Job 21:7

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Job 21:7 presents a profound question from Job, challenging the traditional understanding of divine justice held by his friends. He observes a stark reality of life that contradicts their rigid theology: that the wicked often prosper, live long, and wield significant influence, seemingly unpunished by God.

Context

This verse is part of Job's third and most impassioned response to his friends, specifically refuting Zophar's earlier assertion (Job 20) that the wicked are swiftly punished and their prosperity is fleeting. Job, in his deep suffering, looks at the world around him and sees evidence that contradicts this simplistic "retribution theology." His friends insisted that all suffering is a direct consequence of sin, and prosperity is a sign of righteousness. Job, however, points to the undeniable fact that many who openly defy God enjoy long lives, health, and power, raising a fundamental question about the immediate administration of divine justice in this world.

Key Themes

  • The Problem of Evil and Suffering: Job's question directly addresses the age-old dilemma of why the wicked often thrive while the righteous suffer. It's a deep theological challenge to the perceived fairness of God's governance in the present age.
  • Divine Justice vs. Human Observation: The verse highlights the tension between human expectations of immediate, visible justice and the often-unpredictable realities of life. Job's observation challenges the idea that God always intervenes to punish evil and reward good in a way that is easily discernible to humans.
  • Prosperity of the Wicked: This is a recurring theme in wisdom literature. Job's blunt inquiry about the wicked living long and being "mighty in power" resonates with the struggles of other biblical figures who wrestled with the same issue, such as the psalmist in Psalm 73:3, who confessed, "For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked."

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "wherefore" (ืœึธืžึธึผื” - lammah) is a direct and often exasperated question, "Why?" It conveys Job's bewilderment and frustration at the apparent incongruity between God's justice and the world's reality. The phrase "mighty in power" (ืขึธืฆึฐืžื•ึผ ื—ึธื™ึดืœ - atzmu chayil) doesn't just refer to physical strength but encompasses wealth, influence, success, and a position of authority, emphasizing the comprehensive well-being of the wicked that Job observes.

Practical Application

Job 21:7 encourages believers to grapple with the complexities of God's sovereignty and justice, rather than adopting simplistic explanations for suffering or prosperity. It reminds us that:

  • God's ways are not always our ways: Our human understanding of justice is limited, and God's timeline and methods of administering justice often transcend our immediate comprehension. As Isaiah 55:8-9 states, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."
  • An eternal perspective is crucial: The Bible ultimately assures us that true and ultimate justice will be served, even if not fully realized in this life. The final judgment will set all things right, as seen in passages like Revelation 20:12.
  • Faith perseveres amidst paradox: This verse validates the honest questions and struggles of faith when faced with life's apparent injustices. It teaches us to trust in God's character even when circumstances seem to contradict our expectations.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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

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

  • Jeremiah 12:1

    ยถ 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?
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