Albert Barnes Commentary Job 27:19

"He lieth down rich, but he shall not be gathered [to his fathers]; He openeth his eyes, and he is not." — Job 27:19 (ASV)

The rich man - That is, the rich man who is wicked.

Shall lie down - Shall die, for the connection demands this.

But he shall not be gathered - That is, he will not be given an honorable burial.

The slain in battle are gathered for burial, but he shall be unburied.

The expressions “to be gathered” and “to be gathered to one’s fathers” frequently occur in the Scriptures and seem to be used to denote a peaceful and happy death and an honorable burial.

This conveyed the idea of a happy union with departed friends, of being honorably placed by their side in the grave, and admitted to companionship with them again in the unseen world; compare Genesis 25:8; Genesis 35:29; Genesis 49:29, Genesis 49:33; Numbers 27:13; Deuteronomy 32:50; Judges 2:10; 2 Kings 22:20.

Among the ancients, the opinion prevailed that the souls of those who were not buried in the customary manner were not permitted to enter Hades, or the abodes of the dead, but were doomed to wander for a hundred years on the banks of the river Styx.

Thus, Homer (Iliad, 23:71 and following) represents the spirit of Patroclus as appearing to Achilles and praying him to commit his body with proper honors to the earth.

Similarly, Palinurus is represented by Virgil (Aeneid, 6.365) as saying, “Cast earth upon me, that I may have a calm repose in death.”

Dr. Ward says that the Hindus believe that the souls of those who are unburied wander about and find no rest.

It is possible that such views may have prevailed in the time of Job.

The sentiment here is that such an honored death would be denied the rich man of oppression and wickedness.

He opens his eyes, and he is not - That is, in the twinkling of an eye he is no more. From the midst of his affluence he is suddenly cut off and hurried away in a moment.