Job 21:8

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 21:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Their seed is established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Their seed is established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes.
Job 21:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8Their seed is established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Their seed is established in their sight with them, etc.] Which is to be understood not of seed sown in the earth, and of the permanence and increase of that, but of their children; to have a numerous progeny, was reckoned a great temporal blessing, and to have them settled happily and comfortably in the world was an additional one; and what contributed still more to their felicity was, that they were well settled during their life, or they yet living, and with their eyes beholding their prosperous and stable condition; and also “with them”; near them, in the same neighbourhood, or at no great distance from them; or even in like circumstances with them, equally as well settled and as…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“In opposition to Job 18:19; Job 5:4.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Their seed - Their children - their posterity. Is established in their sight - Around them, where they may often see them - where they may enjoy their society. The friends of Job had maintained, with great positiveness and earnestness, that the children of wicked people would be cut off. See Job 18:19; Job 20:28. This position Job now directly controverts, and says that it is a fact, that so far from being cut off, they are often established in the very presence of their ungodly parents, and live and prosper. How, he asks, is this consistent with the position, that God deals with people in this life according to their character? return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“21:8 In spite of assertions by Eliphaz (5:4), Bildad (18:19), and Zophar (20:10), Job noted that the wicked enjoy children and grandchildren, which should be the reward of the righteous (Prov 17:6) but was apparently not going to be his own reward (Job 1:18-19; but see 42:13-16).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Job 5:3, Job 5:4, Job 18:19, Job 20:10, Job 20:28; Pro 17:6 Job 21:9”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification