job 8:22 Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”
- Job 14:10 But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he?
- Job 14:12 so a man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, he will not be awakened or roused from sleep.
- Job 20:7 he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’