He gives them a sense of security, but His eyes are on their ways.
Parallel translations
- WEB God gives them security, and they rest in it. His eyes are on their ways.
- KJV Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways.
- NKJV He gives them security, and they rely on it; Yet His eyes are on their ways.
- NASB “He provides them with security, and they are supported; And His eyes are on their ways.
- NLT They may be allowed to live in security, but God is always watching them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God grants the wicked security and rest, yet His eyes remain on their ways. It matters because divine watchfulness accompanies even apparent ease.
Overview
Job says God gives such men a sense of safety in which they rest, while His eyes never leave their conduct. Their security is real but temporary and fully observed by God. The reminder that God watches every path assures believers that no injustice escapes His notice and that He will judge righteously.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 20
- Prov 15:3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
- Rev 2:23Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
- 1 Th 5:3While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
- Eccl 5:8If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.
- Ps 11:4–5The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.
- Ps 73:3–12For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- Hab 1:13Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
- Job 12:6The tents of robbers are safe, and those who provoke God are secure—those who carry their god in their hands.
- Amos 8:7The LORD has sworn by the Pride of Jacob: “I will never forget any of their deeds.
- Isa 10:8–11“Are not all my commanders kings?” he says.
- Isa 56:12“Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”
- Prov 25:21–23If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
- Luke 12:16–20Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance.
- Eccl 8:11When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil.
- Amos 9:2Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down.
- Ps 10:13–14Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, “You will never call me to account.”
- Jer 12:1–3Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?
- Prov 5:21For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths.
- Luke 12:45But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk.
- Job 11:11Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Job's cry for a mediator who can lay his hand on both God and man, and his confidence that 'my Redeemer lives' and will stand on the earth, reaches forward to Jesus the living Redeemer.
How Job 24:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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