Job 21:17-24 | JFB | STEP | 17. Job in this whole passage down to quotes the assertion of the friends, as to the short continuance of the sinner's prosperity, not his own sentiments. In he proceeds to refute them. "How oft is the candle" (lamp), &c., quoting Bildad's sentiment ( , ), in order to question its truth (compare ). how oft-- "God distributeth," &c. (alluding to , ). sorrows-- Umbreit translates "snares," literally, "cords," which lightning in its twining motion resembles ( ).

‏ Job 21:17-24

17. Job in this whole passage down to Job 21:21 quotes the assertion of the friends, as to the short continuance of the sinner's prosperity, not his own sentiments. In Job 21:22 he proceeds to refute them. "How oft is the candle" (lamp), &c., quoting Bildad's sentiment (Job 18:5, 6), in order to question its truth (compare Mt 25:8).

how oft--"God distributeth," &c. (alluding to Job 20:23, 29).

sorrows--Umbreit translates "snares," literally, "cords," which lightning in its twining motion resembles (Psa 11:6).

18. Job alludes to a like sentiment of Bildad (Job 18:18), using his own previous words (Job 13:25).

19. Equally questionable is the friends' assertion that if the godless himself is not punished, the children are (Job 18:19; 20:10); and that God rewardeth him here for his iniquity, and that he shall know it to his cost. So "know" (Ho 9:7).

20. Another questionable assertion of the friends, that the sinner sees his own and his children's destruction in his lifetime.

drink--(Psa 11:6; Is 51:17; La 4:21).

21. The argument of the friends, in proof of Job 21:20, What pleasure can he have from his house (children) when he is dead--("after him," Ec 3:22).

when the number, &c.--Or, rather, "What hath he to do with his children?" &c. (so the Hebrew in Ec 3:1; 8:6). It is therefore necessary that "his eyes should see his and their destruction" (see Job 14:21).

cut off--rather, when the number of his allotted months is fulfilled (Job 14:5). From an Arabic word, "arrow," which was used to draw lots with. Hence "arrow"--inevitable destiny [Umbreit].

22. Reply of Job, "In all these assertions you try to teach God how He ought to deal with men, rather than prove that He does in fact so deal with them. Experience is against you. God gives prosperity and adversity as it pleases Him, not as man's wisdom would have it, on principles inscrutable to us" (Is 40:13; Ro 11:34).

those ... high--the high ones, not only angels, but men (Is 2:12-17).

23. Literally, "in the bone of his perfection," that is, the full strength of unimpaired prosperity [Umbreit].

24. breasts--rather, "skins," or "vessels" for fluids [Lee]. But [Umbreit] "stations or resting-places of his herds near water"; in opposition to Zophar (Job 20:17); the first clause refers to his abundant substance, the second to his vigorous health.

moistened--comparing man's body to a well-watered field (Pr 3:8; Is 58:11).