Job 21:17

KJV

¶ How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and [how oft] cometh their destruction upon them! [God] distributeth sorrows in his anger.

KJV (with Strong's)

How oft is the candle {H5216} of the wicked {H7563} put out {H1846}! and how oft cometh {H935} their destruction {H343} upon them! God distributeth {H2505} sorrows {H2256} in his anger {H639}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? How often does their calamity come upon them? How often does [God] deal out pain in his anger,

Berean Standard Bible

How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come upon them? Does God, in His anger, apportion destruction?

American Standard Version

How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? That their calamity cometh upon them? ThatGod distributeth sorrows in his anger?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 21:17 is a poignant rhetorical question posed by Job within his third discourse, challenging the simplistic retribution theology of his friends. He observes the empirical reality that, contrary to their assertions, the wicked often prosper and escape immediate judgment, their "candle" (symbolizing life and prosperity) not frequently extinguished, nor destruction quickly befalling them. This verse underscores the perplexing nature of divine justice and timing, highlighting that God's distribution of sorrow in His anger does not always align with human expectations of immediate, visible retribution, thus emphasizing the mystery of God's sovereign ways in the world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 21:17 is situated within Job's third and final response to his friends (chapters 21-27). Specifically, it is part of his direct rebuttal to Zophar's previous speech in chapter 20, which vehemently asserted the swift and certain destruction of the wicked. Job's discourse in chapter 21 is a sustained argument against the friends' rigid dogma that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin, and prosperity always a sign of righteousness. He systematically dismantles their simplistic worldview by presenting empirical evidence from the real world, where the wicked often flourish, live long lives, and die peacefully, while the righteous may suffer. This verse, with its rhetorical questions, serves as a powerful counter-assertion, directly challenging the friends' core premise by pointing out the observable reality that the "candle" (life/prosperity) of the wicked is *not* often put out, nor does destruction frequently come upon them in an immediate, visible manner. It sets the stage for Job's further lament about the apparent injustice he perceives.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern thought, there was a prevalent belief in immediate divine retribution, often referred to as the "doctrine of two ways" or "deeds-consequence schema." This worldview held that righteousness led to blessing and prosperity, while wickedness inevitably led to suffering and destruction, often within one's lifetime or generation. This concept is deeply embedded in much of the Old Testament wisdom literature, particularly in Proverbs, and formed the theological bedrock of Job's friends' arguments. The "candle" or "lamp" (Hebrew: נֵר, *ner*) was a ubiquitous household item, providing light and warmth, and thus became a potent metaphor for life, vitality, prosperity, and the continuation of a family line. To have one's lamp extinguished meant the end of life, prosperity, or lineage, signifying utter ruin. Job's challenge in this verse, therefore, directly confronts a deeply ingrained cultural and theological assumption, forcing a re-evaluation of how divine justice operates in the temporal realm.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Primarily, it challenges the simplistic notion of **Divine Retribution**, arguing against the idea that God's justice is always immediate and visibly manifest in the prosperity of the righteous and the suffering of the wicked. Job's rhetorical questions underscore the **Prosperity of the Wicked**, a perplexing reality that causes theological tension not only for Job but for other biblical authors, as seen in the lament of [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - Asaph's struggle with the prosperity of the wicked"). This observation forces a deeper exploration of **God's Sovereignty and inscrutable ways**, acknowledging that His timing and methods of dispensing justice are often beyond human comprehension. The verse also highlights the **Limits of Human Wisdom** and the inadequacy of rigid theological frameworks to explain the complexities of life and suffering, a central message throughout [the entire book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Candle (Hebrew, נֵר, _ner_):** This term literally refers to a lamp or light. In biblical metaphor, it is a powerful symbol of life, vitality, well-being, prosperity, and the continuation of one's lineage. To have one's "candle put out" signifies the cessation of life, the extinguishing of hope, the end of prosperity, or the ruin of a family line. Job's question here is rhetorical, implying that the wicked's "candle" is *not* often put out quickly, contrary to his friends' assertions.
* **Destruction (Hebrew, אֵיד, _'eyd_):** This word denotes calamity, disaster, or ruin. It refers to the devastating consequences that are expected to befall the wicked. Job's rhetorical question, "how oft cometh their destruction upon them!", challenges the immediate and visible manifestation of such calamity, suggesting that the wicked often escape these consequences in their lifetime.
* **Distributeth (Hebrew, יְחַלֵּק, _yeḥallēq_):** From the root חָלַק (ḥālaq), meaning "to divide," "to apportion," or "to distribute." This verb emphasizes God's active role in dispensing or assigning consequences. The KJV's "[God]" is an interpretive addition, as the Hebrew simply uses the third-person singular "He," referring implicitly to God. Job acknowledges God's ultimate sovereignty in dispensing sorrow, but questions the *timing* and *frequency* of this distribution upon the wicked in the temporal realm.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"How oft is the candle of the wicked put out!":** This is a rhetorical question, implying "Not often!" Job challenges the notion that the wicked consistently and quickly meet their demise or lose their prosperity. He observes that, contrary to the friends' theology, the wicked often continue to live and thrive, their "lamp" of life and well-being remaining lit.
* **"and [how oft] cometh their destruction upon them!":** Another rhetorical question, echoing the first. Job further asserts that calamity or ruin does not frequently or immediately befall the wicked in a visible, punitive manner. He is pointing to the empirical reality that many evil individuals escape overt and swift judgment in this life.
* **"[God] distributeth sorrows in his anger.":** This clause acknowledges God's ultimate sovereignty and justice. Job is not denying that God is just or that He dispenses sorrow in His anger. Rather, he is questioning the *timing* and *immediacy* of this distribution, particularly as it relates to the wicked in the temporal realm. He implies that God's anger, while real, does not always manifest in the swift, visible destruction of the wicked that his friends claim.

#### Literary Devices
Job 21:17 is rich in **Rhetorical Question** and **Symbolism**. The repeated "How oft...?" is a classic rhetorical device, not seeking an answer but rather making a forceful assertion by implying the opposite of the question. Job uses this to powerfully refute his friends' claims, suggesting that the wicked's "candle" is *not* often put out, nor does destruction frequently come upon them. This challenges the listener to confront the uncomfortable reality that contradicts their preconceived notions. **Symbolism** is evident in the use of "candle" (נֵר, *ner*), which represents life, prosperity, and the continuation of a family line. Its extinguishing symbolizes ruin and death. By using this symbol, Job effectively communicates the idea of a life cut short or brought to ruin, and then rhetorically denies that this is the common fate of the wicked. The verse also employs **Juxtaposition**, placing the friends' rigid theology (implied by Job's questions) against the observable reality of the world, highlighting the tension between ideal justice and lived experience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 21:17 grapples with one of the most enduring theological dilemmas: the problem of evil and the apparent prosperity of the wicked. Job's observation challenges a simplistic understanding of divine justice, forcing a recognition that God's ways are often inscrutable and His timing not aligned with human expectations. While the Old Testament frequently affirms that God is just and will ultimately punish the wicked, this verse highlights the temporal disconnect, prompting a deeper trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and a future, comprehensive judgment rather than an immediate, visible one. It underscores that God's anger and distribution of sorrow are real, but their manifestation is entirely within His mysterious prerogative, not bound by human formulas.

* [Psalm 73:3](/psalms/73-3 "Psalm 73:3 - Asaph's struggle with the wicked's prosperity")
* [Jeremiah 12:1](/jeremiah/12-1 "Jeremiah 12:1 - Jeremiah's complaint about the wicked's prosperity")
* [Ecclesiastes 8:14](/ecclesiastes/8-14 "Ecclesiastes 8:14 - The paradox of the righteous suffering and the wicked prospering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 21:17 serves as a profound reminder that our human understanding of divine justice is often limited and incomplete. In a world that frequently seems to reward injustice and where evil appears to flourish unchecked, this verse calls us to resist the temptation to adopt simplistic theological frameworks that promise immediate retribution or reward based on our actions. It encourages us to cultivate patience and a deep, unwavering trust in God's ultimate sovereignty, even when circumstances contradict our expectations of how justice "should" operate. We are challenged to look beyond superficial appearances and not to equate temporal prosperity with divine favor, nor immediate suffering with divine wrath. Instead, we are called to rest in the assurance that God's judgment, though sometimes delayed from our perspective, is certain and perfectly righteous, unfolding according to His perfect timing and inscrutable wisdom. This perspective liberates us from the burden of trying to reconcile every apparent injustice with an immediate divine response, allowing us to focus on faithfulness regardless of our temporal circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's observation about the wicked challenge your own assumptions about how God's justice operates in the world today?**
* **In what ways might a simplistic view of "cause and effect" (sin equals suffering, righteousness equals prosperity) hinder your understanding of God's character and purposes?**
* **How can you cultivate patience and trust in God's ultimate justice when you observe injustice or the prosperity of the wicked in your own life or in the world around you?**

### FAQ

**Does Job 21:17 deny God's justice?**

Answer: No, Job 21:17 does not deny God's justice. Instead, it challenges a *simplistic* and *immediate* understanding of how God's justice is always manifested in the temporal realm. Job acknowledges that God "distributeth sorrows in his anger," affirming God's sovereignty and capacity for judgment. However, his rhetorical questions ("How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and [how oft] cometh their destruction upon them!") highlight the empirical reality that the wicked often prosper and escape immediate, visible retribution in this life, contrary to the rigid theology of his friends. Job is wrestling with the *timing* and *visibility* of God's justice, not its existence or ultimate certainty. This struggle is a central theme in the [Book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job - A Study of Suffering and Justice"), and it prepares the reader for a more nuanced understanding of divine wisdom.

**What does "the candle of the wicked" mean in this verse?**

Answer: The "candle" (Hebrew: נֵר, *ner*) in Job 21:17 is a powerful metaphor for life, vitality, prosperity, well-being, and the continuation of one's family line. In ancient times, a lamp was essential for light and warmth, symbolizing a thriving household and a secure future. To have one's "candle put out" signifies the cessation of life, the end of prosperity, or the ruin of a lineage. Job's rhetorical question, "How oft is the candle of the wicked put out!", implies that it is *not* often extinguished quickly, directly contradicting his friends' assertion that the wicked are swiftly brought to ruin. This metaphor is used elsewhere in Scripture, for example, in [Proverbs 13:9](/proverbs/13-9 "Proverbs 13:9 - The light of the righteous and the lamp of the wicked").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 21:17, with its profound wrestling over the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the timing of divine justice, finds its ultimate resolution and reorientation in Christ. While Job struggles with the temporal disconnect between sin and immediate retribution, the New Testament reveals a more comprehensive picture of God's justice that culminates in the person and work of Jesus. The "candle" of the wicked may not be extinguished immediately in this life, but Christ's first coming inaugurated a new era where ultimate judgment is assured, not merely delayed. He spoke of a future day when the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father, and the wicked will be cast into the fiery furnace ([Matthew 13:43](/matthew/13-43 "Matthew 13:43 - Parable of the Weeds")). Furthermore, the cross of Christ reveals the depths of God's justice and wrath against sin, as the Son of God himself bore the full weight of divine anger for humanity's transgressions ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25-26 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Displayed in Christ")). This means that God's justice is not absent, but perfectly satisfied in Christ for those who believe, while for those who reject Him, a future, inescapable judgment awaits ([John 3:18](/john/3-18 "John 3:18 - Those who believe are not condemned")). Thus, the tension Job felt is resolved by the certainty of Christ's return, when every "candle" will be truly judged, and all sorrow and anger will be righteously distributed, either through redemptive grace or just condemnation ([Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11-15 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")).

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 18:5

¶ Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.

Job 18:6

The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.

Luke 12:46

The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Job 18:18

He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.

Psalms 90:7

¶ For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.

Psalms 90:9

For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale [that is told].

Romans 2:8

But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,