Job 21:8
Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
Original Language Analysis
זַרְעָ֤ם
Their seed
H2233
זַרְעָ֤ם
Their seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
1 of 6
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
נָכ֣וֹן
is established
H3559
נָכ֣וֹן
is established
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
לִפְנֵיהֶ֣ם
in their sight
H6440
לִפְנֵיהֶ֣ם
in their sight
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 6
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
עִמָּ֑ם
H5973
עִמָּ֑ם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
4 of 6
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
Historical Context
Ancient Israelite and Near Eastern cultures measured divine blessing through descendants (Genesis 12:2, Deuteronomy 28:4). Dying with numerous offspring represented the highest blessing (Genesis 15:15, 25:8, Job 42:16). Job's friends had insisted the wicked don't enjoy this blessing. Job's counterargument—that observation proves otherwise—introduces an empirical method to theology that anticipates Ecclesiastes' similar wrestling with divine providence.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when people who reject God seem to prosper in family, health, and wealth?
- What does Job's empirical observation teach about the danger of maintaining theological positions that contradict observable reality?
- How does this verse challenge simplistic 'prosperity gospel' thinking that equates godliness with material blessing?
Analysis & Commentary
Their seed is established in their sight with them (זַרְעָם נָכוֹן לִפְנֵיהֶם, zar'am nakhon lifneihem)—Job begins cataloging the prosperity of the wicked. Zera (זֶרַע) means seed or offspring, representing posterity and legacy. Nakhon (נָכוֹן) means established, firm, or secure. The phrase "in their sight" emphasizes that the wicked see their descendants prosper before dying, considered ultimate blessing in ancient culture.
Their offspring before their eyes (וְצֶאֱצָאֵיהֶם לְעֵינֵיהֶם, vetse'etsa'eihem le'eineihem)—This poetic parallelism reinforces the point: wicked people enjoy seeing grandchildren and even great-grandchildren, living to old age with family intact. This directly contradicts the friends' theology. They claimed the wicked lose children as divine punishment (4:10-11, 8:4, 15:34, 18:19). Job responds: look around, the facts prove otherwise. This empirical observation challenges theology divorced from reality.