Job 15:21 (KJV)

What does Job 15:21 mean?

Job 15:21 describes a person who constantly hears frightening noises, always expecting disaster to strike, even when things seem to be going well. The verse warns that even in times of peace or prosperity, destruction can suddenly come upon such a person.

In this part of the book of Job, Eliphaz is speaking to Job, arguing that trouble and fear haunt the wicked. Eliphaz claims that those who do wrong cannot escape anxiety or the threat of ruin, suggesting that Job’s suffering might be a result of hidden wrongdoing. The verse paints a picture of inner turmoil and insecurity, even during outward success.

The Hebrew behind Job 15:21

• The word for "dreadful" is פַּחַד (pachad), which means terror or fear. This highlights the deep, unsettling fear that fills the person's mind, not just a passing worry.
• The word for "prosperity" is שָׁלוֹם (shalom), often meaning peace or well-being. Here, it emphasizes that even when life appears peaceful, danger can still be near.
• The word for "destroyer" is שָׁדַד (shadad), meaning one who devastates or ruins. This underlines the suddenness and severity of the threat that can break into a person’s life.

Why Job 15:21 matters

• This verse clarifies that Eliphaz sees fear and disaster as the natural lot of the wicked, not just random events, challenging Job’s claims of innocence.
• The verse shows how Eliphaz interprets suffering: not as a mystery, but as a consequence of wrongdoing, which is a key theme in the debates between Job and his friends.
• Understanding the original words for "fear," "peace," and "destroyer" helps us see the contrast Eliphaz draws between outward calm and inward dread, making his warning more vivid.