The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; he covers the faces of its judges— if it is not he, who then is it?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that "covering the faces of its judges" doesn't just mean corrupting them, but also that righteous judges are often hidden or rendered powerless, their faces obscured by the very wickedness that the earth is given into the hands of. This suggests a more subtle form of injustice where good leaders are not just ignored, but actively suppressed.
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; he covers the faces of its judges— if it is not he, who then is it?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Job is deeply troubled because the righteous often suffer while the wicked prosper, and he can't reconcile this with a just God. He argues that if God isn't directly causing this apparent injustice by allowing wicked rulers to dominate and corrupt justice, then who is it that has this power? This leads him to question God's very nature and involvement in the world's affairs.
Job looks around and sees a world where the powerful and corrupt seem to be in charge. Does God not see this, or does He even allow it?
Job makes a bold statement: 'The earth is given into the hand of the wicked.' This isn't just a complaint; it's an observation about the reality he perceives. He sees people who are clearly ungodly, unjust, and corrupt holding positions of power and influence. They seem to prosper, while those who try to live righteously often suffer. This challenges the simple idea that God always blesses the good and punishes the wicked in this life. Job isn't saying God isn't in control, but rather questioning how His control is working when such injustice seems to flourish.
It's not just the rulers who are flawed; the very systems meant to provide justice seem broken. What happens when those who judge are compromised?
Job continues his observation by saying, 'he covers the faces of its judges.' This powerful image suggests that justice itself is being blinded or obscured. Whether it's the wicked ruler directly bribing or intimidating judges, or God providentially allowing these systems to break down, the result is the same: fair judgment is perverted. The 'faces' of the judges are covered, meaning their ability to see truth, impartiality, and righteousness is hindered. This can happen when judges are corrupt, unqualified, or when the system itself allows for manipulation and unfairness. It paints a grim picture of a world where righteousness is suppressed and wickedness prevails.
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If the world is so messed up, and justice is so often thwarted, who is ultimately responsible? Job poses a challenge that forces us to confront the source of all authority.
Job's final question, 'if it is not he, who then is it?' is crucial. He’s essentially saying, 'If God isn't the one allowing this, or even directing it, then who is?' He’s not necessarily accusing God directly of doing evil, but rather pointing to God's ultimate sovereignty. If the wicked rule and justice is perverted, and there's no other ultimate power to which we can point, then God must be involved. This isn’t an easy conclusion. It forces us to grapple with the immense mystery of how a perfectly good God can permit or work through such imperfect and often wicked circumstances. Job uses this rhetorical question to underscore his point: the state of the world, as he sees it, demands an explanation, and he can only find it within the scope of God’s ultimate, albeit mysterious, control.
Job's lament in chapter 9, written during or shortly after the Babylonian exile, reflects the agonizing reality of witnessing profound injustice where the wicked seem to thrive and the righteous suffer, a stark contrast to the simple theodicies his friends proposed.
c. 2100 BC - 1800 BC
Patriarchal Period
This era, the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, was marked by tribal structures and a developing covenant relationship between God and His people, often living as sojourners.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, a foundational event establishing their identity as a nation under God's direct guidance.
c. 1400 BC - 1050 BC
Period of the Judges
A turbulent era following the conquest of Canaan, characterized by cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance through charismatic leaders called judges.
c. 1050 BC - 931 BC
United Monarchy
The period of unified rule under Kings Saul, David, and Solomon, marked by the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital and the construction of the Temple.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its people and scattering them, a significant prophetic warning about divine judgment.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the Judean people. This event profoundly shaped their understanding of justice, suffering, and God's sovereignty, setting the stage for intense theological reflection found in books like Job.
This psalm expresses a similar lament to Job's, noting how the wicked prosper and seem to have it easy, even while the righteous suffer.
Jeremiah 5:26-28This passage highlights a similar societal breakdown where the wicked prosper, and justice is perverted, showing this wasn't just a problem in Job's time but a recurring issue.
Daniel 4:17This verse states directly that the Most High gives the kingdom to whomever he wills, even to the lowliest of mankind, underscoring the divine sovereignty that Job is grappling with concerning the wicked's rise to power.
Ecclesiastes 8:10-11This passage echoes Job's observation that wicked people are often honored and may even seem to be running things, while God's judgment is not immediately executed, leading to human boldness in wickedness.
Romans 9:20-21Paul uses the analogy of a potter and clay to explain God's sovereign right to use even vessels intended for dishonor, which resonates with Job's struggle to understand why wicked people are given dominion.
clarkeJob 9:24: "The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?"
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked - Is it not most evident that the worst men possess most of this world's goods, and that the righteous are scarcely ever in power or affluence? This was the case in Job's time; it is the case still. Therefore prosperity and adversity in this life are no marks either of God's approbation or disapprobation. He coveret…
bensonJob 9:24: "The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?"
Job 9:24 . The earth is given into the hand of the wicked — Hebrew, רשׁע , rashang, of the wicked man. The possession and dominion of a large portion of it are frequently given, by the great Lord and Proprietor of all, in the course of his providence, into the power of a wicked man. He covereth the faces of the judges thereof — The wicked man, by his power, or b…
The verse highlights that "covering the faces of its judges" doesn't just mean corrupting them, but also that righteous judges are often hidden or rendered powerless, their faces obscured by the very wickedness that the earth is given into the hands of. This suggests a more subtle form of injustice where good leaders are not just ignored, but actively suppressed.
Job is deeply troubled because the righteous often suffer while the wicked prosper, and he can't reconcile this with a just God. He argues that if God isn't directly causing this apparent injustice by allowing wicked rulers to dominate and corrupt justice, then who is it that has this power? This leads him to question God's very nature and involvement in the world's affairs.
Job is deeply troubled because the righteous often suffer while the wicked prosper, and he can't reconcile this with a just God. He argues that if God isn't directly causing this apparent injustice by allowing wicked rulers to dominate and corrupt justice, then who is it that has this power? This leads him to question God's very nature and involvement in the world's affairs.
"The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; he covers the faces of its judges— if it is not he, who then is it?" — The verse highlights that "covering the faces of its judges" doesn't just mean corrupting them, but also that righteous judges are often hidden or rendered powerless, their faces obscured by the very…
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Last reviewed October 2026