Job 21:8

8 Their seed is according to desire, and their children are in sight.

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 For even when I remember, I am alarmed, and pains seize my flesh.

7 Wherefore do the ungodly live, and grow old even in wealth?

8 Their seed is according to desire, and their children are in sight.

9 Their houses are prosperous, neither any where fear, neither is there a scourge from the Lord upon them.

10 Their cow does not cast her calf, and their with young is safe, and does not miscarry.