Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges. If it is not he, then who is it? New Living Translation The whole earth is in the hands of the wicked, and God blinds the eyes of the judges. If he’s not the one who does it, who is? English Standard Version The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; he covers the faces of its judges— if it is not he, who then is it? Berean Standard Bible The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He blindfolds its judges. If it is not He, then who is it? King James Bible The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he? New King James Version The earth is given into the hand of the wicked. He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not He, who else could it be? New American Standard Bible “The earth is handed over to the wicked; He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not He, then who is it? NASB 1995 “The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not He, then who is it? NASB 1977 “The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not He, then who is it? Legacy Standard Bible The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not He, then who is it? Amplified Bible “The earth is given into the hands of the wicked; He covers the faces of its judges [so that they are blind to justice]. If it is not He, then who is it [that is responsible for all this injustice]? Christian Standard Bible The earth is handed over to the wicked; he blindfolds its judges. If it isn’t he, then who is it? Holman Christian Standard Bible The earth is handed over to the wicked; He blindfolds its judges. If it isn’t He, then who is it? American Standard Version The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He covereth the faces of the judges thereof: If it be not he, who then is it? Contemporary English Version And who else but God blindfolds the judges, then lets the wicked take over the earth? English Revised Version The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if it be not he, who then is it? GOD'S WORD® Translation The earth is handed over to the wicked. He covers the faces of its judges. If he isn't the one [doing this], who is? Good News Translation God gave the world to the wicked. He made all the judges blind. And if God didn't do it, who did? International Standard Version A land is given into the hands of a wicked person; he covers the faces of its judges. If it is not God, then who is it?" Majority Standard Bible The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He blindfolds its judges. If it is not He, then who is it? NET Bible If a land has been given into the hand of a wicked man, he covers the faces of its judges; if it is not he, then who is it? New Heart English Bible The earth is given into the hand of the wicked. He covers the faces of its judges. If not he, then who is it? Webster's Bible Translation The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of its judges; if not, where, and who is he? World English Bible The earth is given into the hand of the wicked. He covers the faces of its judges. If not he, then who is it? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionEarth has been given "" Into the hand of the wicked. He covers the faces of her judges, "" If not—where, who [is] he? Young's Literal Translation Earth hath been given Into the hand of the wicked one. The face of its judges he covereth, If not -- where, who is he? Smith's Literal Translation The earth was given into the hand of the unjust one: he will cover the faces of her judges; if not now, who is it? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe earth is given into the hand of the wicked, he covereth the face of the judges thereof: and if it be not he, who is it then? Catholic Public Domain Version Since the earth has been given into the hand of the impious, he covers the face of its judges; for if it is not him, then who is it? New American Bible The earth is given into the hands of the wicked; he covers the faces of its judges. If it is not he, who then is it? New Revised Standard Version The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; he covers the eyes of its judges— if it is not he, who then is it? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe earth is handed over to the wicked; and the faces of the judges are covered; if not, who can endure their wrath? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The Earth he has given into the hand of The Wicked One and the faces of Judges are covered, but who endures his anger? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He covereth the faces of the judges thereof; If it be not He, who then is it? Brenton Septuagint Translation For they are delivered into the hands of the unrighteous man: he covers the faces of the judges of the earth: but if it be not he, who is it? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Job: How Can I Argue with God?…23When the scourge brings sudden death, He mocks the despair of the innocent. 24The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He blindfolds its judges. If it is not He, then who is it? 25My days are swifter than a runner; they flee without seeing good.… Cross References Psalm 82:2-5 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah / Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked. ... Isaiah 5:20-23 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. / Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. / Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink, ... Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? Habakkuk 1:2-4 How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save? / Why do You make me see iniquity? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds. / Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted. Micah 3:9-11 Now hear this, O leaders of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and pervert all that is right, / who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity. / Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” Ecclesiastes 3:16 Furthermore, I saw under the sun that in the place of judgment there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness. Isaiah 59:14-15 So justice is turned away, and righteousness stands at a distance. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter. / Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil becomes prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice. Amos 5:7 There are those who turn justice into wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground. Malachi 2:17 You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD, and in them He delights,” or, “Where is the God of justice?” Proverbs 17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD. Matthew 5:45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. John 12:31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out. 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Ephesians 2:2 in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. 1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one. Treasury of Scripture The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covers the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he? earth Job 12:6-10 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly… Job 21:7-15 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? … Psalm 17:14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. he covereth 2 Samuel 15:30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. 2 Samuel 19:4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! Esther 6:12 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. if not Job 24:25 And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth? Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. Jump to Previous Covered Covereth Covers Earth Evil-Doer Face Faces Falls Hand Hands Judges Power Thereof WickedJump to Next Covered Covereth Covers Earth Evil-Doer Face Faces Falls Hand Hands Judges Power Thereof WickedJob 9 1. Job acknowledges God's justice22. Man's innocence is not to be condemned by afflictions The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; This phrase reflects Job's lament about the apparent triumph of evil in the world. In the context of the Book of Job, Job is responding to his friends who insist that suffering is always a result of personal sin. Job observes that the wicked often prosper, which seems to contradict the idea of immediate divine justice. This sentiment is echoed in other scriptures, such as Psalm 73:3-12, where the psalmist struggles with the prosperity of the wicked. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine justice, where the righteous were expected to prosper and the wicked to suffer. Theologically, it raises questions about God's sovereignty and the presence of evil, which are central themes in the Book of Job. He blindfolds its judges. If it is not He, then who is it? Persons / Places / Events 1. JobThe central figure in the Book of Job, a man described as blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He is undergoing severe trials and is questioning the justice of God in his suffering. 2. The Wicked Refers to those who act in opposition to God's will and righteousness. In this context, they are seen as having control over the earth, which is a source of Job's lament. 3. Judges Symbolic of those in authority who are expected to uphold justice. Job accuses them of being blinded or having their faces covered, implying corruption or a lack of true justice. 4. God The ultimate sovereign who Job acknowledges as having control over the earth, even as he struggles to understand His ways. 5. The Earth Represents the realm of human existence and the stage upon which the drama of Job's life and the lives of others unfold. Teaching Points Understanding God's SovereigntyRecognize that God is ultimately in control, even when the world seems dominated by wickedness. This calls for trust in His greater plan and wisdom. The Reality of Injustice Acknowledge that injustice is a reality in a fallen world. Believers are called to be agents of justice and righteousness, reflecting God's character. The Role of Faith in Suffering Job's struggle teaches us the importance of maintaining faith and integrity, even when we do not understand God's ways or the reasons for our suffering. The Call to Righteous Leadership Those in positions of authority are reminded of their responsibility to uphold justice and truth, serving as God's representatives on earth. Hope in God's Ultimate Justice While the wicked may seem to prevail now, Scripture assures us that God's justice will ultimately be fulfilled. Believers can find hope in this promise.Verse 24. - The earth is given into the hand of the wicked. As a further proof of God's indifference to the sufferings of the innocent, Job adduces the fact that, in the high places of the earth, are mostly set wicked persons, who oppress and persecute the righteous. This has probably been true, in the East at any rate, at all times. He covereth the faces of the judges thereof. God covers up the eyes of those who have to judge between the oppressors and the oppressed, so that they pervert judgment, and side with the oppressors. He does this, since he permits it to be done. Corrupt judges are among the perennial curses of the East. If not, where, and who is he? rather, If it be not he who then is it? (see the Revised Version). Job argues that the established condition of things in human society must be ascribed to God, since (at least) he allows it. There is no one else to whom it can be ascribed. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The earthאֶ֤רֶץ ׀ (’e·reṣ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land is given נִתְּנָ֬ה (nit·tə·nāh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set into the hand בְֽיַד־ (ḇə·yaḏ-) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3027: A hand of the wicked; רָשָׁ֗ע (rā·šā‘) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person He blindfolds פְּנֵֽי־ (pə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 6440: The face its judges. שֹׁפְטֶ֥יהָ (šō·p̄ə·ṭe·hā) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate If אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not it is not [He], לֹ֖א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no then אֵפ֣וֹא (’ê·p̄ō·w) Conjunction Strong's 645: Here, now, then who מִי־ (mî-) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix [is] it? הֽוּא׃ (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are Links Job 9:24 NIVJob 9:24 NLT Job 9:24 ESV Job 9:24 NASB Job 9:24 KJV Job 9:24 BibleApps.com Job 9:24 Biblia Paralela Job 9:24 Chinese Bible Job 9:24 French Bible Job 9:24 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 9:24 The earth is given into the hand (Jb) |
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