Job 3:19

19 The least important and most important people are there. And there the slaves are set free from their owners.

Job 3:19 Meaning and Commentary

Job 3:19

The small and great are there
Both as to age, and with respect to bulk and strength of body, and also to estate and dignity; children and men, or those of low and high stature, or in a mean or more exalted state of life, as to riches and honour, these all come to the grave without any difference, and lie there without any distinction


FOOTNOTES:

F25 "little and great are there all one"; as Mr. Broughton renders the words, see ( Revelation 20:12 ) ;

and the servant [is] free from his master;
death dissolves all relations among men, and takes away the power that one has legally over another, as the husband over the wife, who at death is loosed from the law and power of her husband, ( Romans 7:2 ) ; and so parents over their children, and masters over their servants; there the master and the servant are together, without any superiority of the one to the other: the consideration of all the above things made death and the state of the dead in the grave appear to Job much more preferable than life in his present circumstances; and therefore, since it had not seized on him sooner, and as soon as he before had wished it had, he desires it might not be long before it came upon him, as in ( Job 3:20-26 ) .


F25 "Grandia cum parvis Orcus metit". Horat. Ep. l. 2. ep. 2. ver. 178. "----Mista senum ac juvenum densantur funera". Horat. Carmin. l. 1. Ode. 28.

Job 3:19 In-Context

17 In the grave, sinful people don't cause trouble anymore. And there those who are tired find rest.
18 Prisoners also enjoy peace there. They don't hear a slave driver shouting at them anymore.
19 The least important and most important people are there. And there the slaves are set free from their owners.
20 "Why is the light that leads to life given to those who suffer? Why is it given to those whose spirits are bitter?
21 Why is life given to those who long for death that doesn't come? Why is it given to those who would rather search for death than for hidden treasure?
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