Job 21:8

8 They see their children established around them, their offspring before their eyes.

Job 21:8 in Other Translations

KJV
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
ESV
8 Their offspring are established in their presence, and their descendants before their eyes.
NLT
8 They live to see their children grow up and settle down, and they enjoy their grandchildren.
MSG
8 They get to see their children succeed, get to watch and enjoy their grandchildren.
CSB
8 Their children are established while they are still alive, and their descendants, before their eyes.

Job 21:8 Meaning and Commentary

Job 21:8

Their seed is established in their sight with them
Which is to be understood not of seed sown in the earth, and of the permanence and increase of that, but of their children; to have a numerous progeny, was reckoned a great temporal blessing, and to have them settled happily and comfortably in the world was an additional one; and what contributed still more to their felicity was, that they were well settled during their life, or they yet living, and with their eyes beholding their prosperous and stable condition; and also "with them"; near them, in the same neighbourhood, or at no great distance from them; or even in like circumstances with them, equally as well settled and as prosperous as themselves, as this phrase is sometimes used, see ( Psalms 106:6 ) ;

and their offspring before their eyes;
their children's children, as the Targum, and so the Vulgate Latin version; so that prosperity attends not only wicked men and their children, but also their grandchildren, and they live to see these grown up and settled in the world, and in thriving circumstances; all which must give them pleasure, and be matter of honour and glory to them, ( Proverbs 17:6 ) . Now this is diametrically opposite to Zophar's notion of the short continuance of the prosperity of wicked men, and of the low and miserable condition of their children, ( Job 20:5 Job 20:10 Job 20:21 Job 20:26 Job 20:28 ) .

Job 21:8 In-Context

6 When I think about this, I am terrified; trembling seizes my body.
7 Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?
8 They see their children established around them, their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their homes are safe and free from fear; the rod of God is not on them.
10 Their bulls never fail to breed; their cows calve and do not miscarry.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Psalms 17:14; Malachi 3:15
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.