English Standard Version
Job 24:23
23He gives them security, and they are supported, and his eyes are upon their ways.
Job 24:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways.
- New International Version (NIV)He may let them rest in a feeling of security, but his eyes are on their ways.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He gives them security, and they rely on it; Yet His eyes are on their ways.
- New Living Translation (NLT)They may be allowed to live in security, but God is always watching them.
Context of Job 24:23
21"They wrong the barren, childless woman, and do no good to the widow. 22Yet God prolongs the life of the mighty by his power; they rise up when they despair of life. He gives them security, and they are supported, and his eyes are upon their ways. 24They are exalted a little while, and then are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like the heads of grain. 25If it is not so, who will prove me a liar and show that there is nothing in what I say?"
Read all of Job 24Job 24:23 word by word
יִתֶּן־ל֣וֹ לָ֭בֶטַח וְיִשָּׁעֵ֑ן וְ֝עֵינֵ֗יהוּ עַל־דַּרְכֵיהֶֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 24:23
- Psalms 73:3For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- Jeremiah 12:1Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
- Ecclesiastes 8:11Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.
- Isaiah 10:8for he says: "Are not my commanders all kings?
- Isaiah 56:12"Come," they say, "let me get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure."
- Luke 12:16And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully,
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
- Psalms 10:13Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, "You will not call to account"?
- Psalms 11:4The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
- Proverbs 5:21For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths.
- Proverbs 15:3The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
- Proverbs 25:21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
- Ecclesiastes 5:8If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.
- Amos 8:7The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: "Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.
- Amos 9:2"If they dig into Sheol, from there shall my hand take them; if they climb up to heaven, from there I will bring them down.
- Habakkuk 1:13You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?
Commentaries on Job 24:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Though it be given him to be in safety - The Vulgate gives this verse a singular turn: Dedit ei Deus locum paenitentiae, et ille abutitur eo in superbiam, "God gave him space for repentance, but he has abused it through pride." This is by no means conformable to the original. I think the words should be translated thus: "He gives them (i.e., the guards) to him for security, and he leans upon them; yet his eyes are upon their ways." Though he have taken…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Though it be given him to be in safety - That is, God gives him safety. The name God is often understood, or not expressed. The meaning is, that God gives this wicked man, or oppressor, safety. He is permitted to live a life of security and tranquility. Whereon he resteth - Or, rather, “And he is sustained, or upheld” - (וישׁען veyshâ‛an ). The meaning is, that he is sustained or upheld by God. Yet his eyes are upon their ways - “And the eyes of God are…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-25Verses 18-25 Sometimes how gradual is the decay, how quiet the departure of a wicked person, how is he honoured, and how soon are all his cruelties and oppressions forgotten! They are taken off with other men, as the harvestman gathers the ears of corn as they come to hand. There will often appear much to resemble the wrong view of Providence Job takes in this chapter. But we are taught by the word of inspiration, that these notions are formed in…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-24These ideas seem to go against Job's observations. Some scholars think Bildad or Zophar might have said them. However, Job might have been speaking against evil people, making fun of his friends' opinions by quoting them. Or he might have meant that the fate of evil people also affects those in a right relationship with God. His friends described this earlier (5:2–7; 15:17–25; 8:8–19; 18:5–21; 20:4–29; 21:23–26).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2-242-24. Instances of the wicked doing the worst deeds with seeming impunity (Job 24:2-24). Some--the wicked. landmarks--boundaries between different pastures (De 19:14; Pr 22:28).Read the comment
Topics related to Job 24:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 24
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries