His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.

JOB 21:24KJV
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Job 21:24 (KJV)

What does Job 21:24 mean?

Job 21:24 describes a person who reaches death well nourished and physically strong. Job uses this picture to show that a life of ease can continue right up to the end, rather than being cut short by visible suffering.

After mentioning a person who dies “in his full strength” in verse 23, Job gives a vivid picture of that strength. The KJV’s “breasts” filled with milk and bones rich with marrow suggest a body well supplied and flourishing.

The Hebrew behind Job 21:24

  • “breasts” — עֲטִינִים (ʿaṭinim): The meaning of this rare Hebrew word is uncertain. The KJV takes it to refer to breasts, while some translations understand it as containers or parts of the body associated with nourishment.
  • “marrow” — מֹחַ (moaḥ): This word refers to the soft material inside bones. Here, moist marrow forms part of Job’s picture of a well-fed, vigorous body.

Why Job 21:24 matters

  • Job challenges the idea that prosperity always ends in suffering before death. He has asked why people who do wrong can “live, become old” and grow powerful (Job 21:7).
  • Job’s picture gains force from the contrast that follows. Another person dies with a bitter experience of life, yet both lie down in the dust (Job 21:25–26).
  • The verse helps explain Job’s disagreement with his friends. He rejects their claim that the fate of people who do wrong is as simple and predictable as they suggest (Job 21:27–34).

Where else these words appear

“milk” Hebrew H2461 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
  • Deuteronomy 11:9 And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
  • Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

“moistened” Hebrew H8248 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 2:6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
  • Genesis 40:20 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.
  • Psalms 60:3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

“bones” Hebrew H6106 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • 1 Kings 13:31 And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones:
  • Proverbs 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.