Job 21 24

Job 21:24 kjv

His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.

Job 21:24 nkjv

His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moist.

Job 21:24 niv

well nourished in body, bones rich with marrow.

Job 21:24 esv

his pails full of milk and the marrow of his bones moist.

Job 21:24 nlt

the picture of good health,
vigorous and fit.

Job 21 verses

Job 21 24 Meaning

Job 21:24 describes the observable physical well-being and material abundance of some wicked individuals. It portrays them as having plentiful resources, symbolized by "pails full of milk," indicating overflowing livestock and dairy products. Furthermore, their "bones are hydrated with marrow," signifying robust health, vigor, and sustained vitality, challenging the common belief that the wicked invariably suffer visibly and physically in this life.

Job 21 24 Context

Chapter 21 presents Job’s forceful counter-argument against his friends' fundamental theological premise. The friends insist that God’s justice dictates immediate prosperity for the righteous and immediate suffering for the wicked. Job refutes this with vivid, observable reality: he states that many wicked individuals do not suffer publicly, but instead flourish materially, live long, experience peace, and die comfortably. Verse 24 is a precise and illustrative detail within this larger argument, providing an example of the material wealth and excellent physical health enjoyed by the wicked, directly challenging the simplistic theology of retribution his friends advocate. This underscores the complexity of divine justice as experienced in the temporal world.

Job 21 24 Word analysis

• שַׁדָּיו (shad'dayv): Meaning "breasts" or, in this context, "pails/buckets" (for milk). It implies vessels used for carrying abundant dairy products. The choice reflects overflowing plenitude and wealth, specifically from a pastoral economy, signaling that the wicked possess an abundance of life's essential provisions, especially livestock produce.

• מָלְאוּ (mal'u): A verb meaning "are full" or "are filled." It denotes complete saturation and ample supply, suggesting no lack or scarcity. This verb emphasizes the comprehensive nature of their prosperity.

• חָלָב (chalav): "Milk." In ancient Near Eastern cultures, milk was a staple food, a sign of fertility, health, and a rich, blessed land. Its abundance signifies economic security and well-being.

• וַעֲצְמֹתָיו (ve'atzmotayv): "and his bones." Bones are the body's foundational structure, representing one's entire physical being. In biblical thought, bones can symbolize the core strength or the vulnerability of a person.

• יְשֻׁקּוּ (yishq'u): From the root meaning "to water" or "to drink." Here, it's rendered as "are moistened" or "are irrigated." It describes a continuous, internal saturation, implying a deep and ongoing state of vitality and strength. It contrasts sharply with dryness or weakness.

• מֹחַ (moach): "Marrow." This substance found within bones was viewed as a vital essence, indicating health, robust strength, and prime physical condition. To have marrow-moistened bones speaks of youthful vigor, physical endurance, and a complete absence of disease or decay often associated with age or illness.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "His pails are full of milk": This phrase speaks to the external, tangible aspects of the wicked person's prosperity. It depicts agricultural and economic abundance, a surplus of valuable produce from their livelihood, ensuring sustained provision and material wealth.
  • "his bones are moistened with marrow": This shifts the focus to internal, personal well-being. It goes beyond mere material possessions to describe peak physical health, vigor, and longevity. It suggests that these individuals are free from debilitating illnesses and enjoy robust strength and vitality, indicating a complete state of thriving.

Job 21 24 Bonus section

• The "milk and marrow" imagery provides a complete picture of well-being according to ancient standards, covering both external provision and internal physical vitality, painting a holistic picture of their undisturbed prosperity.
• This verse provides crucial evidence for the theological tension often explored in Wisdom literature: the problem of evil and suffering, particularly the observable prosperity of the wicked, which challenges the assumption of immediate divine retribution.
• The description of "bones moistened with marrow" stands in direct contrast to Job's own physical state of extreme suffering where his bones are afflicted (Job 30:17, 19:20), amplifying the irony and injustice of his friends' accusations.
• The fact that Job grounds his argument in observable reality rather than theological speculation strengthens his critique, pushing the dialogue beyond theoretical positions to lived experience.

Job 21 24 Commentary

Job 21:24 is a poignant rhetorical question presented as an observation, serving as a direct refutation of the prevailing wisdom of Job's friends. Instead of the wicked suffering publicly, Job presents a stark counter-reality: they often thrive physically and materially. "Pails full of milk" signifies overwhelming external wealth, ample provisions, and an abundance flowing from their enterprises—be it livestock or agricultural success. This symbolizes complete material well-being. Complementing this, "his bones are moistened with marrow" portrays internal, robust health, vigor, and longevity. Far from suffering from emaciation or disease (as Job himself does), the wicked here are depicted in peak physical condition, strong and vibrant. This verse underscores the central challenge of the book of Job: that a simplistic, cause-and-effect understanding of divine justice—where prosperity always follows righteousness and suffering always follows wickedness—is insufficient to explain the complexities of life in a fallen world. Job argues that God's justice operates beyond immediate human perception and temporal retribution, urging a deeper trust in God's sovereignty even when present circumstances seem contradictory.