Job 21:11

11 They send forth their little ones like a flock of sheep, and their children dance.

Job 21:11 Meaning and Commentary

Job 21:11

They send forth their little ones like a flock
Of sheep, which are creatures very increasing, and become very numerous, ( Psalms 144:13 ) ; to which a large increase of families may be compared, ( Psalms 107:41 ) , for this is not to be interpreted of their kine sending or bringing forth such numbers as to be like a flock of sheep; but of the families of wicked men being increased in like manner; and the sending them forth to be understood either of the birth of their children being sent out or proceeding from them as plants out of the earth, or branches from a tree; or of their being sent out not to school to be instructed in useful learning, but into the streets to play, and pipe, and dance; and it may denote, as their number, so their being left to themselves, and being at liberty to do as they please, being under no restriction, nor any care taken of their education; at least in such a manner as to have a tendency to make them sober, virtuous, and useful in life:

and their children dance;
either in a natural way, skip and frisk, and play like calves and lambs, and so are very diverting to their parents, as well as shows them to be in good health; which adds to their parents happiness and pleasure: or in an artificial way, being taught to dance; and it should be observed, it is "their" children, the children of the wicked, and not of the godly, that are thus brought up; so Abraham did not train up his children, nor Job his; no instance can be given of the children of good men being trained up in this manner, or of their dancing in an irreligious way; however, this proves in what a jovial way, and in what outward prosperity and pleasure, wicked men and their families live; which is the thing Job has in view, and is endeavouring to prove and establish.

Job 21:11 In-Context

9 Their houses are safe from fear; neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 Their cows conceive, and do not abort; their cows calve and do not cast forth their young.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock of sheep, and their children dance.
12 They jump at the sound of the timbrel and harp and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13 They spend their days in pleasure and in a moment go down to Sheol.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010