Job 34:15 Meaning and Explanation
“All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If God withdrew His breath, all living things would perish and humanity would return to dust.
What Does Job 34:15 Mean?
Completing the thought of the previous verse, Elihu states the consequence: were God to recall His breath, 'all flesh shall perish' and humanity would 'turn again unto dust.' He echoes the sentence first spoken in Eden, that man is dust and to dust returns. The point is the radical contingency of all life upon God's will.
This sober reminder is not meant to crush but to humble and to anchor hope. The God who made us from dust is also the God who promises that dust is not the end. The same Scriptures that say we return to the ground also testify that He who formed us can raise us. Our frailty drives us not to despair but to the One in whom life is held secure.
Job 34:15 in the Original Language
aphar (עָפָר), 'dust' -- the loose earth or dry ground from which humanity was formed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 34:15
What does Job 34:15 mean?
If God withdrew His breath, all living things would perish and humanity would return to dust.