איוב, פרק כ״א, פסוק י״ג

Wicked individuals often seem to enjoy absolute peace that spans their entire lives and extends all the way through their final moments. Their departure from the world is remarkably smooth and rapid, capping a lifetime of continuous material success entirely free from suffering. They live out their days and reach old age surrounded by goodness and comfort [מצודת דוד]. In a surprising reality, it is only their time on earth that fades away, while their physical bodies never deteriorate. They retain the vigor, strength, and freshness of their youth well into their later years [אלשיך].

When the time finally comes for them to descend to the grave [רש״י, רמב״ן, מלבי״ם], it happens in an instant. Rather than enduring prolonged illnesses or the agony of a deathbed, they experience a sudden, painless passing [אבן עזרא, רלב״ג, מצודת דוד]. Alternatively, this swift departure is understood not just as a matter of speed, but as a state of profound rest and calm, meaning they transition to the grave in total tranquility [רמב״ן].

This complete absence of suffering at the end of life only magnifies the scale of their worldly success. Naturally, one might expect that individuals possessing such robust health and physical strength would endure a painful and difficult struggle when their soul finally separates from their body. Yet, even this final hardship is spared from them, and they pass away in the blink of an eye [אלשיך]. Ultimately, this troubling reality, where the wicked experience absolute good in both life and death, is the defining characteristic of those who actively rebel against and deny the core principles of faith [רמב״ן].