Job 21:14

KJV

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore they say {H559} unto God {H410}, Depart {H5493} from us; for we desire {H2654} not the knowledge {H1847} of thy ways {H1870}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Yet to God they said, 'Leave us alone! We don't want to know about your ways.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways.

American Standard Version

And they say unto God, Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 21:14 presents a chilling declaration from the perspective of the wicked, as observed by Job. It encapsulates a profound and deliberate rejection of God's authority and a willful disinterest in divine guidance. This verse is a stark portrayal of spiritual autonomy, where individuals, often experiencing earthly prosperity, openly express a desire to be free from God's presence and the moral accountability that comes with knowing His ways, preferring instead a path of self-determination.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 21:14 is embedded within Job's passionate and challenging discourse to his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Throughout chapter 21, Job directly confronts their rigid theology of immediate retributive justice, which posits that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin and prosperity an unfailing sign of righteousness. Job argues forcefully against this simplistic view by presenting counter-evidence: the wicked often prosper, live long lives, enjoy peace, and even die without apparent struggle. This specific verse serves as a shocking illustration of the *attitude* of such wicked individuals, who, emboldened by their perceived impunity, openly defy God. It highlights the depth of their spiritual rebellion and their conviction that they do not need divine intervention or instruction, thereby reinforcing Job's point that God's justice is not always immediately discernible or applied in the neat, predictable patterns the friends assume.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set within the broader ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, which grappled with profound questions of suffering, justice, and the nature of divine governance. While many wisdom texts (like Proverbs) generally affirm a direct correlation between righteousness and prosperity, and wickedness and suffering, Job's narrative serves as a profound challenge to this conventional wisdom. The friends represent the prevailing theological framework of their time, rooted in a strong belief in divine retribution. Job 21:14, therefore, is not just a description of individual wickedness but a critique of a worldview that struggles to reconcile the apparent prosperity of the ungodly with God's justice. The cultural context implies a society where divine interaction was expected to be evident in daily life, making the wicked's open rejection of God even more audacious and perplexing to Job and his contemporaries.
* **Key Themes:** Job 21:14 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Blatant Rejection of God**, showcasing an active, defiant pushback against divine presence and principles, rather than mere ignorance. The imperative "Depart from us" reveals a desire for absolute autonomy, a theme echoed in humanity's fall in [Genesis 3:6](/genesis/3-6 "Genesis 3:6 - The Fall of Humanity"). Secondly, the verse highlights **Apathy Towards Divine Wisdom**. The explicit statement, "for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways," signifies a willful refusal to learn or follow God's moral and spiritual paths. This deliberate ignorance of truth, prioritizing self-determination over divine instruction, stands in stark contrast to the biblical call to seek wisdom found in books like [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge"). Finally, this verse is central to the challenging theme of **The Prosperity of the Wicked**. Job uses this observation to dismantle the friends' simplistic theology, demonstrating that earthly success does not always equate to divine favor. This perplexing reality is a recurring tension in scripture, famously explored in [Psalm 73:1](/psalms/73-1 "Psalm 73:1 - The Prosperity of the Wicked"), where the psalmist grapples with the same observation before finding resolution in God's ultimate justice and the wicked's eventual end.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Depart (Hebrew: סוּר, _sûr'_):** This verb is an imperative, a direct command. It signifies a forceful removal, a turning away, or an active expulsion. When applied to God, it conveys a profound and deliberate rejection of His presence, His influence, and His authority. It's not a passive drifting away but an active desire to sever all ties and accountability.
* **Knowledge (Hebrew: דַּעַת, _da'at'_):** This term refers to more than mere intellectual acquaintance; it implies experiential, intimate, and practical knowledge. In a biblical context, "knowledge of God" often means a relational understanding that leads to obedience and a life lived in accordance with His character. To "desire not the knowledge" is therefore a rejection of a relationship with God and a refusal to live according to His revealed will.
* **Ways (Hebrew: דֶּרֶךְ, _derekh'_):** This word literally means "path" or "road," but metaphorically, it refers to God's character, His moral laws, His decrees, His methods of governance, and His entire system of operation and expectations for humanity. To reject God's "ways" is to reject His moral framework, His divine will, and the very path He sets for human flourishing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore they say unto God":** The "they" refers to the wicked individuals Job has been describing in the preceding verses (Job 21:7-13). Job is not quoting them directly, but rather summarizing their attitude and actions, which he observes as a consequence of their apparent prosperity and lack of immediate divine judgment. This phrase sets up the shocking declaration that follows, attributing it to those who live in defiance of God.
* **"Depart from us":** This is the core of their rebellious utterance. It's a direct, impudent command to God Himself. It expresses a profound desire for autonomy, a wish to live without divine interference, oversight, or accountability. It signifies a conscious decision to expel God from their lives, their thoughts, and their affairs, believing they can manage perfectly well without Him.
* **"for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways":** This clause provides the rationale for their demand. Their rejection of God's presence is rooted in a fundamental unwillingness to engage with or submit to His moral and spiritual principles. It's not an admission of ignorance, but a declaration of active disinterest and aversion to divine wisdom. They do not want to know how God operates, what He requires, or what His will is, because such knowledge would impose obligations and challenge their self-sufficient lifestyle.

#### Literary Devices
Job 21:14 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark message. The most prominent is **Direct Speech**, where Job articulates the very words that encapsulate the wicked's defiant attitude. This technique vividly characterizes their rebellion, making their rejection of God explicit and shocking. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, setting the wicked's desire for autonomy and ignorance against the biblical ideal of seeking God's wisdom and walking in His paths. This highlights the profound spiritual chasm between the ungodly and the righteous. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in Job's broader argument: the wicked prosper *despite* their rejection of God, which is precisely what challenges the friends' theology, rather than their prosperity being a sign of God's approval. The audacious nature of the statement itself could also be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme extent of their spiritual rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 21:14 speaks to the profound human inclination towards autonomy and self-sufficiency, often leading to an active rejection of divine authority. This verse highlights that true rebellion is not merely ignorance of God's ways but a deliberate, often arrogant, refusal to desire or submit to them. It underscores the biblical truth that human beings, left to their own devices, frequently choose paths that seem expedient or pleasurable in the short term, even if they lead away from the source of all life and wisdom. The prosperity of the wicked, as observed by Job, can tragically reinforce this self-deception, leading them to believe they are justified in their defiance. Ultimately, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that the most dangerous form of spiritual blindness is not the inability to see, but the willful refusal to look.

* [Romans 1:28](/romans/1-28 "Romans 1:28 - God Gives Them Over to a Reprobate Mind"): This passage describes how, because people "did not see fit to acknowledge God," God gave them up to a "debased mind," leading to further depravity. This mirrors the active rejection of the knowledge of God's ways.
* [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge"): In stark contrast to Job 21:14, this foundational wisdom text declares that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." The wicked in Job 21:14 embody this despising of wisdom.
* [Psalm 14:1](/psalms/14-1 "Psalm 14:1 - The Fool Says There Is No God"): This verse states, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" While the wicked in Job 21:14 don't deny God's existence, their actions and words ("Depart from us") effectively function as if He is irrelevant or non-existent to their lives, aligning with the practical atheism of the fool.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 21:14 serves as a potent diagnostic tool for spiritual health, both individually and corporately. It challenges us to honestly assess our own posture towards God's "ways." In a world that often champions self-determination, personal autonomy, and the pursuit of worldly success, the temptation to subtly or overtly echo the wicked's sentiment—"Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways"—is ever-present. This can manifest not just in outright rebellion, but in spiritual apathy, a disinterest in Scripture, a dismissal of ethical boundaries, or a prioritization of personal comfort over divine command. The verse warns that such a stance, while seemingly leading to temporary ease or prosperity, ultimately leads to spiritual emptiness and a profound disconnect from the very source of life and truth. Our response to God's revelation, His Word, and His Spirit reveals whether we truly desire to walk in His light or prefer the darkness of our own choosing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, subtly or overtly, be tempted to say "Depart from us" to God's guidance in my own life?**
* **How does my daily life demonstrate a desire for "the knowledge of thy ways" or a lack thereof?**
* **What are the long-term spiritual consequences of choosing self-sufficiency over divine wisdom?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper hunger for God's ways in a world that often encourages spiritual apathy?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 21:14 mean God allows the wicked to prosper without consequence?**

Answer: Job 21:14, within Job's argument in chapter 21, highlights Job's observation that the wicked *do* often prosper in this life, seemingly without immediate divine consequence. This observation directly challenges the simplistic retributive theology of Job's friends. However, the verse does not imply that God *ultimately* allows the wicked to escape consequence. Instead, Job's point is that God's justice is not always immediate or visible in earthly terms, leading the wicked to a false sense of security. The broader biblical narrative, including the conclusion of Job, consistently affirms God's ultimate justice and judgment. For example, [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked") articulates the psalmist's struggle with the prosperity of the wicked until he understands their ultimate destruction. Similarly, [Romans 2:4-6](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4-6 - God's Righteous Judgment") speaks of God's patience leading to repentance, but also of a coming day of righteous judgment where each person will be repaid according to their deeds. So, while earthly prosperity may be observed, it does not negate the eventual spiritual and eternal consequences of rejecting God's ways.

**Is "desiring not the knowledge of thy ways" the same as ignorance?**

Answer: No, "desiring not the knowledge of thy ways" is fundamentally different from mere ignorance. Ignorance implies a lack of information or understanding, often due to circumstances beyond one's control. However, the phrase in Job 21:14 describes an *active, willful aversion* to knowing God's ways. It's a deliberate choice to remain ignorant or to actively disregard what is known or could be known. This implies a moral and spiritual rebellion, a preference for one's own path over God's revealed will. It's a conscious rejection of divine instruction, stemming from a desire for autonomy and a refusal to submit to God's authority. This willful rejection is far more culpable than simple ignorance, as it reveals a hardened heart that actively pushes God away.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 21:14, with its chilling declaration of the wicked's desire for God to "Depart from us" and their refusal to "desire... the knowledge of thy ways," finds its ultimate fulfillment and counterpoint in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "ways" of God, which humanity so often rejects, are perfectly embodied in Christ, who declared Himself to be "the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, The Way, The Truth, The Life")). The wicked in Job reject God's path, but Jesus *is* that path, inviting all to walk in Him. The world's rejection of God's "knowledge" culminates in the rejection of Christ Himself, as seen when "He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")). Yet, in a profound act of divine love, instead of departing from us, God in Christ drew near. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of God refusing to "depart from us" even when we demanded it; instead, He endured the ultimate rejection to offer reconciliation. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, the very sin of rebellion and the desire to live apart from God's ways are addressed, offering a new way for humanity to "know" God experientially and intimately, not through self-sufficiency but through grace and submission to the One who is the perfect revelation of God's will and wisdom ([Colossians 2:2-3](/colossians/2-2 "Colossians 2:2-3 - Christ, in Whom are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge")).

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

Job 22:17

Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?

Romans 8:7

Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

2 Thessalonians 2:10

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:12

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Psalms 10:4

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek [after God]: God [is] not in all his thoughts.

John 15:23

He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

John 15:24

If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.