Job 34:15

15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.

Job 34:15 Meaning and Commentary

Job 34:15

All flesh shall perish together
Not one by one, or one after another, as they generally do, but all together; as when the flood swept away the world of the ungodly. "All flesh" signifies all men, and their bodies of flesh particularly, which are weak, frail, and mortal; and if God gathers or takes out the spirit from them, they die immediately, which is meant by perishing, as in ( Ecclesiastes 7:15 ) ( Isaiah 57:1 ) ;

and man shall turn again unto dust;
from whence he came, as the body does at death; when those earthly tabernacles of the bodies of men, which have their foundation in the dust, are dissolved and sink into it. Now though this is the case of particular persons, one after another, yet it is not a general case, as it would be if God was to exert his power, as he might without any charge of injustice: and this shows the merciful kindness of God to man, so far is he from doing any thing injurious or unjust.

Job 34:15 In-Context

13 What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?

14 If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.

15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.

16 If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words.

17 Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just?