Job 27:17

17 they may pile it up, but the just will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.

Job 27:17 Meaning and Commentary

Job 27:17

He may prepare [it]
Raiment; beginning with that first which was mentioned last, which is frequent in the Hebrew and eastern languages; such things may be done, and often are, by wicked men:

but the just shall put [it] on;
the wicked man will either have no heart, or have no time, to wear it, at least to wear it out, and so a just man shall have it, as the Israelites put on the raiment of the Egyptians, which they begged or borrowed, and spoiled them of, ( Exodus 12:35 ) ; and oftentimes so it is in Providence, that the wealth of wicked men is by one means or another transferred into the families of good men, who enjoy it, and make a better use of it, ( Proverbs 13:22 ) ;

and the innocent shall divide the silver;
have a part of it at least, or divide the whole between his children, or give a part of it to the poor; so money that is ill gotten, or ill used, is taken away, and put into the hands of one that will have mercy on the poor, and liberally distribute it to them, ( Proverbs 28:8 ) .

Job 27:17 In-Context

15 Those who survive them the pestilence buries, and their widows make no lamentation.

16 Though they heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay—

17 they may pile it up, but the just will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.

18 They build their houses like nests, like booths made by sentinels of the vineyard.

19 They go to bed with wealth, but will do so no more; they open their eyes, and it is gone.