Job 21

21:2 Job’s friends insisted that they were delivering God’s own message of comfort (15:11), but Job found no comfort in their words (16:2), so he asked for the consolation of their attentive silence (see 13:5).

21:6 When I think about what I am saying: Job was dismayed by his horrible task of complaining against God (13:3, 15-16, 22; 23:1-5) and discussing his terrors (6:4; 27:20; 30:15). • My body trembles: This reaction resembles that of Habakkuk (Hab 1:5; 3:16), Ezekiel (Ezek 3:14), and Daniel (Dan 8:27; 10:8-9).

21:8 In spite of assertions by Eliphaz (5:4), Bildad (18:19), and Zophar (20:10), Job noted that the wicked enjoy children and grandchildren, which should be the reward of the righteous (Prov 17:6) but was apparently not going to be his own reward (Job 1:18-19; but see 42:13-16).

21:17 light of the wicked never seems to be extinguished: Job countered Bildad (18:5-6, 18) and standard wisdom (Prov 13:9; 20:20; 24:20; see God’s remarks, Job 38:15).

21:19 you say: Job was quoting and rebutting his friends’ arguments. • God will punish their children: These were the words of Eliphaz (5:4) and Zophar (20:10), but Job thought God should punish the ones who sin (see Ezek 18:19-20).

21:22 The rhetorical answer is that no one can teach a lesson to God (Isa 40:13-14; 45:9; Rom 11:34; 1 Cor 2:16). • The most powerful might refer to angels or demons (1 Cor 6:3; 2 Pet 2:4; Jude 1:6; Rev 20:1-3) or, more likely, to the powerful on earth (Job 34:17-19).

21:24 vigorous and fit (literally the marrow of his bones [is] moist): Bones were thought to be the seat of health.

21:25 in bitter poverty: Job repeatedly complained about the apparent futility of existence (3:20; 7:11; 9:18; 10:1).

21:26 eaten by the same maggots: Cp. 17:14; Isa 14:11; see Job 19:26.

21:28 houses have vanished because of their sins: Job was echoing Bildad (8:22), Eliphaz (15:34), and Zophar (20:26).

21:33 the earth gives sweet repose: Job viewed death as a relief (3:17-18).

21:34 They told lies about Job (13:4) and about God (42:7).