Job 15 21

Job 15:21 kjv

A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.

Job 15:21 nkjv

Dreadful sounds are in his ears; In prosperity the destroyer comes upon him.

Job 15:21 niv

Terrifying sounds fill his ears; when all seems well, marauders attack him.

Job 15:21 esv

Dreadful sounds are in his ears; in prosperity the destroyer will come upon him.

Job 15:21 nlt

The sound of terror rings in their ears,
and even on good days they fear the attack of the destroyer.

Job 15 verses

Job 15 21 Meaning

Job 15:21 portrays the internal dread and ultimate ruin that Eliphaz believes inevitably awaits the wicked, even when they seem to be prosperous. According to his understanding, the wicked man lives in a state of perpetual fear, as if a "dreadful sound" of terror constantly rings in his ears. This internal torment is compounded by the certainty that, even amidst his outward success or "prosperity," a destructive force, described as a "destroyer," will suddenly and decisively come upon him, ending his perceived peace and welfare. Eliphaz uses this assertion to reinforce his traditional theology of retribution, aiming to convince Job that his suffering must stem from hidden wickedness.

Job 15 21 Context

Job 15:21 is spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite during his second speech to Job. This chapter represents Eliphaz's increasingly harsh rebuke of Job, as Job has maintained his innocence despite his intense suffering. Eliphaz reiterates the traditional wisdom theology, asserting that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin. He accuses Job of self-righteousness, undermining devotion, and using words to oppose God (v. 2-6). In the preceding verses (17-20), Eliphaz recounts the ancient wisdom passed down through generations, painting a grim picture of the wicked man's life. He argues that the wicked are tormented by pain, live in fear, and are ultimately cut off. Verse 21 continues this vivid description, focusing on the psychological and inevitable physical destruction awaiting those Eliphaz deems wicked. His goal is to persuade Job to confess his sin so that God might restore him, unaware of God's actual purpose in Job's trials. The polemic is against Job's lived experience of suffering without apparent sin, challenging the established belief system of the day.

Job 15 21 Word analysis

• A dreadful sound: (קוֹל פַּחַד – qol pakhad).
  • qol: voice, sound, thunder, noise. Can denote a spiritual "sound" or an internal sensation rather than an audible noise.
  • pakhad: terror, dread, fear, panic. Signifies an overwhelming, paralyzing fear. The phrase emphasizes an ongoing, deeply unsettling inner torment or foreboding felt by the wicked. It suggests their conscience or an anticipation of divine judgment creates this internal "sound."
• is in his ears: (בְּאָזְנָיו – b'oznav).
  • "Ears" signify internal perception and consciousness. This sound is not merely external but penetrates his very being, implying an inability to escape his internal terror or guilt, which haunts him constantly.
• in prosperity: (בְּשָׁלוֹם – b'shalom).
  • shalom: peace, completeness, welfare, safety, prosperity. This term introduces profound irony. The wicked might appear to be in a state of well-being, material success, or unmolested security. However, this outer state directly contrasts with the internal dread described. It highlights the fleeting and superficial nature of the wicked's peace. Their outward comfort hides an inner turmoil and masks their impending doom. True shalom, God's peace, is absent.
• the destroyer: (שֹׁדֵד – shoded).
  • shoded: to devastate, plunder, ravage, lay waste, spoil. This is a participle, acting as a noun, signifying "one who destroys" or "the plunderer." It embodies the destructive force itself, personifying the judgment or calamity that will strike. This term frequently refers to invaders or a force of destruction, and here implies an aggressive, forceful, and thorough undoing. It could represent an agent of divine wrath or the natural consequences of ungodly living.
• will come upon him: (יְבֹאֶנּוּ – y'vo'ennu).
  • Future tense, active voice. It expresses certainty and inevitability. The destroyer's arrival is not merely possible but destined and unavoidable. The destruction is personal, directly impacting him. The immediacy of "will come upon him" implies suddenness, even while he feels "in prosperity."

Words-group analysis:

• "A dreadful sound is in his ears": This phrase captures the psychological state of the wicked. Their internal world is dominated by terror and premonition of judgment, suggesting a conscience at war or a pervasive sense of insecurity. It speaks to a deep, unsettling unrest that no amount of outward success can alleviate. This concept resonates with biblical themes that true peace comes from God, and those who reject Him cannot know it.
• "in prosperity the destroyer will come upon him": This powerful juxtaposition emphasizes the deceitful nature of worldly "peace" for the wicked. Their security is a facade that hides impending ruin. The "destroyer" highlights the sudden, aggressive, and absolute nature of the judgment that awaits, puncturing any illusion of lasting stability. This teaches that material well-being does not guarantee divine favor or insulate one from spiritual consequences.

Job 15 21 Bonus section

While Eliphaz’s statement applies the conventional understanding of the wicked, it ironically describes aspects of human fear that are universal, regardless of a person’s perceived righteousness. Sin does often bring about an internal torment and a disruption of peace, even for believers when they walk outside of God's will. The idea that outer prosperity can mask inner turmoil is a timeless truth that transcends the specific theological debate in Job. The "destroyer" can be understood broadly as divine judgment, the natural consequences of sinful living (e.g., ruin of relationships, health, finances), or even spiritual attack enabled by one's spiritual vulnerability. Ultimately, Eliphaz's words highlight the pervasive sense of insecurity inherent in a life alienated from God, where true shalom remains elusive and a future of judgment looms, whether consciously acknowledged or not.

Job 15 21 Commentary

Eliphaz's words in Job 15:21 provide a classic articulation of the traditional wisdom belief in the Old Testament concerning divine retribution. He paints a stark picture of the wicked: not only are they subject to outward misfortune, but they are plagued by an internal, unceasing dread. This "dreadful sound" is not external noise, but a constant ringing of fear within their consciousness, perhaps born from a guilty conscience or a foreboding awareness of their eventual judgment. This inner torment stands in sharp contrast to their superficial "prosperity," underscoring the illusionary nature of a godless peace. The impending arrival of "the destroyer" signals a decisive, often sudden, and overwhelming ruin that will dismantle any perceived stability. Eliphaz intends this imagery as a warning to Job, implying that Job's suffering is simply the inevitable "destroyer" coming upon him due to some unconfessed sin. However, the larger narrative of Job ultimately challenges this simplistic understanding, revealing that even the righteous can suffer without a direct, immediate cause in their own wickedness, demonstrating the limitations of Eliphaz’s theological perspective.