Job 20
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1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, 2“Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me, even by reason of my haste that is in me. 3I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame. The spirit of my understanding answers me. 4Don’t you know this from old time, since man was placed on earth, 5that the triumphing of the wicked is short, the joy of the godless but for a moment? 6Though his height mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds, 7yet he shall perish forever like his own dung. Those who have seen him shall say, ‘Where is he?’ 8He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found. Yes, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night. 9The eye which saw him shall see him no more, neither shall his place any more see him. 10His children shall seek the favor of the poor. His hands shall give back his wealth. 11His bones are full of his youth, but youth shall lie down with him in the dust. 12“Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue, 13though he spare it, and will not let it go, but keep it still within his mouth; 14yet his food in his bowels is turned. It is cobra venom within him. 15He has swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again. God will cast them out of his belly. 16He shall suck cobra venom. The viper’s tongue shall kill him. 17He shall not look at the rivers, the flowing streams of honey and butter. 18That for which he labored he shall restore, and shall not swallow it down. According to the substance that he has gotten, he shall not rejoice. 19For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor. He has violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up. 20“Because he knew no quietness within him, he shall not save anything of that in which he delights. 21There was nothing left that he didn’t devour, therefore his prosperity shall not endure. 22In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress shall overtake him. The hand of everyone who is in misery shall come on him. 23When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him. It will rain on him while he is eating. 24He shall flee from the iron weapon. The bronze arrow shall strike him through. 25He draws it out, and it comes out of his body. Yes, the glittering point comes out of his liver. Terrors are on him. 26All darkness is laid up for his treasures. An unfanned fire shall devour him. It shall consume that which is left in his tent. 27The heavens shall reveal his iniquity. The earth shall rise up against him. 28The increase of his house shall depart. They shall rush away in the day of his wrath. 29This is the portion of a wicked man from God, the heritage appointed to him by God.”
World English Bible (public domain)
“Do you not know this from of old, since man was placed on earth,”
Job 20:4
Summary
In Job chapter 20, Zophar the Naamathite responds to Job’s earlier discourse. He is agitated by Job's words and aims to correct Job’s perspective. Zophar argues that the triumph of the wicked is short-lived and that their joy is temporary. He emphasizes that the wealth and happiness of the wicked eventually lead to their downfall and suffering. The chapter portrays Zophar's belief in a swift, divine retribution for the wicked as a universal truth. He is convinced that the prosperity of the wicked is fleeting and that their inevitable demise is evidence of divine justice. This chapter reinforces the idea of retributive justice, where wrongdoing leads to suffering.
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Chapter outline
How Job 20 unfolds
Job 20:1–3 Zophar Responds to Job
Zophar the Naamathite speaks, expressing his urgency in responding to Job's earlier remarks, feeling shame and a need to correct Job.
Job 20:4–11 Fleeting Nature of the Wicked
Zophar asserts that the triumph of the wicked is temporary, emphasizing their eventual downfall and loss of legacy.
Job 20:12–19 The Bitter End of the Wicked
He describes the deceptive enjoyment of wickedness, illustrating that it ultimately leads to suffering and loss for the wicked.
Job 20:20–26 Inevitability of Divine Retribution
Zophar warns that the wicked will face divine judgment, detailing how their hidden sins will be exposed and punished.
Job 20:27–29 Conclusion on Wickedness
He concludes with a statement on the fate of the wicked, identifying their suffering as God's appointed heritage for them.
Key verses
Job 20:4Job 20:4 underscores the chapter's emphasis on the timeless truth that the wicked will face inevitable consequences for their actions.
Main themes in Job 20
Temporality of Wickedness
The theme of the temporality of wickedness surfaces in verses 4-7, where Zophar emphasizes the fleeting nature of the wicked's triumph. The chapter develops this idea by illustrating that despite their apparent success, they ultimately face destruction and are forgotten. This reinforces the belief that no matter how high they rise, their downfall is certain, affirming the transient nature of evil.
Divine Justice
Divine justice is a central theme in verses 23-24, where Zophar warns of God's impending judgment on the wicked. The chapter complicates this by presenting vivid imagery of suffering that follows the false security of wealth. This reveals Zophar's conviction that divine justice is always at work, ensuring that the wicked cannot escape their fate.
Retributive Justice
Retributive justice is articulated throughout the chapter, especially in verses 15-18, where Zophar describes how the wicked will be forced to relinquish their ill-gotten gains. The chapter develops this theme by detailing the consequences that follow the wicked's actions, presenting a clear cause and effect. Within the larger movement of the text, it serves as a reminder that wrongdoing will ultimately be met with punishment.
Moral Order
The moral order theme appears in verses 28-29, where Zophar outlines the just consequences for the wicked. The chapter complicates this by emphasizing that what seems like prosperity is an illusion that leads to downfall. It highlights the belief that the universe operates on a moral framework, where justice prevails in the end.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Job 20
- Job 18Job 18 connects by discussing the fate of the wicked, emphasizing their inevitable downfall as Zophar does.
- Job 27Job 27 develops the theme of retributive justice, as Job reflects on the fate awaiting the wicked similar to Zophar's assertions.
- Job 15Job 15 echoes Zophar's perspective on the consequences of wickedness, reinforcing the belief in divine justice.
- Psalm 37Psalm 37 connects through its focus on the fate of the wicked versus the righteous, similar to Zophar's arguments.
- Job 31Job 31 develops the theme of moral order, as Job contemplates his integrity against the backdrop of Zophar's claims.
- Job 21Job 21 contrasts with Zophar's views, as it questions the immediate justice Zophar assumes for the wicked.
Study questions
Questions for studying Job 20
- What does Zophar claim about the fate of the wicked in verses 4-7?
- How does Zophar describe the enjoyment of wickedness in verses 12-14?
- What imagery does Zophar use to illustrate the downfall of the wicked?
- What does Zophar say about the relationship between wickedness and wealth in verse 19?
- How does Zophar's argument reflect his understanding of divine justice throughout the chapter?
- What contrasts does Zophar draw between the wicked and the poor in this chapter?
Job 20: frequently asked questions
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