Job 21:7

KJV

¶ Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore do the wicked {H7563} live {H2421}, become old {H6275}, yea, are mighty {H1396} in power {H2428}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Why do the wicked go on living, grow old and keep increasing their power?

Berean Standard Bible

Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?

American Standard Version

Wherefore do the wicked live, Become old, yea, wax mighty in power?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 21:7 encapsulates Job's profound and challenging question, directly refuting the simplistic retribution theology espoused by his friends. He observes the stark reality that, contrary to their rigid assertions, the wicked not not only live long and healthy lives but also attain significant power and prosperity, seemingly without immediate divine judgment. This observation forces a confrontation with the perceived incongruity between God's justice and the empirical realities of the world, highlighting the profound mystery of divine governance and the complexities of theodicy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Job's third and most impassioned rebuttal to his friends, specifically following Zophar's preceding discourse in [Job 20](/job/20 "Job 20 - Zophar's Second Speech"). Zophar had vehemently asserted that the prosperity of the wicked is ephemeral and their punishment swift and certain. Job, however, transcends merely defending his personal innocence; he directly challenges the very premise of his friends' theological framework. He introduces an empirical argument, drawing from his observations of the world, which starkly contradicts their dogmatic assertion that all suffering is a direct consequence of sin and all prosperity a sign of righteousness. His poignant question in [Job 21:7](/job/21-7 "Job 21:7 - Job's Question about the Wicked's Prosperity") serves as a pivotal point, shifting the debate from Job's individual suffering to a broader, more universal theological problem concerning the administration of divine justice in the present age.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job stands as a profound masterpiece of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, a genre dedicated to grappling with life's most perplexing questions, including the nature of suffering, justice, and humanity's relationship with the divine. Within this cultural milieu, a prevalent theological framework, often termed "retribution theology," held significant sway. This belief system posited a direct, immediate, and observable correlation between one's moral conduct and one's material well-being: righteousness was believed to lead to prosperity, while wickedness inevitably resulted in suffering. This perspective was frequently rooted in interpretations of covenant blessings and curses, such as those articulated in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience"). Job's radical inquiry in [Job 21:7](/job/21-7 "Job 21:7 - Job's Challenge to Retribution Theology") directly confronts this deeply ingrained cultural and theological assumption, pointing to real-world anomalies that defy such a simplistic explanation. The "wicked" in this context are not merely individuals who commit isolated transgressions but those who fundamentally reject God's ways and live in open defiance of His moral order.
* **Key Themes:** [Job 21:7](/job/21-7 "Job 21:7 - The Prosperity of the Wicked") directly addresses the enduring **problem of evil and suffering**, particularly the subset known as theodicy – the attempt to reconcile God's goodness and omnipotence with the existence of evil and suffering in the world. Job's question encapsulates the age-old dilemma of why the unrighteous often flourish while the righteous endure hardship. It highlights the profound **tension between divine justice and human observation**, as Job's empirical evidence starkly contradicts the expected immediate, visible manifestation of God's justice. This verse also foregrounds the **prosperity of the wicked**, a recurring and troubling theme in biblical wisdom literature. It resonates deeply with the struggles of other biblical figures, such as the psalmist Asaph in [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - Asaph's Struggle with the Prosperity of the Wicked"), who confessed his envy when he saw the prosperity of the wicked ([Psalm 73:3](/psalms/73-3 "Psalm 73:3 - Asaph's Envy")). Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah wrestled with this very issue, asking God, "Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?" ([Jeremiah 12:1](/jeremiah/12-1 "Jeremiah 12:1 - Jeremiah's Complaint")). Job's blunt inquiry thus contributes to a broader biblical conversation that acknowledges and grapples with the complexities of divine governance in a fallen world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wicked (Hebrew, _râshâʻ'_):** This term (H7563) refers to an actively bad person, someone who is morally wrong, ungodly, or guilty. In Job's context, it signifies those who live in open defiance of God's moral order, rejecting righteousness and embracing ungodliness. Job's observation is that these individuals, who by traditional retribution theology should suffer, are instead thriving.
* **live (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** The verb (H2421) means "to live," implying not merely existence but vitality, continuation, and even flourishing. When Job asks why the wicked "live," he is questioning why they experience a full, robust life, seemingly untouched by the immediate divine judgment that his friends insist should be befall them. This word highlights the longevity and vigor that the wicked appear to possess.
* **power (Hebrew, _chayil'_):** This noun (H2428) is rich in meaning, encompassing a wide range of concepts including strength, wealth, influence, success, military might, and a position of authority or prominence. When Job states that the wicked "are mighty in power," he is asserting that they not only survive and live long but also achieve comprehensive well-being, social standing, and material prosperity, wielding significant influence in society.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore do the wicked live,"**: This opening clause establishes Job's fundamental rhetorical question, challenging the prevailing theological assumption that wickedness inevitably leads to a curtailed life or swift demise. Job observes a reality where those who defy God's ways continue to exist and thrive, prompting his bewildered "Why?" This "wherefore" is not a neutral inquiry but an expression of deep perplexity and a challenge to the established order.
* **"become old,"**: This expands on the previous point, emphasizing longevity. The wicked, contrary to the expected divine judgment of early death, are seen to reach advanced age, enjoying the full span of life. This directly contradicts the friends' belief that God cuts short the lives of the unrighteous, adding another layer to Job's empirical challenge.
* **"yea, are mighty in power?"**: This final clause intensifies Job's observation, highlighting not just the survival and longevity of the wicked, but their comprehensive prosperity, influence, and social standing. They are not merely existing but flourishing, accumulating wealth, authority, and success, which further deepens Job's theological dilemma regarding the immediate administration of divine justice in the world.

#### Literary Devices
Job 21:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological challenge. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?" This is not a question seeking an answer from his friends, but one that powerfully highlights the apparent contradiction between their rigid theology and the observable world. It serves to expose the inadequacy of their simplistic explanations for suffering and prosperity. There is a palpable element of **Irony** present, as the very people who, according to the friends' theology, should be suffering are instead enjoying the blessings typically associated with righteousness. This creates a stark contrast that underscores the paradox Job is grappling with. Furthermore, the verse relies on **Empirical Observation vs. Dogma**, presenting Job's lived experience and observation of the world as a counter-argument to the unyielding theological dogma of his friends. This direct appeal to observable reality makes his challenge particularly potent and relatable, grounding the abstract theological debate in concrete, undeniable facts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 21:7 is a seminal verse in the biblical discussion of theodicy, directly confronting the perplexing reality of the wicked's prosperity and the righteous's suffering. It challenges the human tendency to impose a neat, immediate, and visible system of divine retribution on God's complex governance of the world. The verse forces us to acknowledge that God's justice operates on a timeline and according to principles that often transcend human comprehension and immediate observation. It underscores that while God is indeed just, His justice is not always administered in a way that aligns with our expectations of immediate, earthly recompense. This profound tension is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, prompting believers to grapple with faith in God's character even when His ways seem inscrutable.

* [Psalm 73:3](/psalms/73-3 "Psalm 73:3 - Asaph's Envy of the Wicked's Prosperity")
* [Jeremiah 12:1](/jeremiah/12-1 "Jeremiah 12:1 - Jeremiah's Complaint About the Wicked's Prosperity")
* [Habakkuk 1:2-4](/habakkuk/1-2-4 "Habakkuk 1:2-4 - Habakkuk's Lament Over Injustice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 21:7 offers profound encouragement for believers to honestly grapple with the complexities of God's sovereignty and justice, rather than retreating to simplistic, often unbiblical, explanations for the distribution of suffering and prosperity in the world. It validates the honest questions, doubts, and frustrations that arise when our lived experience seems to contradict our theological expectations. This verse reminds us that God's ways are indeed higher than our ways ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")), and His ultimate justice may not always be fully realized or understood in this temporal life. It calls us to cultivate a robust faith that trusts in God's character and ultimate plan, even when circumstances appear paradoxical. Embracing this truth fosters humility, guards against self-righteous judgment of others, and encourages a deeper reliance on God's wisdom rather than our limited human understanding. It challenges us to look beyond immediate appearances and cling to the assurance of God's perfect righteousness, which will ultimately prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's question challenge your own assumptions about how God administers justice in the world?**
* **In what ways might the prosperity of the wicked test your faith or provoke questions about God's fairness?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of an eternal perspective when faced with apparent injustices in this life?**
* **How can we maintain trust in God's character when circumstances seem to contradict our expectations of immediate divine intervention?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 21:7 imply that God is unjust or that He does not care about evil?**

Answer: No, Job 21:7 does not imply that God is unjust or uncaring. Instead, it expresses Job's profound human struggle and limited perspective in the face of suffering and apparent injustice. The verse highlights the tension between human expectations of immediate, visible divine retribution and the often-unpredictable realities of life. The book of Job, in its entirety, ultimately affirms God's perfect justice, sovereignty, and wisdom, even if His ways are inscrutable to human understanding ([Job 40:1-5](/job/40-1-5 "Job 40:1-5 - God's Challenge to Job")). It teaches that God's justice operates on His own timeline and according to His own purposes, which may not always align with our desire for instant cosmic balance. The problem is not with God's character, but with our limited capacity to fully comprehend His vast and complex governance, which often reserves ultimate judgment for a future time.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 21:7 articulates a profound Old Testament struggle with the prosperity of the wicked, its ultimate resolution and Christ-centered fulfillment are found in the broader biblical narrative, particularly in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself acknowledged the reality of God's impartial provision, stating that God "makes his sun 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 Impartial Rain")). This echoes Job's observation that earthly blessings are not always tied to moral righteousness in the present age. Furthermore, the ultimate answer to the problem of the wicked's prosperity is found in the certainty of future judgment. Christ's first coming inaugurated the Kingdom of God, and His second coming will bring about the full and final administration of divine justice, where "all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment" ([John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - Resurrection of Life and Judgment")). The temporary prosperity of the wicked pales in comparison to the eternal condemnation they will face, while the suffering of the righteous is a transient experience leading to eternal glory with Christ ([Romans 8:18](/romans/8-18 "Romans 8:18 - Future Glory vs. Present Suffering")). Thus, Job's question finds its ultimate answer not in immediate earthly retribution, but in the redemptive work of Christ and the promise of His return, which guarantees that all injustices will be set right and God's perfect justice will be fully revealed.

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

Psalms 73:3

For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Psalms 73:12

Behold, these [are] the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] riches.

Job 12:6

¶ The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth [abundantly].

Jeremiah 12:1

¶ Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of [thy] judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? [wherefore] are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

Jeremiah 12:3

But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

Psalms 37:35

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

Habakkuk 1:13

[Thou art] of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, [and] holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth [the man that is] more righteous than he?