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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 21:15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/21-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/18_Job_21_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 21:15 - Job: God will Punish the Wicked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?'" /><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/21-15.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/21-15.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 15</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="/ad15.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/21-14.htm" title="Job 21:14">◄</a> Job 21:15 <a href="/job/21-16.htm" title="Job 21:16">►</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 />Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Who is the Almighty, and why should we obey him? What good will it do us to pray?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit do we get if we pray to him?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />What <i>is</i> the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Who <i>is</i> the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />‘Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, And what would we gain if we plead with Him?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, And what would we gain if we entreat Him?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, And what would we gain if we entreat Him?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, And what would we profit if we entreat Him?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />‘Who [and what] is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what would we gain if we plead with Him?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him, and what will we gain by pleading with him? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what will we gain by pleading with Him?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />What do we gain from praying and worshiping you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Who is the Almighty that we should serve him? What do we gain if we pray to him?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They think there is no need to serve God nor any advantage in praying to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? Where's the profit in talking to him?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain if we were to pray to him?' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />What is Shaddai, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray to him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />What [is] the Mighty One that we serve Him? And what do we profit when we meet with Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> What is the Mighty One that we serve Him? And what do we profit when we meet with Him?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />What the Almighty that we shall serve him? and what shall we be profited if we shall supplicate to him?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what doth it profit us if we pray to him? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Who is the Almighty that we should serve him? And how is it helpful to us if we pray to him?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What is the Almighty that we should serve him? And what do we gain by praying to him?” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit do we get if we pray to him?’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Moreover, they say, Who is God, that we should serve him? And what would we gain, that we should pray to him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they were saying: ‘Who is God that we would serve him, or what do we gain that we should seek him?’<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?'--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />What is the Mighty One, that we should serve him? and what profit is there that we should approach him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/21-15.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=3250" 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">14</span>Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/7706.htm" title="7706: šad·day (N-proper-ms) -- The Almighty. From shadad; the Almighty.">is the Almighty,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: na·‘aḇ·ḏen·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp:: 3mse) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">we should serve Him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: ū·mah- (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">and what</a> <a href="/hebrew/3276.htm" title="3276: nō·w·‘îl (V-Hifil-Imperf-1cp) -- To confer or gain profit or benefit. A primitive root; properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable.">would we gain</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">if</a> <a href="/hebrew/6293.htm" title="6293: nip̄·ga‘- (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To meet, encounter, reach. A primitive root; to impinge, by accident or violence, or by importunity.">we pray</a> <a href="/hebrew/bōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">to Him?’</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>Still, their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked.…<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/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11</a></span><br />The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-14.htm">Malachi 3:14</a></span><br />You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the LORD of Hosts?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/5-2.htm">Exodus 5:2</a></span><br />But Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-6.htm">Jeremiah 9:6</a></span><br />You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-4.htm">Psalm 10:4</a></span><br />In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/14-1.htm">Psalm 14:1</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/53-1.htm">Psalm 53:1</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their ways are vile. There is no one who does good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/30-9.htm">Proverbs 30:9</a></span><br />Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-19.htm">Isaiah 5:19</a></span><br />to those who say, “Let Him hurry and hasten His work so that we may see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come so that we may know it!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a></span><br />Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/8-12.htm">Ezekiel 8:12</a></span><br />“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? For they are saying, ‘The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-4.htm">2 Peter 3:4</a></span><br />“Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Romans 1:28</a></span><br />Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-11.htm">Romans 3:11</a></span><br />There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-32.htm">1 Corinthians 15:32</a></span><br />If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray to him?</p><p class="hdg">What is</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/5-2.htm">Exodus 5:2</a></b></br> And Pharaoh said, Who <i>is</i> the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/12-4.htm">Psalm 12:4</a></b></br> Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips <i>are</i> our own: who <i>is</i> lord over us?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/30-9.htm">Proverbs 30:9</a></b></br> Lest I be full, and deny <i>thee</i>, and say, Who <i>is</i> the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God <i>in vain</i>.</p><p class="hdg">and what</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/34-9.htm">Job 34:9</a></b></br> For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/35-3.htm">Job 35:3</a></b></br> For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? <i>and</i>, What profit shall I have, <i>if I be cleansed</i> from my sin?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/30-11.htm">Isaiah 30:11</a></b></br> Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.</p><p class="hdg">if we</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/45-19.htm">Isaiah 45:19</a></b></br> I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7</a></b></br> Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/16-24.htm">John 16:24</a></b></br> Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/15-25.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/job/19-16.htm">Entreat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-13.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/job/20-22.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/job/21-7.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/job/19-16.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Praying</a> <a href="/job/20-18.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-9.htm">Profited</a> <a href="/job/15-25.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/esther/1-8.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/job/15-4.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/21-20.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/psalms/45-12.htm">Entreat</a> <a href="/job/22-3.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/job/30-27.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/job/21-20.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/job/22-27.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/job/42-10.htm">Praying</a> <a href="/job/21-34.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/job/33-27.htm">Profited</a> <a href="/job/21-20.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/job/36-11.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/job/31-27.htm">Worship</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>Who is the Almighty</b><br>This phrase reflects a challenge to the authority and identity of God. In the context of Job, the term "Almighty" (Hebrew: Shaddai) emphasizes God's power and sovereignty. The question mirrors the skepticism of those who do not recognize God's authority, similar to Pharaoh's question in <a href="/exodus/5-2.htm">Exodus 5:2</a>, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice?" It highlights a common biblical theme of human pride and ignorance in the face of divine majesty.<p><b>that we should serve Him</b><br>This phrase questions the value of serving God, reflecting a utilitarian view of religion. In the ancient Near Eastern context, service to deities was often transactional, expecting blessings in return for worship. Job's friends argue that suffering is a result of failing to serve God properly, but Job challenges this simplistic view. This echoes the broader biblical narrative that true service to God is based on love and reverence, not merely for personal gain, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/10-12.htm">Deuteronomy 10:12-13</a>.<p><b>and what would we gain if we pray to Him?</b><br>This phrase questions the efficacy of prayer, suggesting skepticism about its benefits. In the historical context, prayer was a central aspect of worship and communication with God. The rhetorical question implies doubt about God's responsiveness or willingness to bless those who seek Him. This reflects a broader biblical tension between faith and doubt, as seen in <a href="/psalms/73.htm">Psalm 73</a>, where the psalmist struggles with the prosperity of the wicked. The ultimate biblical teaching is that prayer is an act of faith and trust in God's wisdom and timing, as exemplified by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (<a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Matthew 26:39</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A man of great faith and integrity, who undergoes severe trials and questions the justice of God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_almighty.htm">The Almighty (El Shaddai)</a></b><br>A title for God emphasizing His ultimate power and sovereignty.<br><br>3. <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 result of sin.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/u/uz.htm">Uz</a></b><br>The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_suffering.htm">Job's Suffering</a></b><br>The series of calamities that befall Job, including loss of wealth, family, and health.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_sovereignty.htm">Understanding God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognize that God's ways are higher than ours, and His plans are beyond our understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_true_worship.htm">The Nature of True Worship</a></b><br>Worship should not be based on what we gain but on who God is.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_amidst_doubt.htm">Faith Amidst Doubt</a></b><br>It's natural to question during trials, but faith requires trusting God's character and promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_illusion_of_prosperity.htm">The Illusion of Prosperity</a></b><br>Earthly success does not equate to divine favor; true prosperity is spiritual and eternal.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_suffering.htm">The Role of Suffering</a></b><br>Suffering can refine our faith and deepen our reliance on God, even when His purposes are not immediately clear.<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_does_god_allow_satan's_attacks.htm">Why does God permit Satan's attacks on us?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_eternal_life_the_gift_of_god.htm">How can we remain hopeful despite life's challenges?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_christians_feel_distant_from_god.htm">Why do many Christians feel distant from God even when they pray and follow His commands?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_injustice_to_persist.htm">In Psalm 94:9, it says God hears and sees all; why then do injustices appear to persist unchecked in our world?</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 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">What is the Almighty, that we should serve him?</span> "Who is Jehovah," said Pharaoh to Moses, "that I should obey his voice? I know not Jehovah" (<a href="/exodus/5-2.htm">Exodus 5:2</a>). So the ungodly in Job's time. They pretend to have no knowledge of God, no sense of his claims upon them, no internal consciousness that they are bound to worship and obey him. They are agnostics of a pronounced type, or at least they profess to be such. <span class="cmt_word">What profit, they ask,</span> <span class="cmt_word">should we have, if we pray to him?</span> Expediency is everything with them. Will serving God do them any good? Will it advance their worldly interests? Persuade them of that, and they will be willing to pay him, at any rate, a lip-service. But, having prospered so long and so greatly without making any religious profession, they see no reason to believe that they would prosper more if they made one. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/21-15.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">Who</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is the Almighty,</span><br /><span class="heb">שַׁדַּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(šad·day)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7706.htm">Strong's 7706: </a> </span><span class="str2">The Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we should serve Him,</span><br /><span class="heb">נַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(na·‘aḇ·ḏen·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> </span><span class="str2">To work, to serve, till, enslave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and what</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמַה־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">would we gain</span><br /><span class="heb">נּ֝וֹעִ֗יל</span> <span class="translit">(nō·w·‘îl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3276.htm">Strong's 3276: </a> </span><span class="str2">To confer or gain profit or benefit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we pray</span><br /><span class="heb">נִפְגַּע־</span> <span class="translit">(nip̄·ga‘-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6293.htm">Strong's 6293: </a> </span><span class="str2">To impinge, by accident, violence, by importunity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Him?’</span><br /><span class="heb">בּֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/21-15.htm">Job 21:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/21-15.htm">Job 21:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/21-15.htm">Job 21:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/21-15.htm">Job 21:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/21-15.htm">Job 21:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/21-15.htm">Job 21:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/21-15.htm">Job 21:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/21-15.htm">Job 21:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/21-15.htm">Job 21:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/21-15.htm">Job 21:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/21-15.htm">OT Poetry: Job 21:15 What is the Almighty that we should (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/21-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 21:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 21:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/21-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 21:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 21:16" /></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>