Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness? New Living Translation Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? English Standard Version Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Berean Standard Bible Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? King James Bible Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? New King James Version Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death? New American Standard Bible “Have the gates of death been revealed to you, And have you seen the gates of deep darkness? NASB 1995 “Have the gates of death been revealed to you, Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? NASB 1977 “Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Legacy Standard Bible Have the gates of death been revealed to you, Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? Amplified Bible “Have the gates of death been revealed to you, Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Christian Standard Bible Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Holman Christian Standard Bible Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of deep darkness? American Standard Version Have the gates of death been revealed unto thee? Or hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death? Contemporary English Version Have you seen the gate to the world of the dead? English Revised Version Have the gates of death been revealed unto thee? or hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death? GOD'S WORD® Translation Have the gateways to death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gateways to total darkness? Good News Translation Has anyone ever shown you the gates that guard the dark world of the dead? International Standard Version Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness? NET Bible Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of deepest darkness? New Heart English Bible Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? Webster's Bible Translation Have the gates of death been opened to thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shades of death? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHave the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? World English Bible Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWere the gates of death revealed to you? And do you see the gates of death-shade? Young's Literal Translation Revealed to thee were the gates of death? And the gates of death-shade dost thou see? Smith's Literal Translation Were the gates of death uncovered to thee? and shalt thou see the gates of the shadow of death? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHave the gates of death been opened to thee, and hast thou seen the darksome doors? Catholic Public Domain Version Have the gates of death been opened to you, and have you seen the doors of darkness? New American Bible Have the gates of death been shown to you, or have you seen the gates of darkness? New Revised Standard Version Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHave the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Were the doors of death revealed to you and the doors of the shadows of death? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Have the gates of death been revealed unto thee? Or hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death? Brenton Septuagint Translation And do the gates of death open to thee for fear; and did the porters of hell quake when they saw thee? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context God Challenges Job…16Have you journeyed to the vents of the sea or walked in the trenches of the deep? 17Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? 18Have you surveyed the extent of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this.… Cross References Psalm 9:13 Be merciful to me, O LORD; see how my enemies afflict me! Lift me up from the gates of death, Psalm 107:18 They loathed all food and drew near to the gates of death. Isaiah 38:10 I said, “In the prime of my life I must go through the gates of Sheol and be deprived of the remainder of my years.” Isaiah 38:18 For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness. Psalm 88:6 You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths. Psalm 88:10-12 Do You work wonders for the dead? Do departed spirits rise up to praise You? Selah / Can Your loving devotion be proclaimed in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon? / Will Your wonders be known in the darkness, or Your righteousness in the land of oblivion? Psalm 49:14 Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. Psalm 49:19 he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of day. Proverbs 5:5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to Sheol. Proverbs 7:27 Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death. Ezekiel 31:14 This happened so that no other trees by the waters would become great in height and set their tops among the clouds, and no other well-watered trees would reach them in height. For they have all been consigned to death, to the depths of the earth, among the mortals who descend to the Pit.’ Ezekiel 31:16 I made the nations quake at the sound of its downfall, when I cast it down to Sheol with those who descend to the Pit. Then all the trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, all the well-watered trees, were consoled in the earth below. Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Revelation 1:18 the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades. Revelation 20:13-14 The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds. / Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. Treasury of Scripture Have the gates of death been opened to you? or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death? the gates Psalm 9:13 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death: Psalm 107:18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Psalm 116:3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. the shadow Job 3:5 Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. Job 12:22 He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death. Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Jump to Previous Dark Darkness Death Death-Shade Deep Door-Keepers Doors Gates Open Opened Revealed Shades Shadow ShownJump to Next Dark Darkness Death Death-Shade Deep Door-Keepers Doors Gates Open Opened Revealed Shades Shadow ShownJob 38 1. God challenges Job to answer4. God, by his mighty works, convinces Job of ignorance 31. and weakness Have the gates of death been revealed to you? This phrase challenges human understanding of death and the afterlife. In biblical context, "gates of death" symbolize the entrance to Sheol, the realm of the dead. The imagery of gates suggests a boundary or transition from life to death, emphasizing the mystery and finality of death. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, death was often personified and seen as a powerful force. The rhetorical question implies that only God has knowledge and control over death, highlighting human limitations. This connects to other scriptures like Psalm 9:13 and Revelation 1:18, where God is depicted as having authority over death. Theologically, it points to the sovereignty of God and foreshadows Christ's victory over death through His resurrection. Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA righteous man tested by God through immense suffering, seeking understanding of his trials. 2. God The Almighty Creator who responds to Job, emphasizing His sovereignty and wisdom. 3. Gates of Death A metaphorical expression representing the boundary between life and death, symbolizing the unknown and the afterlife. 4. Shadow of Death A term often used to describe deep darkness or peril, representing the fear and mystery surrounding death. 5. Heavenly Court The setting of the initial chapters of Job, where God permits Satan to test Job's faith. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and WisdomGod's questions to Job remind us of His ultimate authority and understanding, which surpass human comprehension. The Mystery of Death Death remains a mystery to humanity, but believers can trust in God's control and promises regarding life after death. Faith in Uncertainty Like Job, we may not have all the answers, but we are called to trust in God's wisdom and plan, even in the face of death. Christ's Victory Over Death Through Christ, believers have assurance and hope beyond the grave, as He has conquered death and holds its keys. Comfort in God's Presence In times of fear and darkness, God's presence provides comfort and guidance, as seen in the imagery of the "shadow of death." Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 38:17?2. How does Job 38:17 challenge our understanding of God's power over death? 3. What does "gates of death" symbolize in Job 38:17 for believers today? 4. How can Job 38:17 deepen our trust in God's sovereignty over life? 5. Connect Job 38:17 with Psalm 23:4 regarding God's presence in life's trials. 6. How should Job 38:17 influence our perspective on life's uncertainties and fears? 7. What does Job 38:17 reveal about God's control over life and death? 8. How does Job 38:17 challenge our understanding of the afterlife? 9. What is the significance of "gates of death" in Job 38:17? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 38? 11. What does the Bible say about trials and tribulations? 12. Does Job 14:1-2's portrayal of life as short and full of trouble conflict with biblical passages that promise long life and blessings? 13. In Job 12:6, how does the idea that 'the tents of robbers are at peace' harmonize with other scriptures that insist the wicked are eventually punished? 14. What miracles are described in the Bible? What Does Job 38:17 Mean Have the gates of death been revealed to you?“Have the gates of death been revealed to you?” (Job 38:17a) • The Lord confronts Job with a stark question: Has Job ever stood at the threshold where life ends and eternity begins? Of course not. God alone “holds the keys of Death and Hades” (Revelation 1:18). • Scripture often pictures “gates” as places of authority or transition. At the “gates of death” no human wisdom, strength, or righteousness can prevail—only the Creator’s (Psalm 9:13; Matthew 16:18). • By posing this question, God exposes Job’s limitations: Job can analyze earthly pain, but he cannot explore the unseen realm where every life’s destiny is decided (Psalm 89:48). • The takeaway is humility. When suffering drives us to demand explanations, the Lord reminds us that His sovereign knowledge extends far beyond what we can perceive (Romans 11:33). Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? “Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?” (Job 38:17b) • “Shadow of death” depicts the darkest, most fearful places a human can imagine—territory Job felt he was already tasting (Job 10:21-22). Yet only God actually sees those “gates” and what lies beyond. • Even when we walk “through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4), we are still on this side of the gate; the Lord remains our Shepherd because He has already surveyed that valley’s end (Isaiah 41:10). • Christ’s resurrection brings the ultimate light into that darkness: He “has abolished death and illuminated the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10), proving that God not only sees the gates but also overcomes them for His people (Hebrews 2:14-15). • Thus, the question presses us to trust the One who knows the worst depths and rules over them (Psalm 139:8). summary Job 38:17 challenges every sufferer to recognize the chasm between human experience and divine omniscience. We have never stood at death’s gate, nor peered into its shadowy corridors. God has—and He rules there. Because He alone understands and commands what lies beyond, we can humbly submit our questions and fears to Him, confident that the One who governs death itself is more than able to shepherd us through life, suffering, and eternity. Verse 17. - Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? By "the gates of death," Sheol, the abode of the dead, seems to be intended (comp. Job 10:21, 22; Job 17:16). Has Job explored this region, and penetrated its secrets? Or is it as unknown to him as to the rest of mankind? The second hemistich - Or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? - is a mere echo of the first, adding an new idea.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Have the gatesשַׁעֲרֵי־ (ša·‘ă·rê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate of death מָ֑וֶת (mā·weṯ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin been revealed הֲנִגְל֣וּ (hă·niḡ·lū) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal to you? לְ֭ךָ (lə·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew Have you seen תִּרְאֶֽה׃ (tir·’eh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see the gates וְשַׁעֲרֵ֖י (wə·ša·‘ă·rê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate of the shadow of death? צַלְמָ֣וֶת (ṣal·mā·weṯ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6757: Death-like shadow, deep shadow Links Job 38:17 NIVJob 38:17 NLT Job 38:17 ESV Job 38:17 NASB Job 38:17 KJV Job 38:17 BibleApps.com Job 38:17 Biblia Paralela Job 38:17 Chinese Bible Job 38:17 French Bible Job 38:17 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 38:17 Have the gates of death been revealed (Jb) |
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