Job 10:21 - before I go where I shall not return from, to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death;

Generated Verse: Job 10:21

What does "Job 10:21" mean?


This verse from Job 10:21 expresses Job's despair and anticipation of death. Let's break it down:

"before I go where I shall not return from": This highlights the finality of death. Job believes there is no coming back from the place he is going to. It's a permanent departure.

"to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death": This describes the afterlife, or Sheol (the Hebrew word for the underworld), as a place of gloom, obscurity, and fear.

"Land of darkness": Suggests a place devoid of light, joy, and hope.
"Shadow of death": Evokes a sense of fear and the nearness of death. It implies a place where the presence of death is constantly felt.

Overall Meaning:

Job is lamenting his impending death and describing the afterlife as a bleak and hopeless place. He sees death as an irreversible journey to a dark and frightening land. This verse reflects the ancient Hebrew understanding of the afterlife, which often lacked the comforting hope of resurrection or eternal life that developed later in Jewish and Christian theology.

Context in Job:

Job's statement is made within the context of his suffering. He feels abandoned by God and is grappling with the meaning of his pain. He sees death as a release from his torment, even though he views the afterlife with dread. This verse is an expression of his intense emotional and spiritual struggle.

In essence, Job is saying, "Let me die soon and go to the grave, because the place I am going to is a land of darkness and gloom, from which there is no return."

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