Text -- Job 21:16 (NET)

21:16 But their prosperity is not their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me!

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Job 21:16

¹ tn Heb “is not in their hand.”

sn The implication of this statement is that their well-being is from God, which is the problem Job is raising in the chapter. A number of commentators make it a question, interpreting it to mean that the wicked enjoy prosperity as if it is their right. Some emend the text to say “his hands” – Gordis reads it, “Indeed, our prosperity is not in his hands.”

² sn Even though their life seems so good in contrast to his own plight, Job cannot and will not embrace their principles – “far be from me their counsel.”