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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 21:18 Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/21-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/18_Job_21_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 21:18 - Job: God will Punish the Wicked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/21-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/21-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/21-17.htm" title="Job 21:17">◄</a> Job 21:18 <a href="/job/21-19.htm" title="Job 21:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />How often are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a gale?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Are they driven before the wind like straw? Are they carried away by the storm like chaff? Not at all!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />That they are like straw before the wind, and like chaff that the storm carries away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They are like straw before the wind, And like chaff that a storm carries away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Are they as straw before the wind, And like chaff which the storm carries away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Are they as straw before the wind, And like chaff which the storm carries away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Are they as straw before the wind, And like chaff which the storm carries away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Are they as straw before the wind, And like chaff which the storm steals away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Are they like straw before the wind, And like chaff that the storm steals <i>and</i> carries away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff a storm sweeps away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff a storm sweeps away? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />That they are as stubble before the wind, And as chaff that the storm carrieth away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />How often does he strike them like a windstorm that scatters straw? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />That they are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />How often are they like straw in the wind or like husks that the storm sweeps away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and blow them away like straw in the wind, or like dust carried away in a storm? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />May they become like a straw, blown away before the wind; like a chaff that's swept off by a storm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />How often are they like straw before the wind, and like chaff swept away by a whirlwind? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />How often is it that they are as stubble before the wind, as chaff that the storm carries away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />How often is it that they are as stubble before the wind, as chaff that the storm carries away? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They are as straw before wind, "" And as chaff a windstorm has stolen away,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> They are as straw before wind, And as chaff a hurricane hath stolen away,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They shall be as straw before the wind, and as chaff the storm stole it away.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They shall be as chaff before the face of the wind, and as ashes which the whirlwind scattereth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />They will be like chaff before the face of the wind, and like ashes that the whirlwind scatters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Let them be like straw before the wind, like chaff the storm carries away! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />How often are they like straw before the wind, and like chaff that the storm carries away?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They are like straw before the wind, and like chaff that the storm carries away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they shall be as straw before the wind and like chaff that a tornado picks up!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />That they are as stubble before the wind, And as chaff that the storm stealeth away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they shall be as chaff before the wind, or as dust which the storm has taken up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/21-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=3272" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/21.htm">Job: God will Punish the Wicked</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come upon them? Does God, in His anger, apportion destruction? <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">Are</a> <a href="/hebrew/8401.htm" title="8401: kə·ṯe·ḇen (Prep-k:: N-ms) -- Straw. Probably from banah; properly, material, i.e. refuse haum or stalks of grain.">they like straw</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê- (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: rū·aḥ (N-cs) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">the wind,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4671.htm" title="4671: ū·ḵə·mōṣ (Conj-w, Prep-k:: N-ms) -- Chaff, threshed loose). Or mowts; from muwts; chaff (rather) threshed loose).">like chaff</a> <a href="/hebrew/1589.htm" title="1589: gə·nā·ḇat·tū (V-Qal-Perf-3fs:: 3ms) -- To steal. A primitive root; to thieve; by implication, to deceive.">swept away</a> <a href="/hebrew/5492.htm" title="5492: sū·p̄āh (N-fs) -- A storm wind. From cuwph; a hurricane.">by a storm?</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>It is said that God lays up one’s punishment for his children. Let God repay the man himself, so he will know it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/1-4.htm">Psalm 1:4</a></span><br />Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/17-13.htm">Isaiah 17:13</a></span><br />The nations rage like the rush of many waters. He rebukes them, and they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweeds before a gale.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-3.htm">Hosea 13:3</a></span><br />Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes, like chaff blown from a threshing floor, like smoke through an open window.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/35-5.htm">Psalm 35:5</a></span><br />May they be like chaff in the wind, as the angel of the LORD drives them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-13.htm">Psalm 83:13</a></span><br />Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, like chaff before the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-5.htm">Isaiah 29:5</a></span><br />But your many foes will be like fine dust, the multitude of the ruthless like blowing chaff. Then suddenly, in an instant,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-2.htm">Isaiah 41:2</a></span><br />Who has aroused one from the east and called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-24.htm">Isaiah 40:24</a></span><br />No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner have their stems taken root in the ground, than He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like stubble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/13-24.htm">Jeremiah 13:24</a></span><br />“I will scatter you like chaff driven by the desert wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12</a></span><br />His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Luke 3:17</a></span><br />His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-30.htm">Matthew 13:30</a></span><br />Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-40.htm">Matthew 13:40</a></span><br />As the weeds are collected and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-28.htm">Luke 12:28</a></span><br />If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">1 Corinthians 3:12-13</a></span><br />If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, / his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carries away.</p><p class="hdg">as stubble</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/13-25.htm">Job 13:25</a></b></br> Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/15-7.htm">Exodus 15:7</a></b></br> And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, <i>which</i> consumed them as stubble.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/1-4.htm">Psalm 1:4</a></b></br> The ungodly <i>are</i> not so: but <i>are</i> like the chaff which the wind driveth away.</p><p class="hdg">carrieth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/32-11.htm">Carries</a> <a href="/numbers/11-12.htm">Carrieth</a> <a href="/job/13-25.htm">Chaff</a> <a href="/job/18-16.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/job/21-17.htm">Frequently</a> <a href="/revelation/6-13.htm">Gale</a> <a href="/job/8-12.htm">Grass</a> <a href="/acts/27-14.htm">Hurricane</a> <a href="/job/21-17.htm">Often</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-3.htm">Stealeth</a> <a href="/judges/15-5.htm">Stems</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-12.htm">Stolen</a> <a href="/job/9-17.htm">Storm</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-13.htm">Storm-Wind</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-28.htm">Straw</a> <a href="/job/13-25.htm">Stubble</a> <a href="/job/15-30.htm">Swept</a> <a href="/job/20-3.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/23-14.htm">Carries</a> <a href="/job/27-21.htm">Carrieth</a> <a href="/job/41-28.htm">Chaff</a> <a href="/job/24-19.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/psalms/78-38.htm">Frequently</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-13.htm">Gale</a> <a href="/job/38-27.htm">Grass</a> <a href="/job/37-9.htm">Hurricane</a> <a href="/job/33-29.htm">Often</a> <a href="/job/27-20.htm">Stealeth</a> <a href="/job/41-28.htm">Stems</a> <a href="/job/24-2.htm">Stolen</a> <a href="/job/27-20.htm">Storm</a> <a href="/job/27-20.htm">Storm-Wind</a> <a href="/job/41-27.htm">Straw</a> <a href="/job/41-28.htm">Stubble</a> <a href="/job/37-21.htm">Swept</a> <a href="/job/26-13.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Job 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-1.htm">Job shows that even in the judgment of man he has reason to be grieved</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-7.htm">Sometimes the wicked prosper, though they despise God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-16.htm">Sometimes their destruction is manifest</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-21.htm">The happy and unhappy are alike in death</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-27.htm">The judgment of the wicked is in another world</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Are they like straw before the wind</b><br>This phrase uses agricultural imagery common in the ancient Near East, where straw was a byproduct of threshing grain. Straw, being lightweight and insubstantial, is easily carried away by the wind. In biblical literature, wind often symbolizes judgment or the fleeting nature of life (<a href="/psalms/1-4.htm">Psalm 1:4</a>). The rhetorical question suggests the transience and instability of the wicked, contrasting with the perceived prosperity of the unrighteous. This imagery is also seen in <a href="/isaiah/40-24.htm">Isaiah 40:24</a>, where God’s power is depicted as blowing away the wicked like stubble.<p><b>like chaff swept away by a storm?</b><br>Chaff refers to the husks separated from grain during threshing, which are useless and discarded. In the Bible, chaff often symbolizes worthlessness and is used to describe the fate of the wicked (<a href="/psalms/35-5.htm">Psalm 35:5</a>, <a href="/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12</a>). The storm represents divine judgment, a theme prevalent in prophetic literature (<a href="/isaiah/17-13.htm">Isaiah 17:13</a>). This phrase underscores the ultimate futility and destruction awaiting those who oppose God, despite their temporary success. The imagery of chaff and storm is a powerful reminder of the sovereignty of God over human affairs and the eventual triumph of divine justice.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. In this chapter, Job is responding to his friends' assertions about the fate of the wicked.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who argue that suffering is a direct result of sin. <a href="/bsb/job/21.htm">Job 21</a> is part of Job's rebuttal to their claims.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a></b><br>In this context, Job is discussing the fate of the wicked, questioning the simplistic view that they are always punished swiftly and visibly.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/wind_and_storm.htm">Wind and Storm</a></b><br>Natural elements used metaphorically to describe the sudden and complete destruction of the wicked, akin to straw and chaff being blown away.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/chaff.htm">Chaff</a></b><br>A metaphor for worthlessness and impermanence, often used in the Bible to describe the fate of the wicked.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impermanence_of_wickedness.htm">The Impermanence of Wickedness</a></b><br>The imagery of straw and chaff highlights the temporary nature of the wicked's prosperity. While they may seem secure, their end is swift and certain.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>Job's rhetorical question underscores the belief that God is ultimately in control of the fate of the wicked, even if it is not immediately apparent.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_complexity_of_suffering.htm">The Complexity of Suffering</a></b><br>Job challenges the simplistic view that suffering is always a direct result of personal sin, encouraging believers to trust in God's wisdom and timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_righteousness.htm">The Call to Righteousness</a></b><br>Believers are reminded to pursue righteousness, knowing that the apparent success of the wicked is fleeting.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_araunah_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Araunah the Jebusite in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_job_13_25_show_god_as_unjust.htm">In Job 13:25, why does Job accuse God of targeting him as if he were light chaff, if God is portrayed as just and merciful?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_allow_job's_kids_to_die.htm">Job 1:18-19 - Why would God permit the deaths of Job's children if they were not the ones being tested?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/job_32_16-22__later_insertion_clues.htm">Job 32:16-22 - Are there any textual or historical clues suggesting this chapter might be a later insertion, potentially creating inconsistencies within the book?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away</span>; rather, <span class="accented">How</span> <span class="accented">oft is it that they are as stubble before the wind</span> <span class="accented">and as chaff</span> etc.? The construction begun in the first clause of ver. 17 is carried on to the end of ver. 18. "Stubble" and "chaff" are ordinary figures for foolish and ungodly men, whom the blast of God's anger swoops away to destruction (comp. <a href="/exodus/15-7.htm">Exodus 15:7</a>; <a href="/psalms/1-4.htm">Psalm 1:4</a>; <a href="/psalms/35-5.htm">Psalm 35:5</a>; <a href="/psalms/83-13.htm">Psalm 83:13</a>; <a href="/isaiah/27-13.htm">Isaiah 27:13</a>; <a href="/isaiah/29-5.htm">Isaiah 29:5</a>; <a href="/isaiah/41-2.htm">Isaiah 41:2</a>, etc.). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/21-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Are</span><br /><span class="heb">יִהְי֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yih·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they like straw</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּתֶ֥בֶן</span> <span class="translit">(kə·ṯe·ḇen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8401.htm">Strong's 8401: </a> </span><span class="str2">Material, refuse haum, stalks of grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wind,</span><br /><span class="heb">ר֑וּחַ</span> <span class="translit">(rū·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like chaff</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝כְמֹ֗ץ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḵə·mōṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4671.htm">Strong's 4671: </a> </span><span class="str2">Chaff, threshed loose)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">swept away</span><br /><span class="heb">גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(gə·nā·ḇat·tū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1589.htm">Strong's 1589: </a> </span><span class="str2">To thieve, to deceive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by a storm?</span><br /><span class="heb">סוּפָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(sū·p̄āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5492.htm">Strong's 5492: </a> </span><span class="str2">A storm wind</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/21-18.htm">Job 21:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/21-18.htm">Job 21:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/21-18.htm">Job 21:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/21-18.htm">Job 21:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/21-18.htm">Job 21:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/21-18.htm">Job 21:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/21-18.htm">Job 21:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/21-18.htm">Job 21:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/21-18.htm">Job 21:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/21-18.htm">Job 21:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/21-18.htm">OT Poetry: Job 21:18 How often is it that they (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/21-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 21:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 21:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/21-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 21:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 21:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>