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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 21:7 Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/21-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/18_Job_21_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 21:7 - Job: God will Punish the Wicked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.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/21-6.htm" title="Job 21:6">◄</a> Job 21:7 <a href="/job/21-8.htm" title="Job 21:8">►</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 />Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Why do the wicked prosper, growing old and powerful?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Why do the wicked live <i>and</i> become old, Yes, become mighty in power?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Why do the wicked <i>still</i> live, Grow old, <i>and</i> also become very powerful?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Why do the wicked still live, Continue on, also become very powerful?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Why do the wicked <i>still</i> live, Continue on, also become very powerful?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Why do the wicked <i>still</i> live, Continue on, also become very powerful?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Why do the wicked <i>still</i> live, Become old, and become mighty in power?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do the wicked continue to live, growing old and becoming powerful?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do the wicked continue to live, growing old and becoming powerful? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Wherefore do the wicked live, Become old, yea, wax mighty in power?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Why do evil people live so long and gain such power? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, wax mighty in power?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Why do the wicked go on living, grow old, and even become more powerful?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Why does God let evil people live, let them grow old and prosper? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Why do the wicked live to reach old age and increase in power and wealth, too?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Why do the wicked go on living, grow old, even increase in power? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Why do the wicked live, become old, yes, and grow mighty in power?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Why do the wicked live, become old, and, are mighty in power?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Why do the wicked live, become old, yes, and grow mighty in power? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do the wicked live? They have become old, "" Indeed, they have been mighty in wealth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Wherefore do the wicked live? They have become old, Yea, they have been mighty in wealth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore shall the unjust live? They grew old, also they were strong in power.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Why then do the wicked live, are they advanced, and strengthened with riches? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Why then do the impious live, having been lifted up and strengthened with riches?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Why do the wicked keep on living, grow old, become mighty in power? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do the wicked live on, reach old age, and grow mighty in power?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Why do the ungodly live, and why are the mighty in power full of years?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because, why are the wicked alive and mighty men of power growing old?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Wherefore do the wicked live, Become old, yea, wax mighty in power?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore do the ungodly live, and grow old even in wealth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/21-7.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=3206" 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">6</span>When I remember, terror takes hold, and my body trembles in horror. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4069.htm" title="4069: mad·dū·a‘ (Interrog) -- Why? for what reason?. Or madduaa; from mah and the passive participle of yada'; what known?; i.e. why?.">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rə·šā·‘îm (Adj-mp) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">do the wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: yiḥ·yū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">live on,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6275.htm" title="6275: ‘ā·ṯə·qū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To move, proceed, advance. A primitive root; to remove figuratively, to grow old; specifically, to transcribe.">growing old</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/1396.htm" title="1396: gā·ḇə·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To be strong, mighty. A primitive root; to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently.">increasing</a> <a href="/hebrew/2428.htm" title="2428: ḥā·yil (N-ms) -- From chuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.">in power?</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>Their descendants are established around them, and their offspring before their eyes.…<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/73-3.htm">Psalm 73:3-12</a></span><br />For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. / They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed. / They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1-2</a></span><br />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? / You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Habakkuk 1:13</a></span><br />Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-1.htm">Psalm 37:1-2</a></span><br />Of David. Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. / For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/49-16.htm">Psalm 49:16-17</a></span><br />Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. / For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:14</a></span><br />There is a futility that is done on the earth: There are righteous men who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked men who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-15.htm">Malachi 3:15</a></span><br />So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/92-7.htm">Psalm 92:7</a></span><br />that though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-19.htm">Proverbs 24:19-20</a></span><br />Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked. / For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-3.htm">Psalm 10:3-6</a></span><br />For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD. / In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God. / He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/17-14.htm">Psalm 17:14</a></span><br />from such men, O LORD, by Your hand—from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-19.htm">Luke 16:19-25</a></span><br />Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. / And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-45.htm">Matthew 5:45</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-5.htm">James 5:5</a></span><br />You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-9.htm">1 Timothy 6:9-10</a></span><br />Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why do the wicked live, become old, yes, are mighty in power?</p><p class="hdg">Wherefore</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/12-6.htm">Job 12:6</a></b></br> The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth <i>abundantly</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/17-10.htm">Psalm 17:10</a></b></br> They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/73-3.htm">Psalm 73:3-12</a></b></br> For I was envious at the foolish, <i>when</i> I saw the prosperity of the wicked… </p><p class="hdg">mighty</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35</a></b></br> I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/4-17.htm">Daniel 4:17</a></b></br> This matter <i>is</i> by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/13-2.htm">Revelation 13:2-7</a></b></br> And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as <i>the feet</i> of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/11-17.htm">Age</a> <a href="/job/17-2.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/job/17-8.htm">Evil-Doers</a> <a href="/job/17-9.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/job/8-12.htm">Growing</a> <a href="/job/12-23.htm">Increasing</a> <a href="/job/19-15.htm">Live</a> <a href="/job/16-14.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/job/16-11.htm">Power</a> <a href="/job/10-16.htm">Powerful</a> <a href="/job/20-6.htm">Reach</a> <a href="/job/18-7.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/job/17-9.htm">Wax</a> <a href="/job/20-26.htm">Wealth</a> <a href="/job/21-4.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/job/20-29.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/22-15.htm">Age</a> <a href="/job/37-8.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/job/21-16.htm">Evil-Doers</a> <a href="/job/31-16.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-6.htm">Growing</a> <a href="/job/34-37.htm">Increasing</a> <a href="/job/26-5.htm">Live</a> <a href="/job/21-15.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/job/21-16.htm">Power</a> <a href="/job/22-8.htm">Powerful</a> <a href="/job/24-2.htm">Reach</a> <a href="/job/24-22.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/job/39-4.htm">Wax</a> <a href="/job/21-13.htm">Wealth</a> <a href="/job/24-1.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/job/21-16.htm">Wicked</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'; 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In the context of Job, it highlights Job's struggle to understand why those who defy God often seem to thrive. This question is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/psalms/73-3.htm">Psalm 73:3-12</a>, where the psalmist also grapples with the apparent success of the wicked. Theologically, this raises questions about divine justice and the timing of God's judgment, which is a recurring theme throughout the wisdom literature.<p><b>growing old</b><br>The idea of the wicked growing old suggests longevity and stability, which in ancient Near Eastern culture was often seen as a sign of divine favor. This challenges the retributive justice perspective held by Job's friends, who argue that suffering is a direct result of sin. The longevity of the wicked contrasts with the fate of the righteous, who may suffer despite their faithfulness, as seen in the lives of prophets like Jeremiah and the experiences of the early Christian martyrs.<p><b>and increasing in power?</b><br>The increase in power of the wicked is a source of frustration for the righteous, as it seems to contradict the moral order expected by those who follow God. This phrase can be connected to the broader biblical narrative of God's ultimate sovereignty and justice, as seen in passages like <a href="/daniel/4-17.htm">Daniel 4:17</a>, where God is described as the one who gives kingdoms to whom He wills. The temporary power of the wicked serves as a backdrop to the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom, as prophesied in <a href="/revelation/11-15.htm">Revelation 11:15</a>, where the kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of Christ.<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 described as blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He is enduring immense suffering and questioning the justice of God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a></b><br>A general term used to describe those who live in opposition to God's ways, often prospering in worldly terms despite their unrighteousness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/u/uz.htm">Uz</a></b><br>The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to offer counsel but often misinterpret his suffering as a result of sin.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate authority and sovereign being, whose justice and ways are being questioned by Job in this passage.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_mystery_of_divine_justice.htm">The Mystery of Divine Justice</a></b><br>God's ways are often beyond human understanding. While the prosperity of the wicked seems unjust, believers are called to trust in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_temporal_vs._the_eternal.htm">The Temporal vs. the Eternal</a></b><br>The prosperity of the wicked is temporary. Christians are encouraged to focus on eternal rewards rather than temporary earthly success.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_suffering.htm">Faith in Suffering</a></b><br>Job's questioning reflects a deep faith that seeks understanding. Believers are encouraged to bring their doubts and questions to God, trusting in His wisdom and timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community_in_suffering.htm">The Role of Community in Suffering</a></b><br>Job's friends provide a cautionary example of how not to counsel those in distress. Christians are called to offer compassionate support rather than judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_perseverance.htm">The Importance of Perseverance</a></b><br>Despite his suffering and questions, Job remains steadfast in his faith. Believers are encouraged to persevere in faith, even when answers are not immediately apparent.<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/why_do_the_wicked_prosper_in_job_21_7.htm">In Job 21:7, how can the wicked seemingly live long and prosper if divine justice is supposed to hold them accountable? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_evil_people_succeed.htm">Why do evil people succeed?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_1's_justice_align_with_job.htm">How can Psalm 1’s vision of immediate justice be reconciled with biblical accounts like Job, where the righteous suffer while the wicked seem to prosper? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_94_align_with_swift_judgment.htm">Psalm 94:3–4 depicts the wicked flourishing and boasting; how does this align with other biblical claims that God swiftly judges evil? </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 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?</span> Job asks for an explanation of the facts which his own experience has impressed upon him. He has seen that "the wicked live" quite as long as the righteous, that in many cases they attain to a ripe old age, and become among the powerful of the earth. The great "pyramid kings" of Egypt, whose cruel oppressions were remembered down to the time of Herodotus (Herod., 2:124-128), reigned respectively, according to Egyptian tradition, sixty-three and sixty-six years(Manetho ap. Euseb., 'Chronicles Can.,' pars 2.). Rameses II., the cruel oppressor of the Jews, and the Pharaoh from whom Moses fled, had a reign of sixty-seven years ('Hist. of Ancient Egypt,' vol. 2. p. 301). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/21-7.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">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">מַדּ֣וּעַ</span> <span class="translit">(mad·dū·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4069.htm">Strong's 4069: </a> </span><span class="str2">Why? for what reason?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do the wicked</span><br /><span class="heb">רְשָׁעִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(rə·šā·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">live on,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִחְי֑וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiḥ·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> </span><span class="str2">To live, to revive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">growing old</span><br /><span class="heb">עָ֝תְק֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·ṯə·qū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6275.htm">Strong's 6275: </a> </span><span class="str2">To remove, to grow old, to transcribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּם־</span> <span class="translit">(gam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">increasing</span><br /><span class="heb">גָּ֥בְרוּ</span> <span class="translit">(gā·ḇə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1396.htm">Strong's 1396: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be strong, to prevail, act insolently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in power?</span><br /><span class="heb">חָֽיִל׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·yil)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2428.htm">Strong's 2428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/21-7.htm">OT Poetry: Job 21:7 Why do the wicked live become old (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/21-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 21:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 21:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/21-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 21:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 21:8" /></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>