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Job 21

BSB·34 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Then Jobאִיּ֗וֹב’î·yō·wḇ — He weeps or sorrowsH347 — Full Word Study → answeredוַיַּ֥עַןway·ya·‘an — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →: 2Listen carefullyשִׁמְע֣וּšim·‘ū — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → to my wordsמִלָּתִ֑יmil·lā·ṯî — speech, word, matter, thing saidH4405 — Full Word Study →; let thisזֹ֝֗אתzōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → beוּתְהִי־ū·ṯə·hî- — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → your consolation to me. 3Bear with meשָׂ֭אוּנִיśā·ʾû·nî — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → while Iוְאָנֹכִ֣יwə·’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → speakאֲדַבֵּ֑ר’ă·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →; then, afterוְאַחַ֖רwə·’a·ḥar — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study → I have spokenדַּבְּרִ֣יdab·bə·rî — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →, you may go on mockingתַלְעִֽיג׃ṯal·‘îḡ — To mock, deride, or laugh in scornH3932 — Full Word Study →. 4Is myהֶ֭אָנֹכִיhe·’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → complaintשִׂיחִ֑יśî·ḥî — Complaint, meditation, or speech; utterance of the heartH7879 — Full Word Study → against a manלְאָדָ֣םlə·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →? Then whyמַ֝דּ֗וּעַmad·dū·a‘ — Why? For what reason?H4069 — Full Word Study → should I notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → be impatientתִקְצַ֥רṯiq·ṣar — to cut short, harvest, or reapH7114 — Full Word Study →? 5Lookפְּנוּ־pə·nū- — to turn, face, or direct attentionH6437 — Full Word Study → at meאֵלַ֥י’ê·lay — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → and be appalledוְהָשַׁ֑מּוּwə·hā·šam·mū — to be desolate; to be appalled; to lie wasteH8074 — Full Word Study →; putוְשִׂ֖ימוּwə·śî·mū — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → your handיָ֣דyāḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → overעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → your mouthפֶּֽה׃peh — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study →. 6Whenוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → I rememberזָכַ֥רְתִּיzā·ḵar·tî — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study →, terrorוְנִבְהָ֑לְתִּיwə·niḇ·hā·lə·tî — to alarm, hasten, or act in hasteH926 — Full Word Study → takes holdוְאָחַ֥זwə·’ā·ḥaz — to grasp, seize, or take hold ofH270 — Full Word Study →, and my bodyבְּ֝שָׂרִ֗יbə·śā·rî — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study → trembles in horrorפַּלָּצֽוּת׃pal·lā·ṣūṯ — Trembling fear, shuddering dreadH6427 — Full Word Study →. 7Whyמַדּ֣וּעַmad·dū·a‘ — Why? For what reason?H4069 — Full Word Study → do the wickedרְשָׁעִ֣יםrə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → live onיִחְי֑וּyiḥ·yū — To live, to preserve alive, to give lifeH2421 — Full Word Study →, growing oldעָ֝תְק֗וּ‘ā·ṯə·qū — to remove, depart, or wear awayH6275 — Full Word Study → andגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → increasingגָּ֥בְרוּgā·ḇə·rū — to be strong, prevail, overcomeH1396 — Full Word Study → in powerחָֽיִל׃ḥā·yil — Army, force, or wealthH2428 — Full Word Study →? 8Their descendantsזַרְעָ֤םzar·‘ām — Seed; offspring; descendant; progenyH2233 — Full Word Study → are establishedנָכ֣וֹןnā·ḵō·wn — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → around themעִמָּ֑ם‘im·mām — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study →, and their offspringוְ֝צֶאֱצָאֵיהֶ֗םwə·ṣe·’ĕ·ṣā·’ê·hem — Offspring, progeny, descendantsH6631 — Full Word Study → before their eyesלְעֵינֵיהֶֽם׃lə·‘ê·nê·hem — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →. 9Their homesבָּתֵּיהֶ֣םbāt·tê·hem — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → are safeשָׁל֣וֹםšā·lō·wm — Peace, wholeness, well-being, prosperityH7965 — Full Word Study → from fearמִפָּ֑חַדmip·pā·ḥaḏ — dread, terror, overwhelming fearH6343 — Full Word Study →; noוְלֹ֤אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → rod of punishmentשֵׁ֖בֶטšê·ḇeṭ — tribe; staff; scepter; rodH7626 — Full Word Study → from Godאֱל֣וֹהַּ’ĕ·lō·w·ah — God; divine being; deityH433 — Full Word Study → is upon them. 10Their bullsשׁוֹר֣וֹšō·w·rōw — Ox, bull, or cattleH7794 — Full Word Study → breedעִ֭בַּר‘ib·bar — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → withoutוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → failיַגְעִ֑לyaḡ·‘il — to abhor, reject with disgust, loathe intenselyH1602 — Full Word Study →; their cowsפָּ֝רָת֗וֹpā·rā·ṯōw — A young cow or heiferH6510 — Full Word Study → bear calvesתְּפַלֵּ֥טtə·p̄al·lêṭ — to escape, slip away, deliver safelyH6403 — Full Word Study → and do notוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → miscarryתְשַׁכֵּֽל׃ṯə·šak·kêl — to bereave of children; to miscarry or lose offspringH7921 — Full Word Study →. 11They send forthיְשַׁלְּח֣וּyə·šal·lə·ḥū — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → their little onesעֲוִילֵיהֶ֑ם‘ă·wî·lê·hem — young child, little one, infantH5759 — Full Word Study → like a flockכַ֭צֹּאןḵaṣ·ṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study →; their childrenוְ֝יַלְדֵיהֶ֗םwə·yal·ḏê·hem — Child, boy, or young person; offspringH3206 — Full Word Study → skip aboutיְרַקֵּדֽוּן׃yə·raq·qê·ḏūn — to dance, leap, or skip about with movementH7540 — Full Word Study →, 12singingיִ֭שְׂאוּyiś·’ū — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → to the tambourineכְּתֹ֣ףkə·ṯōp̄ — Tambourine; hand drum used in celebrationH8596 — Full Word Study → and lyreוְכִנּ֑וֹרwə·ḵin·nō·wr — stringed musical instrument; lyreH3658 — Full Word Study → and making merryוְ֝יִשְׂמְח֗וּwə·yiś·mə·ḥū — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study → at the soundלְק֣וֹלlə·qō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → of the fluteעוּגָֽב׃‘ū·ḡāḇ — musical pipe or organH5748 — Full Word Study →. 13They spendיְבַלּוּyə·ḇal·lū — To wear out, grow old, decayH1086 — Full Word Study → their daysיְמֵיהֶ֑םyə·mê·hem — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → in prosperityבַטּ֣וֹבḇaṭ·ṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → and go downיֵחָֽתּוּ׃yê·ḥāt·tū — To descend, come down, settleH5181 — Full Word Study → to Sheolשְׁא֣וֹלšə·’ō·wl — The grave; the abode of the dead; the underworldH7585 — Full Word Study → in peaceוּ֝בְרֶ֗גַעū·ḇə·re·ḡa‘ — A brief moment; an instantH7281 — Full Word Study →. 14Yet they sayוַיֹּאמְר֣וּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to Godלָ֭אֵלlā·’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →: ‘Leave us aloneס֣וּרsūr — to turn aside, depart, removeH5493 — Full Word Study →! For we have noלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → desireחָפָֽצְנוּ׃ḥā·p̄ā·ṣə·nū — to delight in; to desire; to take pleasureH2654 — Full Word Study → to knowוְדַ֥עַתwə·ḏa·‘aṯ — Knowledge, understanding, awarenessH1847 — Full Word Study → Your waysדְּ֝רָכֶ֗יךָdə·rā·ḵe·ḵā — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →. 15Whoמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → is the Almightyשַׁדַּ֥יšad·day — The AlmightyH7706 — Full Word Study →, thatכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → we should serve Himנַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּna·‘aḇ·ḏen·nū — to serve, labor, workH5647 — Full Word Study →, and whatוּמַה־ū·mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → would we gainנּ֝וֹעִ֗ילnō·w·‘îl — to profit, gain advantage, benefitH3276 — Full Word Study → ifכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → we prayנִפְגַּע־nip̄·ga‘- — to meet, encounter, or intercedeH6293 — Full Word Study → to Him?’ 16Stillהֵ֤ןhên — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →, their prosperity is notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → in their own handsבְיָדָ֣םḇə·yā·ḏām — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →, so I stay farרָ֣חֲקָהrā·ḥă·qāh — to be far, remove, distance oneselfH7368 — Full Word Study → from the counselעֲצַ֥ת‘ă·ṣaṯ — counsel, advice, or purposeH6098 — Full Word Study → of the wickedרְ֝שָׁעִ֗יםrə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study →. 17How oftenכַּמָּ֤ה׀kam·māh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → is the lampנֵר־nêr- — A lamp or light source; illuminationH5216 — Full Word Study → of the wickedרְשָׁ֘עִ֤יםrə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → put outיִדְעָ֗ךְyiḏ·‘āḵ — to extinguish, put out, quenchH1846 — Full Word Study →? Does disasterאֵידָ֑ם’ê·ḏām — calamity, disaster, ruinH343 — Full Word Study → comeוְיָבֹ֣אwə·yā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → upon themעָלֵ֣ימוֹ‘ā·lê·mōw — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →? Does God, in His anger, apportionיְחַלֵּ֥קyə·ḥal·lêq — to divide, distribute, or apportion; to be smooth or flatterH2505 — Full Word Study → destructionחֲ֝בָלִ֗יםḥă·ḇā·lîm — Rope, cord, line; inheritance; pain, sorrowH2256 — Full Word Study →? 18Areיִהְי֗וּyih·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → they like strawכְּתֶ֥בֶןkə·ṯe·ḇen — straw, chaff, or stubble—dried grain stalksH8401 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵי־lip̄·nê- — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the windר֑וּחַrū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study →, like chaffוּ֝כְמֹ֗ץū·ḵə·mōṣ — Chaff, worthless husks of grainH4671 — Full Word Study → swept awayגְּנָבַ֥תּוּgə·nā·ḇat·tū — to steal; to take secretly or by stealthH1589 — Full Word Study → by a stormסוּפָֽה׃sū·p̄āh — storm, whirlwind, tempest, or hurricaneH5492 — Full Word Study →? 19It is said that God lays upיִצְפֹּן־yiṣ·pōn- — to hide, conceal, treasure up, or keep secretH6845 — Full Word Study → one’s punishmentאוֹנ֑וֹ’ō·w·nōw — Evil, wickedness, iniquity, or worthlessnessH205 — Full Word Study → for his childrenלְבָנָ֥יוlə·ḇā·nāw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →. Let God repay the manיְשַׁלֵּ֖םyə·šal·lêm — to complete, make peace, repayH7999 — Full Word Study → himselfאֵלָ֣יו’ê·lāw — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, so he will know itוְיֵדָֽע׃wə·yê·ḏā‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study →. 20Let his eyesעֵינוֹʿē·nō — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → seeיִרְא֣וּyir·’ū — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → his own destructionכִּיד֑וֹkî·ḏōw — Destruction, ruin, calamityH3589 — Full Word Study →; let him drink for himself the wrathוּמֵחֲמַ֖תū·mê·ḥă·maṯ — Intense rage, burning wrath, divine angerH2534 — Full Word Study → of the Almightyשַׁדַּ֣יšad·day — The AlmightyH7706 — Full Word Study →. 21Forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → whatמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → does he careחֶפְצ֣וֹḥep̄·ṣōw — Pleasure, desire, delight, or purposeH2656 — Full Word Study → about his householdבְּבֵית֣וֹbə·ḇê·ṯōw — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → after himאַחֲרָ֑יו’a·ḥă·rāw — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study →, when the numberוּמִסְפַּ֖רū·mis·par — number, count, enumerationH4557 — Full Word Study → of his monthsחֳדָשָׁ֣יוḥo·ḏā·šāw — A month; lunar period; new moonH2320 — Full Word Study → has run outחֻצָּֽצוּ׃ḥuṣ·ṣā·ṣū — to pierce, shoot, or distribute in ranksH2686 — Full Word Study →? 22Can anyone teachיְלַמֶּד־yə·lam·meḏ- — To learn; to teach; to become accustomedH3925 — Full Word Study → knowledgeדָּ֑עַתdā·‘aṯ — Knowledge, understanding, awarenessH1847 — Full Word Study → to Godהַלְאֵ֥לhal·’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →, since Heוְ֝ה֗וּאwə·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → judgesיִשְׁפּֽוֹט׃yiš·pō·wṭ — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study → those on highרָמִ֥יםrā·mîm — To raise, lift up, exalt; to be highH7311 — Full Word Study →? 23One manזֶ֗הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → diesיָ֭מוּתyā·mūṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study → full of vigorבְּעֶ֣צֶםbə·‘e·ṣem — bone; body; substance; strengthH6106 — Full Word Study →, completelyכֻּ֝לּ֗וֹkul·lōw — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → secureשַׁלְאֲנַ֥ןšal·’ă·nan — at ease, secure, complacentH7946 — Full Word Study → and at easeוְשָׁלֵֽיו׃wə·šā·lêw — at ease, secure, peaceful, prosperousH7961 — Full Word Study →. 24His bodyעֲ֭טִינָיו‘ă·ṭî·nāw — belly, abdomen, wombH5845 — Full Word Study → is well nourishedמָלְא֣וּmā·lə·’ū — to fill, fulfill, completeH4390 — Full Word Study →, and his bonesעַצְמוֹתָ֣יו‘aṣ·mō·w·ṯāw — bone; body; substance; strengthH6106 — Full Word Study → are rich with marrowוּמֹ֖חַū·mō·aḥ — Marrow; the innermost substanceH4221 — Full Word Study →. 25Yet another manוְזֶ֗הwə·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → diesיָ֭מוּתyā·mūṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study → in the bitternessמָרָ֑הmā·rāh — Bitter; marked by anguish or grievingH4751 — Full Word Study → of his soulבְּנֶ֣פֶשׁbə·ne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →, having neverוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → tastedאָ֝כַ֗ל’ā·ḵal — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → prosperityבַּטּוֹבָֽה׃baṭ·ṭō·w·ḇāh — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →. 26But togetherיַ֭חַדya·ḥaḏ — together, united, as oneH3162 — Full Word Study → they lie downיִשְׁכָּ֑בוּyiš·kā·ḇū — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → inעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the dustעָפָ֣ר‘ā·p̄ār — dust; fine particles of earth or ground matterH6083 — Full Word Study →, and wormsוְ֝רִמָּ֗הwə·rim·māh — worm, larva, maggotH7415 — Full Word Study → cover themתְּכַסֶּ֥הtə·ḵas·seh — to cover, conceal, hideH3680 — Full Word Study → both. 27Beholdהֵ֣ןhên — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →, I knowיָ֭דַעְתִּיyā·ḏa‘·tî — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → your thoughts full wellמַחְשְׁבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑םmaḥ·šə·ḇō·w·ṯê·ḵem — plan, purpose, or scheme (often with moral implications)H4284 — Full Word Study →, the schemes by whichוּ֝מְזִמּ֗וֹתū·mə·zim·mō·wṯ — wicked plot, malicious scheme, or lustful intentionH4209 — Full Word Study → you would wrongתַּחְמֹֽסוּ׃taḥ·mō·sū — to do violence, act with force or crueltyH2554 — Full Word Study → meעָלַ֥י‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 28Forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you sayתֹֽאמְר֗וּṯō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘Whereאַיֵּ֥ה’ay·yêh — where; in what placeH346 — Full Word Study → now is the nobleman’sנָדִ֑יבnā·ḏîḇ — Noble, willing, generous person or heartH5081 — Full Word Study → houseבֵית־ḇêṯ- — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →, and whereוְ֝אַיֵּ֗הwə·’ay·yêh — where; in what placeH346 — Full Word Study → are the tentsאֹ֤הֶל׀’ō·hel — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study → in which the wickedרְשָׁעִֽים׃rə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → dwellמִשְׁכְּנ֬וֹתmiš·kə·nō·wṯ — Tabernacle, dwelling place, sanctuaryH4908 — Full Word Study →?’ 29Have you neverהֲלֹ֣אhă·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → askedשְׁ֭אֶלְתֶּםšə·ʾel·tem — to ask, request, inquire, or demandH7592 — Full Word Study → those who travelע֣וֹבְרֵי‘ō·wḇ·rê — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → the roadsדָ֑רֶךְḏā·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →? Do you notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → acceptתְנַכֵּֽרוּ׃ṯə·nak·kê·rū — To recognize, acknowledge, regard, or treat as strangeH5234 — Full Word Study → their reportsוְ֝אֹתֹתָ֗םwə·’ō·ṯō·ṯām — A sign or miraculous wonder that authenticates God's powerH226 — Full Word Study →? 30Indeedכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study →, the evilרָ֑עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → man is sparedיֵחָ֣שֶׂךְyê·ḥā·śeḵ — To withhold, restrain, or hold backH2820 — Full Word Study → from the dayלְי֣וֹםlə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of calamityאֵ֭יד’êḏ — calamity, disaster, ruinH343 — Full Word Study →, deliveredיוּבָֽלוּ׃yū·ḇā·lū — to lead, conduct, or carry forthH2986 — Full Word Study → from the dayלְי֖וֹםlə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of wrathעֲבָר֣וֹת‘ă·ḇā·rō·wṯ — Fury, rage, intense angerH5678 — Full Word Study →. 31Whoמִֽי־mî- — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → denouncesיַגִּ֣ידyag·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → his behaviorדַּרְכּ֑וֹdar·kōw — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → toעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → his faceפָּנָ֣יוpā·nāw — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →? Whoמִ֣יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → repaysיְשַׁלֶּם־yə·šal·lem- — to complete, make peace, repayH7999 — Full Word Study → him for what heוְהֽוּא־wə·hū- — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → has doneעָ֝שָׂ֗ה‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →? 32Heוְ֭הוּאwə·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is carriedיוּבָ֑לyū·ḇāl — to lead, conduct, or carry forthH2986 — Full Word Study → to the graveלִקְבָר֣וֹתliq·ḇā·rō·wṯ — A grave or burial place; a tombH6913 — Full Word Study →, and watch is keptיִשְׁקֽוֹד׃yiš·qō·wḏ — to watch, guard, or keep watchH8245 — Full Word Study → overוְֽעַל־wə·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → his tombגָּדִ֥ישׁgā·ḏîš — A shock (stack) of grain; a tomb or graveH1430 — Full Word Study →. 33The clodsרִגְבֵ֫יriḡ·ḇê — clod of earth; lump of soilH7263 — Full Word Study → of the valleyנָ֥חַלnā·ḥal — A stream or winter torrent; a narrow valleyH5158 — Full Word Study → are sweetמָֽתְקוּ־mā·ṯə·qū- — to become sweet; to make sweetH4985 — Full Word Study → to him; everyoneכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → followsיִמְשׁ֑וֹךְyim·šō·wḵ — to draw, pull, extend, or prolongH4900 — Full Word Study → behind himוְ֭אַחֲרָיוwə·’a·ḥă·rāw — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study →, and those before himוּ֝לְפָנָ֗יוū·lə·p̄ā·nāw — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → are withoutאֵ֣ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → numberמִסְפָּֽר׃mis·pār — number, count, enumerationH4557 — Full Word Study →. 34So howוְ֭אֵיךְwə·’êḵ — How? In what way? Where?H349 — Full Word Study → can you comfort meתְּנַחֲמ֣וּנִיtə·na·ḥă·mū·nî — to comfort, console, or show compassion; to repent or change one's mindH5162 — Full Word Study → with empty wordsהָ֑בֶלhā·ḇel — Vanity, emptiness, futilityH1892 — Full Word Study →? For your answersוּ֝תְשֽׁוּבֹתֵיכֶ֗םū·ṯə·šū·ḇō·ṯê·ḵem — Return, answer, turning backH8666 — Full Word Study → remainנִשְׁאַר־niš·’ar- — To remain, be left over, surviveH7604 — Full Word Study → full of falsehood.”
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Chapter Commentary — Job 21
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

In Job 21, Job shifts his defense by directly challenging the simplistic theology of his friends—the belief that the righteous always prosper and the wicked always suffer in this life. Rather than defending his own righteousness, Job here presents a brutal observation: the wicked often do prosper, live long, multiply their families, and enjoy security and wealth. He acknowledges that God will ultimately judge the wicked, but he exposes the theological error in his friends' reasoning and calls them to recognize the complex reality of divine providence in this fallen world.

Verses 1–5: A Humble Request to Be Heard

Job opens with a plea for attention (verses 1–2). He asks his friends to listen carefully and promises that their listening itself will be a form of comfort—even if they subsequently mock him. This is pastorally significant: Job dignifies the conversation and addresses them respectfully, even while preparing to rebuke them. In verses 3–5, he distinguishes between complaining to God and complaining to humans. His complaint is with God, not with men, which is why his spirit is troubled (verse 4). He then calls for astonishment and silence—a humble but firm invitation to reality (verse 5).

Application: When we struggle with unanswered prayers, our complaint is ultimately with God, not with others. We must bring our honest questions directly to Him, not merely to friends who may offer easy answers.

Verses 6–15: The Prosperity of the Wicked

Job now articulates what troubles him most: the observable fact that wicked people prosper. Verses 7–11 paint a portrait of ungodly success—long life, strong offspring, secure homes, multiplying livestock, and joyful children who dance and play music. Verses 12–13 add wealth and pleasure, followed by a sudden death. Verses 14–15 reveal the spiritual arrogance this prosperity breeds: the wicked openly reject God's ways and question the profit of serving Him.

Job is not denying God's justice; he is observing that prosperity in this age does not automatically prove godliness, nor does poverty prove sin. This directly contradicts his friends' assumption that Job's suffering proves his guilt.

Application: The prosperity of the ungodly is a real phenomenon in a fallen world. This does not invalidate God's character; it calls us to faith that looks beyond immediate circumstances to eternal judgment.

Verses 16–21: A Transitional Recognition

Verse 16 is key: Job distances himself from the counsel of the wicked, affirming that their good is not truly in their hands—it is temporary and hollow. Verses 17–21 then shift toward acknowledgment that God does judge. The wicked's "candle is put out" (verse 17), they scatter like stubble (verse 18), their iniquity is laid up for their children (verse 19), and they drink God's wrath (verse 20). Job concedes that ultimate destruction comes—but not always in the way or timing his friends expected.

Application: God's justice is real and certain, even when not immediately visible. Our task is patient faith, not presumptuous judgment about others' spiritual state based on present circumstances.

Verses 22–34: The Mystery of Divine Judgment

Job's final section acknowledges the hiddenness of God's ways (verse 22). He observes that people die in vastly different circumstances—some at ease, some in bitterness (verses 23–26)—yet all return to dust. This levels the playing field and deepens the mystery. Verses 27–30 show Job reading his friends' minds: they plan to blame him by finding fault with the "house of the prince," as if suffering marks one as wicked. But Job appeals to travelers' testimony (verse 29) that the wicked are indeed "reserved to the day of destruction" (verse 30).

Verses 31–33 express the final irony: even the wicked receive elaborate funerals and are mourned, yet they cannot escape what they have done. Job concludes (verse 34) that his friends offer false comfort wrapped in falsehood.

Application: We must resist the urge to explain all suffering theologically. Mystery and patience in faith honor God's wisdom more than confident pronouncements rooted in incomplete understanding.

Application for Today

Job 21 teaches us that God's moral universe is real but complex. The wicked do sometimes prosper; the righteous do sometimes suffer. Rather than construct false theologies to explain away this reality, we are called to trust God's ultimate justice while extending grace and humility to those whose circumstances remain unclear. This chapter invites us to abandon simplistic faith and embrace a deeper trust in God's hidden but certain providence.

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