איוב, פרק כ״ז, פסוק ט״ו

The fate of a wicked individual and his family unfolds through a dark portrait of death, survival, and a striking lack of mourning. The narrative centers on those who remain after him and the surprising reaction of the widows to their loss.

The primary approach among commentators is that the survivors are the man's sons, those who managed to live through violence and previous disasters [אבן עזרא, רלב״ג, מצודת ציון, שטיינזלץ]. However, another perspective suggests this refers to the physical remains of the deceased body, meaning his flesh and bones, or even hints that the wealthy individual is buried in dignified garments [מלבי״ם].

The nature of their death and burial carries specific meaning. Some explain that these individuals are granted the privilege of dying a natural death in their beds and receiving a proper burial, a stark contrast to those who fall in battle and are left unburied on the ground [רמב״ן, אלשיך]. Alternatively, this means they are fortunate enough to be buried immediately upon the moment of their passing [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

The most unexpected element of this scene is the complete absence of tears from the widows, who may actually be the wives of the surviving sons [רמב״ן]. Commentators offer various reasons for this lack of mourning. One thought is that the widows do not cry out of a sense of relief. They are thankful that their husbands experienced a natural death and a proper burial instead of a sudden, unnatural end [רמב״ן, אלשיך]. Another approach ties the dry eyes to material comfort. Because the wicked man leaves behind vast amounts of silver, gold, and wealth, the widows are guaranteed financial security, leaving them with no practical worries to cry over [מלבי״ם].

On the other hand, a more tragic view suggests the widows do not weep because they are entirely consumed by the struggle for their own survival. Their captors might forbid them from mourning, or it is possible that no widows are even left alive to shed a tear [שטיינזלץ]. Finally, the silence might be an act of consideration, where the women hold back their tears in the presence of the dying man to avoid breaking his heart during his final moments [מצודת דוד].