Job 21:6

KJV

Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

KJV (with Strong's)

Even when I remember {H2142} I am afraid {H926}, and trembling {H6427} taketh hold on {H270} my flesh {H1320}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Whenever I recall it, I am in shock; my whole body shudders.

Berean Standard Bible

When I remember, terror takes hold, and my body trembles in horror.

American Standard Version

Even when I remember I am troubled, And horror taketh hold on my flesh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 21:6 powerfully encapsulates the profound internal and external turmoil Job experiences as he confronts the perplexing reality of suffering and the apparent incongruity of divine justice. This verse is a visceral expression of his deep-seated fear and physical distress, arising not from personal guilt but from the terrifying implications of a world where the wicked often prosper, challenging the conventional theological framework upheld by his friends. It highlights the spiritual and intellectual anguish of a righteous man grappling with God's inscrutable ways and the unsettling observations that contradict his established understanding of divine retribution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 21:6 is strategically positioned within Job's third and final response to his friends, specifically countering Zophar's dogmatic assertion in [Job 20](/job/20 "Job 20 - Zophar's Final Speech") that the triumph of the wicked is invariably short-lived. In [Job 21](/job/21 "Job 21 - Job's Argument: The Wicked Prosper"), Job directly challenges this conventional wisdom by presenting a compelling litany of examples where the wicked not only prosper throughout their lives but also die peacefully, leaving behind flourishing descendants. This verse, "Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh," serves as a critical pivot point, revealing the deep personal cost of Job's theological wrestling. His fear is not a sign of weakness or sin, but a profound and honest reaction to the unsettling truths he observes, which directly contradict the neat, retributive theology espoused by Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. It underscores the intense emotional and intellectual strain of holding onto faith when observable reality seems to betray fundamental assumptions about God's justice and order.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern thought, particularly within the Israelite wisdom tradition, there was a deeply ingrained emphasis on the principle of divine retribution: the righteous prosper, and the wicked suffer. This was a foundational tenet, often reinforced by covenant theology, where obedience led to blessings and disobedience to curses, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Job's friends represent the orthodox adherence to this doctrine, reflecting the prevailing cultural expectation that suffering indicated sin and prosperity indicated righteousness. However, the book of Job, including this verse, radically challenges the simplistic application of this principle. Job's personal experience of immense, undeserved suffering, coupled with his observations in [Job 21](/job/21 "Job 21 - Job's Argument: The Wicked Prosper") regarding the prosperity of the wicked, directly confronts this deeply ingrained cultural and theological framework. This dissonance causes him immense fear and perplexity because it undermines his entire understanding of how God governs the world, making his fear not just personal but existential, questioning the very order of the cosmos as he understood it.
* **Key Themes:** Job 21:6 powerfully contributes to several central themes woven throughout the book of Job. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Theological Perplexity and Doubt**, as Job's fear stems from his inability to reconcile God's justice with the observable prosperity of the wicked, a profound paradox explored extensively in [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked"). Secondly, it underscores the **Insufficiency of Conventional Wisdom**, demonstrating how traditional, simplistic explanations for suffering fail to account for the complexities of human experience and divine action. Job's trembling flesh is a vivid physical manifestation of this intellectual and spiritual crisis, exposing the limitations of a rigid, retributive theology. Thirdly, it emphasizes **Human Vulnerability and Honest Lament**, showing that even a righteous man can be overwhelmed by fear and confusion when confronted with inexplicable suffering and paradoxes of faith. This verse validates the raw, unvarnished expression of distress before God, a common and accepted feature in the [Lament Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms - Songs of Lament and Praise").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Hebrew, _zâkar'_ H2142):** From a primitive root meaning "to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention." In Job's context, this is not a casual recollection but an active, conscious engagement with disturbing truths. It implies a recurring mental process where Job revisits his observations of the wicked's prosperity, a remembrance that immediately triggers profound distress. This word highlights the intellectual component of his fear, rooted in his inability to reconcile what he sees with what he believes about divine justice.
* **Afraid (Hebrew, _bâhal'_ H926):** From a primitive root meaning "to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e. (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously." This word describes a deep, inward trembling or agitation, a sudden alarm that goes beyond mere apprehension to a profound, unsettling fear. For Job, this fear is not a sign of guilt but a visceral reaction to the perceived breakdown of cosmic order and divine justice, a terror rooted in theological bewilderment rather than personal wrongdoing.
* **Trembling (Hebrew, _pallâtsûwth'_ H6427):** Derived from a root meaning "to affright," this noun signifies "affright; fearfulness, horror, trembling." It describes a physical shaking, shuddering, or quivering that is an involuntary manifestation of intense fear or distress. Coupled with "taketh hold on my flesh," it vividly portrays how Job's internal anguish has permeated his physical being, indicating the severity and consuming nature of his emotional and spiritual crisis.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Even when I remember I am afraid":** This clause reveals the profound and recurring source of Job's fear: his active recollection and contemplation of the observable reality of the wicked's sustained prosperity. This stands in stark contrast to the conventional retributive theology his friends preach and which Job himself had likely held. The act of "remembering" implies a conscious, persistent engagement with this disturbing truth, leading to an immediate and profound sense of dread. His fear is not a fleeting emotion but a persistent state triggered by theological reflection and the stark dissonance between belief and observation.
* **"and trembling taketh hold on my flesh":** This second clause describes the physical, involuntary manifestation of Job's intense internal terror. The fear is so overwhelming that it transcends mere mental distress and seizes his entire physical being. The phrase "taketh hold" (from H270, _ʼâchaz_, meaning "to seize, hold in possession") suggests an inescapable, gripping power, indicating that his body is reacting to the profound spiritual and intellectual disorientation he is experiencing. It underscores the holistic nature of his suffering, where theological perplexity translates into tangible, debilitating physical symptoms, affecting his very "flesh" (H1320, _bâsâr_), which encompasses his whole vulnerable person.

#### Literary Devices
Job 21:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey Job's profound distress. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "trembling taketh hold on my flesh," which vividly exaggerates the physical manifestation of his fear to emphasize its overwhelming and all-consuming nature. This is further enhanced by **Personification**, as "trembling" is depicted as an active, almost sentient force that "takes hold," as if it were an entity seizing Job's body and possessing it. The verse also utilizes potent **Sensory Imagery**, particularly kinesthetic imagery, by describing the physical sensation of trembling, allowing the reader to viscerally connect with Job's experience and feel the immediate impact of his anguish. This combination of devices creates a powerful and immediate impression of Job's deep turmoil, making his internal suffering palpable and profoundly relatable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 21:6 profoundly illustrates the human struggle with the problem of evil and the apparent injustice in the world, a perennial theological challenge. It highlights the acute tension between a belief in a just and sovereign God and the observable reality of the wicked prospering while the righteous suffer. Job's fear is not a lack of faith, but a deeply honest and visceral response to a theological paradox that threatens to unravel his understanding of God's character and governance. This verse reminds us that genuine faith can coexist with profound questions, intense confusion, and even debilitating fear when confronted with life's inexplicable hardships, pushing us to seek a deeper, more nuanced understanding of divine wisdom beyond simplistic formulas. It underscores that God's ways are often inscrutable, challenging our human attempts to neatly categorize His justice.

* [Psalm 73:2-3](/psalms/73-2-3 "Psalm 73:2-3 - Asaph's Struggle with the Prosperity of the Wicked")
* [Jeremiah 12:1](/jeremiah/12-1 "Jeremiah 12:1 - Jeremiah's Question about the Wicked's Prosperity")
* [Habakkuk 1:2-4](/habakkuk/1-2-4 "Habakkuk 1:2-4 - Habakkuk's Lament over Injustice and God's Silence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 21:6 offers profound validation for the human experience of fear, confusion, and even physical distress when confronted with life's overwhelming injustices and unanswered theological questions. It reminds us that it is not a sign of spiritual weakness to feel shaken when our understanding of God's justice or plan seems to contradict observable reality. Job, a man explicitly described as blameless and upright in [Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Introduction to Job's Righteousness"), openly expresses his terror and physical trembling. This encourages believers to bring their deepest anxieties, doubts, and theological struggles honestly and authentically before God, rather than suppressing them or pretending to have all the answers. In a world that often demands certainty and polished faith, Job's raw vulnerability grants permission to lament, to question, and to wrestle with the paradoxes of faith without shame. It invites us to trust God even when His ways are inscrutable, much like the prophet Isaiah reminds us that [God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways higher than His ways](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher"). The verse ultimately points us towards a faith that is robust enough to endure perplexity, finding solace not in simplistic answers, but in the unwavering presence of God amidst our deepest fears and unanswered questions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What observable realities in your life or the world currently challenge your understanding of God's justice, goodness, or sovereignty?**
* **How do you typically respond to theological perplexity or fear? Do you suppress it, or do you bring it honestly and openly before God?**
* **In what ways does Job's physical trembling in this verse validate your own experiences of fear or anxiety related to faith questions or difficult circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why is Job so afraid if he is righteous? Is his fear a sign of sin?**

Answer: Job's fear in [Job 21:6](/job/21-6 "Job 21:6 - Job's Fear and Trembling") is not a sign of personal sin or guilt, but rather a profound and honest reaction to his theological perplexity and the apparent breakdown of the retributive principle he and his friends believed in. He observes that the wicked often prosper and die peacefully, directly contradicting the conventional wisdom that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin and prosperity a sign of righteousness. This observation is terrifying to Job because it undermines his entire understanding of God's just governance of the world. His fear is an honest, visceral response to the incomprehensibility of God's ways and the unsettling implications for divine justice, not a result of his own wrongdoing. It highlights the intellectual and spiritual anguish of a righteous man grappling with a profound paradox of faith.

**How does Job's fear here relate to his earlier laments?**

Answer: Job's fear in [Job 21:6](/job/21-6 "Job 21:6 - Job's Fear and Trembling") is a continuation and intensification of the anguish expressed in his earlier laments, such as those found in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Initial Lament") or [Job 10](/job/10 "Job 10 - Job's Plea to God"). While earlier laments often focused on his personal suffering and desire for an explanation or an audience with God, this verse specifically ties his fear to the *memory* and *observation* of the wicked's prosperity, which is a theological rather than purely personal source of distress. His earlier laments were cries of pain and confusion; this verse adds a layer of existential terror stemming from the perceived injustice of the world, challenging the very framework of divine order. The physical "trembling" underscores the depth and consuming nature of this specific, theologically-driven fear.

**Does this verse suggest that questioning God's justice is acceptable?**

Answer: Yes, [Job 21:6](/job/21-6 "Job 21:6 - Job's Fear and Trembling") and indeed the entire book of Job strongly suggest that questioning God's justice, when done with honest anguish and a sincere desire for understanding, is acceptable and even a part of a robust faith. Job does not abandon God; rather, he relentlessly pursues God, demanding an explanation and wrestling with the paradoxes he observes. His fear and trembling are not rebellion but a sincere expression of a soul deeply troubled by what appears to be an inconsistency in God's ways. The book ultimately vindicates Job's honest lament over his friends' rigid, simplistic theology, demonstrating that God welcomes our raw, unvarnished questions and fears, even when we don't understand His purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 21:6, with its raw depiction of fear and trembling in the face of perceived injustice and the prosperity of the wicked, finds profound resonance and ultimate resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job's anguish stems from a world where divine justice seems absent or inscrutable, a world still groaning under the weight of sin and its consequences ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans for Redemption")). Yet, in Christ, the ultimate answer to the problem of evil and suffering is provided. Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly entered into the full depths of human suffering, experiencing abandonment, injustice, and a death that seemed to contradict all notions of divine fairness. On the cross, He bore the full weight of sin and its curse, becoming sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). His resurrection, however, decisively defeats death, sin, and the apparent triumph of evil, revealing God's ultimate justice and sovereign power to bring redemptive good out of the greatest injustice. For the believer, the fear and trembling that grip Job are transformed into a confident hope, knowing that even amidst present suffering and apparent paradoxes, Christ has secured a future where all wrongs will be righted, and God's perfect justice will be fully revealed ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears, Death, or Pain in the New Creation")). We are called to trust in the one who has already overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Has Overcome the World")), transforming our fear into faith in His ultimate victory and righteous reign.

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

Habakkuk 3:16

¶ When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

Lamentations 3:19

Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.

Lamentations 3:20

My soul hath [them] still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.

Psalms 119:120

My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

Psalms 77:3

I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

Psalms 88:15

I [am] afflicted and ready to die from [my] youth up: [while] I suffer thy terrors I am distracted.