13 They (A)spend their days in prosperity,
And [a]suddenly they go down to [b]Sheol.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 21:13 Or in peacefulness
  2. Job 21:13 I.e., the netherworld

13 They live out[a] their years in prosperity
and go down[b] to the grave[c] in peace.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 21:13 tc The Kethib has “they wear out” but the Qere and the versions have יְכַלּוּ (yekhallu, “bring to an end”). The verb כָּלָה (kalah) means “to finish; to complete,” and here with the object “their days,” it means that they bring their life to a (successful) conclusion. Both readings are acceptable in the context, with very little difference in the overall meaning (which according to Gordis is proof the Qere does not always correct the Kethib).
  2. Job 21:13 tc The MT has יֵחָתּוּ (yekhattu, “they are frightened [or broken]”), taking the verb from חָתַת (khatat, “be terrified”). But most would slightly repoint it to יֵחָתוּ (yekhatu), an Aramaism, “they go down,” from נָחַת (nakhat, “go down”). See Job 17:16.
  3. Job 21:13 tn The word רֶגַע (regaʿ) has been interpreted as “in a moment” or “in peace” (on the basis of Arabic rajaʿa, “return to rest”). Gordis thinks this is a case of talhin— both meanings present in the mind of the writer.

13 They spend their years in prosperity(A)
    and go down to the grave(B) in peace.[a](C)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 21:13 Or in an instant