Job 36:11
New International Version
If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.

New Living Translation
“If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant.

English Standard Version
If they listen and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness.

Berean Standard Bible
If they obey and serve Him, then they end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness.

King James Bible
If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

New King James Version
If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.

New American Standard Bible
“If they listen and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity, And their years in happiness.

NASB 1995
“If they hear and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity And their years in pleasures.

NASB 1977
“If they hear and serve Him, They shall end their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.

Legacy Standard Bible
If they hear and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity And their years in pleasures.

Amplified Bible
“If they hear and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity And their years in pleasantness and joy.

Christian Standard Bible
If they listen and serve him, they will end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If they serve Him obediently, they will end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness.

American Standard Version
If they hearken and serve him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.

Contemporary English Version
And if they obey, they will be successful and happy from then on.

English Revised Version
If they hearken and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"If righteous people listen and serve [him], they will live out their days in prosperity and their years in comfort.

Good News Translation
If they obey God and serve him, they live out their lives in peace and prosperity.

International Standard Version
If they listen and serve him, they'll finish their lives in prosperity and their years will be pleasant.

Majority Standard Bible
If they obey and serve Him, then they end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness.

NET Bible
If they obey and serve him, they live out their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness.

New Heart English Bible
If they listen and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

Webster's Bible Translation
If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

World English Bible
If they listen and serve him, they will spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
If they hear and serve, "" They complete their days in good, "" And their years in pleasantness.

Young's Literal Translation
If they do hear and serve, They complete their days in good, And their years in pleasantness.

Smith's Literal Translation
If they will hear and will serve him, they shall finish their days in good, and their years in delights.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If they shall hear and observe, they shall accomplish their days in good, and their years in glory.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If they listen and obey, they will fill their days with goodness and complete their years in glory.

New American Bible
If they listen and serve him, they spend their days in prosperity, their years in happiness.

New Revised Standard Version
If they listen, and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If they obey and serve him, they will spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If they will hear and they will do, also their days will be perfected in goodness, and their years in pleasures
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If they hearken and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
If they should hear and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in honour.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elihu Declares God's Justice and Power
10He opens their ears to correction and commands that they turn from iniquity. 11If they obey and serve Him, then they end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness. 12But if they do not obey, then they perish by the sword and die without knowledge.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:1-2
“Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. / And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God:

Isaiah 1:19
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land.

Psalm 81:13-16
If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways, / how soon I would subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes! / Those who hate the LORD would feign obedience, and their doom would last forever. ...

Proverbs 3:1-2
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; / for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.

Isaiah 48:18
If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea.

Psalm 119:2
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.

Proverbs 8:32-36
Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. / Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. / Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway. ...

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

John 14:21
Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

James 1:25
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

1 John 3:22
and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.

Psalm 112:1-3
Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments. / His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. / Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.

Proverbs 13:13
He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.

Isaiah 55:2-3
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

Luke 11:28
But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”


Treasury of Scripture

If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

If

Job 22:21
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.

Deuteronomy 4:30
When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;

Jeremiah 7:23
But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

spend

Job 11:13-19
If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; …

Job 21:11
They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.

Job 22:23
If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

Jump to Previous
Accomplish Complete Contentment Ear End Full Gives Good Hear Hearken Life Obey Pleasantness Pleasure Pleasures Prosperity Rest Serve Spend Voice Word
Jump to Next
Accomplish Complete Contentment Ear End Full Gives Good Hear Hearken Life Obey Pleasantness Pleasure Pleasures Prosperity Rest Serve Spend Voice Word
Job 36
1. Elihu shows how God is just in his ways
16. How Job's sins hinder God's blessings
24. God's works are to be magnified














If they obey and serve Him
This phrase emphasizes the importance of obedience and service to God, a recurring theme throughout the Bible. In the context of Job, Elihu is speaking about the consequences of human actions in relation to divine justice. Obedience to God is a central tenet in the Old Testament, seen in the covenant relationship between God and Israel (Deuteronomy 11:13-15). Serving God is also highlighted in the New Testament, where Jesus speaks of serving God rather than wealth (Matthew 6:24). The call to obedience and service is a call to align one's life with God's will, reflecting a heart transformed by faith.

then they end their days in prosperity
Prosperity in the biblical sense often refers to more than just material wealth; it includes spiritual well-being and peace. In the historical context of Job, prosperity was seen as a sign of God's favor. This aligns with the wisdom literature's general principle that righteousness leads to blessing (Proverbs 3:1-2). However, the book of Job challenges the simplistic equation of righteousness with prosperity, as Job's suffering occurs despite his righteousness. This phrase can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate prosperity found in eternal life through Christ, who offers spiritual riches beyond earthly wealth (Ephesians 1:3).

and their years in happiness
Happiness, or joy, in the biblical context is often linked to a right relationship with God. The Hebrew concept of "shalom" encompasses peace, completeness, and contentment, which are aspects of true happiness. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, long life and happiness were seen as blessings from God (Psalm 128:1-2). The New Testament expands on this by teaching that true joy is found in Christ, regardless of circumstances (Philippians 4:4). This phrase points to the ultimate fulfillment of joy in the presence of God, as seen in the promise of eternal life with Him (Revelation 21:4).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man of great faith and patience, Job is the central figure in the Book of Job. He undergoes severe trials and suffering but remains steadfast in his faith.

2. Elihu
A young man who speaks to Job and his friends in the latter part of the book. Elihu offers a perspective that emphasizes God's justice and sovereignty.

3. Uz
The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel. It serves as the setting for the events of the Book of Job.

4. God
The sovereign Creator who allows Job's trials to test his faith and ultimately restores him.

5. Suffering and Restoration
The overarching theme of the Book of Job, where Job's faith is tested through suffering, leading to a deeper understanding of God's nature and eventual restoration.
Teaching Points
Obedience Leads to Blessing
The verse emphasizes the principle that obedience to God results in prosperity and happiness. This is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, encouraging believers to live in accordance with God's will.

Service to God
Serving God is not just about following rules but involves a heart posture of worship and dedication. True service is an expression of love and reverence for God.

Understanding Prosperity
Biblical prosperity is not solely material wealth but includes spiritual well-being and fulfillment. It is important to align our understanding of prosperity with God's perspective.

Endurance Through Trials
Like Job, believers may face trials, but enduring with faith and obedience can lead to eventual restoration and blessing.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
Elihu's speech reminds us of God's ultimate control and fairness. Trusting in His justice can provide comfort during difficult times.(11) They shall spend their days in prosperity.--It is, perhaps, not more easy to reconcile this teaching of Elihu's with the realities of actual fact than it is the notions of Job's friends as to direct retribution in life.

Verse 11. - If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures (comp. Job 12:13-19; Jeremiah 7:23; Jeremiah 26:13). Under the old covenant, prosperity was promised to the righteous, and even to the repentant, frequently, and in the most definite terms. Under the new, when any such promise is made, it is carefully guarded (Mark 10:30); while in many passages the promise is of an opposite character - the righteous are told to expect tribulations and persecutions (John 16:33; Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12: Hebrews 12:1-11; 1 Peter 4:12, 13, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
אִֽם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

they obey
יִשְׁמְע֗וּ (yiš·mə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

and serve [Him],
וְֽיַ֫עֲבֹ֥דוּ (wə·ya·‘ă·ḇō·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

they will end
יְכַלּ֣וּ (yə·ḵal·lū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent

their days
יְמֵיהֶ֣ם (yə·mê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

in prosperity
בַּטּ֑וֹב (baṭ·ṭō·wḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

and their years
וּ֝שְׁנֵיהֶ֗ם (ū·šə·nê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8141: A year

in happiness.
בַּנְּעִימִֽים׃ (ban·nə·‘î·mîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 5273: Pleasant, delightful


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OT Poetry: Job 36:11 If they listen and serve him they (Jb)
Job 36:10
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