Job21
English Standard Version
1Then and :
2 to my , and let be your .
3 with me, and I will , and I have , .
4As for me, is my against ? should be ?
5 me and be , and your your .
6 I , I am , and my .
7 do the , reach , in ?
8Their are in their , and their before their .
9Their are , and of is them.
10Their ; their and does .
11They send their like a , and their .
12They to the and the and to the of the .
13They their in , and in they to .
14They to , us! We do the of your .
15 is the , we should him? And do we get we to him?
16 , is their in their ? The of the is me.
17 often is it that the of the is ? That their them? That God in his ?
18That they are like the , and like that the ?
19You say, their for their . Let him to them, that they may it.
20Let their own their , and let them of the of the .
21 do they for their them, when the of their is ?
22Will any , seeing that he those who are on ?
23One in his , being at and ,
24his of and the of his .
25Another in of , having of .
26They in the , and the them.
27 , I your and your to me.
28 you , is the of the ? is the in which the ?
29Have you those who the , and do you their
30 the is in the of , that he is in the of ?
31 his his , and him for what he has ?
32When he is to the , watch is his .
33The of the are to him; him, and those who go him are .
34 then will you me with ? There is of your but .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Job 21.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Job entreats attention. (1–6). The prosperity of the wicked. (7–16). The dealings of God's providence. (17–26). The judgement of the wicked is in the world to come. (27–34).
vv1-6
Job comes closer to the question in dispute. This was, Whether outward prosperity is a mark of the true church, and the true members of it, so that ruin of a man's prosperity proves him a hypocrite? This they asserted, but Job denied. If they looked upon him, they might see misery enough to demand compassion, and their bold interpretations of this mysterious providence should be turned into silent wonder.
vv7-16
Job says, Remarkable judgments are sometimes brought upon notorious sinners, but not always. Wherefore is it so? This is the day of God's patience; and, in some way or other, he makes use of the prosperity of the wicked to serve his own counsels, while it ripens them for ruin; but the chief reason is, because he will make it appear there is another world. These prospering sinners make light of God and religion, as if because they have so much of this world, they had no need to look after another. But religion is not a vain thing. If it be so to us, we may thank ourselves for resting on the outside of it. Job shows their folly.
vv17-26
Job had described the prosperity of wicked people; in these verses he opposes this to what his friends had maintained about their certain ruin in this life. He reconciles this to the holiness and justice of God. Even while they prosper thus, they are light and worthless, of no account with God, or with wise men. In the height of their pomp and power, there is but a step between them and ruin. Job refers the difference Providence makes between one wicked man and another, into the wisdom of God. He is Judge of all the earth, and he will do right. So vast is the disproportion between time and eternity, that if hell be the lot of every sinner at last, it makes little difference if one goes singing thither, and another sighing. If one wicked man die in a palace, and another in a dungeon, the worm that dies not, and the fire that is not quenched, will be the same to them. Thus differences in this world are not worth perplexing ourselves about.
Key Words
אִיּוֹב: Ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience
עָנָה: properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
שָׁמַע: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
מִלָּה: a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic
זֶה: the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
תַּנְחוּם: compassion, solace
נָשָׂא: to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
דָבַר: perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אַחַר: properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
Cross References
Job 21Classic parallel on the vexing question of the wicked's health, peace, and temporal prosperity.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Job directly mocks the friends' empty claims of offering 'the consolations of God'.
Supported by JFB
The expressive physical gesture of putting a hand over the mouth to command awe-struck silence.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Job directly quotes and challenges Bildad's dogmatic assertion that the lamp of the wicked is put out.
Supported by JFB
Direct continuation of Job's bitter complaint about the persistent mockings of his friends.
Supported by JFB
Like those saying 'Depart from us', the Gadarenes plead with Christ to leave their coasts.
Supported by JFB
Pharaoh's defiant question matches the arrogant spirit of the wicked asking, 'Who is the Almighty?'
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Job utilizes his own earlier imagery of being chased like dry stubble or windblown chaff.
Supported by JFB
The vivid metaphor of drinking the bitter cup of the wrath of the Almighty.
Supported by JFB
Echoes Job's previous argument that the dead do not know the fate of their children.
Supported by JFB
An identical idiomatic usage of laying a hand on the mouth to enforce absolute silence.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jeremiah's famous expostulation with God regarding the prosperous way of the wicked.
Refutes Bildad's claim that the wicked shall have neither son nor nephew remaining.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts with the friends' claim that terrifying sounds and sudden ruin constantly haunt the wicked.
Supported by JFB
Mentions the traditional stringed and wind instruments, the harp and the organ (pipe).
Supported by JFB
As Job notes painless deaths, the Psalmist observes the wicked have no bands in death.
Supported by JFB
The faithless, transactional view of religion that demands, 'What profit is it that we serve Him?'
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Illustrates the shortening or crushing of spirit caused by heavy oppression and deep anguish.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The righteous are similarly described as being astonished at the severe trials of the innocent.
Supported by JFB
Expresses that the wicked are reserved for the sovereignly appointed day of doom.
Supported by JFB