King James Version

What Does Job 27:21 Mean?

Job 27:21 in the King James Version says “The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.” — study this verse from Job chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.”

Job 27:21 · KJV

Context

19

The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not.

20

Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.

21

The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.

22

For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand. he: Heb. in fleeing he would flee

23

Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.

Read Job 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place. Job describes the wicked person's sudden destruction through vivid meteorological imagery. The east wind (קָדִים, qadim) in Palestine refers to the scorching sirocco that blows from the Arabian desert—hot, dry, and destructive. This wind withers vegetation (Genesis 41:6; Ezekiel 17:10; Hosea 13:15) and represents divine judgment throughout Scripture.

The verb יִשָּׂאֵהוּ (yissa'ehu, "carrieth him away") suggests being lifted and removed with irresistible force—the wicked cannot resist God's judgment any more than a plant can resist the sirocco. And he departeth (וַיֵּלַךְ, vayyelekh) means he goes away or passes on, emphasizing the finality of removal from earthly life and blessing. The wicked disappears like chaff before the wind (Psalm 1:4).

And as a storm hurleth him uses the intensive Piel form of סָעַר (sa'ar), meaning to whirl away violently. Out of his place (מִמְּקֹמוֹ, mimmeqomo) indicates removal from his established position—home, community, and security. This echoes Proverbs 10:25: "As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation." The imagery portrays sudden, violent, complete removal—divine judgment leaves nothing secure.

Job 27 presents an irony: Job himself has experienced the fate he here describes for the wicked. The friends would point this out as proof of Job's guilt. Yet Job maintains his innocence while acknowledging this pattern of divine judgment. The chapter explores the mystery that righteous suffering temporarily resembles the wicked's judgment, yet God ultimately distinguishes between them. This prefigures Christ's experience—suffering the fate of the wicked (Isaiah 53:12) while remaining perfectly righteous.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Job 27 continues Job's response to his friends' accusations. Throughout the dialogue, Job has maintained his innocence while his friends insist his suffering proves hidden wickedness. In chapter 27, Job ironically describes the fate of the wicked using language that his friends might apply to him—sudden disaster, loss of family, and death without honor.

The east wind's destructive power was proverbial in ancient Near Eastern literature. Egyptian texts describe the devastating khamsin winds from the desert. In the Bible, God uses the east wind to bring locusts on Egypt (Exodus 10:13), to part the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21), and as an instrument of judgment (Isaiah 27:8; Jeremiah 18:17). Jonah experienced scorching east wind as chastisement (Jonah 4:8). The image of wind removing the wicked appears in wisdom literature as a common motif (Psalm 1:4; 35:5; 58:9; Proverbs 1:27).

Job's description of the wicked's fate serves multiple purposes: it demonstrates his understanding of divine justice (refuting claims he's ignorant), it maintains his innocence (he distinguishes himself from the wicked), and it wrestles with the problem that he's experiencing what seems like judgment reserved for evildoers. The book's resolution reveals that suffering doesn't always indicate divine judgment—sometimes God tests the righteous, refines their faith, and demonstrates His glory through their perseverance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Job's description of the wicked's judgment help us distinguish between suffering as divine judgment and suffering as divine testing?
  2. What comfort can believers find when their circumstances temporarily resemble judgment on the wicked?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
יִשָּׂאֵ֣הוּ1 of 5

“wind carrieth him away”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

קָדִ֣ים2 of 5

“The east”

H6921

the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)

וְיֵלַ֑ךְ3 of 5
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וִֽ֝ישָׂעֲרֵ֗הוּ4 of 5

“and as a storm hurleth”

H8175

to storm; by implication, to shiver, i.e., fear

מִמְּקֹמֽוֹ׃5 of 5

“him out of his place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 27:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 27:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 11:6Psalms 83:15Job 7:10Psalms 58:9Job 21:18Hosea 13:15

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