Job 21:9
Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
Original Language Analysis
בָּתֵּיהֶ֣ם
Their houses
H1004
בָּתֵּיהֶ֣ם
Their houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
1 of 7
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
שָׁל֣וֹם
are safe
H7965
שָׁל֣וֹם
are safe
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
2 of 7
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
מִפָּ֑חַד
from fear
H6343
מִפָּ֑חַד
from fear
Strong's:
H6343
Word #:
3 of 7
a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern retribution theology insisted divine punishment was swift and certain. The Code of Hammurabi and Egyptian wisdom literature assumed moral causation—evil deeds produced immediate consequences. Job's observation that the wicked often escape divine discipline in this life challenged the dominant theological paradigm. Later biblical writers wrestled with the same tension (Psalms 37, 73; Ecclesiastes; Habakkuk 1:2-4).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain faith in divine justice when observing wicked people living in peace and prosperity?
- What does Job's wrestling with delayed judgment teach about the difference between temporal and eternal perspectives?
- How might God's 'rod' (discipline) actually be a sign of His love for His children (Hebrews 12:5-11)?
Analysis & Commentary
Their houses are safe from fear (בָּתֵּיהֶם שָׁלוֹם מִפָּחַד, bateihem shalom mipachad)—The word shalom (שָׁלוֹם) means peace, safety, or wholeness. Pachad (פַּחַד) denotes terror or dread. Job observes that the wicked live in security, free from the anxiety that haunts the righteous sufferer. This directly contradicts his friends' claims that the wicked live in constant dread (15:20-24, 18:11).
Neither is the rod of God upon them (וְלֹא שֵׁבֶט אֱלוֹהַּ עֲלֵיהֶם, velo shevet Eloah aleihem)—The shevet (שֵׁבֶט) or rod represents divine discipline and judgment. Job asserts that God's punishing hand doesn't touch the wicked as his friends claimed. This echoes Psalm 73:5, 'They are not in trouble as other men.' Job's argument anticipates Asaph's similar struggle with wicked prosperity until entering God's sanctuary revealed their ultimate destiny (Psalm 73:17-20).