Job 21:14

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 21:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they say unto God, Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they say unto God, Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
Job 21:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And they say unto God, Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Therefore they say unto God, etc.] While in health and life, amidst all their outward prosperity, and because of it; for worldly riches have this tendency, to make men proud and insolent, and not only to behave ill to their fellow creatures, and to slight and despise them; but even to forsake God, and lightly esteem their Creator and benefactor; yea, even to kick against him, and oppose him, to set their mouths against him, and speak very contemptuously and blasphemously of him, as in the following words; which though not expressly uttered and pronounced, which yet may have been by some, however are conceived in the mind, and inwardly spoken; and by their lives and conversations outwardly…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Therefore--rather, "And yet they are such as say," &c., that is, say, not in so many words, but virtually, by their conduct (so the Gergesenes, Mat 8:34). How differently the godly (Isa 2:3). ways--The course of action, which God points out; as in Psa 50:23, Margin.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Therefore - This would seem to indicate that the “result” of their living in this manner was that they rejected God, or that one of the consequences of their being prospered would be that they would cast off his government and authority; that they renounced him “because” they were thus prosperous, or because they wished to train up their children in merriment and dancing. All this may be true in itself, but that idea is not in the Hebrew. That is simply “and they say” - ויאמרו vayo'âmarû. So the Vulgate; the Septuagint; the Chaldee - ואמרו; and the Syriac. The word “therefore” should not have been inserted. Job is not affirming that their mode of life is a “reason” why they reject the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Therefore - Because of their constant prosperity. Say - Sometimes in words, but commonly in their thoughts and the language of their lives. Job 21:16”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they say: Job 22:17; Psa 10:4, Psa 10:11; Luk 8:28, Luk 8:37; Hab 1:15; Joh 15:23, Joh 15:24; Rom 8:7 for we: Pro 1:7, Pro 1:22, Pro 1:29; Joh 3:19, Joh 3:20, Joh 8:45-47; Rom 1:28; Th2 2:10-12; Ti2 4:3, Ti2 4:4 Job 21:15”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification