Job 34:21
New International Version
“His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.

New Living Translation
“For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do.

English Standard Version
“For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.

Berean Standard Bible
For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.

King James Bible
For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

New King James Version
“For His eyes are on the ways of man, And He sees all his steps.

New American Standard Bible
“For His eyes are upon the ways of a person, And He sees all his steps.

NASB 1995
“For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps.

NASB 1977
“For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps.

Legacy Standard Bible
“For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps.

Amplified Bible
“For God’s eyes are on the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps.

Christian Standard Bible
For his eyes watch over a man’s ways, and he observes all his steps.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For His eyes watch over a man’s ways, and He observes all his steps.

American Standard Version
For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, And he seeth all his goings.

Contemporary English Version
God watches everything we do.

English Revised Version
For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, and he seeth all his goings.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God's eyes are on a person's ways. He sees all his steps.

Good News Translation
He watches every step we take.

International Standard Version
Yes, Job, his eyes constantly watch the behavior of human beings; he carefully observes their every step.

NET Bible
For his eyes are on the ways of an individual, he observes all a person's steps.

New Heart English Bible
"For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.

Webster's Bible Translation
For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.

World English Bible
“For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For His eyes [are] on the ways of each, "" And He sees all his steps.

Young's Literal Translation
For His eyes are on the ways of each, And all his steps He doth see.

Smith's Literal Translation
For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he will see all his steps.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he examines all of their steps.

New American Bible
For his eyes are upon our ways, and all our steps he sees.

New Revised Standard Version
“For his eyes are upon the ways of mortals, and he sees all their steps.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For his eyes are upon all the ways of man, and he sees all his goings.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because his eyes are on all the ways of a man and he sees all his steps
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, And He seeth all his goings.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For he surveys the works of men, and nothing of what they do has escaped him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elihu Confirms God's Justice
20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. 21For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step. 22There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.…

Cross References
Proverbs 5:21
For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths.

Psalm 33:13-15
The LORD looks down from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. / From His dwelling place He gazes on all who inhabit the earth. / He shapes the hearts of each; He considers all their works.

Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.

Jeremiah 16:17
For My eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from My face, and their guilt is not concealed from My eyes.

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”

Psalm 139:1-3
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. / You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. / You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways.

Psalm 11:4
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.

Jeremiah 23:24
“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.

Psalm 121:3-8
He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. / Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. / The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand. ...

Matthew 10:30
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Psalm 90:8
You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence.

1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Psalm 34:15
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.

Isaiah 29:15
Woe to those who dig deep to hide their plans from the LORD. In darkness they do their works and say, “Who sees us, and who will know?”


Treasury of Scripture

For his eyes are on the ways of man, and he sees all his goings.

Job 31:4
Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

Genesis 16:13
And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

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Job 34
1. Elihu accuses Job for charging God with injustice
10. God omnipotent cannot be unjust
31. Man must humble himself unto God
34. Elihu reproves Job














For His eyes are on the ways of a man
This phrase emphasizes God's omniscience and His ability to observe all human actions. In the context of the Book of Job, this reflects the belief that God is aware of Job's suffering and the righteousness of his life. The idea of God's watchful eyes is echoed in Proverbs 5:21, which states, "For a man's ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths." This suggests a divine oversight that is both protective and judgmental. Theologically, it underscores the belief in a personal God who is intimately involved in the lives of individuals, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament.

and He sees his every step
This part of the verse highlights God's detailed knowledge of human actions, suggesting that nothing is hidden from Him. It aligns with Psalm 139:3, "You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways." This comprehensive awareness implies accountability, as God not only observes but also evaluates human behavior. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of deities as beings who are deeply involved in human affairs. In a broader biblical context, it points to the moral and ethical dimensions of life, where every action is subject to divine scrutiny. This can also be seen as a type of Christ, who in the New Testament is described as the one who knows the hearts of men (John 2:24-25), further affirming the continuity of God's intimate knowledge and concern for humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Elihu
A young man who speaks to Job and his friends, offering a perspective on God's justice and sovereignty. Elihu's speeches are found in Job 32-37.

2. Job
The central figure of the Book of Job, a man who experiences immense suffering and seeks to understand God's role in his trials.

3. God
The omniscient and omnipresent Creator, whose understanding and oversight of human actions are emphasized in this verse.

4. The Friends of Job
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, often attributing it to sin.

5. The Land of Uz
The setting of the Book of Job, a region whose exact location is uncertain but is traditionally considered to be in the Near East.
Teaching Points
God's Omniscience
God is fully aware of all human actions and thoughts. This should encourage believers to live with integrity, knowing that nothing is hidden from Him.

Divine Justice
God's awareness of our ways assures us that He is just and fair. We can trust that He will ultimately bring justice, even when we do not understand our circumstances.

Personal Accountability
Recognizing that God sees every step should lead us to examine our lives and align our actions with His will, fostering a life of holiness and obedience.

Comfort in God's Presence
For those who are suffering or feel misunderstood, knowing that God sees and understands every detail of our lives can be a source of great comfort and strength.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Job 34:21?

2. How does Job 34:21 emphasize God's omniscience in our daily lives?

3. What actions can we take knowing "His eyes are on the ways of man"?

4. How does Job 34:21 connect with Psalm 139:1-4 about God's awareness?

5. In what ways should God's omnipresence influence our decision-making processes?

6. How can Job 34:21 encourage accountability in our personal and spiritual growth?

7. How does Job 34:21 reflect God's omniscience and omnipresence in human affairs?

8. What does Job 34:21 imply about personal accountability before God?

9. How does Job 34:21 challenge the belief in free will?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 34?

11. Job 34:21 – The passage implies God sees all human actions; is there historical or scientific evidence for universal divine oversight?

12. In Psalm 94:9, it says God hears and sees all; why then do injustices appear to persist unchecked in our world?

13. What defines punitive justice?

14. Amos 9:2–3 – Is it scientifically plausible for no one to evade divine judgment even in the depths of the sea or highest mountains?
What Does Job 34:21 Mean
For His eyes

“His eyes” speaks of God’s personal, active, and unblinking attention. Scripture often pictures the Lord looking, searching, and watching: “For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9). David could say, “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous” (Psalm 34:15). These passages remind us that the God of Job is the same God who still observes every corner of His creation.

• God’s vision is never distracted.

• He never delegates surveillance of His universe.

• Unlike human eyes—limited by distance, darkness, or fatigue—His eyes lack nothing in clarity or reach (see Psalm 121:4).


are on the ways of a man

The phrase shifts the spotlight from God’s vision to our daily walk. “A man” is every person; no one is outside this gaze. Proverbs 5:21 reinforces the idea: “For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and He considers all his paths”.

• “Ways” includes our choices, habits, motives, and relationships—public and private.

• God’s watching is not distant or indifferent; He “weighs” our ways (Proverbs 21:2) and interacts with them for our correction or comfort.

• This awareness brings accountability; even Job’s sufferings are weighed by a just God who knows all the facts (Job 34:10-12).


and He sees his every step

The sentence tightens the focus from broad “ways” to individual “steps.” Nothing is too small for God to notice. Jeremiah 16:17 declares, “For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from Me, nor is their iniquity concealed from My eyes”. Hebrews 4:13 echoes the same truth for believers today: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.”

• Each step—every act, word, and thought—is visible to Him.

• For the repentant, this is a source of deep comfort: the Shepherd who counts each step also guards each step (Psalm 121:7-8).

• For the unrepentant, it is a sober warning: “God will bring every deed into judgment” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

• For the suffering (like Job), it is reassurance that the Lord fully understands the path of pain, even when friends misjudge (Job 34:35-37).


summary

Job 34:21 assures us that God’s watchful eyes cover every path and every step. He observes with perfect knowledge, judges with perfect justice, and cares with perfect love. Living in that light calls us to honest, faithful walking—resting in the comfort that nothing about us is hidden from the One who sees and loves perfectly.

(21) His eyes are upon the ways of man.--He is not only just and mighty, but He is also all-wise; He cannot therefore err.

Verse 21. - For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. Elihu proceeds to a fresh argument. The omniscience of God is a security against his acting unjustly. He knows exactly each man's powers, capacities, temperament, temptations, circumstances He can exactly me, sure each man's due, and will assuredly mete it out to each without partiality or prejudice.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

His eyes [are]
עֵ֭ינָיו (‘ê·nāw)
Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the ways
דַּרְכֵי־ (dar·ḵê-)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

of man,
אִ֑ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

and He sees
יִרְאֶֽה׃ (yir·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

his every step.
צְעָדָ֥יו (ṣə·‘ā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6806: A pace, regular step


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OT Poetry: Job 34:21 For his eyes are on the ways (Jb)
Job 34:20
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