New International Version
Job 24:23
23He may let them rest in a feeling of security, 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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)They may be allowed to live in security, but God is always watching them.
Context of Job 24:23
21They prey on the barren and childless woman, and to the widow they show no kindness. 22But God drags away the mighty by his power; though they become established, they have no assurance of life. He may let them rest in a feeling of security, but his eyes are on their ways. 24For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain. 25“If this is not so, who can prove me false and reduce my words to nothing?”
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 envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- Jeremiah 12:1You are always righteous, Lord, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?
- Ecclesiastes 8:11When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.
- Isaiah 10:8‘Are not my commanders all kings?’ he says.
- Isaiah 56:12“Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better.”
- Luke 12:16And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
- Psalms 10:13Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, “He won’t call me to account”?
- Psalms 11:4The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.
- Proverbs 5:21For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.
- Proverbs 15:3The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
- Proverbs 25:21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
- Ecclesiastes 5:8If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.
- Amos 8:7The Lord has sworn by himself, the Pride of Jacob: “I will never forget anything they have done.
- Amos 9:2Though they dig down to the depths below, from there my hand will take them. Though they climb up to the heavens above, from there I will bring them down.
- Habakkuk 1:13Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
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
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