A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.

JOB 15:21KJV
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Job 15:21 (KJV)

What does Job 15:21 mean?

Job 15:21 describes a person who constantly hears frightening noises, always expecting disaster to strike, even when things seem to be going well. The verse warns that even in times of peace or prosperity, destruction can suddenly come upon such a person.

In this part of the book of Job, Eliphaz is speaking to Job, arguing that trouble and fear haunt the wicked. Eliphaz claims that those who do wrong cannot escape anxiety or the threat of ruin, suggesting that Job’s suffering might be a result of hidden wrongdoing. The verse paints a picture of inner turmoil and insecurity, even during outward success.

The Hebrew behind Job 15:21

  • The word for "dreadful" is פַּחַד (pachad), which means terror or fear. This highlights the deep, unsettling fear that fills the person's mind, not just a passing worry.
  • The word for "prosperity" is שָׁלוֹם (shalom), often meaning peace or well-being. Here, it emphasizes that even when life appears peaceful, danger can still be near.
  • The word for "destroyer" is שָׁדַד (shadad), meaning one who devastates or ruins. This underlines the suddenness and severity of the threat that can break into a person’s life.

Why Job 15:21 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Eliphaz sees fear and disaster as the natural lot of the wicked, not just random events, challenging Job’s claims of innocence.
  • The verse shows how Eliphaz interprets suffering: not as a mystery, but as a consequence of wrongdoing, which is a key theme in the debates between Job and his friends.
  • Understanding the original words for "fear," "peace," and "destroyer" helps us see the contrast Eliphaz draws between outward calm and inward dread, making his warning more vivid.

Where else these words appear

“destroyer” Hebrew H7703 · used in 47 verses

  • Judges 5:27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
  • Jeremiah 4:30 And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
  • Jeremiah 49:3 Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together.

“dreadful” Hebrew H6343 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
  • Job 3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
  • Psalms 119:120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.