with kings and counselors of the earthThis phrase reflects Job's lament and his desire to be at rest with those who have held positions of power and influence. In the ancient Near Eastern context, kings and counselors were often seen as the ultimate authorities, wielding significant control over their realms. The mention of "kings" suggests a connection to the broader biblical narrative where kingship is a central theme, such as in the stories of Saul, David, and Solomon. Counselors, or advisors, were crucial in decision-making processes, as seen in the roles of figures like Ahithophel and Hushai in the court of King David (2 Samuel 15-17). This phrase underscores the universality of death, as even those with great power eventually face mortality.
who built for themselves cities now in ruins
This part of the verse highlights the transient nature of human achievements. In the ancient world, building cities was a sign of power and legacy, as seen in the construction of cities like Babylon and Nineveh. Archaeological evidence from sites such as these reveals the grandeur and eventual decline of such civilizations. The ruins serve as a testament to the impermanence of human endeavors, echoing the biblical theme found inEcclesiastes 1:2, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." This also foreshadows the New Testament teaching of Jesus inMatthew 6:19-20, where He advises storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth. The imagery of ruins can be seen as a type pointing to the ultimate kingdom of God, which will never fall into ruin.
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, experiencing intense suffering and questioning the reasons behind it.
2.
Kings and CounselorsThese are the powerful and wise leaders of the earth, who are often seen as figures of authority and influence. In this context, they are mentioned as those who have built cities that are now in ruins.
3.
Cities Now in RuinsThis phrase refers to the once-great cities constructed by kings and counselors, which have since fallen into decay. It symbolizes the transient nature of human achievements.
Teaching Points
The Transience of Earthly AchievementsHuman accomplishments, no matter how grand, are temporary. This should remind us to focus on eternal values rather than solely on worldly success.
The Illusion of Security in Power and WealthKings and counselors, despite their power, could not prevent their cities from falling into ruin. True security is found in God, not in earthly power or wealth.
The Importance of a God-Centered LifeLike Job, we may question the purpose of our suffering and achievements. A life centered on God provides meaning beyond the temporal.
Reflecting on Our LegacyConsider what kind of legacy we are building. Are we investing in things that will last beyond our lifetime, such as faith, love, and service to others?
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Job 3:14?
2.How does Job 3:14 reflect Job's deep despair and longing for death?
3.What can we learn about suffering from Job's lament in Job 3:14?
4.How does Job 3:14 connect with themes of mortality in Ecclesiastes?
5.How can Job 3:14 help us empathize with those experiencing deep sorrow?
6.How should Christians respond when feeling like Job in Job 3:14?
7.What does Job 3:14 reveal about Job's understanding of death and the afterlife?
8.How does Job 3:14 reflect the cultural beliefs of ancient Near Eastern societies?
9.Why does Job mention "kings and counselors" in Job 3:14?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 3?
11.Does Isaiah 14:13-14's description of ascending to heaven reflect a literal cosmic event, and if not, why does the text use such lofty imagery?
12.Why would a single human sacrifice on a city wall abruptly force Israel's retreat (2 Kings 3:26-27)?
13.In 1 Kings 15:14, why are the high places said to remain, yet 2 Chronicles 14:3 claims Asa removed them?
14.What happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon?What Does Job 3:14 Mean
kingsJob pictures himself lying “with kings,” those who once ruled from magnificent thrones (1 Kings 2:10;Psalm 146:3-4).
• Kings enjoyed honor in life, yetPsalm 49:12 reminds us they “cannot remain; they are like the beasts that perish.”
• By placing himself beside them in death, Job is saying that the grave levels every human distinction—royal splendor and personal suffering alike (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6).
• The thought echoesGenesis 3:19: from dust all were taken, and to dust all return.
Job is not challenging the reality of resurrection (Job 19:25-27) but lamenting the present state of death’s repose: even the most powerful are silent there.
counselors of the earth“Counselors” were the seasoned advisers who guided nations (2 Samuel 16:23;Isaiah 19:11-13).
• Their brilliance and strategy once shaped kingdoms, yet in the grave their voices are hushed (Ecclesiastes 1:11).
• Job, stripped of every earthly comfort, longs to join them where worldly wisdom can neither help nor haunt him (Psalm 88:3-5).
• Death, then, becomes—for the moment—a place devoid of political intrigue, a quiet contrast to the turmoil that grips his soul.
who built for themselves citiesThe kings and counselors “built for themselves cities,” vast projects testifying to human ambition (Genesis 11:4;2 Chronicles 8:4-6).
• Solomon’s construction feats (1 Kings 9:17-19) once shouted success; Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon boasted, “Is this not … the royal residence I have built?” (Daniel 4:30).
• Job’s reference underscores that even massive achievements cannot shield their makers from mortality (Ecclesiastes 2:4-11).
• His anguish contrasts the proud self-reliance of builders with his present helplessness—yet both groups end in the same resting place (Psalm 39:5).
now in ruinsThose grand cities lie “in ruins,” silent witnesses to the frailty of human glory (Isaiah 13:19-22;Jeremiah 51:37).
• Ruins preach that time, judgment, and nature erase the works of men (Matthew 24:2).
• For Job, the image provides a bitter comfort: if even mighty capitals crumble, his shattered life is not unique (Psalm 102:25-27).
• The verse quietly affirms God’s sovereignty over history; He alone endures when palaces and plans decay (Psalm 90:1-2).
summaryJob 3:14 reveals a suffering man wishing he had never been born, yearning for the same stillness that envelops kings, counselors, and master builders whose accomplishments now lie in dust. The verse reminds us that death levels all earthly status, exposes the fleeting nature of human achievements, and highlights our ultimate dependence on the eternal God who outlasts every throne, scheme, and city.
(14)
Desolate places--i.e., gorgeous tombs and splendid sepulchres, which, being tenanted only by the dead, are desolate; or it may mean that the places so built of old are now ruined and desolate. In the former sense it is possible that the Pyramids may here be hinted at.
Verse 14. -
With kings and counsellers of the earth. As a great man himself, nobly born probably, Job expects that his place in another world would have been with kings and nobles (see
Isaiah 14:9-11, where the King of Babylon, on entering Sheol, finds himself among "all the kings of the nations").
Which built desolate places for themselves. Some understand "restorers of cities which had become waste and desolate;" others, "builders of edifices which, since they built them, have become desolate;" others, again, "builders of desolate and dreary piles," such as the Pyramids, and the rock-tombs common in Arabia, which were desolate and dreary from the time that they were built. The brevity studied by the writer makes his meaning somewhat obscure.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
withעִם־(‘im-)Preposition
Strong's 5973:With, equally withkingsמְ֭לָכִים(mə·lā·ḵîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4428:A kingand counselorsוְיֹ֣עֲצֵי(wə·yō·‘ă·ṣê)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3289:To advise, to deliberate, resolveof the earth,אָ֑רֶץ(’ā·reṣ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landwho builtהַבֹּנִ֖ים(hab·bō·nîm)Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1129:To buildfor themselvesלָֽמוֹ׃(lā·mōw)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrewcities now in ruins,חֳרָב֣וֹת(ḥo·rā·ḇō·wṯ)Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 2723:Waste, desolation, ruin
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OT Poetry: Job 3:14 With kings and counselors of the earth (Jb)