God’s Word Translation
Job 24:23
23⌞God⌟ may let them feel confident and self-reliant, but his eyes are on 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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)He gives them security, and they are supported, and his eyes are upon their ways.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He gives them security, and they rely on it; Yet His eyes are on their ways.
Context of Job 24:23
21These men take advantage of childless women. These men show no kindness to widows. 22⌞God⌟ will drag away ⌞these⌟ mighty men by his power. These people may prosper, but they will never feel secure about life. ⌞God⌟ may let them feel confident and self-reliant, but his eyes are on their ways. 24⌞Such people⌟ may be prosperous for a little while, but then they’re gone. They are brought down low and disappear like everything else. They wither like heads of grain. 25“If it isn’t so, who can prove I’m a liar and show that my words are worthless?”
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 73:3because I was envious of arrogant people when I saw the prosperity that wicked people enjoy.
- Jeremiah 12:1O Lord, even if I would argue my case with you, you would always be right. Yet, I want to talk to you about your justice. Why do wicked people succeed? Why do treacherous people have peace and quiet?
- Ecclesiastes 8:11When a sentence against a crime isn’t carried out quickly, people are encouraged to commit crimes.
- Isaiah 10:8They ask, ‘Aren’t all our commanders kings?
- Isaiah 56:12⌞Each one cries,⌟ “Let me get some wine, and we’ll fill ourselves with liquor. And tomorrow will be like today, only better.”
- Luke 12:16Then he used this illustration. He said, “A rich man had land that produced good crops.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3When people say, “Everything is safe and sound!” destruction will suddenly strike them. It will be as sudden as labor pains come to a pregnant woman. They won’t be able to escape.
- Psalms 10:13Why does the wicked person despise God? Why does he say to himself, “God doesn’t care”?
- Psalms 11:4The Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes see. They examine Adam’s descendants.
- Proverbs 5:21Each person’s ways are clearly seen by the Lord, and he surveys all his actions.
- Proverbs 15:3The eyes of the Lord are everywhere. They watch evil people and good people.
- Proverbs 25:21If your enemy is hungry, give him some food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him some water to drink.
- Ecclesiastes 5:8Don’t be surprised if you see poor people being oppressed, denied justice, or denied their rights in any district. One authority is watching over another, and they both have authorities watching over them.
- Amos 8:7The Lord has sworn an oath by Jacob’s pride: “I will never forget anything that they have done.”
- Amos 9:2Even if they dig their way into Sheol, my hand will take them from there. Even if they go up to heaven, I will bring them down from there.
- Habakkuk 1:13Your eyes are too pure to look at evil. You can’t watch wickedness. Why do you keep watching treacherous people? Why are you silent when wicked people swallow those who are more righteous than they are?
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries