Job 21:12 kjv
They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
Job 21:12 nkjv
They sing to the tambourine and harp, And rejoice to the sound of the flute.
Job 21:12 niv
They sing to the music of timbrel and lyre; they make merry to the sound of the pipe.
Job 21:12 esv
They sing to the tambourine and the lyre and rejoice to the sound of the pipe.
Job 21:12 nlt
They sing with tambourine and harp.
They celebrate to the sound of the flute.
Job 21 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 73:3 | For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. | Envy of wicked's prosperity. |
| Jer 12:1 | Why does the way of the wicked prosper? | Questioning wicked prosperity. |
| Mal 3:15 | So now we call the arrogant blessed; evildoers not only prosper… | Wicked called blessed; escape judgment. |
| Eccl 7:15 | There is a righteous person who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked person who prolongs his life in his evildoing. | Wicked prolong life; righteous suffer. |
| Job 12:6 | The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure... | Robbers and provocateurs are at peace. |
| Hab 1:4 | The law is slackened and justice never goes forth... | Justice lacking, wicked prevail. |
| Ps 73:4-5 | For they have no pains in their death; their body is sleek and fat… | Wicked die in peace and comfort. |
| Ps 73:18-19 | Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin… | Wicked's eventual sudden ruin. |
| 2 Pet 3:9 | The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you… | God's patience delays judgment. |
| Rom 2:4 | Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? | God's kindness leads to repentance. |
| Eccl 8:11 | Because sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. | Delayed justice encourages evil. |
| Mt 13:30 | Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, ‘Gather the weeds first…’ | Parable: wheat and tares grow together until judgment. |
| Job 20:5 | The exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment. | Wicked's joy is fleeting (friend's argument). |
| Job 27:8 | For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life? | Godless hope cut off by God (Job's own nuanced view). |
| Prov 10:29-30 | The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but ruin to the evildoers. The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land. | Contrast: Righteous stability vs. wicked ruin. |
| Isa 17:10-11 | Though you plant pleasant plants and set out the vine of a foreign god… the harvest will be a heap of ruins… | Idolatrous joy ends in sorrow. |
| Gen 4:21 | His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. | Origin of music, not inherently evil. |
| Ps 150:3-5 | Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with stringed instruments and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals… | Instruments used in praise to God. |
| Eph 5:19-20 | addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks… | Righteous use of music for spiritual joy. |
| Jas 5:13 | Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. | Singing as an expression of joy and praise. |
| Lk 15:25 | Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. | Celebration, sometimes for the prodigal (worldly pursuits). |
| Prov 29:6 | An evil man is ensnared by his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices. | Righteous rejoice, contrast with evil. |
| Jer 7:34 | And I will make to cease from the cities of Judah and from the streets of Jerusalem the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, for the land shall become a waste. | Cessation of joyful music due to judgment. |
Job 21 verses
Job 21 12 Meaning
Job 21:12 describes the outward life of those Job's friends label "wicked" – they are depicted as prosperous and carefree, engaging in joyous celebration with music. Job uses this observation to challenge the conventional theology of his friends, which asserted that suffering was always a direct consequence of sin and prosperity a sure sign of divine favor. Instead, Job observes that the wicked often thrive, enjoying peace and abundance, contradicting the simplistic view of immediate, retributive justice. The verse specifically illustrates their ease through vibrant musical entertainment.
Job 21 12 Context
Job chapter 21 is a pivotal part of Job's argument, where he directly refutes his friends' simplistic "retribution theology" – the idea that God always rewards righteousness with prosperity and punishes wickedness with suffering in this life. While his friends (Eliphaz in chapter 20) had insisted on the fleeting nature of the wicked's joy and their swift downfall, Job presents an observed reality: the wicked often live long, prosperous, and pleasurable lives, dying in peace. Verse 12 serves as a vivid illustration of this undisturbed, luxurious existence enjoyed by those who seemingly reject God. The historical context reflects a wisdom tradition struggling with the apparent inconsistencies between divine justice and earthly experience, preparing the reader for a deeper theological understanding of suffering and divine sovereignty.
Job 21 12 Word analysis
- They sing (יִשְּׂאוּ, yiśśəʾû): Literally "they lift up." This verb implies a loud, boisterous, or joyful sound, like lifting up one's voice in song, or a communal chant accompanying the music. It suggests open, unashamed merriment.
- to the timbrel (לְתֹף, lə·ṯōf): The "tof" is a hand-drum or tambourine, a percussion instrument often used in celebrations and dances (e.g., Ex 15:20). Its presence signifies lively, rhythmic, and possibly exuberant festivities.
- and harp (וְכִנּוֹר, wə·ḵinnōr): The "kinnor" is a stringed instrument, typically a lyre, associated with skilled musicianship, celebration, and sometimes worship (e.g., 1 Sam 16:23, Ps 33:2). It adds melody and richness to the musical picture.
- and make merry (וְיִשְׂמְחוּ, wə·yiśməḥû): From the root שׂמח (śāmēaḥ), meaning "to rejoice," "be glad," or "be merry." This directly states their emotional state, emphasizing their pleasure and delight.
- to the sound of the flute (לְקוֹל עוּגָב, lə·qōl ‘ûḡāv): "Qol" means "sound" or "voice." The "'ûḡāv" refers to a pipe or flute, a wind instrument, mentioned alongside the "kinnor" in Gen 4:21 as one of the earliest musical instruments. This completes the musical ensemble, indicating a full, diverse, and perhaps sophisticated, form of musical celebration.
- They sing… and make merry…: This grouping emphasizes continuous, joyous activity. It depicts a life filled with comfort, entertainment, and pleasure, demonstrating no immediate negative consequence for their godless lifestyle, contrary to the friends' assertion. The wicked are not merely prosperous but enjoy their prosperity openly and unrestrainedly. The use of a full complement of instruments (percussion, strings, wind) further underscores the completeness and depth of their earthly enjoyment.
Job 21 12 Bonus section
The passage implicitly foreshadows a tension found throughout Scripture regarding God's patience versus swift justice (e.g., 2 Pet 3:9). While Job's friends believe in an immediate cause-and-effect justice, Job's observation aligns with a reality where God permits the wicked to thrive for a time. This thriving may also serve as an ultimate test or proof, emphasizing that true righteousness does not hinge on material gain or immediate reward. The choice of instruments also reflects typical ancient Near Eastern celebratory practices, grounding Job's observations in a relatable cultural context of the time.
Job 21 12 Commentary
Job 21:12 provides a vivid snapshot of the prosperity and unburdened lives of the wicked as observed by Job. This scene of music and revelry serves as a direct counter-argument to the simplified theological framework held by Job's friends, which insists on immediate divine retribution. Job highlights the empirical reality that, often, those who disregard God experience earthly enjoyment, abundant resources, and public celebration. The mention of various instruments (timbrel, harp, flute) points to a full, rich expression of joy, indicating not just wealth, but the carefree ease to enjoy it. This challenges the common understanding of divine justice, prompting a deeper contemplation of God's ways, the timing of His judgment, and the true nature of blessedness which is not always apparent in temporal prosperity or hardship.