Job 21:7
Job 21:7 in Multiple Translations
Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
Wherefore do the wicked live, Become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
Why do the wicked continue to live, to grow old and increasingly powerful?
Wherefore do the wicked liue, and waxe olde, and grow in wealth?
Wherefore do the wicked live? They have become old, Yea, they have been mighty in wealth.
“Why do the wicked live, become old, yes, and grow mighty in power?
Why do the wicked live, become old, and, are mighty in power?
Why then do the wicked live, are they advanced, and strengthened with riches?
“But let me ask this: ‘Why do wicked people continue to live, and become prosperous, and not die until they are very old?’
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 21:7
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 21:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מַדּ֣וּעַ
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
יִחְי֑וּ
עָ֝תְק֗וּ
גַּם
גָּ֥בְרוּ
חָֽיִל
מַדּ֣וּעַ
maddûwaʻ
H4069
why?
Part
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
יִחְי֑וּ
châyâh
H2421
to live
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
עָ֝תְק֗וּ
ʻâthaq
H6275
to proceed
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
גַּם
gam
H1571
also
DirObjM
גָּ֥בְרוּ
gâbar
H1396
to prevail
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
חָֽיִל
chayil
H2428
Helech
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Job 21:7
מַדּ֣וּעַ
maddûwaʻ
H4069
"why?"
Part
This Hebrew word is used to ask questions like why or how, seeking to understand the reason behind something. It appears in various forms in the Bible, often in contexts of inquiry or curiosity.
Definition: why?, on what account?, wherefore?
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: how, wherefore, why. See also: Genesis 26:27; 2 Kings 8:12; Isaiah 5:4.
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
יִחְי֑וּ
châyâh
H2421
"to live"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To live or have life is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to revive or be quickened. It is used in the Bible to describe God's power to sustain life and restore people to health, as seen in the stories of the prophets and Jesus' miracles.
Definition: 1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to live 1a1a) to have life 1a1b) to continue in life, remain alive 1a1c) to sustain life, to live on or upon 1a1d) to live (prosperously) 1a2) to revive, be quickened 1a2a) from sickness 1a2b) from discouragement 1a2c) from faintness 1a2d) from death 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to preserve alive, let live 1b2) to give life 1b3) to quicken, revive, refresh 1b3a) to restore to life 1b3b) to cause to grow 1b3c) to restore 1b3d) to revive 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to preserve alive, let live 1c2) to quicken, revive 1c2a) to restore (to health) 1c2b) to revive 1c2c) to restore to life
Usage: Occurs in 239 OT verses. KJV: keep (leave, make) alive, [idiom] certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, ([idiom] God) save (alive, life, lives), [idiom] surely, be whole. See also: Genesis 5:3; 2 Samuel 16:16; Psalms 22:27.
עָ֝תְק֗וּ
ʻâthaq
H6275
"to proceed"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to move or proceed, and can also mean to grow old or be removed. It appears in various forms, including to transcribe or copy out. In the Bible, it is used to describe advancing in years or moving forward in life.
Definition: 1) to move, proceed, advance, move on, become old, be removed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to move 1a2) to advance (in years), grow old and weak 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to move forward, proceed, move on 1b2) to remove 1b3) to transcribe
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: copy out, leave off, become (wax) old, remove. See also: Genesis 12:8; Job 18:4; Psalms 6:8.
גַּם
gam
H1571
"also"
DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
גָּ֥בְרוּ
gâbar
H1396
"to prevail"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to be strong or prevail, often implying a sense of power or might. It is used in various forms throughout the Bible, including in the books of Genesis and Isaiah, to describe God's strength and human courage.
Definition: 1) to prevail, have strength, be strong, be powerful, be mighty, be great 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be strong, mighty 1a2) to prevail 1b) (Piel) to make strong, strengthen 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to confirm, give strength 1c2) to confirm (a covenant) 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to show oneself mighty 1d2) to act proudly (toward God)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: exceed, confirm, be great, be mighty, prevail, put to more (strength), strengthen, be stronger, be valiant. See also: Genesis 7:18; Job 36:9; Psalms 12:5.
חָֽיִל
chayil
H2428
"Helech"
N-ms
This word represents strength, might, or power, whether physical, financial, or military. In the Bible, it's used to describe the strength of God or the wealth of a nation, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:17-18.
Definition: § Helech = "your army" a place near Arvad and Gammad
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: able, activity, ([phrase]) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, ([phrase]) valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war, worthy(-ily). See also: Genesis 34:29; 2 Chronicles 13:3; Psalms 18:33.
Study Notes — Job 21:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 21:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 21:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 21:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 21:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 21:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 21:7
- Cambridge Bible on Job 21:7
- Barnes' Notes on Job 21:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 21:7
- Sermons on Job 21:7
Context — Job: God Will Punish the Wicked
5Look at me and be appalled; put your hand over your mouth.
6When I remember, terror takes hold, and my body trembles in horror.
7Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?
8Their descendants are established around them, and their offspring before their eyes. 9Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 73:3–12 | For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed. They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men. Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them. From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild. They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth. So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance. The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?” Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth. |
| 2 | Job 12:6 | The tents of robbers are safe, and those who provoke God are secure— those who carry their god in their hands. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 12:1–3 | Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts. But You know me, O LORD; You see me and test my heart toward You. Drag away the wicked like sheep to the slaughter and set them apart for the day of carnage. |
| 4 | Psalms 37:35 | I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree, |
| 5 | Psalms 17:10 | They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance. |
| 6 | Habakkuk 1:13 | Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? |
| 7 | Daniel 4:17 | This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’ |
| 8 | Habakkuk 1:15–16 | The foe pulls all of them up with a hook; he catches them in his dragnet, and gathers them in his fishing net; so he rejoices gladly. Therefore he sacrifices to his dragnet and burns incense to his fishing net, for by these things his portion is sumptuous and his food is rich. |
| 9 | Revelation 13:2–7 | The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast appeared to be mortally wounded. But the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast. They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?” The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for 42 months. And the beast opened its mouth to speak blasphemies against God and to slander His name and His tabernacle—those who dwell in heaven. Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. |
| 10 | Revelation 17:2–4 | The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.” And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. |
Job 21:7 Summary
This verse is asking a question that we've all probably wondered about at some point: why do bad people seem to get away with things and even prosper, while good people suffer? The Bible reminds us that God is in control and that He will ultimately bring justice (Psalms 37:7-9). We can trust God because He is loving and fair, and He wants what's best for us (Jeremiah 29:11). Even when we don't understand what's happening, we can trust that God is working everything out for our good (Romans 8:28).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does it seem like the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer?
This is a question that has puzzled believers for centuries, and Job 21:7 is not the only place where it is asked - see also Psalms 73:3 and Habakkuk 1:13 for similar laments. The Bible reminds us that God's ways are not our ways, and His timing is not our timing (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Is Job suggesting that God is unfair or unjust?
No, Job is not questioning God's character, but rather expressing his own confusion and frustration at the seeming disparity between the wicked and the righteous - see also Job 10:3 and Job 16:11 for similar expressions of frustration. The Bible teaches that God is both just and merciful (Deuteronomy 32:4).
How can I trust God when it seems like the wicked are prospering?
We can trust God because He is sovereign and wise, and His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). We can also trust that God will ultimately bring justice and vindicate the righteous (Psalms 37:7-9, Revelation 20:11-15).
What can I learn from Job's question in this verse?
We can learn that it's okay to ask questions and express our doubts and frustrations to God - see also Psalms 13:1-2 and Lamentations 3:8 for similar expressions of doubt. The Bible encourages us to be honest with God and to seek answers from Him (Psalms 119:66, Proverbs 3:5-6).
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have seen the wicked prosper in my own life, and how have I responded to those situations?
- How can I trust God's sovereignty and wisdom when it seems like the wicked are getting away with evil?
- What are some ways that I can cultivate a deeper trust in God's justice and mercy, even when I don't understand what's happening around me?
- How can I use Job's question in this verse as a starting point for my own prayers and conversations with God?
Gill's Exposition on Job 21:7
Wherefore do the wicked live,.... Which question is put either to God himself, as not knowing ow to account for it, or to reconcile it to his divine perfections; that he, a holy, just, and righteous
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 21:7
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? Wherefore do the wicked live. The answer is (Romans 2:4; 1 Timothy 1:16; Psalms 73:18; Ecclesiastes 8:11-13; Luke 2:35, end; Proverbs 16:4; Romans 9:22).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 21:7
He expostulates this matter partly with his friends, If things be as you say, how comes this to pass, &c? partly with God himself, Wherefore doth the righteous God distribute things so unequally? The wicked live, to wit, long and happily; as living is oft taken, as 25:6 ; a painful and afflicted life being a kind of death, and oft so called, as ,19 Proverbs 15:10 19:16 15:31. Become old, to wit, in their prosperous estate.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 21:7
Job 21:7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?Ver. 7. Wherefore do the wicked live, become old] Vivunt, veteraseunt, they are lively and longlived, so that they outlast many better than themselves; being as sound as roaches and as vivacious as the snail, the property whereof is to live a long while even after the head is off and the heart out. Of some creatures we use to say, that they have nine lives; of some wicked men it may be thought so, they do evil a hundred times, and yet their days are prolonged, Ecclesiastes 9:12. Manasseh reigned longest of any king in Judah. Pope John XXII. (that monster and mortalist) lived longest of any pope, and died richest. God gives wealth, health, and long life to many wicked, Non aliter ac siquis crumenam ingentem aure plenam latrinae inieciat, saith one; No otherwise than as when a man casts a great purse filled with gold into an outhouse (Gasp. Ens.). Now if any shall ask, with Job, Why all this? the apostle answereth one question by another: Romans 9:22, "What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endure with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction?" What hath anyman to say to that? And again, Who knows not that the Lord hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, even that day of the revelation of the righteous judgment, Acts 17:31 Romans 2:5.
The Judge of the earth keepeth his petty sessions now, letting the law pass upon some few, reserving the rest till the great assizes, 1 Timothy 5:24. Yea, are mighty in power?] Or, prevail in wealth, which maketh them mighty; for money is the monarch of this present world, and carrieth all before it.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 21:7
Verse 7. Wherefore do the wicked live] You have frequently asserted that the wicked are invariably punished in this life; and that the righteous are ever distinguished by the strongest marks of God's providential kindness; how then does it come that many wicked men live long and prosperously, and at last die in peace, without any evidence whatever of God's displeasure? This is a fact that is occurring daily; none can deny it; how then will you reconcile it with your maxims?
Cambridge Bible on Job 21:7
7–21. This great mystery of the prosperity of the wicked in God’s providence Job now unfolds on both its sides: first, they and all belonging to them prosper, and they die in peace, although in conscious godlessness they bade the Almighty depart from them, Job 21:7-16; and second, negatively, examples of calamity befalling them are few, Job 21:17-21.
Barnes' Notes on Job 21:7
Wherefore do the wicked live? - Job comes now to the main design of his argument in this chapter, to show that it is a fact, that the wicked often have great prosperity; that they are not treated in
Whedon's Commentary on Job 21:7
Main division — THE DIVINE OF AWARDS IN THIS WORLD TENDS TO MORAL , Job 21:7-26.First half — THE WICKED DEFY GOD, AND YET GOD THEM EVEN UNTO SHEOL, Job 21:7-16.First strophe — Instead of suffering
Sermons on Job 21:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
How the Wicked Seem to Prosper by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the common struggle of believers when they see the wicked prospering while the righteous suffer. He emphasizes the importance of mainta |
|
Why Do Evil Men Prosper? by Anton Bosch | Anton Bosch addresses the common struggle of believers who question why the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer, citing biblical figures like Job, Asaph, David, and Jeremiah |
|
The Use and Abuse of Money by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of obeying God's commandments and warns of the repercussions for ignoring them. He specifically focuses on the message in Jam |
|
Of Meditating on the Future Life by John Calvin | John Calvin preaches about the three divisions of the chapter, emphasizing the use of the cross to train believers to despise the present life and aspire to the future, describing |
|
|
Psalms 73 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith addresses the question of God's fairness in his sermon on Psalms 73, illustrating the disparity between the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous. |
|
Receiving the Reward by Herbert Henry Farmer | Herbert Henry Farmer delves into the paradox of worldly success and the perception of prosperity among the wicked, challenging the notion that material wealth equates to divine fav |
|
|
Jeremiah 12:1 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith addresses the profound questions of faith in his sermon 'BUT, WHY GOD?' using Jeremiah 12:1 as a foundation. He explores Jeremiah's struggle with God's justice, emphasi |