Job 15:21

A dreadful sound [is] in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.

A dreadful {H6343} sound {H6963} is in his ears {H241}: in prosperity {H7965} the destroyer {H7703} shall come {H935} upon him.

Terrifying sounds are in his ears; in prosperity, robbers swoop down on him.

Sounds of terror fill his ears; in his prosperity the destroyer attacks him.

A sound of terrors is in his ears; In prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.

Job 15:21 is a powerful and unsettling declaration made by Eliphaz the Temanite during his second speech to Job. He asserts that even when a wicked person appears to be thriving, they are internally tormented by fear, and ultimate destruction is inevitable, regardless of their present prosperity.

Context

This verse is part of Eliphaz's argument in Job chapter 15, where he continues to contend that suffering is a direct consequence of sin. Eliphaz, one of Job's three friends, operates under a rigid theology of retribution, believing that God always blesses the righteous and punishes the wicked. Here, he paints a vivid picture of the wicked person's inner turmoil and eventual downfall, implying that Job's immense suffering must be due to hidden sin, even if Job claims innocence. This contrasts with Job's unwavering insistence on his righteousness and the mystery of his affliction, setting the stage for the book's deeper theological exploration of suffering and God's sovereignty.

Key Themes

  • The Insecurity of the Wicked: The phrase "a dreadful sound is in his ears" speaks not necessarily to an audible noise, but to a profound internal dread, a guilty conscience, or a constant anticipation of impending doom. Even in outward success, the wicked person lacks true peace and is haunted by fear.
  • Inevitable Judgment: Eliphaz emphasizes that "in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him." This highlights the belief that the wicked cannot escape divine judgment indefinitely. Their prosperity is temporary, and a force of destruction (whether calamity, illness, or divine retribution) will ultimately overtake them, often when they least expect it. This perspective, while misapplied to Job, reflects a biblical principle that the wicked shall not go unpunished.
  • Flawed Human Wisdom: While Eliphaz's words contain elements of truth about the ultimate fate of the wicked, his application to Job is flawed. The book of Job challenges the simplistic view that all suffering is a direct result of personal sin, demonstrating that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew phrase for "dreadful sound" is qol pekhadim (קול פחדים), which literally means "voice of terrors" or "sound of fears." It powerfully conveys a sense of inner torment and psychological distress rather than a literal noise.
  • "Destroyer" comes from the Hebrew root shoded (שדד), meaning "to devastate," "to lay waste," or "to plunder." This term signifies a violent, overwhelming force that brings ruin, underscoring the severity of the coming judgment.

Practical Application

Job 15:21 serves as a reminder that true peace and security are not found in material prosperity or outward appearances, but in a right relationship with God. It challenges us to look beyond superficial success and consider the state of one's heart and conscience. For those who live without regard for God, the verse suggests an underlying anxiety and the certainty of future accountability, even if they seem to flourish for a time. Conversely, it encourages believers to seek genuine peace that surpasses all understanding, knowing that their ultimate security rests in God's faithfulness, regardless of present circumstances or external pressures.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Job 18:11

    ¶ Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:3

    For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

  • Leviticus 26:36

    And upon them that are left [alive] of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:10

    Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

  • Revelation 9:11

    And they had a king over them, [which is] the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue [is] Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath [his] name Apollyon.

  • Job 20:5

    That the triumphing of the wicked [is] short, and the joy of the hypocrite [but] for a moment?

  • Job 20:7

    [Yet] he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where [is] he?

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