Job 21:10
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
Original Language Analysis
עִ֭בַּר
gendereth
H5674
עִ֭בַּר
gendereth
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
2 of 8
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תְּפַלֵּ֥ט
calveth
H6403
תְּפַלֵּ֥ט
calveth
Strong's:
H6403
Word #:
5 of 8
to slip out, i.e., escape; causatively, to deliver
Historical Context
In the ancient agrarian economy, livestock fertility directly determined survival and prosperity. The Mosaic covenant promised fertile herds as blessing for obedience (Deuteronomy 28:4, 11) and barrenness as curse for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:18). Job observes that the wicked enjoy covenant blessings despite lacking covenant faithfulness. This observation forced a more complex understanding of divine providence than simple retribution theology allowed.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you process when people who mock God experience 'blessed' circumstances—successful careers, healthy families, financial prosperity?
- What does this verse teach about the danger of using circumstances as the sole measure of divine favor?
- How might temporal prosperity for the wicked serve God's purposes even while ultimate judgment remains certain?
Analysis & Commentary
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not (שׁוֹרוֹ עִבַּר וְלֹא יַגְעִל, shoro ibbar velo yag'il)—Job continues describing wicked prosperity with agricultural imagery. The verb abar (עָבַר) means to impregnate or cover (the cow), while ga'al (גָעַל) means to fail, abort, or miscarry. Perfect livestock reproduction represented divine blessing (Exodus 23:26, Deuteronomy 7:14).
Their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf (פָּרָתוֹ תְפַלֵּט וְלֹא תְשַׁכֵּל, parato tephallet velo teshakkel)—Palet (פָּלַט) means to give birth or bring forth, while shakol (שָׁכַל) means to miscarry or be bereaved. The wicked experience agricultural prosperity that ancient theology attributed to covenant faithfulness. Job systematically demonstrates that observable reality contradicts retribution theology. Livestock fertility, family prosperity (v. 8), and domestic security (v. 9) all belonged to the wicked, not just the righteous.