Job 15:28 describes how the wicked end up dwelling in deserted places and houses that will become ruins, stressing how detachment from God results in desolation.
“He has lived in desolate cities, In houses no one would inhabit, Which are destined to become ruins” (v.28). The speaker here, Eliphaz, is describing the fate of the wicked in his continued response to Job. Eliphaz was a friend of Job from Teman, a region in ancient Edom (southeast of the Dead Sea). Historically, this dialogue is set in what is often considered the Patriarchal Age, which many scholars place around 2000-1800 BC. Eliphaz’s speech attempts to paint a picture of the dire conditions that befall those who reject God, suggesting that they end up inhabiting empty and desolate cities—places no one wants to live, places that will inevitably crumble. By using the imagery of cities turning to rubble, Eliphaz points to both physical and spiritual desolation that is the presumed lot of the ungodly. He implies that a person who stubbornly persists in wrongdoing is bound to be cut off from both human fellowship and God’s blessing.
In declaring that the houses are “destined to become ruins,” Eliphaz illustrates how human achievements—especially for those who live apart from God—inevitably decay (Job 42:2 reminds us that everything is subject to the LORD’s ultimate sovereignty). Like the rest of his speech, Eliphaz aims to convince Job that suffering stems from unrighteousness, so seeing ruin such as desolate houses is proof of sin. But we learn later in the book that Eliphaz’s perspective is flawed, as the LORD Himself states that Eliphaz and his friends did not speak rightly about God (Job 42:7). God’s wisdom surpasses Eliphaz’s simplistic cause-and-effect assumption regarding sin and punishment.
Still, the image of bleak cities and empty dwellings reminds us that God is ultimately in control, and all of creation rests under His sovereign hand. Ruined structures and deserted places underscore the consequences of a life divorced from the LORD’s guidance and blessing. It also highlights Job’s challenge in wrestling with why innocent people can suffer and apparently wicked people sometimes prosper (Job 21:7-15). The theme that runs through Job’s trials is that God’s ways and purposes are far higher than human understanding, and we cannot rely solely on earthly outcomes to discern God’s favor or disfavor.
This verse shows that defying God leads to emptiness and eventual destruction.
Set to dark mode
Job 15:28 meaning
“He has lived in desolate cities, In houses no one would inhabit, Which are destined to become ruins” (v.28). The speaker here, Eliphaz, is describing the fate of the wicked in his continued response to Job. Eliphaz was a friend of Job from Teman, a region in ancient Edom (southeast of the Dead Sea). Historically, this dialogue is set in what is often considered the Patriarchal Age, which many scholars place around 2000-1800 BC. Eliphaz’s speech attempts to paint a picture of the dire conditions that befall those who reject God, suggesting that they end up inhabiting empty and desolate cities—places no one wants to live, places that will inevitably crumble. By using the imagery of cities turning to rubble, Eliphaz points to both physical and spiritual desolation that is the presumed lot of the ungodly. He implies that a person who stubbornly persists in wrongdoing is bound to be cut off from both human fellowship and God’s blessing.
In declaring that the houses are “destined to become ruins,” Eliphaz illustrates how human achievements—especially for those who live apart from God—inevitably decay (Job 42:2 reminds us that everything is subject to the LORD’s ultimate sovereignty). Like the rest of his speech, Eliphaz aims to convince Job that suffering stems from unrighteousness, so seeing ruin such as desolate houses is proof of sin. But we learn later in the book that Eliphaz’s perspective is flawed, as the LORD Himself states that Eliphaz and his friends did not speak rightly about God (Job 42:7). God’s wisdom surpasses Eliphaz’s simplistic cause-and-effect assumption regarding sin and punishment.
Still, the image of bleak cities and empty dwellings reminds us that God is ultimately in control, and all of creation rests under His sovereign hand. Ruined structures and deserted places underscore the consequences of a life divorced from the LORD’s guidance and blessing. It also highlights Job’s challenge in wrestling with why innocent people can suffer and apparently wicked people sometimes prosper (Job 21:7-15). The theme that runs through Job’s trials is that God’s ways and purposes are far higher than human understanding, and we cannot rely solely on earthly outcomes to discern God’s favor or disfavor.
This verse shows that defying God leads to emptiness and eventual destruction.