They sing to the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.

World English Bible · Public Domain

Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    They sing to the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.

  • KJV King James Version

    They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.

  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.

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Cross-references (5)

Passages linked to Job 21:12 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.

  • Genesis 4:21 His brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe.
  • Isaiah 5:12 The harp, lyre, tambourine, and flute, with wine, are at their feasts; but they don’t respect the work of Yahweh, neither have they considered the operation of his hands.
  • Amos 6:4-6 Who lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the middle of the stall; who strum on the strings of a harp; who invent for themselves instruments of music, like David; who drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the best oils; but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
  • Genesis 31:27 Why did you flee secretly, and deceive me, and didn’t tell me, that I might have sent you away with mirth and with songs, with tambourine and with harp;
  • Isaiah 22:13 and behold, joy and gladness, killing cattle and killing sheep, eating meat and drinking wine: “Let’s eat and drink, for tomorrow we will die.”

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

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Explain this verse (8 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Job 21:12 They take the timbrel and harp, and…

Job 21:12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.

Ver. 12. They take the timbrel and the harp] They take them, and are taken with them, being melted in sensual delights, which wise men slight. The philosopher told the fiddlers that he could be merry without music. Aristotle said, Jupiter is happy, and yet no musician. One in Plutarch saith of the Scythians, that though they had no music nor vines among them, yet they had God. It is here alleged, as a piece of their lasciviousness and luxury, that they took or touched the timbrel, &c. Not but that music is lawful, for this is the gift of God, and a noble art; but the abuse of it is here noted, as likewise Isa 5:12 Amo 6:5. {See Trapp on "Isa 5:12"} {See Trapp on "Amo 6:5"} These wicked and their children lived in pleasure upon earth (which is not a place for such a purpose; God did not cast man out of one paradise that he might make himself another), Jas 5:5, and were like the people of Tombutum, in Africa, who are said to spend their whole time in singing and dancing. It is not good for men to take pleasure in pleasure, to spend too much time in it, as Solomon did, and afterwards Cleopatra. It was not simply a sin in Esau to go a hunting; but yet the more he used it the more profane he waxed, and came at length to contemn his birthright.

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They rejoice at the sound of the organ] Their mirth was merely carnal; they did rather revel than rejoice. Their cheerfulness did not end in thankfulness; their music made them not more heavenly minded, as it did that late learned and holy Mr Esty, who when he sat and heard a sweet concert of music, seemed upon this occasion carried up for the time beforehand to the place of his rest, saying very passionately, What music may we think there is in heaven! (Dr Hall, Art of Div. Medit.) The instrument here mentioned hath its name (as Mercer noteth) Ab amore, oblectatione, et lusu, from love, delight, and sport. Amabit sapiens, cupient caeteri, saith Seneca.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

John Gill 1763 · Public Domain They spend their days in wealth,.... Or "in good"…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 12. They take the timbrel and harp] ישאו…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain They take the timbrel - They have instruments of…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain take--rather, "lift up the voice" (sing) to the note…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain Second strophe -Contrary to all desert, and defiant of…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 12. And they themselves pass their days in gladness,…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at…

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