Job 24:23

KJV

[Though] it be given him [to be] in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes [are] upon their ways.

KJV (with Strong's)

Though it be given {H5414} him to be in safety {H983}, whereon he resteth {H8172}; yet his eyes {H5869} are upon their ways {H1870}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, even if God lets them rest in safety, his eyes are on their ways.

Berean Standard Bible

He gives them a sense of security, but His eyes are on their ways.

American Standard Version

God giveth them to be in security, and they rest thereon; And his eyes are upon their ways.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 24:23 offers a profound insight into the divine perspective on human actions, particularly those of the wicked, within Job's complex discourse on suffering and justice. It highlights the apparent paradox where the wicked may experience temporary security and peace, seemingly unhindered, yet simultaneously emphasizes that God's omniscient gaze remains fixed upon their every deed and life's course. This verse serves as a powerful affirmation of divine awareness and ultimate accountability, even when immediate judgment is not evident.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 24:23 is situated within Job's final and most impassioned response to his friends (Job 23-24), where he continues to grapple with the perplexing problem of evil and suffering. Throughout chapters 21-24, Job directly challenges the conventional wisdom espoused by Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, which rigidly asserts that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin and that the wicked are swiftly and visibly punished. Job's own observations contradict this simplistic theology; he repeatedly points out that the wicked often prosper, live long lives, and die peacefully, seemingly escaping divine retribution. This verse specifically articulates Job's observation of the wicked enjoying apparent safety and rest, while simultaneously asserting that God's watchful eye is perpetually upon their "ways," hinting at a future reckoning despite present appearances.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job belongs to the wisdom literature tradition of the ancient Near East, which frequently explored themes of justice, suffering, and the nature of God's governance. In this cultural milieu, there was a prevailing belief in immediate divine retribution—that righteousness led to prosperity and wickedness to calamity. Job's struggle, therefore, is not merely personal but a profound theological debate challenging this deeply ingrained retributional theology. The verse reflects a common human experience across cultures and times: the apparent success and impunity of the wicked, which often causes moral perplexity and despair among the righteous. It speaks to a universal human question about the fairness of divine justice and the timing of its execution.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Book of Job and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Omniscience and Sovereignty** of God; despite His seeming inactivity or hiddenness, God is intimately aware of all human conduct, including the most clandestine actions and intentions of the wicked. This provides comfort to the righteous who feel unseen or unheard in their suffering, echoing the sentiment that "the eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good" as found in [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "Proverbs 15:3 - God's Omniscience"). Secondly, it highlights the **Temporary Prosperity of the Wicked**, a recurring biblical theme that acknowledges the perplexing reality that unrighteous individuals often enjoy periods of peace, wealth, and influence. This observation is explored in depth in other wisdom texts, such as [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked"), where the psalmist grapples with the same issue before finding resolution in God's ultimate justice. Finally, the verse powerfully affirms the **Certainty of Divine Accountability**, implying that the wicked's apparent safety is an illusion, and their every "way" is meticulously recorded by God, leading inevitably to a future judgment. This resonates with the broader biblical teaching that "God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil," as stated in [Ecclesiastes 12:14](/ecclesiastes/12-14 "Ecclesiastes 12:14 - The Final Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Safety (Hebrew, _betach'_):** This noun signifies security, confidence, trust, or a place of refuge. In this context, it refers to the wicked person's perceived state of peace and freedom from danger or fear. It implies a false sense of invulnerability, a mistaken belief that their actions have no immediate negative repercussions or that they are beyond divine reach.
* **Resteth (Hebrew, _yisha'en'_):** Derived from the verb שָׁעַן (_sha'an'_), meaning "to lean, to rest upon, to rely on, to trust." Here, it vividly portrays the wicked person's comfortable repose, their leaning into their perceived security. It suggests a state of self-assuredness and lack of concern, reinforcing the idea that they feel completely at ease and unthreatened by any impending judgment.
* **Ways (Hebrew, _derekh'_):** This versatile noun literally means "path" or "road," but biblically, it extends to encompass one's conduct, lifestyle, moral character, and overall course of life. When the text states God's eyes are "upon their ways," it implies a comprehensive divine observation of their entire life's trajectory, their choices, intentions, and moral direction, not merely isolated actions. It signifies a holistic assessment of their character and deeds.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth;":** This clause acknowledges the perplexing reality that the wicked often experience periods of peace, security, and prosperity. The passive construction "it be given him" suggests that this temporary state of safety is divinely permitted or allowed, rather than earned. It highlights the wicked person's comfortable and confident reliance on this perceived security, indicating a lack of fear or immediate consequence for their unrighteous actions. This observation is central to Job's argument against his friends' simplistic retribution theology.
* **"yet his eyes are upon their ways.":** This contrasting clause delivers the profound theological truth that immediately refutes the illusion of the wicked's impunity. Despite their apparent safety and rest, God's omniscient "eyes" are perpetually fixed upon their "ways"—their entire conduct, moral choices, and life's course. The phrase "his eyes are upon" is an anthropomorphism emphasizing God's perfect awareness, constant scrutiny, and intimate knowledge of every detail. This implies that no deed, no matter how hidden or seemingly successful, escapes divine notice, ensuring ultimate accountability.

#### Literary Devices
Job 24:23 masterfully employs several **Literary Devices** to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, which is central to the verse's meaning. It starkly juxtaposes the wicked person's perceived state of "safety" and "rest" with the unwavering, watchful "eyes" of God upon "their ways." This creates a tension between human perception and divine reality, highlighting the illusion of security for those who live unrighteously. Closely related is **Irony**, as the very "safety" the wicked lean upon is under the constant scrutiny of the One who will ultimately judge them. Their confidence is built on a foundation that God sees through entirely. Furthermore, the phrase "his eyes are upon" is an example of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human physical characteristics (eyes, seeing) to God. This device makes the abstract concept of divine omniscience more relatable and impactful, emphasizing God's personal and direct engagement with human affairs, particularly His comprehensive knowledge of all actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 24:23 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative concerning divine justice, human accountability, and God's sovereign oversight of creation. It serves as a powerful reminder that while God's timing and methods of justice may often seem inscrutable to human understanding, His awareness of all things is absolute. The verse affirms that no act, whether good or evil, escapes His notice, and that the apparent prosperity or impunity of the wicked is merely temporary, a prelude to an inevitable reckoning. This truth provides both a warning to those who might presume upon God's patience and profound comfort to the righteous who suffer under injustice, assuring them that their plight is seen and that ultimate justice will prevail.

* [Proverbs 5:21](/proverbs/5-21 "Proverbs 5:21 - The Eyes of the Lord")
* [Psalm 94:7-11](/psalms/94-7 "Psalm 94:7-11 - God Sees All Things")
* [Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - God Searches the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 24:23 offers a profound anchor for faith in a world where injustice often seems to triumph and the wicked appear to prosper. For those who feel disheartened by the apparent success of unrighteousness or burdened by the weight of unpunished evil, this verse provides a powerful reassurance: God sees. No hidden deed, no subtle manipulation, no act of oppression goes unnoticed by the Almighty. This truth should cultivate patience and perseverance in righteousness, trusting that God's justice operates on a timeline and according to a wisdom far beyond our comprehension. Conversely, for anyone tempted to engage in wrongdoing under the illusion of secrecy or impunity, the verse serves as a sober warning. Our perceived "safety" is a fragile illusion, for every "way" we walk is under the constant, discerning gaze of the One who will ultimately bring every secret thing to light. It calls us to live with integrity, knowing that our true audience is God Himself, and that genuine security is found only in aligning our "ways" with His righteous path.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the apparent prosperity of the wicked challenge your understanding of God's justice?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to feel "safe" from divine scrutiny, and how does this verse challenge that notion?**
* **How can the truth that "His eyes are upon their ways" bring comfort to you when you experience or observe injustice?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse imply that God actively gives safety to the wicked?**

Answer: The phrase "Though it be given him to be in safety" (KJV) or "Though he is granted security" (ESV) suggests that the wicked's temporary peace and prosperity are permitted or allowed by God, rather than actively bestowed as a reward. It acknowledges a reality that God, in His sovereign will, allows certain circumstances to unfold, even if they seem to contradict immediate justice. This permission does not equate to approval or endorsement of their "ways." Instead, it often serves to highlight the depth of human depravity or to provide a longer period for repentance, while simultaneously affirming that God's watchful eye never leaves them, ensuring that this temporary reprieve is not a final state. It is part of God's mysterious patience, as seen in passages like [Romans 2:4](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4 - God's Patience Leads to Repentance").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 24:23, with its stark contrast between the wicked's perceived security and God's unwavering gaze, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament often wrestled with the delayed justice for the wicked, the New Testament reveals that God's "eyes upon their ways" culminates in the final, perfect judgment executed by Christ. Jesus himself declared that "nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known" ([Luke 12:2](/luke/12-2 "Luke 12:2 - Nothing Hidden Will Remain Hidden")), echoing Job's theme of divine omniscience. The temporary "safety" of the wicked is shattered by the reality of Christ's return, when "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him" ([Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every Eye Will See Him")). Christ is the appointed judge, who will "repay each person according to what they have done" ([Romans 2:6](/romans/2-6 "Romans 2:6 - God Will Repay Each Person According to What They Have Done")), bringing to light all the "ways" that were once hidden. For the righteous, this verse foreshadows the comfort found in Christ, who perfectly understood suffering and injustice, and whose ultimate victory ensures that the "Lamb of God" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) will indeed take away the sin of the world and establish a kingdom where "righteousness dwells" ([2 Peter 3:13](/2-peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")). Thus, the tension of Job 24:23 is resolved in the cross and resurrection, which guarantee both the judgment of sin and the vindication of the righteous through Christ.

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

Proverbs 15:3

¶ The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Revelation 2:23

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Luke 12:45

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

Proverbs 5:21

For the ways of man [are] before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

Ecclesiastes 8:11

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Amos 9:2

Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:

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?