Job 27:16

16 Though he may get silver together like dust, and make ready great stores of clothing;

Job 27:16 Meaning and Commentary

Job 27:16

Though he heap up silver as the dust
Which, as it denotes the great abundance of it collected together, so it expresses the bias and disposition of such a man's mind, that he cannot be content without amassing great quantities of it, and also his diligence and success therein, see ( 1 Kings 10:27 ) ( Psalms 39:6 ) ( Habakkuk 2:6 ) ;

and prepare raiment as the clay;
not merely, for use, but pomp and show, to fill his wardrobes with; and formerly, raiment was part of the treasure of great men: the phrase signifies that he might have such a variety of raiment, and such large quantities of it, that he would value it no more than so much clay; or else that his riches, consist of what it would, would be both polluting and troublesome to him; the Septuagint version reads "gold" instead of "raiment", as in ( Zechariah 9:3 ) , where like expressions are used of Tyre.

Job 27:16 In-Context

14 If his children are increased, it is for the sword; and his offspring have not enough bread.

15 When those of his house who are still living come to their end by disease, they are not put into the earth, and their widows are not weeping for them.

16 Though he may get silver together like dust, and make ready great stores of clothing;

17 He may get them ready, but the upright will put them on, and he who is free from sin will take the silver for a heritage.

18 His house has no more strength than a spider's thread, or a watchman's tent.