Job 21:31
Job 21:31 in Multiple Translations
Who denounces his behavior to his face? Who repays him for what he has done?
Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
Who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?
Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
Who confronts them with their actions? Who pays them back for what they have done?
Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall reward him for that he hath done?
Who doth declare to his face his way? And [for] that which he hath done, Who doth give recompence to him?
Who will declare his way to his face? Who will repay him what he has done?
Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
Who shall reprove his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
There is no one [RHQ] who accuses wicked people, and there is no one who ◄pays them back/gives them the punishment that they deserve► for all the evil things that they have done.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 21:31
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 21:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מִֽי
יַגִּ֣יד
עַל
פָּנָ֣י/ו
דַּרְכּ֑/וֹ
וְ/הֽוּא
עָ֝שָׂ֗ה
מִ֣י
יְשַׁלֶּם
לֽ/וֹ
מִֽי
mîy
H4310
who?
Part
יַגִּ֣יד
nâgad
H5046
to tell
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
פָּנָ֣י/ו
pânîym
H6440
face
N-cp | Suff
דַּרְכּ֑/וֹ
derek
H1870
way
N-cs | Suff
וְ/הֽוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Conj | Pron
עָ֝שָׂ֗ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
מִ֣י
mîy
H4310
who?
Part
יְשַׁלֶּם
shâlam
H7999
to complete
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
לֽ/וֹ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 21:31
מִֽי
mîy
H4310
"who?"
Part
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.
יַגִּ֣יד
nâgad
H5046
"to tell"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
פָּנָ֣י/ו
pânîym
H6440
"face"
N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
דַּרְכּ֑/וֹ
derek
H1870
"way"
N-cs | Suff
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
וְ/הֽוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
עָ֝שָׂ֗ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
מִ֣י
mîy
H4310
"who?"
Part
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.
יְשַׁלֶּם
shâlam
H7999
"to complete"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to be at peace or to make peace with someone. It is used in the Bible to describe a state of safety or friendship. In the KJV, it is translated as 'make amends' or 'be at peace'.
Definition: 1) to be complete, be sound 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be finished, be ended 1a2) to be sound, be uninjured 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, finish 1b2) to make safe 1b3) to make whole or good, restore, make compensation 1b4) to make good, pay 1b5) to requite, recompense, reward 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be performed 1c2) to be repaid, be requited 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to complete, perform 1d2) to make an end of Aramaic equivalent: she.lam (שְׁלֵם "be complete" H8000)
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 44:4; Psalms 7:5; Psalms 22:26.
לֽ/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Job 21:31
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 21:31 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 21:31
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 21:31
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 21:31
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 21:31
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 21:31
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 21:31
- Cambridge Bible on Job 21:31
- Barnes' Notes on Job 21:31
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 21:31
- Sermons on Job 21:31
Context — Job: God Will Punish the Wicked
29Have you never asked those who travel the roads? Do you not accept their reports?
30Indeed, the evil man is spared from the day of calamity, delivered from the day of wrath.
31Who denounces his behavior to his face? Who repays him for what he has done?
32He is carried to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb. 33The clods of the valley are sweet to him; everyone follows behind him, and those before him are without number.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galatians 2:11 | When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood to be condemned. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 7:10 | But those who hate Him He repays to their faces with destruction; He will not hesitate to repay to his face the one who hates Him. |
| 3 | Romans 12:19 | Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” |
| 4 | Job 41:11 | Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Everything under heaven is Mine. |
| 5 | Isaiah 59:13 | rebelling and denying the LORD, turning away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering lies from the heart. |
| 6 | Job 21:19 | It is said that God lays up one’s punishment for his children. Let God repay the man himself, so he will know it. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 2:33–35 | How skillfully you pursue love! Even the most immoral of women could learn from your ways. Moreover, your skirts are stained with the blood of the innocent poor, though you did not find them breaking in. But in spite of all these things you say, ‘I am innocent. Surely His anger will turn from me.’ Behold, I will judge you, because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’ |
| 8 | 2 Samuel 12:7–12 | Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more. Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own, for you have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ This is what the LORD says: ‘I will raise up adversity against you from your own house. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to another, and he will lie with them in broad daylight. You have acted in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’” |
| 9 | Psalms 50:21 | You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face. |
| 10 | Mark 6:18 | For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!” |
Job 21:31 Summary
This verse is saying that it often seems like no one is holding the wicked accountable for their actions, and they are not being punished for what they have done, but as Romans 12:19 reminds us, God says 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay.' This means that even if we don't see justice in this life, we can trust that God will ultimately make things right. We can have peace knowing that God is just and will punish the wicked, even if it's not in our timing, as seen in Psalm 37:7-9.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Job saying in this verse about the wicked?
Job is highlighting the apparent lack of justice for the wicked, noting that no one confronts them about their behavior or holds them accountable for their actions, as seen in Job 21:31, and this is a mystery that is also touched upon in Ecclesiastes 8:11.
Is Job saying that the wicked always get away with their sins?
Not exactly, Job is observing that in this life, it often seems that the wicked escape punishment, but this is not a statement about their eternal fate, as Psalm 73:17-20 reminds us that God will ultimately judge the wicked.
What is the significance of 'who repays him for what he has done' in this verse?
This phrase emphasizes the idea that the wicked often seem to go unpunished, but according to Deuteronomy 32:4, God is a just God who will ultimately repay each person according to their deeds.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of the book of Job?
This verse contributes to the book's exploration of the problem of evil and suffering, as Job struggles to understand why the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous suffer, a question also addressed in Jeremiah 12:1-4.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I have seen the wicked appear to prosper in my own life, and how can I trust God's justice in those situations?
- How can I balance the desire for justice to be done in this life with the knowledge that God's timing and ways are not my own, as seen in Isaiah 55:8-9?
- In what ways can I be an instrument of justice and righteousness in my own community, even if it seems like the wicked are not being held accountable?
- What does this verse teach me about God's character, and how can I apply that to my own life and struggles?
Gill's Exposition on Job 21:31
Who shall declare his way to his face?.... Jarchi and Aben Ezra think that Job here returns to God, and speaks of him, as in Job 21:22; signifying that no man can or ought to presume to charge the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 21:31
Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done? i.e., Who dares to chirp him openly with his bad ways? namely, in this present life. So powerful is the wicked man now.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 21:31
His way, i.e. his wicked course and actions, and whither they lead him. His power and splendour is so great, that scarce any man dare reprove him for his sin, or show him his danger. To his face, i.e. plainly, and whilst he lives, as the same phrase is used, . Who shall repay him what he hath done? no man can bring him to an account or punishment.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 21:31
Job 21:31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him [what] he hath done?Ver. 31. Who shall declare his way to his face? &c.] Who shall be so bold as to deal plainly with this rich wretch, and tell him his own? Divitibus ideo deest amicus, quia nihil deest. Great men have many flatterers, and not a few mutterers against them, but very few that will faithfully show them their sin, and forewarn them of their danger, lest they meet with the same hard measure that the hares in the fable did, who, taking upon them to reprove the lion, were torn in pieces by him for the same. Truth breedeth hatred; and although she be a good mistress, yet they that follow her too close at the heels may hap to have their teeth struck out. But truth, downright truth, must be spoken, however it be taken. Elias dealt roundly and impartially with wicked Ahab, Jeremiah with Josiah’ s sons and successors, the Baptist with Herod, Christ with the elders and Pharisees, that noble General Trajan with Valens, the Arian emperor, telling him, That by his persecuting the orthodox he had lost the day, abandoning the victory, and sending it away to the enemy. And who shall repay him what he hath done?] q.d. Men dare not, for who will take a lion by the beard or a bear by the tooth? God will not punish him here, therefore he must needs escape unpunished, This is by Gregory fitly referred to Antichrist, who may not be admonished, and will not be punished; but thinks to bear out his most malapert misdemeanour, because it is - facinus maioris abollae, the fact of a great one.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 21:31
(30-33) That the wicked. . . .—These verses contain the result of their experience.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 21:31
Verse 31. Who shall declare his way to his face?] But while the wicked is in power, who shall dare to tell him to his face what his true character is? or, who shall dare to repay him the evil he has done? As such a person cannot have his punishment in this life, he must have it in another; and for this the day of wrath - the day of judgment, is prepared.
Cambridge Bible on Job 21:31
31. The person spoken of in this verse seems most naturally the wicked man. It is doubtful however whether the testimony of the travellers is here still carried on, or whether the present words are not those of Job himself. The history of the evil man is proceeded with: his power makes him irresponsible and extorts the homage of men, who do him honour in death (Job 21:32). Others suppose the verse to be spoken of God, in which case the words are almost parenthetical, the history of the sinner being resumed in Job 21:32. If said of God the verse refers to the inscrutable dealings of His omnipotent power (Job 21:30), dealings against which the moral sense of mankind reclaims indeed, but of what avail are the reclamations of the moral sense against omnipotence? cf. ch. Job 9:12, Job 23:13. The language, however, seems less appropriate if spoken of God.
Barnes' Notes on Job 21:31
Who shall declare his way to his face? - That is, the face of the wicked. Who shall dare to rise up and openly charge him with his guilt?
Whedon's Commentary on Job 21:31
Strophe b — The doom of the wicked is sure, notwithstanding that in his life he was above accountability to man, and in his death honoured with a grand funereal cortege, and with undying fame among men, Job 21:31-34.31.
Sermons on Job 21:31
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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All That Is in the World by Art Katz | The sermon transcript discusses the importance of living according to God's word rather than being influenced by the world. It emphasizes the need for believers to choose between l |
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Dvd 02 - Jewish Unbelief by Art Katz | This sermon emphasizes the importance of boldly sharing the gospel with the Jewish community, highlighting the need for believers to be willing to endure rejection, insults, and su |
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(Titus - Part 11): Inspiration by Information by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing his joy in seeing the work of God in the neighborhood through the Pioneer Girls program. He then addresses the perception of the ch |
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How Well Do You Take Correction by Carter Conlon | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being open to correction and guidance from God. It highlights the need to have a tender heart, to be willing to change course, and to align |
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From Simon to Peter #34 - the Holy Spirit and Reaction to Criticism by J. Glyn Owen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses Peter's attitude towards valid criticism from Paul. The sermon emphasizes the importance of honesty as a key to spiritual reality and maturity |
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Paul's Disagreements by Steve Gallagher | This sermon delves into the life of Paul, focusing on the conflicts and disagreements he faced within the early church. It highlights the importance of meekness, graciousness, and |
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A Sermon From a Catholic Bible by John R. Rice | John R. Rice preaches about the importance of being born again and trusting in Jesus Christ as the only Mediator between God and men, emphasizing the need for personal salvation th |