Job 15:32

32 Even before they die, they'll be paid back in full. No matter what they do, it won't succeed.

Job 15:32 Meaning and Commentary

Job 15:32

It shall be accomplished before his time,
Either the recompence or reward of his trusting vanity, in vain persons or things, the punishment of such a trust, the sorrows and troubles following upon it; these shall come upon the wicked man "before his day" ^F6, as it may be rendered; before the day of his death, even before his old age; before the evil days come in a course of nature, and those years in which he has no pleasure: or his life, and the days of his life, "shall be filled up" ^F7; or be at an end before his time; not before the time fixed in the decree and purpose of God, ( Job 14:5 ) ; but before his own time, that he and his friends thought he might have lived, and as his healthful constitution promised; or before the then common term of human life; and so the phrase is expressive or an immature death:

and his branch shall not be green;
but dried up and wither away; his wealth and riches, his children and family, be utterly extinct; instead of being like a branch, green and flourishing, shall be like a dry stick, useless and unprofitable, only fit for burning; see ( Job 15:30 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 (wmwy alb) "ante diem suam", Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
F7 (almt) "complebitur", Montanus; "implebitur", Schultens.

Job 15:32 In-Context

30 They won't escape the darkness of death. A flame will dry up everything they have. The breath of God will blow them away.

31 Don't let them fool themselves by trusting in what is worthless. They won't get anything out of it.

32 Even before they die, they'll be paid back in full. No matter what they do, it won't succeed.

33 They'll be like vines that are stripped of their unripe grapes. They'll be like olive trees that drop their flowers.

34 People who are ungodly won't have any children. Fire will burn up the tents of people who accept money from those who want special favors.