Job 21:17
Job 21:17 in Multiple Translations
How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come upon them? Does God, in His anger, apportion destruction?
How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? That their calamity cometh upon them? That God distributeth sorrows in his anger?
How frequently is the light of the evil-doers put out, or does trouble come on them? how frequently does his wrath take them with cords?
How often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out? How often does disaster come upon them? How often does God punish the wicked in his anger?
How oft shall the candle of the wicked be put out? and their destruction come vpon them? he wil deuide their liues in his wrath.
How oft is the lamp of the wicked extinguished, And come on them doth their calamity? Pangs He apportioneth in His anger.
“How often is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out, that their calamity comes on them, that God distributes sorrows in his anger?
How oft is the candle of the wicked put out? and how oft cometh their destruction upon them? God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
How often shall the lamp of the wicked be put out, and a deluge come upon them, and he shall distribute the sorrows of his wrath?
◄“How often does it happen that wicked people die [MET] before they are old?/Very seldom do wicked people die [MET] before they are old.► [RHQ] ◄Do they ever experience disasters?/They seldom experience disasters.► [RHQ] ◄Does God ever punish them because of being very angry with them?/God never punishes them because of being very angry with them.► [RHQ]
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 21:17
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 21:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כַּ/מָּ֤ה
נֵר
רְשָׁ֘עִ֤ים
יִדְעָ֗ךְ
וְ/יָבֹ֣א
עָלֵ֣י/מוֹ
אֵידָ֑/ם
חֲ֝בָלִ֗ים
יְחַלֵּ֥ק
בְּ/אַפּֽ/וֹ
כַּ/מָּ֤ה
mâh
H4100
what?
Prep | Part
נֵר
nîyr
H5216
lamp
N-ms
רְשָׁ֘עִ֤ים
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
יִדְעָ֗ךְ
dâʻak
H1846
to put out
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/יָבֹ֣א
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
עָלֵ֣י/מוֹ
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
אֵידָ֑/ם
ʼêyd
H343
calamity
N-ms | Suff
חֲ֝בָלִ֗ים
chebel
H2256
cord
N-mp
יְחַלֵּ֥ק
châlaq
H2505
to divide
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
בְּ/אַפּֽ/וֹ
ʼaph
H639
face
Prep | N-ms | 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 21:17
כַּ/מָּ֤ה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Prep | Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
נֵר
nîyr
H5216
"lamp"
N-ms
A lamp is a device that holds a flame, providing light. In the Bible, it's often used to symbolize guidance or spiritual light. The word can also refer to the light itself, rather than just the lamp.
Definition: lamp Also means: nir (נִיר "lamp" H5216B)
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: candle, lamp, light. See also: Exodus 25:37; 1 Chronicles 28:15; Psalms 18:29.
רְשָׁ֘עִ֤ים
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.
יִדְעָ֗ךְ
dâʻak
H1846
"to put out"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to put out or extinguish, like a flame or a life. It can also mean to dry up or be consumed, often used to describe the end of something.
Definition: 1) to go out, be extinguished, dry up 1a) (Qal) to go out, be extinguished 1b) (Niphal) to be made extinct, be dried up 1c) (Pual) to be extinguished, be quenched
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: be extinct, consumed, put out, quenched. See also: Job 6:17; Psalms 118:12; Proverbs 13:9.
וְ/יָבֹ֣א
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
עָלֵ֣י/מוֹ
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
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.
אֵידָ֑/ם
ʼêyd
H343
"calamity"
N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means calamity or disaster, and can also mean oppression or misfortune. It's used in the Bible to describe difficult times, like in the book of Job.
Definition: 1) distress, burden, calamity 1a) burden (of the righteous) 1b) calamity (of nation) 1c) disaster (of wicked) 1d) day of calamity
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: calamity, destruction. See also: Deuteronomy 32:35; Proverbs 6:15; Psalms 18:19.
חֲ֝בָלִ֗ים
chebel
H2256
"cord"
N-mp
A cord or rope, also a measured area of land or a group of people tied together. In the Bible, it appears in books like Joshua and Psalms. It can also mean a company or region.
Definition: 1) a cord, rope, territory, band, company 1a) a rope, cord 1b) a measuring-cord or line 1c) a measured portion, lot, part, region 1d) a band or company § destruction
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: band, coast, company, cord, country, destruction, line, lot, pain, pang, portion, region, rope, snare, sorrow, tackling. See also: Deuteronomy 3:4; Psalms 119:61; Psalms 16:6.
יְחַלֵּ֥ק
châlaq
H2505
"to divide"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
To smooth means to make something slippery or deceitful, like in Proverbs where it warns against flattery. It can also mean to divide or separate something, like an inheritance.
Definition: 1) to divide, share, plunder, allot, apportion, assign 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to divide, apportion 1a2) to assign, distribute 1a3) to assign, impart 1a4) to share 1a5) to divide up, plunder 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to divide oneself 1b2) to be divided 1b3) to assign, distribute 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to divide, apportion 1c2) to assign, distribute 1c3) to scatter 1d) (Pual) to be divided 1e) (Hiphil) to receive a portion or part 1f) (Hithpael) to divide among themselves
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-) part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self, (be) smooth(-er). See also: Genesis 14:15; Job 27:17; Psalms 5:10.
בְּ/אַפּֽ/וֹ
ʼaph
H639
"face"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.
Study Notes — Job 21:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 21:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 21:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 21:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 21:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 21:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 21:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 21:17
- Cambridge Bible on Job 21:17
- Barnes' Notes on Job 21:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 21:17
- Sermons on Job 21:17
Context — Job: God Will Punish the Wicked
15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’
16Still, their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked.
17How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come upon them? Does God, in His anger, apportion destruction?
18Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm? 19It is said that God lays up one’s punishment for his children. Let God repay the man himself, so he will know it.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 18:5–6 | Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow. The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him goes out. |
| 2 | Proverbs 20:20 | Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness. |
| 3 | Proverbs 13:9 | The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished. |
| 4 | Job 18:18 | He is driven from light into darkness and is chased from the inhabited world. |
| 5 | Psalms 32:10 | Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD. |
| 6 | Proverbs 24:20 | For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished. |
| 7 | Romans 2:8–9 | But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek; |
| 8 | Psalms 90:7–9 | For we are consumed by Your anger and terrified by Your wrath. You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence. For all our days decline in Your fury; we finish our years with a sigh. |
| 9 | Luke 12:46 | The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. |
| 10 | Matthew 25:8 | The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ |
Job 21:17 Summary
Job 21:17 is asking if God will ever punish the wicked for their evil deeds. Job is wondering if the wicked will always seem to get away with their sin, or if God will eventually bring them to justice. This verse reminds us that God is sovereign and just, and that His timing is not always our timing, as seen in verses like Ecclesiastes 3:17 and 2 Thessalonians 1:6, which remind us that God will ultimately bring all things to justice. We can trust that God will bring justice to the wicked, even if it doesn't happen right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main point of Job 21:17?
The main point of Job 21:17 is that the wicked may appear to prosper, but the question is raised whether God's judgment will eventually come upon them, as seen in verses like Psalm 37:2 and Proverbs 24:20, which remind us that the wicked will ultimately face God's justice.
Is Job suggesting that God is not in control of the wicked?
No, Job is not suggesting that God is not in control, but rather he is questioning the timing and nature of God's judgment, as seen in verses like Isaiah 45:7, which remind us that God is sovereign over all things, including the lives of the wicked.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the book of Job?
This verse is part of Job's larger discussion with his friends about the nature of God's justice and the suffering of the righteous, as seen in verses like Job 10:3 and Job 16:11, which highlight Job's struggles with understanding God's ways.
What can we learn from Job's questions in this verse?
We can learn that it is okay to ask hard questions and express our doubts to God, as seen in verses like Psalm 73:16-17, which remind us that God is big enough to handle our questions and doubts.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I have seen the wicked appear to prosper in my own life, and how can I trust God's sovereignty in those situations?
- How do I respond when I see injustice or evil in the world, and what can I do to trust God's justice and timing?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust God's sovereignty and judgment, even when things don't make sense?
- How can I balance the desire for God to judge the wicked with the call to love and pray for my enemies, as seen in verses like Matthew 5:44?
Gill's Exposition on Job 21:17
How oft is the candle of the wicked put out?.... Job here returns, as Jarchi observes, to his former account of the constant and continued prosperity of wicked men; and puts questions tending to prove the same.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 21:17
How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 21:17
How oft! this phrase notes either, 1. The rarity and seldomness of it. This. I confess, sometimes happens, but not oft. Or rather, 2. The frequency of it. I grant that this happens oft, though not constantly, as you affirm. And this seems best to agree both with the use of this phrase in Scripture, where it notes frequency, as , and never seldomness; and with the foregoing words, as a reason why the counsel of the wicked was far from him, because they ofttimes pay dear for it in this life, and always in the next life; and with the following verses, wherein he discourseth largely, not of the prosperity of the wicked, (as he should have done, if the sense of these words were this, that such were but seldom afflicted,) but of their calamities. The candle, or lamp, i. e. their glory and outward happiness; as . God distributeth: God is manifestly understood out of the following words, this being God’ s work, and proceeding from God’ s anger.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 21:17
Job 21:17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and [how oft] cometh their destruction upon them! [God] distributeth sorrows in his anger.Ver. 17. How oft is the candle of the wicked put out!] q.d. I confess that which you say concerning God’ s judgments upon the wicked to be sometimes true in this world (Diod.); yet it is not so continually nor ordinarily, but very oft their lamp is extinguished, their comforts damped, and hopes of better dashed; they are all on the sudden left in the dark, cast into straits inextricable, plunged into sorrows inexplicable, and yet all these are but the "beginning of sorrows." For How oft cometh destruction upon them!] Utmost destruction, irresistible ruin, that comes on in manner of a black cloud or fierce storm, undoing calamity, overflowing scourge, a tempest from which there is no covert. The Vulgate renders it thus, How oft is there an inundation upon the wicked! God distributeth sorrows in his anger] Gives them their lot of greatest sorrows, as by a line, Luke 12:46, such sorrows as a travailing woman suffereth; or such as were those of Monsieur Mylius, an old minister at Heidelberg, when taken by the Spaniard; first they abused his daughter before his eyes, and then they tied a small cord about his head, which with truncheons they wreathed about till they squeezed out his brains (Spec. bell. fac.). The text implieth that though in this world many sorrows are to the wicked, yet these do not supersede their sufferings in hell, Psalms 32:10; but now they receive only a small portion or part of their punishments, there they shall be paid to the full; here they sip of the top only of God’ s cup, there they shall suck up the dregs thereof, though they have eternity to the bottom. This shall be the portion of their cup, and but a portion, Psalms 11:6.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 21:17
(17) How oft is the candle of the wicked put out?—This and the following verse are either a concession on the part of Job, as much as to say, “I admit that it is as you say with the wicked;” or else they should be read interrogatively, “How often is it that we do see this? “
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 21:17
Verse 17. How oft is the candle of the wicked put out?] The candle or lamp is often used, both as the emblem of prosperity and of posterity. Oftentimes the rejoicing of the wicked is short; and, not unfrequently, his seed is cut off from the earth. The root is dried up, and the branch is withered. God distributeth sorrows in his anger.] He must be incensed against those who refuse to know, serve, and pray unto him. In his anger, therefore, he portions out to each his due share of misery, vexation, and wo.
Cambridge Bible on Job 21:17
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 21:17
How oft is the candle of the wicked put out? - Margin, “lamp.” A light, or a lamp, was an image of prosperity.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 21:17
Second half of main division — OF THE , DERIVED FROM , (Zockler,) Job 21:17-26.First strophe — Even if the pitiable pretence of the friends be true, that the children of the wicked suffer if the
Sermons on Job 21:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Proverbs) ch.19:5 - 20:6 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the consequences of lying and the importance of following God's laws. He emphasizes that no one can escape the punishment for their sins, as |
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Free, Surrounded and Shouting for Joy by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher opens the book of Romans and discusses how people who have the truth can reject it. He highlights the downward spiral that occurs when individuals enga |
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Free and Surrounded and Shouting for Joy by Carter Conlon | This sermon emphasizes the importance of repentance and surrendering to God, highlighting the consequences of willful sin and the need to confess and turn away from wrongdoing. It |
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Psalm 32 ~ Durham Nc-1949 by Harry Ironside | In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a man who had robbed a jewelry store and later found salvation while in prison. The preacher emphasizes the urgency of accepting s |
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Psalms 32 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith explores Psalm 32, emphasizing the blessings of forgiveness and the burdens of unconfessed sin. He highlights the importance of acknowledging our transgressions and the |
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Mercy to the Undeserving by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the profound mercy that surrounds those who trust in the Lord, illustrating that true trust acknowledges one's own sinfulness and unworthiness, yet finds a |
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The Punishment of the Wicked Dreadful and Interminable. by Edward Payson | Edward Payson preaches a powerful sermon on the eternal punishment that awaits impenitent sinners in a future state, emphasizing the importance of preaching the whole truth of the |