Job 20:11

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 20:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “His bones are full of his youth, But it shall lie down with him in the dust.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

His bones are full of his youth, But it shall lie down with him in the dust.
Job 20:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11His bones are full of his youth, But it shall lie down with him in the dust.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“His bones are full [of the sins] of his youth, etc.] Man is born in sin, and is a transgressor from the womb; and the youthful age is addicted to many sins, as pride, passion, lust, luxury, intemperance, and uncleanness; and these are sometimes brought to mind, and men are convinced of them, and corrected for them, when more advanced in years; and if not stopped in them, and reformed from them, they are continued in an old age; and the effects of them are seen in bodily diseases, which a debauched life brings upon them, not only to the rottenness and consumption of their flesh, but to the putrefaction of their bones; though this may be understood of the whole body, the bones, the principal…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Psa 25:7), so Vulgate. GESENIUS has "full of youth"; namely, in the fulness of his youthful strength he shall be laid in the dust. But "bones" plainly alludes to Job's disease, probably to Job's own words (Job 19:20). UMBREIT translates, "full of his secret sins," as in Psa 90:8; his secret guilt in his time of seeming righteousness, like secret poison, at last lays him in the dust. The English Version is best. Zophar alludes to Job's own words (Job 17:16). with him--His sin had so pervaded his nature that it accompanies him to the grave: for eternity the sinner cannot get rid of it (Rev 22:11).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“His bones are full of the sin of his youth - The words “of the sin” in our common translation are supplied by the translators. Gesenius and Noyes suppose that the Hebrew means, “His bones are full of youth;” that is, full of vigor and strength, and the idea according to this would be, that he would be cut off in the fulness of his strength. Dr. Good renders it forcibly, “His secret lusts shall follow his bones, Yea, they shall press upon him in the dust.” The Vulgate renders it, “His bones are full of the sins of his youth.” The Septuagint, “His bones are full of his youth.” The Chaldee Paraphrase, “His bones are full of his strength.” The Hebrew literally is, “His bones are full of his…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Bones - His whole body, even the strongest parts of it. The sin - Of the punishment of it. Job 20:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“bones: Job 13:26, Job 19:20; Psa 25:7; Pro 5:11-13, Pro 5:22, Pro 5:23; Eze 32:27 which shall lie: Job 21:26; Pro 14:32; Eze 24:13; Joh 8:21, Joh 8:24; Act 1:25 Job 20:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification