Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version For what do they care about the families they leave behind when their allotted months come to an end? New Living Translation For they will not care what happens to their family after they are dead. English Standard Version For what do they care for their houses after them, when the number of their months is cut off? Berean Standard Bible For what does he care about his household after him, when the number of his months has run out? King James Bible For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? New King James Version For what does he care about his household after him, When the number of his months is cut in half? New American Standard Bible “For what does he care about his household after him, When the number of his months is at an end? NASB 1995 “For what does he care for his household after him, When the number of his months is cut off? NASB 1977 “For what does he care for his household after him, When the number of his months is cut off? Legacy Standard Bible For what desire does he have for his household after him, When the number of his months is cut off? Amplified Bible “For what pleasure does he have in his house and family after he is dead, When the number of his months [of life] is cut off? Christian Standard Bible For what does he care about his family once he is dead, when the number of his months has run out? Holman Christian Standard Bible For what does he care about his family once he is dead, when the number of his months has run out? American Standard Version For what careth he for his house after him, When the number of his months is cut off? Contemporary English Version Because after they are dead, they won't care what happens to their children." English Revised Version For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? GOD'S WORD® Translation How can he be interested in his family after he's gone, when the number of his months is cut short? Good News Translation When our lives are over, do we really care whether our children are happy? International Standard Version What will they care for their household after them, when the number of his months comes to an end?" NET Bible For what is his interest in his home after his death, when the number of his months has been broken off? New Heart English Bible For what does he care for his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off? Webster's Bible Translation For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor what does he care about his household after him, when the number of his months has run out? World English Bible For what does he care for his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionFor what [is] his delight in his house after him, "" And the number of his months cut off? Young's Literal Translation For what is his delight in his house after him, And the number of his months cut off? Smith's Literal Translation For what his delight in his house after him, and the number of? his months were divided out? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor what is it to him what befalleth his house after him: and if the number of his months be diminished by one half? Catholic Public Domain Version For what does he care what happens to his house after him, or if the number of its months are reduced by half? New American Bible For what interest has he in his family after him, when the number of his months is finished? New Revised Standard Version For what do they care for their household after them, when the number of their months is cut off? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor what pleasure has he in his house after him, when a portion of his years shall be reserved for his posterity? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated What is the pleasure in his house after him, and the number of his months kept for his children? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917For what pleasure hath he in his house after him? Seeing the number of his months is determined. Brenton Septuagint Translation For his desire is in his house with him, and the number of his months has been suddenly cut off. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Job: God will Punish the Wicked…20Let his eyes see his own destruction; let him drink for himself the wrath of the Almighty. 21For what does he care about his household after him, when the number of his months has run out? 22Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since He judges those on high?… Cross References Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile. / All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust. / Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and the spirit of the animal descends into the earth? Psalm 49:10-12 For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others. / Their graves are their eternal homes—their dwellings for endless generations—even though their lands were their namesakes. / But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish. Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 I hated all for which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. / And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. Psalm 39:6 Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. Ecclesiastes 5:15-16 As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands. / This too is a grievous affliction: Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart. What does he gain as he toils for the wind? Luke 12:20-21 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.” Ecclesiastes 6:12 For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun? Psalm 146:4 When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish. 1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten. / Their love, their hate, and their envy have already vanished, and they will never again have a share in all that is done under the sun. Psalm 73:18-20 Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin. / How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors! / Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form. Matthew 16:26 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? James 4:14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Psalm 90:10 The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. 1 Corinthians 15:32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” Treasury of Scripture For what pleasure has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the middle? For what Job 14:21 His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them. Ecclesiastes 2:18,19 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me… Luke 16:27,28 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: … the number Job 14:5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; Psalm 55:23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. Psalm 102:24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Jump to Previous Allotted Care Careth Cut Delight Determined End Ended Family House Household Houses Interest Leaves Midst Months PleasureJump to Next Allotted Care Careth Cut Delight Determined End Ended Family House Household Houses Interest Leaves Midst Months PleasureJob 21 1. Job shows that even in the judgment of man he has reason to be grieved7. Sometimes the wicked prosper, though they despise God 16. Sometimes their destruction is manifest 21. The happy and unhappy are alike in death 27. The judgment of the wicked is in another world For what does he care about his household after him This phrase reflects the existential questioning of the wicked's concern for their legacy. In the context of Job, it highlights the apparent indifference of the wicked towards the future of their family once they are gone. This can be contrasted with the biblical emphasis on the importance of family and legacy, as seen in passages like Proverbs 13:22, which states that a good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children. The cultural context of the ancient Near East placed significant importance on family lineage and legacy, making this indifference particularly striking. It also raises questions about the justice of God, as the wicked seem to prosper without concern for their descendants. when the number of his months has run out Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man of great faith and patience, Job is the central figure in the Book of Job. He is known for his suffering and his quest to understand the reasons behind his trials. 2. Job's Friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar are Job's friends who visit him to offer counsel. They often argue that Job's suffering is a result of his sin, which Job disputes. 3. God The ultimate authority and sovereign being, God allows Job's trials to test his faith and integrity. 4. The Suffering of Job The events surrounding Job's immense suffering, including the loss of his wealth, health, and family, serve as the backdrop for his discourse on the nature of suffering and divine justice. 5. The Dialogue Job 21 is part of a larger dialogue where Job responds to his friends' accusations, defending his integrity and questioning the prosperity of the wicked. Teaching Points The Brevity of LifeLife is short, and our time on earth is limited. We should focus on what truly matters, such as our relationship with God and living righteously. The Futility of Earthly Wealth Accumulating wealth and possessions is ultimately futile if it distracts us from eternal values. Our legacy should be one of faith and integrity rather than material success. Trust in God's Sovereignty Even when life seems unjust, and the wicked prosper, we must trust in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty. Our understanding is limited, but God's wisdom is perfect. The Importance of Legacy While Job questions the significance of his household after his death, we are reminded to consider the spiritual legacy we leave behind. Our influence on others can have eternal significance. Reflection on Mortality Job's reflections encourage us to consider our mortality and live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing our spiritual journey over temporal concerns. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 21:21?2. How does Job 21:21 challenge our understanding of earthly legacy and eternity? 3. What does Job 21:21 reveal about God's justice and human accountability? 4. How can Job 21:21 influence our priorities in life and decision-making? 5. Connect Job 21:21 with Matthew 6:19-21 on storing treasures in heaven. 6. How should Job 21:21 shape our perspective on life after death? 7. What does Job 21:21 reveal about the significance of life after death? 8. How does Job 21:21 challenge the concept of divine justice? 9. Why does Job question the value of a wicked man's legacy in Job 21:21? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 21? 11. In Job 21:19-21, does the idea of children suffering for a parent's wrongdoing clash with other biblical teachings on individual responsibility? 12. God sent his prophet to threaten David with how many years of famine? Seven (2 Samuel 24:13) Three (I Chronicles 21:12) 13. Proverbs 21:9: Why does this verse single out a quarrelsome wife, and does it reflect a cultural bias that unjustly blames women for household conflict? 14. In Job 21:22, how can humans teach God anything if He is described elsewhere as all-knowing and beyond counsel? What Does Job 21:21 Mean For what does he careJob pictures the prosperous unbeliever glancing at death’s horizon and shrugging. The question, “For what does he care…?” is rhetorical—he plainly does not. • Earlier in the chapter the same man is described as singing to the tambourine, spending “their days in prosperity” and saying to God, “Depart from us!” (Job 21:11–15). • Psalm 10:4 echoes the same indifference: “In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God”. • Jesus’ parable in Luke 12:19-20 shows the same mindset: a rich man plans to “eat, drink, and be merry,” yet God calls him a fool because “this very night your life will be required of you”. Taken together, Job’s question exposes a heart hardened by self-sufficiency. When life seems secure, the unrepentant see no need to reckon with God. about his household after him The verse continues, “…about his household after him…,” pointing to legacy. Even the natural pull to provide for family cannot pierce the wicked man’s apathy once he faces death. • Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 laments the same tragedy: “I hated all my toil… because I must leave it to the man who comes after me… Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort”. • Psalm 49:10-12 observes that both wise and foolish “leave their wealth to others… yet a man in his pomp will not endure”. • Job underlines how fleeting material success is; without faith, even concern for loved ones dissolves. The coming separation from possessions and people reveals how empty the godless life really is. when the number of his months has run out Death is certain and scheduled: “when the number of his months has run out.” • Job 14:5 states, “Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with You… he cannot exceed” those limits. • Psalm 90:12 urges, “So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom”, a direct contrast to the fool who refuses to count them. • James 4:14 reminds us, “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”. • Hebrews 9:27 adds finality: “It is appointed for men to die once, and after that to face judgment”. Job’s point is stark: once life’s fixed allotment ends, repentance, stewardship, and influence are frozen. The godless person’s obsession with the present blinds him to this looming, unalterable boundary. summary Job 21:21 exposes the emptiness of a life lived without reference to God. The prosperous wicked man: • cares nothing about eternal accountability, • feels no concern for the family he will inevitably leave, • and forgets that his lifespan is divinely numbered. The verse challenges every reader to embrace wisdom, reckon with eternity, and live today in light of the certain appointment that awaits us all. Verse 21. ? For what pleasure hath he in his house after him? What does he care, ordinarily, about the happiness of his children and descendants? "Apres moi le deluge" is the selfish thought of bad men generally, when they cast a glance at the times which are to follow their decease. The fate of those whom they leave behind them troubles them but little. It would scarcely cause them a pang to know that their posterity would soon be "clean put out." When the number of his months is cut off in the midst; i.e. when his appointed time is come, and he knows that "the number of his months' is accomplished.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Forכִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction what מַה־ (mah-) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what does he care חֶפְצ֣וֹ (ḥep̄·ṣōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2656: Pleasure, desire, a valuable thing, a matter about his household בְּבֵית֣וֹ (bə·ḇê·ṯōw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house after him, אַחֲרָ֑יו (’a·ḥă·rāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 310: The hind or following part when the number וּמִסְפַּ֖ר (ū·mis·par) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration of his months חֳדָשָׁ֣יו (ḥo·ḏā·šāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month has run out? חֻצָּֽצוּ׃ (ḥuṣ·ṣā·ṣū) Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 2686: To chop into, pierce, sever, to curtail, to distribute, to shoot an arrow Links Job 21:21 NIVJob 21:21 NLT Job 21:21 ESV Job 21:21 NASB Job 21:21 KJV Job 21:21 BibleApps.com Job 21:21 Biblia Paralela Job 21:21 Chinese Bible Job 21:21 French Bible Job 21:21 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 21:21 For what does he care for his (Jb) |
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