New International VersionThough he heaps up silver like dust and clothes like piles of clay,
New Living Translation“Evil people may have piles of money and may store away mounds of clothing.
English Standard VersionThough he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,
Berean Standard BibleThough he heaps up silver like dust and piles up a wardrobe like clay,
King James BibleThough he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;
New King James VersionThough he heaps up silver like dust, And piles up clothing like clay—
New American Standard Bible“Though he piles up silver like dust, And prepares garments as plentiful as the clay,
NASB 1995“Though he piles up silver like dust And prepares garments as plentiful as the clay,
NASB 1977“Though he piles up silver like dust, And prepares garments as plentiful as the clay;
Legacy Standard BibleThough he piles up silver like dust And prepares garments as plentiful as the clay,
Amplified Bible“Though he heaps up silver like dust And piles up clothing like clay,
Christian Standard BibleThough he piles up silver like dust and heaps up fine clothing like clay —
Holman Christian Standard BibleThough he piles up silver like dust and heaps up a wardrobe like clay—
American Standard VersionThough he heap up silver as the dust, And prepare raiment as the clay;
Contemporary English VersionThe wicked may collect riches and clothes in abundance as easily as clay.
English Revised VersionThough he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThough he collects silver like dust and piles up clothing like dirt,
Good News TranslationThe wicked may have too much silver to count and more clothes than anyone needs;
International Standard Version"Though he hoards silver like dust, and stores away garments like clay,
NET BibleIf he piles up silver like dust and stores up clothing like mounds of clay,
New Heart English BibleThough he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare clothing as the clay;
Webster's Bible TranslationThough he should heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThough he heaps up silver like dust and piles up a wardrobe like clay,
World English BibleThough he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare clothing as the clay; Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIf he heaps up silver as dust, "" And prepares clothing as clay,
Young's Literal Translation If he heap up as dust silver, And as clay prepare clothing,
Smith's Literal TranslationIf he shall heap up silver as the dust, and prepare clothing as clay; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf he shall heap together silver as earth, and prepare raiment as clay,
Catholic Public Domain VersionIf he will amass silver as if it were dirt and fabricate garments as if they were clay,
New American BibleThough he heap up silver like dust and store away mounds of clothing,
New Revised Standard VersionThough they heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay— Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThough they heap up silver like dust and accumulate clothes like clay,
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedIf they will gather money like dust, and would prepare clothing like clay OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Though he heap up silver as the dust, And prepare raiment as the clay;
Brenton Septuagint TranslationEven if he should gather silver as earth, and prepare gold as clay;
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Wicked Man's Portion… 15His survivors will be buried by the plague, and their widows will not weep for them. 16Thoughhe heaps upsilverlike dustand piles upa wardrobelike clay,17what he lays up, the righteous will wear, and his silver will be divided by the innocent.…
Cross References Proverbs 13:22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.
Ecclesiastes 2:26To the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He assigns the task of gathering and accumulating that which he will hand over to one who pleases God. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
Psalm 39:6Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.
Proverbs 28:8He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
Ecclesiastes 5:10-11He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. / When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes?
James 5:1-3Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days.
Matthew 6:19-20Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Luke 12:20-21But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”
Proverbs 23:4-5Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. / When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.
Psalm 49:16-17Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. / For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.
1 Timothy 6:9-10Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Proverbs 11:4Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
Ecclesiastes 6:2God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a grievous affliction.
Luke 16:19-31Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. / And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ...
1 Timothy 6:17-19Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Treasury of Scripture Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; heap up Job 22:24
Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and thegold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. 1 Kings 10:27
And the king made silverto be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made heto be as the sycomore trees thatare in the vale, for abundance. Habakkuk 2:6
Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseththat which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay! Matthew 6:19
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: James 5:2
Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Jump to Previous ClayClothesClothingDustGarmentsGreatHeapHeapsPilePilesPlentifulPreparePreparesRaimentReadySilverStoresTogetherJump to Next ClayClothesClothingDustGarmentsGreatHeapHeapsPilePilesPlentifulPreparePreparesRaimentReadySilverStoresTogetherJob 27 1.Job protests his sincerity8.The hypocrite is without hope11.The blessings which the wicked have are turned into cursesThough he heaps up silver like dustThis phrase suggests the accumulation of wealth in vast quantities, likening silver to dust, which is abundant and seemingly infinite. In the ancient Near East, silver was a common medium of exchange and a symbol of wealth and prosperity. The imagery of dust emphasizes the futility and impermanence of material wealth, echoing themes found in Ecclesiastes 5:10, where the pursuit of wealth is described as never satisfying. The Bible often warns against the dangers of placing trust in riches, as seen in Proverbs 11:28, which states that those who trust in their riches will fall. This phrase also reflects the broader biblical narrative that true security and fulfillment come from God, not material possessions. and piles up a wardrobe like clay
The reference to piling up a wardrobe like clay suggests the accumulation of clothing, another symbol of wealth and status in the ancient world. Clay, being a common and easily shaped material, implies that these garments, though numerous, are ultimately perishable and of little lasting value. In biblical times, clothing was a significant indicator of one's social status, as seen in the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors (Genesis 37:3). The comparison to clay highlights the transient nature of such wealth, reminiscent of Jesus' teaching inMatthew 6:19-20, where He advises storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth. This phrase serves as a reminder of the temporary nature of earthly possessions and the importance of seeking eternal riches. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and unwavering faith. 2. UzThe land where Job lived. It is often associated with the region east of Israel, though its exact location is uncertain. 3. Job's FriendsEliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to comfort him but end up arguing with him about the reasons for his suffering. 4. GodThe sovereign Creator who allows Job's testing and ultimately restores him. 5. SatanThe adversary who challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that Job is faithful only because of his prosperity. Teaching Points The Futility of Material WealthJob highlights the temporary and ultimately unsatisfying nature of accumulating wealth. Material possessions, like silver and clothing, are compared to dust and clay, emphasizing their lack of eternal value. True Security in GodWhile wealth can provide temporary comfort, true security and peace come from a relationship with God. Job's life demonstrates that faithfulness to God is more valuable than any material possession. Perspective on Suffering and ProsperityJob's suffering and his reflections on wealth challenge the notion that prosperity is a sign of God's favor. Instead, they encourage believers to seek God's wisdom and understanding in all circumstances. Eternal vs. Temporal ValuesBelievers are called to focus on eternal values rather than temporal gains. Job's insights remind us to prioritize spiritual growth and heavenly treasures over earthly wealth. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Job 27
What is the significance of 'Dust of the Earth'?
If Job 19:27 implies a personal, bodily resurrection, does this conflict with other Old Testament notions of the afterlife?
Job 30:19 - How does the depiction of God casting Job into the 'mire' align with other biblical passages that portray God as just and merciful?
In Job 10:8-9, how can an all-loving Creator fashion Job only to seem intent on destroying him?Verse 16. - Though he heap up silver as the dust. The city of Tyro, we are told by Zechariah, "heaped up silver as the dust" ( Zechariah 9:3), i.e. in vast quantities, beyond count. So might the wicked man do. He might also prepare raiment as the clay; i.e. fill his house with rich dresses, partly for his own wear, partly to be given as robes of honour to his friends and boon companions (setup. Genesis 45:22; 2 Kings 5:22; 2 Kings 10:22, Matthew 6:19; James 5:2). Robes of honour are still kept in store by Eastern monarchs, and presented as marks of favour to visitors of importance,
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Thoughאִם־(’im-)Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, nothe heaps upיִצְבֹּ֣ר(yiṣ·bōr)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6651:To aggregatesilverכָּ֑סֶף(kā·sep̄)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701:Silver, moneylike dustכֶּעָפָ֣ר(ke·‘ā·p̄ār)Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6083:Dust, clay, earth, mudand piles upיָכִ֥ין(yā·ḵîn)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3559:To be erecta wardrobeמַלְבּֽוּשׁ׃(mal·būš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4403:A garment, clothinglike clay,וְ֝כַחֹ֗מֶר(wə·ḵa·ḥō·mer)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2563:A bubbling up, of water, a wave, of earth, mire, clay, a heap, a chomer, dry measure
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OT Poetry: Job 27:16 Though he heap up silver as (Jb) |
