Charles Ellicott Commentary Job 21

But Job answered. —Having, in Job 19:0, declared his belief in a retribution to come, Job now proceeds to address more directly Zophar’s last contention, and to show that even in this life, there is not the retribution that he maintained was present.

Hear diligently my speech. — “Listen to my words, and let that be the consolation you give me.”

Is my complaint to man? —“It is not to man that I complain. I do not ask for your sympathy, and therefore, why should you resent an offense that is not given? If, however, I did ask it, might not my spirit with good reason be impatient? But, on the contrary, my complaint is to God; and, concerning the ways of God, I venture to ask why it is that His justice is so delayed; and this is a problem that, when I remember it, I am troubled, and horror takes hold of my flesh, as it is so difficult and arduous.”

Their seed is established in their sight. —Not only are they mighty in power themselves, but they leave their power to their children after them . This contradicts what Eliphaz had said (Job 15:34), what Bildad had said (Job 18:19), and what Zophar had said (Job 20:10).

Their houses are safe from fear. —On the contrary, Zophar had just said that “a fire not blown should consume him” (Job 20:26), and Bildad that “destruction should dwell in his tabernacle, and brimstone be scattered on his habitation.”