Job 21:14 · Bible study
Job 21:14 Commentary: The Heart’s Response to Prosperity
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Job 21:14 captures the wicked’s attitude: ‘Depart from us, we don’t want Your ways.’ Commentators see this as the language of conduct, revealing how prosperity can harden the heart
Research Summary
- Meaning: The wicked, prospering, reject God and refuse to learn His ways, whether in speech or lifestyle.
- Key words: a.mar (to say, think, intend), sur (depart), da'at (knowledge, relational understanding), derekh (way, conduct).
- Main debate: Literal statement by the wicked vs. figurative language describing their conduct and heart attitude.
- Theological theme: The danger of prosperity leading to spiritual indifference and rejection of divine authority.
- Best use: A penetrating warning for those in comfort, calling them to examine whether their lives silently echo the same demand: “Depart from us.”
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways.
WEB World English Bible 2000
They tell God, ‘Depart from us, for we don’t want to know about your ways.
KJV King James Version 1769
Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And they say unto God, Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And they say to God, `Turn aside from us, And the knowledge of Thy ways We have not desired.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And they say unto God, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways!
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Who have said to God: Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Dicen pues á Dios: Apártate de nosotros, que no queremos el conocimiento de tus caminos.
Assim dizem a Deus: Afasta-te de nós, porque não queremos conhecer teus caminhos.
Ils disaient pourtant à Dieu: Retire-toi de nous;
die doch sagen zu Gott: “Hebe dich von uns, wir wollen von deinen Wegen nicht wissen!
Nochtans zeggen zij tot God: Wijk van ons, want aan de kennis Uwer wegen hebben wij geen lust.
Eppure, diceano a Dio: “Ritirati da noi! Noi non ci curiamo di conoscer le tue vie!
Którzy mawiają Bogu: Odejdź od nas; bo dróg twoich znać nie chcemy.
А между тем они говорят Богу: отойди от нас, не хотим мы знать путей Твоих!
他們對 神 說：離開 我們吧！我們不 願 曉得 你的道。
Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Job 21:14
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across Protestant traditions agree on the core meaning of this verse. Barnes, Gill, Matthew Henry, and Wesley all read the statement as the language of conduct rather than literal speech. The wicked do not always say these words aloud, but their lives broadcast the same message: they want God to leave them alone. The Hebrew verb a.mar (“to say”) carries a range that includes thinking or intending (Gill), and the context of prolonged prosperity in Job 21 supports this. The Cambridge Bible notes that the mystery of why the wicked prosper drives Job’s argument: these people live well, yet they openly renounce God. Together, commentators see the verse as a diagnosis of the human heart under affluence, a refusal to know or follow God’s ways.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Literal speech view: The Hebrew <em>wayyomeru</em> ('and they said') is a standard narrative verb for speech, which some take at face value; a minority of older commentators considered it as actual words spoken.
- Conduct or heart language view: Most modern and Reformation-era commentators (Barnes, Gill, Matthew Henry) argue from the context of prosperity and the lexical range of <em>amar</em> that it describes what the wicked think and live, not necessarily what they speak aloud.
What is clear: The verse unequivocally describes a rejection of God and a refusal to know His ways, whether in words, thoughts, or lifestyle.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of the statement | It expresses a rejection of God and His ways. | Most commentators read it as the language of conduct or inner thoughts; some allow it could be literal speech, but even then it reflects a broader pattern of life. |
| Meaning of 'knowledge of your ways' | It refers to understanding and following God’s commands and character. | Is it primarily intellectual knowledge or relational obedience? The lexical range of <em>da’at</em> includes both, and traditions emphasize the relational aspect more in some contexts. |
| Role of prosperity | Prosperity can foster an attitude of self-sufficiency and rebellion. | Does prosperity cause the rejection or simply reveal what was already in the heart? Both views are held, and the text itself describes the wicked as already wicked before the prosperity is described. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Job 21 is a turning point in the dialogue. Job’s three friends have insisted that the wicked always suffer in this life, that calamity proves guilt. Job disagrees. He points to real cases where the wicked flourish: their cattle thrive, their children dance, they die in comfort (vv. 7, 13). Verse 14 is the punch line. Their prosperity does not draw them to gratitude; it fuels rebellion. The word “ways” (de.rekh, H1870) in wisdom literature often means the path of life God prescribes (Proverbs 2:8, 8:20). To reject knowledge (da’at) of those ways is to refuse the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). The ancient Near Eastern context of retribution theology, the belief that God punishes evil immediately, makes Job’s observation scandalous. He is not endorsing the wicked; he is reporting what he sees. The cross-reference to Psalm 10:4 (“The wicked, in the pride of his face, has no room in his thoughts for God”) echoes the same inner posture. Both passages describe an autonomy that pushes God away, a perennial human temptation intensified by material comfort.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Job 21:14. The Masoretic text is consistent across the Hebrew manuscripts. Keil and Delitzsch discuss a variant in verse 12 (the musical instrument), but not for verse 14 itself.
Reception History
Since the Reformation, this verse has been a key proof-text for the doctrine of total depravity and the innate hostility of the human heart toward God. Protestant commentators like Barnes and Gill use it to argue that humanity’s natural state is enmity with God, especially when blessed. In the broader Christian tradition, it has been read as a warning against the spiritual dangers of wealth and self-reliance. The verse also appears in sermons on the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12) and the rich young ruler (Matthew 19), noting how affluence can choke the desire for God. Across denominational lines, it serves as a mirror for self-examination: do our lives echo the words of the wicked, even faintly?
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Prosperity does not guarantee piety. The wicked prosper, yet they tell God to depart. Wealth can create an illusion of self-sufficiency.
- Actions speak louder than words. The Hebrew verb allows for speech of the heart and lifestyle. The wicked may never utter these words, but their priorities prove it.
- Knowledge of God’s ways is refused, not missing. “We desire not the knowledge of thy ways”, it is a deliberate choice. The issue is not ignorance but rebellion.
Five-point outline
- The context: Job challenges the friends’ retribution theology by citing prosperous wicked.
- The statement: “Depart from us”, the human heart wanting God at a distance.
- The reason: “We don’t want to know your ways”, deliberate rejection of divine guidance.
- The irony: God’s common grace (rain, harvest, life itself) continues despite the rejection (Matthew 5:45).
- The warning: Prosperity can harden the heart, making us say with our lives what we would never say with our lips.
Illustration hooks
- A person who achieves career success and gradually stops praying. They wouldn’t say “Depart from me,” but their schedule and priorities say it loudly.
- A child who has everything provided and grows entitled, resenting parental guidance. The same dynamic can happen between us and God.
- The phrase “Don’t bother me” in a busy life. Many of us keep God at arm’s length not by hostility but by indifference.
Questions your congregation is asking
- If God blesses the wicked with prosperity, does He care about justice?
- How can I tell if my comfort is making me spiritually indifferent?
- What does it mean to “know God’s ways” in everyday life?
Leading a Discussion
This verse names an uncomfortable truth: prosperity can push us away from God rather than toward Him. Job’s observation is not a judgment on every wealthy person, but a warning about the heart’s tendency to declare independence when life feels full. The group should explore what “knowledge of Your ways” means and whether we ever resist it.
Discussion questions
- What does the verse say the wicked tell God? What does this reveal about their inner condition?
- Read Job 21:7, 13. How does the description of prosperity connect to the statement in verse 14?
- Why do you think most commentators read this as the language of conduct rather than literal speech? What evidence from the chapter supports that?
- The Hebrew word for “knowledge” (da’at) includes relationship and experience, not just information. How does that deepen the meaning of refusing it?
- In what ways can financial or social prosperity today tempt someone to say “Depart from me” to God without using those words?
- How does Job’s argument challenge the idea that bad things only happen to bad people? How does this affect how we comfort someone suffering?
- What is one practical step you can take this week to pursue knowledge of God’s ways, especially if you are in a season of comfort?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Job 22:17 | who said to God, ‘Depart from us!’ and, ‘What can the Almighty do for us?’ |
| Psalms 10:4 | The wicked, in the pride of his face, has no room in his thoughts for God. |
| Psalms 10:11 | He says in his heart, “God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see it.” |
| Proverbs 1:7 | The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. |
| Proverbs 1:22 | “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge? |
| Proverbs 1:29 | because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh. |
| Habakkuk 1:15 | He takes up all of them with the hook. He catches them in his net and gathers them in his dragnet. Therefore he rejoices and is glad. |
| Luke 8:28 | When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, “What do I have to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torment me!” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes they speak these words even though they do not actually say them aloud. They ask God to leave them alone because they refuse to follow his ways.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes points out that the word "therefore" does not appear in the Hebrew; it was added by translators. Job is not saying their prosperity causes them to reject God, but simply stating the fact that they do reject Him while enjoying that prosperity. Their words "Depart from us" describe the attitude their conduct displays.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Christians who hold the view that God gives the wicked their prosperity point to Job 21:16, while others emphasize that the wicked still face pain in death despite their life of joy. Both seek to be faithful to Scripture.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note highlights a willful rejection of God: the wicked do not merely disobey but actively tell God to leave, because they have no desire to know His ways. Their rebellion is not ignorance but a deliberate refusal of divine knowledge.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill traces how worldly prosperity breeds a deep internal hostility toward God. Such people do not merely neglect Him; they actively wish Him out of their thoughts, resisting any knowledge of His ways. This deliberate banishment of God from the mind, Gill warns, will be justly returned on judgment day.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
Christians who hold the view that the wicked will face punishment point to this verse and other passages. Some understand the godly’s way of living as showing the difference God shows between right and wrong.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch highlight the startling contrast Job presents: the wicked enjoy full prosperity and a sudden descent into Sheol, yet they defiantly tell God to leave them alone. The mystery that God grants such lasting good to people who openly reject Him does not lessen Job's own abhorrence of their attitude.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange notes that Job here shifts from personal defense to a theoretical critique of the friends' doctrine of retribution. Job argues from experience that the wicked often prosper and the righteous suffer, treating this not as an accusation against God but as a dark mystery that demands reverent awe.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that some people who clearly sin continue to live long lives and enjoy great wealth without immediate punishment. They have children and grandchildren who also prosper alongside them.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that when Scripture says they "speak proudly," it can mean actual words but more often refers to their inner attitude and the whole direction of their lives. Constant prosperity, not momentary success, is what fuels this pride. Their entire way of living becomes the loudest statement.