Job 21:13

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 21:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They spend their days in prosperity, And in a moment they go down to Sheol.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They spend their days in prosperity, And in a moment they go down to Sheol.
Job 21:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13They spend their days in prosperity, And in a moment they go down to Sheol.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They spend their days in wealth, etc.] Or “in good” f805; not in the performance of good works, or in the exercise of that which is spiritually good; or in seeking after spiritual good things, or eternal happiness; but in earthly good, in the enjoyment of the temporal good things of this life, and which to enjoy in a moderate and becoming manner is not criminal, but commendable; but these men, and such as they, seek no other good but worldly good; their language is, “who will show us any good?” (<190406>Psalm 4:6); any outward good; the way to get it, how to come at it, and be put in the possession of it: such place all their happiness in such sort of good, and spend all their time either in…”
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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
“wealth--Old English Version for "prosperity." in a moment--not by a lingering disease. Great blessings! Lengthened life with prosperity, and a sudden painless death (Psa 73:4).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“They spend their days in wealth - Margin, or, “mirth.” Literally, “they wear out their days in good” - בטוב baṭôb. Vulgate “in bonis.” Septuagint, ἐν ἀγαθοῖς en agathois - “in good things;” in the enjoyment of good. They are not oppressed with the evils of poverty and want, but they have abundance of “the good things” of life. And in a moment go down to the grave - Hebrew to שׁאול she'ôl - but here meaning evidently the grave. The idea is, that when they die they are not afflicted with lingering disease, and great bodily pain, but having lived to an old age in the midst of comforts, they drop off suddenly and quietly, and sleep in the grave. God gives them prosperity while they live,…”
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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
“Moment - They do not die of a lingering and tormenting disease. Job 21:14”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“They: Job 36:11; Psa 73:4; Mat 24:38, Mat 24:39; Luk 12:19, Luk 12:20, Luk 17:28, Luk 17:29 wealth: or, mirth Job 21:14”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification