Will it go down to the gates of Sheol?In this phrase, "it" refers to Job's hope or expectation, which he feels is fading. The "gates of Sheol" symbolize the entrance to the realm of the dead, a concept prevalent in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Sheol is often depicted as a shadowy place where the dead reside, distinct from the later Christian understanding of hell. The imagery of "gates" suggests a boundary or transition from life to death. In biblical context, Sheol is mentioned in various passages (e.g.,
Psalm 16:10,
Isaiah 38:10), often as a place of waiting or rest. Theologically, this reflects the human condition and the inevitability of death, emphasizing the need for redemption and resurrection, themes fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ.
Will we go down together into the dust?
The phrase "go down together into the dust" highlights the finality and commonality of death. "Dust" is a reference toGenesis 3:19, where God tells Adam, "for dust you are and to dust you will return," underscoring the mortality of humanity. This reflects the ancient understanding of death as a return to the earth, a theme echoed inEcclesiastes 3:20. The use of "we" suggests a collective experience, indicating that death is a shared human destiny. This phrase also points to the hope of resurrection, as seen inJob 19:25-27, where Job expresses faith in a Redeemer who will stand upon the earth. This foreshadows the resurrection of Christ, who conquers death and offers eternal life to believers, transforming the despair of the grave into the hope of glory.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JobThe central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and patience who undergoes severe trials and suffering. In this chapter, Job is expressing his despair and grappling with the reality of death.
2.
SheolIn Hebrew thought, Sheol is the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and shadow where the dead reside. It is often depicted as a place of waiting, devoid of the presence of God.
3.
The Gates of SheolSymbolic of the entrance to the realm of the dead, representing the inevitability and finality of death.
4.
DustA reference to the creation account where man is formed from dust (
Genesis 2:7) and to which he returns after death (
Genesis 3:19). It symbolizes mortality and the transient nature of human life.
Teaching Points
The Reality of MortalityJob's reflection on death reminds us of the certainty of mortality. As believers, we are called to live with an eternal perspective, understanding that our time on earth is temporary.
The Depth of DespairJob's words express profound despair, a reminder that even the faithful can experience deep sorrow. It is important to acknowledge and address our emotions honestly before God.
Hope Beyond SheolWhile Job speaks of descending into Sheol, the broader biblical account offers hope beyond the grave. Believers can find comfort in the promise of resurrection and eternal life through Christ.
The Importance of Faith in TrialsJob's account encourages us to maintain our faith even when circumstances seem hopeless. Trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness is crucial during times of suffering.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from Job 17
Do the despairing references to the grave and Sheol in Job 17:13-16 conflict with later biblical teachings on hope and resurrection?
Acts 13:36-37: Paul claims David 'saw corruption' while Jesus did not; how is this consistent with other scriptural passages about bodily decay and resurrection?
If Job 19:27 implies a personal, bodily resurrection, does this conflict with other Old Testament notions of the afterlife?
In Job 24:19-20, is the depiction of the grave consuming sinners consistent with or contradictory to other Old Testament views on divine judgment?(16)
They shall go down to the bars of the pit.--The last verse of this chapter, which is itself one of the most difficult, is the most difficult of all. The difficulty consists in this:
the bars of the graveare masculine, and the verb,
they shall go down,is feminine plural; it seems improbable that
the bars of the graveshould be the subject of the verb (though perhaps not absolutely impossible); but if
the bars of the graveare the place to which the going down is, as in the Authorised Version, then what is the subject to the verb, go down, seeing that
hope,the apparent subject, is a feminine singular? Some render "it shall go down," but this is in defiance of the grammar, though, probably, the meaning it conveys is not far from the truth. The words clearly express a condition of utter despair, and that Job's only hope of rest is in the grave. It is a rule in Hebrew grammar that when the verb precedes its subject it need not agree with it in gender or number; but here the verb must, at all events, come after its subject, and consequently, it is very difficult to determine what that subject is. The only apparent subject is to be found in the
corruptionof the
wormof
Job 17:14; but they, instead of going down to the grave, are already there.
Verse 16.- They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust. There is great difficulty in determining the subject to the verb "go down," which is the third person plural
feminine, whereas the only plural substantive at all near - the word translated "bars" - is masculine. Some suppose Job's
hopes to be meant, "hope" in the preceding verse having the force of any number of "hopes" (so the R.V.) Others disregard the grammatical difficulty of the plural
feminine verb, and, making "bars" the nominative, translate, "The bars of Sheol shall go down,"
i.e. "be broken down, perish;" or interrogatively, "Shall the bars of Sheol go down?" This rendering is thought to be "in harmony with the whole undercurrent of thought in the chapter;" but it has not approved itself to many commentators. The present commentator must acknowledge that he is unable to attach any satisfactory meaning to the words of the Hebrew text.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Will it go downתֵּרַ֑דְנָה(tê·raḏ·nāh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 3381:To come or go down, descendto the gatesבַּדֵּ֣י(bad·dê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 905:Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief ofof Sheol?שְׁאֹ֣ל(šə·’ōl)Noun - common singular
Strong's 7585:Underworld (place to which people descend at death)Will we go downנָֽחַת׃(nā·ḥaṯ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 5183:A descent, imposition, unfavorable, favorable, restfulnesstogetherיַ֖חַד(ya·ḥaḏ)Adverb
Strong's 3162:A unit, unitedlyintoעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthe dust?”עָפָ֣ר(‘ā·p̄ār)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6083:Dust, clay, earth, mud
Links
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OT Poetry: Job 17:16 Shall it go down with me (Jb) 
