Job 24:19
17 For to them, deep darkness is their morning; surely they are friends with the terrors of darkness!
18 They are but foam on the surface of the water; their portion of the land is cursed, so that no one turns toward their vineyards.
As drought and heat consume the melting snow, so Sheol steals those who have sinned.
20 The womb forgets them; the worm feeds on them; they are remembered no more. So injustice is like a broken tree.
21 They prey on the barren and childless, and show no kindness to the widow.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- As drought and heat consume the melting snow, so Sheol steals those who have sinned.
- KJV
- Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned.
- WEB
- Drought and heat consume the snow waters, so does Sheol those who have sinned.
- ASV
- Drought and heat consume the snow waters: [So doth] Sheol [those that] have sinned.
- DARBY
- Drought and heat consume snow waters; so doth Sheol those that have sinned.
- BLB
- [As] drought and heat tear away the waters of snow, [so] Sheol [does] to those who have sinned.
- ÅB
- Tørke og hete sluker snevann, dødsriket dem som synder.
- OTB
- Tørke og hete fortærer snøvannene,
Så fortærer dødsriket dem som har syndet. - B1930
- Tørke og hete sluker snevann, dødsriket dem som synder.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Psalms 49:14
Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode.
Read in contextProverbs 14:32
The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.
Read in contextLuke 16:22
One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried.
Read in contextJob 21:13
They spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol in peace.
Read in contextPsalms 68:2
As smoke is blown away, You will drive them out; as wax melts before the fire, the wicked will perish in the presence of God.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 9:4–6
There is hope, however, for anyone who is among the living; for even a live dog is better than a dead lion.
Read in contextLuke 12:20
But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
Read in contextJob 21:32–34
He is carried to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.
Read in context