Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Job 18:21

Next

Surely such [are] the dwellings of the wicked, and this [is] the place [of him that] knoweth not God.

Surely such are the dwellings {H4908} of the wicked {H5767}, and this is the place {H4725} of him that knoweth {H3045} not God {H410}.

"This is how things are in the homes of the wicked, and this is the place of those who don't know God."

Surely such is the dwelling of the wicked and the place of one who does not know God.”

Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, And this is the place of him that knoweth not God.

Commentary

Job 18:21 is the concluding statement of Bildad the Shuhite's second speech to Job, where he vehemently argues for the direct correlation between wickedness and suffering. This verse summarizes his grim portrayal of the wicked person's ultimate fate, emphasizing their complete ruin and desolation.

Context

In Job chapter 18, Bildad launches into a harsh condemnation, asserting that Job's calamities are proof of his wickedness. He describes in vivid detail how the light of the wicked is extinguished, their prosperity vanishes, and their memory perishes from the earth. Verse 21 serves as his emphatic conclusion, stating that the miserable state he has just described is the inevitable dwelling and destiny of those who are estranged from God.

Key Themes

  • Retributive Justice: Bildad's theology is firmly rooted in the belief that God immediately and tangibly punishes the wicked in this life. This verse encapsulates his conviction that the "dwellings of the wicked" are destined for destruction.
  • Consequences of Rejecting God: The phrase "knoweth not God" points to a fundamental lack of relationship and reverence. The verse suggests that a life lived apart from divine knowledge and obedience leads to utter desolation and ruin, a stark contrast to the blessings promised to the righteous (see Psalm 1:6).
  • Futility of a Godless Life: The commentary highlights the ultimate emptiness and destruction that await those who choose not to acknowledge or relate to the Creator.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "knoweth not God" uses the Hebrew word yada' (יָדַע), which implies much more than mere intellectual acquaintance. It signifies a deep, experiential, and intimate knowledge or relationship. Therefore, "he that knoweth not God" refers not just to someone ignorant about God's existence, but to one who lacks a personal, covenantal relationship with Him, and thus lives without acknowledging His sovereignty or moral demands. This lack of true knowing is presented as the root cause of their wicked actions and subsequent downfall.

Practical Application

While the book of Job ultimately challenges the simplistic "cause and effect" theology of Job's friends, this verse still carries a profound truth: a life alienated from God is ultimately devoid of lasting security and true blessing. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking an authentic relationship with the Creator. For believers, it underscores the value of clinging to God's wisdom rather than worldly paths, understanding that true peace and security come from knowing Him experientially and walking in His ways, regardless of immediate circumstances. It prompts us to examine whether our lives reflect a genuine knowledge of God or a mere intellectual acknowledgment.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 9:3 (4 votes)

    And they bend their tongues [like] their bow [for] lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.

  • Judges 2:10 (3 votes)

    And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

  • Titus 1:16 (3 votes)

    They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:5 (3 votes)

    Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:8 (3 votes)

    In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

  • Jeremiah 10:25 (3 votes)

    Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.

  • Job 21:28 (2 votes)

    For ye say, Where [is] the house of the prince? and where [are] the dwelling places of the wicked?