Job 21:10
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Job 21:10
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
Chapter Context
Job 21 is a wisdom dialogue chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of worship, faith, prayer. Written during the patriarchal period (literary composition later), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ancient wisdom traditions often wrestled with the problem of suffering and divine justice.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-34: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Job and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Job 21:10
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Exodus 23:26