Job 5:26

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 5:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, Like as a shock of grain cometh in in its season.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, Like as a shock of grain cometh in in its season.
Job 5:26 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
26Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, Like as a shock of grain cometh in in its season.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou shalt come to [thy] grave in a full age, etc.] Or, “go into thy grave” f228, which is represented as a house to enter into and dwell in; and so the wise man calls it man’s long home, and Job his house, and which is appointed for all living, (<211205>Ecclesiastes 12:5 <181713>Job 17:13 30:23); for all men must die, and so come to the grave, good men as well as bad, the righteous and the wicked: this is not to be understood literally, for the dead cannot go or come to their graves, but are carried thither, as Stephen was, and all are; but it denotes their willingness to die, who choose to be absent from the body, that they may be present with the Lord, and are desirous to depart this…”
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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
“in a full age--So "full of days" (Job 42:17; Gen 35:29). Not mere length of years, but ripeness for death, one's inward and outward full development not being prematurely cut short, is denoted (Isa 65:22). Thou shalt come--not literally, but expressing willingness to die. Eliphaz speaks from the Old Testament point of view, which made full years a reward of the righteous (Psa 91:16; Exo 20:12), and premature death the lot of the wicked (Psa 55:23). The righteous are immortal till their work is done. To keep them longer would be to render them less fit to die. God takes them at their best (Isa 57:1). The good are compared to wheat (Mat 13:30). cometh in--literally, "ascends." The corn is…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thou shalt come to thy grave in full age - That is, thou shalt have long life; thou shalt not be cut down prematurely, nor by any sudden calamity. It is to be remembered that long life was regarded as an eminent blessing in ancient times; see the notes at Isaiah 65:22. Like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season - Margin, “ascendeth.” As a sheaf of grain is harvested when it is fully ripe. This is a beautiful comparison, and the meaning is obvious. He would not be cut off before his plans were fully matured; before the fruits of righteousness had ripened in his life. He would be taken away when he was ripe for heaven - as the yellow grain is for the harvest. Grain is not cut down when it…”
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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
“Full age - In a mature and old, but vigorous age, as the word implies. It is a great blessing, to live to a full age, and not to have the number of our years cut short. Much more, to be willing to die, to come chearfully to the grave: and to die seasonably, just in the bed - time, when our souls are ripe for God. Job 5:27”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“in a full age: Job 42:16, Job 42:17; Gen 15:15, Gen 25:8; Psa 91:16; Pro 9:11, Pro 10:27 cometh: Heb. ascendeth Job 5:27”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification