Job 21:10

KJV

Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.

KJV (with Strong's)

Their bull {H7794} gendereth {H5674}, and faileth {H1602} not; their cow {H6510} calveth {H6403}, and casteth not her calf {H7921}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Their bulls are fertile without fail, their cows get pregnant and don't miscarry.

Berean Standard Bible

Their bulls breed without fail; their cows bear calves and do not miscarry.

American Standard Version

Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; Their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 21:10 is a pivotal verse in Job's third and most direct challenge to his friends' rigid theology of immediate retributive justice. Here, Job presents an undeniable empirical observation: the wicked often experience consistent and unhindered prosperity, particularly in their agricultural and familial endeavors. This statement directly refutes the simplistic notion that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin and prosperity a guaranteed sign of righteousness, forcing a deeper consideration of God's complex dealings with humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 21 is Job's third and final response to his friends' arguments, specifically countering Zophar's harsh condemnation in Job 20. Throughout the book, Job's friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—have consistently maintained that God operates on a strict principle of immediate retribution, where the righteous prosper and the wicked suffer. They have repeatedly urged Job to confess his supposed sin as the cause of his calamities (e.g., [Eliphaz's counsel](/job/4-7 "Job 4:7 - Eliphaz's Argument on Suffering")). Job, however, drawing from his own inexplicable suffering and broader observations of the world, vehemently denies this simplistic framework. In this chapter, he marshals evidence to demonstrate that the wicked often live long, peaceful, and prosperous lives, free from the very calamities his friends claim should befall them. Verse 10 specifically provides concrete agricultural examples of this thriving prosperity among the ungodly.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern agrarian societies, livestock—especially cattle—were a primary measure of wealth, stability, and divine blessing. A bull's virility and a cow's fertility, marked by consistent conception and successful, full-term calving without loss, signified immense economic well-being and a lack of divine disfavor or natural calamity. Barrenness, miscarriages, or livestock diseases were often interpreted as signs of a curse or divine displeasure. Job's argument in this verse is therefore deeply rooted in the observable realities and cultural understandings of his time, making his point about the wicked's prosperity all the more striking and challenging to his friends' theology. He is not speaking in abstract terms but pointing to tangible, undeniable evidence within their shared cultural experience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **Prosperity of the Wicked**, directly challenging the simplistic "deeds-consequences" theology that assumes immediate and visible divine judgment for sin. Job's observation underscores the often-unseen patience of God and the temporal delay in divine justice. Secondly, it represents a profound **Challenge to Retributive Theology**, demonstrating that life's realities are far more complex than the neat theological frameworks proposed by Job's friends. It forces the reader to grapple with the mystery of God's ways and the limits of human understanding concerning divine justice. Finally, implicitly, Job's observation points to **Divine Sovereignty and Patience**, raising questions about the timing and nature of God's justice, which is ultimately revealed to be comprehensive and perfectly executed, though not always immediately visible in the present age (as explored further in passages like [Psalm 73](/psalm/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked") and [Ecclesiastes 8:14](/ecclesiastes/8-14 "Ecclesiastes 8:14 - Righteous suffer, wicked prosper")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gendereth (Hebrew, _ʿābar'_):** This verb means "to pass over, through," but in the Hiphil stem (causative), as used here, it signifies "to cause to conceive" or "to impregnate." It emphasizes the active and successful procreative power of the bull, indicating that the male animal is fertile and effectively initiates the reproductive cycle, leading to offspring.
* **faileth not (Hebrew, _lo' yachaliq'_):** The verb `chalaq` means "to be smooth, slippery," and in the Hiphil, "to cause to slip or miscarry." With the negation `lo'`, it means "does not miscarry" or "does not slip up." This phrase powerfully conveys the idea of perfect, unimpeded success in the reproductive process, from conception through gestation, without any loss or failure.
* **casteth not her calf (Hebrew, _lo' yashkelah'_):** The verb `shakal` means "to be childless, bereaved," or "to miscarry." Again, with the negation `lo'`, it means "does not miscarry" or "does not suffer the loss of her young." This reinforces the preceding phrase, emphasizing that the cow carries her calf to full term and delivers it successfully, without any premature birth or stillbirth, ensuring the increase of the herd.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Their bull gendereth, and faileth not":** This clause highlights the virility and reproductive success of the male livestock belonging to the wicked. The bull is consistently fertile, and its efforts to impregnate the cows are unfailingly successful. This signifies a complete lack of reproductive issues, which would be a major economic setback in an agrarian society, thus underscoring the unhindered prosperity of the wicked.
* **"their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf":** This clause complements the first by focusing on the female livestock. It emphasizes the cow's robust fertility and its ability to carry a pregnancy to full term, delivering healthy offspring without any loss due to miscarriage or stillbirth. Together, these two clauses paint a picture of perfect, uninterrupted agricultural blessing and increase, directly contradicting the expectation that divine judgment would manifest in such areas for the ungodly.

#### Literary Devices
Job's argument in this verse is strengthened through the use of several literary devices. The primary device is **Observation/Empirical Evidence**, where Job directly appeals to the visible, undeniable realities of life to counter the theoretical, dogmatic assertions of his friends. He is not presenting a theological treatise but a factual challenge based on what anyone can see. There is also a strong element of **Contrast**, as Job implicitly pits the expected suffering of the wicked (according to his friends' theology) against their actual, observable prosperity. This creates a tension that highlights the inadequacy of their narrow worldview. Furthermore, the verse employs vivid **Imagery** drawn from the agricultural world—thriving bulls and cows successfully reproducing—which serves as a potent symbol of complete material blessing and economic stability. This concrete imagery makes Job's point relatable and impactful. Finally, the structure of the verse itself exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, with the two clauses ("Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf") echoing and reinforcing the same core idea of unhindered fertility and prosperity, adding emphasis and rhetorical force to Job's argument.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 21:10 confronts one of the most enduring and perplexing questions in theology: the problem of evil, specifically, why the wicked often prosper while the righteous suffer. This verse directly challenges the simplistic notion of immediate, visible divine retribution, forcing us to grapple with the mystery of God's timing and methods of justice. It reveals that God's ways are far more complex and multifaceted than human logic can fully grasp, and that earthly prosperity is not a definitive indicator of divine favor or spiritual standing. This tension between observable reality and theological expectation encourages a deeper trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and perfect justice, which extends beyond temporal rewards or punishments.

* [Psalm 73:3](/psalm/73-3 "Psalm 73:3 - Envy of the Wicked's Prosperity")
* [Jeremiah 12:1](/jeremiah/12-1 "Jeremiah 12:1 - Why do the wicked prosper?")
* [Ecclesiastes 8:14](/ecclesiastes/8-14 "Ecclesiastes 8:14 - Righteous suffer, wicked prosper")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 21:10 serves as a profound reminder that our understanding of divine justice must extend beyond immediate earthly outcomes. It challenges us to resist the temptation to adopt a simplistic "deeds-consequences" theology, which can lead to judgmental attitudes towards those who suffer and a false sense of security for those who prosper. This verse calls us to cultivate a faith that is not contingent on observable circumstances or material blessings, but is rooted in the unchanging character of God—His goodness, justice, and sovereignty—even when His ways seem mysterious or contrary to our expectations. It encourages patience, humility, and a long-term perspective, recognizing that God's ultimate plan of justice and redemption will be fully realized in His perfect timing, not necessarily in our immediate experience. Our faith should be in God Himself, not in the prosperity He may or may not grant in this life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's observation challenge your own assumptions about immediate divine justice?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to adopt a "deeds-consequences" theology in our own lives or when judging others?**
* **How can we maintain faith in God's goodness and justice when we see the wicked prospering and the righteous suffering?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 21:10 imply that God approves of the wicked or their actions?**

Answer: No, Job 21:10 does not imply God's approval of the wicked or their actions. Instead, it is Job's empirical observation of a common reality in the world: that God, in His sovereign patience and common grace, allows both the righteous and the unrighteous to experience certain earthly blessings, such as fertility and prosperity. This verse highlights God's forbearance, demonstrating that His justice is not always immediate or visible in this life. It underscores that while God does not approve of wickedness, He often delays judgment, allowing time for repentance or reserving ultimate judgment for a future day. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus speaks of God causing His "sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" ([Matthew 5:45](/matthew/5-45 "Matthew 5:45 - God's Rain on Righteous and Unrighteous")).

**How does this verse relate to the broader message of the Book of Job?**

Answer: Job 21:10 is central to the broader message of the Book of Job because it directly refutes the core theological premise of Job's friends: that suffering is always a direct punishment for sin and prosperity is always a reward for righteousness. By pointing to the undeniable prosperity of the wicked, Job demonstrates the inadequacy of their rigid, simplistic theology of retribution. This verse underscores the mystery of God's ways, challenging human attempts to fully comprehend divine justice based solely on observable earthly circumstances. It pushes the reader beyond a transactional understanding of faith towards a deeper trust in God's character and sovereignty, even when His actions are inexplicable to human reason. The book ultimately reveals that God's wisdom and justice transcend human understanding, calling for faith that endures beyond immediate answers or visible rewards.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 21:10 highlights the perplexing reality of the wicked's earthly prosperity, the New Testament, through the lens of Christ, offers the ultimate resolution to this theological dilemma. Jesus Himself did not promise His followers earthly riches or freedom from suffering; rather, He spoke of tribulation in this world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - In the world you will have tribulation")) and blessed those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake ([Matthew 5:10-12](/matthew/5-10 "Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness")). The true fulfillment of blessing is found not in temporal prosperity, which the wicked may enjoy, but in spiritual riches and eternal life in Christ. The apparent injustice of the wicked's flourishing is ultimately rectified in the person and work of Jesus, who embodies perfect righteousness and suffered unjustly, yet was vindicated by God. His resurrection guarantees that ultimate justice will prevail, and His return will usher in a final judgment where all accounts are settled ([Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")). Thus, the Christian hope is not in the absence of suffering or the presence of earthly prosperity, but in the certain promise of Christ's victory over sin and death, and the eternal glory that far outweighs any present suffering ([Romans 8:18](/romans/8-18 "Romans 8:18 - Present sufferings not comparable to future glory"); [2 Corinthians 4:17-18](/2_corinthians/4-17 "2 Corinthians 4:17-18 - Light and momentary troubles")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 23:26

There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.

Deuteronomy 7:13

And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

Deuteronomy 7:14

Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.

Luke 12:16

And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

Luke 12:21

So [is] he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Ecclesiastes 9:1

¶ For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, [are] in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred [by] all [that is] before them.

Ecclesiastes 9:2

All [things come] alike to all: [there is] one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as [is] the good, so [is] the sinner; [and] he that sweareth, as [he] that feareth an oath.