Job 21:19
You say, ‘When people have committed sins, God waits and punishes their children because of those sins;’ but I say that God should punish those who sin, not their children, in order that the sinners will know that it is because of their own sins that they are being punished.
Translation for Translators
In The King James Version
God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
In Context
18He does not blow them away like wind blows away straw; they are never carried off by a whirlwind.
Cross References
Genesis 4:7If you had done what was right (OR, if you do what is right) [RHQ], I would accept your offering. But if you do not do what is right, your desire to sin is ready to attack you like a wild animal that [PRS] crouches outside the doorway, ready to spring on its victim [MET]. Your desire to sin wants to control you, but you must ◄control/not obey► it.”
Numbers 14:18‘I do not quickly become angry; instead, I love people very much, and I forgive people for having sinned and having disobeyed my laws. But I will always punish [LIT] people who are guilty of doing what is wrong. When parents sin, I will punish them, but I will also punish their children and their grandchildren and their great-grandchildren and their great-great-grandchildren.’
Deuteronomy 32:41that when I sharpen my sword, as I [SYN] prepare to punish people, I will get revenge on my enemies; I will pay back those who hate me.
Job 22:24if you throw away your gold, even the fine gold from the dry stream beds in Ophir land,
Psalms 109:9Cause that his children will not have a father any more and that his wife will become a widow.
Isaiah 53:4But he will be punished for the sicknesses of our souls; he will endure great pain for us. But we will think that he is being punished by God, afflicted/punished for his own sins.
Matthew Henry on Job 21:18-27
Certain Punishments of the Wicked; Divine Sovereignty. ( b. c. 1520.) 17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger. 18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away. 19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it. 20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him,… Read the whole commentary →