Job 21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 21

Job expresses himself as puzzled by the dispensations of Divine Providence, because of the unequal distribution of temporal goods; he shows that wicked men often live long, prosper in their families, in their flocks, and in all their substance, and yet live in defiance of God and sacred things, vv. 1-16. At other times their prosperity is suddenly blasted, and they and their families come to ruin, Job 21:17-21 . God, however, is too wise to err; and he deals out various lots to all according... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 21:2

Let this be your consolations - תנחומתיכם זאת ותהי uthehi zoth tanchumotheychem may be translated, "And let this be your retractations." Let what I am about to say induce you to retract what you have said, and to recall your false judgments. נחם nacham signifies, not only to comfort, but to change one's mind, to repent; hence the Vulgate translates et agite paenitentiam, "and repent," which Coverdale follows in his version, and amende yourselves . Some suppose the verse to be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 21:4

As for me - האנכי heanochi , "Alas for me!" Is it not with a man that I speak? And, if this be the case, why should not my spirit be troubled? I do not reply against my Maker: I suffer much from God and man; why then may I not have the privilege of complaining to creatures like myself? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 21:5

Mark me, and be astonished - Consider and compare the state in which I was once, with that in which I am now; and be astonished at the judgments and dispensations of God. You will then be confounded; you will put your hands upon your mouths, and keep silent. Putting the hand on the mouth, or the finger on the lips, was the token of silence. The Egyptian god Harpocrates, who was the god of silence, is represented with his finger compressing his upper lip. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 21:6

I am afraid - I am about to speak of the mysterious workings of Providence; and I tremble at the thought of entering into a detail on such a subject; my very flesh trembles. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 21:7

Wherefore do the wicked live - You have frequently asserted that the wicked are invariably punished in this life; and that the righteous are ever distinguished by the strongest marks of God's providential kindness; how then does it come that many wicked men live long and prosperously, and at last die in peace, without any evidence whatever of God's displeasure? This is a fact that is occurring daily; none can deny it; how then will you reconcile it with your maxims? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 21:8

Their seed is established - They see their own children grow up, and become settled in the land; and behold their children's children also; so that their generations are not cut off. Even the posterity of the wicked continue. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 21:9

Neither is the rod of God upon them - They are not afflicted as other men. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 21:10

Their bull gendereth - עבר ibbar , passes over, i.e., on the cow, referring to the actions of the bull when coupling with the female. Their flocks multiply greatly, they bring forth in time, and none of them is barren. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 21:11

They send forth their little ones - It is not very clear whether this refers to the young of the flocks or to their children. The first clause may mean the former, the next clause the latter; while the young of their cattle are in flocks, their numerous children are healthy and vigorous, and dance for joy. read more

Group of Brands