Job 21:9

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Job 21:9 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them.

King James Version KJV

Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.

American Standard Version ASV

Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.

Free Bible Version FBV

They live in their homes in safety—they are not afraid. God does not use his rod to beat them.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Their houses are peaceable without feare, and the rod of God is not vpon them.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Their houses [are] peace without fear, Nor [is] a rod of God upon them.

World English Bible WEB

Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Their houses are secure and peaceable, and the rod of God is not upon them.

Translation for Translators T4T

Wicked people live in their own houses without being afraid, and God does not punish [MTY] them.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Job 21:9

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 21:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB בָּתֵּי/הֶ֣ם שָׁל֣וֹם מִ/פָּ֑חַד וְ/לֹ֤א שֵׁ֖בֶט אֱל֣וֹהַּ עֲלֵי/הֶֽם

בָּתֵּי/הֶ֣ם bayith H1004 place N-mp | Suff

שָׁל֣וֹם shâlôwm H7965 Peace N-ms

מִ/פָּ֑חַד pachad H6343 dread Prep | N-ms

וְ/לֹ֤א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

שֵׁ֖בֶט shêbeṭ H7626 tribe N-ms

אֱל֣וֹהַּ ʼĕlôwahh H433 god N-ms

עֲלֵי/הֶֽם ʻal H5921 upon 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 21:9

בָּתֵּי/הֶ֣ם bayith H1004 "place" N-mp | Suff

The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.

Definition: nm place, origin, between

Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.

שָׁל֣וֹם shâlôwm H7965 "Peace" N-ms

This Hebrew word for peace, shalom, means completeness, wellness, and friendship, and is often used to describe God's relationship with humanity, as seen in the covenant with the Israelites. It encompasses physical and spiritual health, prosperity, and harmony.

Definition: This name means completeness, peace Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 209 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] do, familiar, [idiom] fare, favour, [phrase] friend, [idiom] great, (good) health, ([idiom] perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, ([idiom] all is, be) well, [idiom] wholly. See also: Genesis 15:15; Esther 2:11; Psalms 4:9.

מִ/פָּ֑חַד pachad H6343 "dread" Prep | N-ms

This word refers to a feeling of terror or dread, often caused by something sudden or frightening. In the Bible, it describes the fear of God or the dread of His judgment. The prophet Isaiah used it to describe the terror of God's wrath.

Definition: 1) terror, dread 1a) dread 1b) object of dread

Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: dread(-ful), fear, (thing) great (fear, -ly feared), terror. See also: Genesis 31:42; Job 39:22; Psalms 14:5.

וְ/לֹ֤א lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

שֵׁ֖בֶט shêbeṭ H7626 "tribe" N-ms

This word means a stick or staff, but also a clan or tribe, and can refer to a symbol of authority or a tool for punishing. It is used in the Bible to describe the rods used by shepherds or the scepters of kings.

Definition: : tribe 1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe 1a) rod, staff 1b) shaft (of spear, dart) 1c) club (of shepherd's implement) 1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority) 1e) clan, tribe

Usage: Occurs in 178 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 24:2; Psalms 2:9.

אֱל֣וֹהַּ ʼĕlôwahh H433 "god" N-ms

Eloah refers to God or a deity, and is used to describe the one true God or false gods. It is often translated as God in the KJV, and is related to the word Elohim, which also refers to God.

Definition: 1) God 2) false god Aramaic equivalent: e.lah (אֱלָהּ "god" H0426)

Usage: Occurs in 59 OT verses. KJV: God, god. See H430 (אֱלֹהִים). See also: Deuteronomy 32:15; Job 22:26; Psalms 18:32.

עֲלֵי/הֶֽם 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.

Study Notes — Job 21:9

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Job 21:9 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Job 21:9
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 21:9
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 21:9
Trapp's Commentary on Job 21:9
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 21:9
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 21:9
Cambridge Bible on Job 21:9
Barnes' Notes on Job 21:9
Whedon's Commentary on Job 21:9
Sermons on Job 21:9

Context — Job: God Will Punish the Wicked

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.

10Their bulls breed without fail; their cows bear calves and do not miscarry. 11They send forth their little ones like a flock; their children skip about,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Job 9:34	Let Him remove His rod from me, so that His terror will no longer frighten me.
2	Psalms 73:5	They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
3	Psalms 73:19	How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
4	Job 15:21	Sounds of terror fill his ears; in his prosperity the destroyer attacks him.
5	Job 18:11	Terrors frighten him on every side and harass his every step.
6	Isaiah 57:19–21	bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.” But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

Job 21:9 Summary

Job 21:9 tells us that the wicked may seem to live without fear of God's punishment, but this does not mean they are exempt from His judgment. In fact, the Bible teaches that God is just and will bring justice in the end, as seen in Revelation 20:11-15. We can trust in God's sovereignty, even when it seems like the wicked are prospering, and remember that our present circumstances do not necessarily reflect our eternal standing before God (Luke 12:15, 1 Timothy 6:17-19). By trusting in God's ways, which are higher than ours, we can find peace and hope in the midst of uncertain times, as expressed in Isaiah 55:8-9.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does it seem like the wicked are spared from punishment, as mentioned in Job 21:9?

This is a common question, and the Bible addresses it in various places, such as Psalm 37:1-2, where we are reminded not to fret because of the wicked, and to trust in the Lord instead. In the end, God will bring justice, as seen in Revelation 20:11-15.

Does Job 21:9 mean that God is not involved in the lives of the wicked?

No, it does not mean that God is not involved; rather, it highlights the present reality that the wicked may appear to be safe from fear, but this does not mean they are exempt from God's judgment, as seen in Romans 2:5-6. God's timing and ways are not our own, as expressed in Isaiah 55:8-9.

How can I reconcile the prosperity of the wicked with the idea that God is just?

This is a difficult question, but the Bible teaches that our present circumstances do not necessarily reflect our eternal standing before God, as seen in Luke 12:15 and 1 Timothy 6:17-19. We must trust in God's sovereignty and remember that His ways are higher than ours, as stated in Isaiah 55:8-9.

What is the 'rod of punishment from God' mentioned in Job 21:9?

The 'rod of punishment' is a symbol of God's judgment and discipline, as seen in other passages like Isaiah 10:5 and Ezekiel 20:37-38. It represents God's active involvement in human affairs, correcting and punishing those who disobey Him, as expressed in Hebrews 12:5-11.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I have seen the wicked appear to prosper in my own life, and how has this affected my faith?
How can I trust in God's sovereignty when it seems like the wicked are spared from punishment, and what does this reveal about my own heart?
In what ways can I be a light in a world where the wicked may seem to be prospering, and how can I point others to the hope of the Gospel?
What does Job 21:9 teach me about God's timing and ways, and how can I apply this to my own life when faced with difficult circumstances?
How can I balance the reality of the wicked's present prosperity with the promise of God's future judgment, and what does this mean for my own walk with God?

Gill's Exposition on Job 21:9

Their houses [are] safe from fear,.... Of enemies besetting them, entering into them, and pillaging and plundering them; of thieves and robbers breaking into them, and carrying off their substance:

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 21:9

Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. Literally, peace from fear: with poetic force. Their house is peace itself, far removed from fear.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 21:9

They neither fear nor feel any disturbance.

Trapp's Commentary on Job 21:9

Job 21:9 Their houses [are] safe from fear, neither [is] the rod of God upon them.Ver. 9. Their houses are safe from fear] Seculi laetitia est impunita nequitia. No domestic discords, no foreign disturbances, but peaceable possession and enjoyment of what they have; as much welfare as David wished to Nabal, 1 Samuel 25:5 : Thus shall ye say to him that lives (that is, that lives prosperously, for that is the only life), Peace be to thee, and to thine house, and to all that thou hast. Neither is the rod of God upon them] So that they seem to themselves and others to be out of the reach of God’ s rod. "They are not in trouble, as other men, neither are they plagued like other men; therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain," &c., Psalms 73:5-6. Vermis divitiarum est superbia, It is hard for the rich not be high minded, 1 Timothy 6:17 (August.).

Ellicott's Commentary on Job 21:9

(9) Their houses are safe from fear.—On the contrary, Zophar had just said that “a fire not blown should consume him” (Job 20:26), and Bildad (in Job 18:15) that “destruction should dwell in his tabernacle, and brimstone be scattered on his habitation.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 21:9

Verse 9. Neither is the rod of God upon them.] They are not afflicted as other men.

Cambridge Bible on Job 21:9

9. Not merely themselves and their children but their homes and all in them are full of peace—another allusion to the rod of God which had fallen on all belonging to Job.

Barnes' Notes on Job 21:9

Their houses are safe from fear - Margin, “peace from.” The friends of Job had maintained just the contrary; see Job 20:27-28; Job 15:21-24. Their idea was, that the wicked man would never be free from alarms.

Whedon's Commentary on Job 21:9

9. The rod of God — In the sense of scourge. Same as in Job 9:34.

Sermons on Job 21:9

	Sermon	Description
	The Sin Sick Soul and the Great Physician by J.C. Philpot	J.C. Philpot preaches about the need for a great Physician for those who are spiritually sick, drawing parallels from how Jesus dealt with cavilers and critics in the Bible. He emp
	Light for a Dark House by James Smith	James Smith preaches about the trials that both the righteous and Christians face, emphasizing that these trials are designed by the Lord to exercise, improve, and teach us. He hig
	The Folly of Looking Back in Fleeing Out of Sodom by Jonathan Edwards	Jonathan Edwards preaches about the folly of looking back when fleeing out of Sodom, drawing parallels between the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world to the judgment
	America's Last Call (Part 6 of 6) by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher begins by expressing their devotion to Jesus and thanking Him for His faithfulness and love. They then discuss the arrogance, greed, and covetousness t
	The Five Point Relationship of the Child of God by Ian Paisley	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of true love and turning people to righteousness. He encourages the congregation to have a passion for the souls of others an
	Perfect Peace by David Wilkerson	David Wilkerson emphasizes that in times of panic and chaos, God's faithful people will experience perfect peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding. He references Isaiah 57: