Job 21:19

Context of Job 21:19

Job 21:19 is part of Job's third response to his friends, specifically challenging Zophar's assertion that the wicked are always swiftly punished. Throughout Job 21, Job presents a stark counter-argument to the conventional retribution theology held by Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, which posits that suffering is a direct result of personal sin and that the wicked invariably suffer while the righteous prosper. Job observes that, in reality, the wicked often live long, prosper, and die peacefully, without experiencing the immediate, visible divine judgment his friends describe.

In this particular verse, Job is likely echoing a common belief or proverb of his time, or even sarcastically stating what he *thinks* his friends believe about God's justice, only to immediately challenge it. He is expressing his frustration with the idea that if punishment is due, it should be direct and personal to the offender, rather than deferred or passed on to innocent descendants.

Meaning of Job 21:19

The KJV text, "God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know [it]," is best understood as Job's rhetorical challenge to God's perceived justice. The first part, "God layeth up his iniquity for his children," reflects the common idea that God reserves punishment for the children of the wicked. However, Job immediately counters this, likely with indignation, by stating, "he rewardeth him, and he shall know [it]." Job is essentially demanding that if there is to be retribution for the wicked, it should be visited upon the wicked person *himself* directly, so that *he* personally experiences and acknowledges it, rather than it being deferred to his offspring.

Job's point here is not that God *does* store up iniquity for children, but rather that if God's justice is to be clear and effective, the wicked individual should receive their due reward in their own lifetime, rather than their children bearing the brunt of their parents' sins. This highlights Job's deep struggle with the apparent disparity between righteous suffering and wicked prosperity.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Nature of Divine Justice: Job 21:19 contributes to Job's profound questioning of the simplistic view of divine justice. He challenges the notion that God's justice is always immediate, visible, or predictable in human terms, especially when it comes to the wicked.
• Intergenerational Consequences vs. Personal Accountability: The verse touches upon the tension between the concept of intergenerational consequences of sin (as seen in some Old Testament passages) and the principle of individual accountability (emphasized later in prophetic books like Ezekiel). Job expresses a desire for personal accountability for the wicked.
• The Prosperity of the Wicked: This verse is part of Job's broader argument that the wicked often prosper and escape visible judgment in this life, a theme echoed in other wisdom literature like Psalm 73.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "layeth up" comes from the Hebrew verb tsaphan (צָפַן), which means "to hide," "to store up," or "to treasure." This implies a deliberate reservation or withholding of something, in this context, punishment or consequences. The word "rewardeth" (יְשַׁלֵּם, yeshallem) means "to repay," "to recompense," or "to make whole." Job's use of this word here strongly implies a desire for the wicked to be repaid for their deeds directly.

Practical Application

Job 21:19, within the context of Job's argument, reminds us not to oversimplify God's justice or to assume that all suffering is a direct, immediate punishment for sin. It encourages a more nuanced understanding of divine sovereignty and the complexities of life. We learn:

1. Compassion in Suffering: Like Job's friends, we should avoid quick judgments about why people suffer. Not all suffering is a direct result of personal sin.
2. Trust in God's Ultimate Justice: While immediate justice may not always be apparent, the Bible affirms that God is righteous and will ultimately repay each person according to their deeds.
3. Focus on Personal Responsibility: Job's desire for the wicked to "know it" themselves underscores the biblical emphasis on individual accountability before God.