Study notes

Job 21

Introducing JobWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

4:1–31:40 Section

Eliphaz and Bildad each spoke three times. Zophar spoke twice. All of their speeches are recorded as long poems.

Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar explained the reason why they thought Job was suffering. Throughout his life, Eliphaz had noticed that trouble came to foolish people. Suffering was how they were taught as well as punished for their sins. Eliphaz believed that this was a pattern for how things work in the world. He believed that it was happening in Job’s case.

Bildad had noticed that God didn’t bring judgement against people who hadn’t sinned. This was a lesson that people had taught for hundreds of years. Bildad believed it was a pattern for how things work in the world. So he thought that Job and his family were being punished for their sins.

Zophar was sure that ungodly people are always punished. He believed that this is how things had always been in the world. He was sure that God was bringing judgement on Job for sins Job had committed.

Job answered Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar each time after they spoke. Job was sad and angry because his friends said things that weren’t helpful. Many of the things they said were true. But the patterns they noticed in life didn’t apply to Job’s case. Job hadn’t sinned in secret. Job didn’t claim to have never sinned. But he knew that God wasn’t punishing him for his sins. Job knew that he had lived the way God wanted people to live. His friends didn’t understand him. They accused him falsely.

Job believed that God did understand him. Job believed that God knew that he wasn’t guilty of secret sins. Job wanted God to explain why his life had become so difficult. Job was very confused by God and angry at him. But Job continued to have respect for God and to avoid evil. He did this even though he was suffering terribly. This showed that Job had wisdom and understanding.

21:2

Job’s friends claimed they were delivering God’s message of consolation or comfort. But Job found no comfort in their words. He asked them to comfort him by giving him silent attention (15:11; 16:2; 13:5).

21:8

Despite what Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar claimed, Job observed that evil people have children and grandchildren (5:4); 18:19; 20:10). These should be rewards for righteous people (Proverbs 17:6). But Job felt they would not be his reward (Job 1:18–19; see also 42:13–16).

21:19

  • It is said: Job was quoting and responding to his friends' arguments.

  • God lays up one’s punishment for his children: Eliphaz and Zophar said this, but Job believed God should punish the people who sin (5:4; 20:10; see Ezekiel 18:19–20).

21:24

his bones are rich with marrow: People once believed bones were the source of health.

21:25

in the bitterness of his soul: Job often complained about how life seemed useless (3:20; 7:11; 9:18; 10:1).

21:28

where are the tents in which the wicked dwell: Job was echoing the words of Bildad, Eliphaz and Zophar (8:22; 15:34; 20:26).

21:33

The clods of the valley are sweet to him: Job considered death as a relief (3:17–18).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources