Job 21

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:5

Mark me ; literally, look to me ; i.e. "attend to me," for I am about to say something well worth attention . And be astonished. Prepare yourselves, i.e; for something that will astonish you. And lay your hand upon your mouth . Harpocrates, the Egyptian god of silence, was often represented with his finger on his lips. The symbolism is almost universal. Job begs his auditors to "refrain their lips," and, however much astonished, to keep silence until he has concluded. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:5-6

Here we have an abrupt transition. Job is about to controvert Zophar's theory of the certain retribution that overtakes the wicked man in this life, and to maintain that, on the contrary, he usually prospers (verses 7-18). Knowing that, in thus running counter to the general religious teaching, he will arouse much horror and indignation on the part of those who hear him, he prefaces his remarks with a notice that they will cause astonishment, and an acknowledgment that he himself cannot... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:6

Even when I remember ; i.e. "when I think upon the subject." I am afraid, and trembling taketh held on my flesh. A shudder runs through his whole frame. His words will, he knows, seem to verge upon impiety. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:7

Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? Job asks for an explanation of the facts which his own experience has impressed upon him. He has seen that "the wicked live" quite as long as the righteous, that in many cases they attain to a ripe old age, and become among the powerful of the earth. The great "pyramid kings" of Egypt, whose cruel oppressions were remembered down to the time of Herodotus (Herod; 2.124-128), reigned respectively, according to Egyptian... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:7-15

The perverse misapplication of the Divine goodness. Job is ready with his answer. Although Zophar has correctly represented the judgments that come upon the wicked, and the evils to which wickedness not unfrequently lead, yet many cases of departure from this rule are to be observed. Job therefore proposes a counter-question," Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? "He then depicts the prosperity which again and again marks the career of the wicked, to whom the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:7-21

The prosperity of the wicked. Job here gives his version of the old familiar theme. It is not as the three friends supposed. These neat maxims do not fit in with the facts of life as Job has seen them. The prosperity of the wicked is a real though a mysterious fact, one that cannot be gainsaid. I. THE FACTS AS WITNESSED IN LIFE . 1 . An established family. Job's home is desolate. The seed of the wicked is established in their sight. They have their children about... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:8

Their seed is established in their sight with them (comp. Psalms 17:14 ; and see below, Job 27:14 ). It could scarcely be doubted that the wicked had as many children as the righteous, and often established them in posts of honour and emolument. And their offspring before their eyes. A pleonastic repetition. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:9

Their houses are safe from fear ; literally, their houses are in peace , without fear. Neither is the rod of God upon them. So Asaph, "They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men" ( Psalms 73:5 ). The chastening rod of God does not seem to smite them. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:10

Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; rather, their cow conceiveth Shor ( שׁוֹר ), which is of both genders, must here be taken as feminine. Their cow (rather, their heifer ) calveth, and casteth not her calf . Both conception and birth are prosperous; there is neither barrenness nor abortion. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:11

They send forth their little ones like a flock . Free, i.e. joyful and frolicsome, to disport themselves as they please. The picture is charmingly idyllic. And their children dance . Frisk, i.e. "and skip, and leap," like the young of cattle full of health, and in the enjoyment of plenty" (Lee). read more

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