ScriptureDepth's study of Job 20
“Don’t you know this from old time, since man was placed on earth,”
Job 20:4
Zophar speaks to Job about the fate of the wicked, asserting that their downfall is a well-known truth since 'man was placed on earth'.
What Job 20 is about
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.
Job 20 at a glance
- Job 20:1–3Zophar Responds to Job
- Job 20:4–11Fleeting Nature of the Wicked
- Job 20:12–19The Bitter End of the Wicked
- Job 20:20–26Inevitability of Divine Retribution
- Job 20:27–29Conclusion on Wickedness
Key verse: Job 20:4
One thing to notice
The chapter concludes with a declaration in verse 29 about the fate of the wicked. Zophar states, 'This is the portion of a wicked man from God,' summarizing his perspective on how divine justice is meted out to the unrighteous.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Job 20 (WEB)
Zophar Responds to Job Job 20:1–3
1Verse 1. Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,2Verse 2. “Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me,even by reason of my haste that is in me.3Verse 3. I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame.The spirit of my understanding answers me.
Fleeting Nature of the Wicked Job 20:4–11
4Verse 4. Don’t you know this from old time,since man was placed on earth,5Verse 5. that the triumphing of the wicked is short,the joy of the godless but for a moment?6Verse 6. Though his height mount up to the heavens,and his head reach to the clouds,7Verse 7. yet he shall perish forever like his own dung.Those who have seen him shall say, ‘Where is he?’8Verse 8. He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found.Yes, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night.9Verse 9. The eye which saw him shall see him no more,neither shall his place any more see him.10Verse 10. His children shall seek the favor of the poor.His hands shall give back his wealth.11Verse 11. His bones are full of his youth,but youth shall lie down with him in the dust.
The Bitter End of the Wicked Job 20:12–19
12Verse 12. “Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth,though he hide it under his tongue,13Verse 13. though he spare it, and will not let it go,but keep it still within his mouth;14Verse 14. yet his food in his bowels is turned.It is cobra venom within him.15Verse 15. He has swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again.God will cast them out of his belly.16Verse 16. He shall suck cobra venom.The viper’s tongue shall kill him.17Verse 17. He shall not look at the rivers,the flowing streams of honey and butter.18Verse 18. That 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.19Verse 19. For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor.He has violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up.
Inevitability of Divine Retribution Job 20:20–26
20Verse 20. “Because he knew no quietness within him,he shall not save anything of that in which he delights.21Verse 21. There was nothing left that he didn’t devour,therefore his prosperity shall not endure.22Verse 22. In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress shall overtake him.The hand of everyone who is in misery shall come on him.23Verse 23. When 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.24Verse 24. He shall flee from the iron weapon.The bronze arrow shall strike him through.25Verse 25. He draws it out, and it comes out of his body.Yes, the glittering point comes out of his liver.Terrors are on him.26Verse 26. All darkness is laid up for his treasures.An unfanned fire shall devour him.It shall consume that which is left in his tent.
Conclusion on Wickedness Job 20:27–29
27Verse 27. The heavens shall reveal his iniquity.The earth shall rise up against him.28Verse 28. The increase of his house shall depart.They shall rush away in the day of his wrath.29Verse 29. This is the portion of a wicked man from God,the heritage appointed to him by God.”
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Job 20
Temporality of Wickedness
In verses 5-8, Zophar declares that 'the triumphing of the wicked is short,' asserting that their joy lasts only for a moment. He contrasts the temporary success of the wicked with their inevitable downfall, stating that they will 'perish forever like his own dung.' This theme is developed further as Zophar describes the swift disappearance of the wicked, leaving a question of their whereabouts after death.
Divine Justice
Verses 29 concludes with Zophar’s assertion that the fate of the wicked is 'the portion of a wicked man from God.' This ties the consequences of wickedness directly to divine oversight, suggesting that God’s justice ensures that the wicked will face retribution. Zophar’s entire speech implies a divine order where moral failure results in punishment, a theme that frames his arguments throughout the chapter.
Retributive Justice
In verses 15-18, Zophar illustrates retributive justice by saying that the wicked will 'vomit' the riches they have consumed and will not enjoy their ill-gotten gains. He stresses that their actions against the poor will lead to their downfall, as they will 'restore' what they have taken from others. The inevitability of this justice is a central focus, as Zophar portrays the consequences of wickedness as unavoidable.
Moral Order
Throughout the chapter, particularly in verses 19-21, Zophar articulates a moral order where the wicked's oppression of the poor leads to their self-destruction. He describes a cycle of greed and eventual loss, stating that 'there was nothing left that he didn’t devour' and emphasizing that 'his prosperity shall not endure.' This moral framework underpins Zophar's argument, providing a rationale for the suffering that follows wickedness.
Chapter outline
How Job 20 unfolds
Job 20:1–3 Zophar Responds to Job
Zophar the Naamathite answers Job, stating that his 'thoughts give answer to me' because of 'haste that is in me.' He confesses to feeling shame from Job's prior words and claims that 'the spirit of my understanding answers me'.
Job 20:4–11 Fleeting Nature of the Wicked
Zophar asserts that the 'triumphing of the wicked is short' and describes how they will ultimately perish 'like his own dung.' He states that they will be forgotten, with others asking, 'Where is he?'
Job 20:12–19 The Bitter End of the Wicked
Zophar explains that though 'wickedness is sweet in his mouth,' it will turn bitter inside him, leading to his destruction. He declares that God will make him 'vomit them up again,' referring to the riches he has unjustly acquired.
Job 20:20–26 Inevitability of Divine Retribution
Zophar argues that divine retribution is unavoidable, stating that the wicked will face God’s wrath at the height of their prosperity. Distress will come upon them at the moment they expect fulfillment (vv. 20-26).
Job 20:27–29 Conclusion on Wickedness
Zophar concludes that 'the heavens shall reveal his iniquity' and that the earth will rise up against the wicked. He states that 'this is the portion of a wicked man from God,' detailing the fate awaiting him.
Key verses
Job 20:4Zophar speaks to Job about the fate of the wicked, asserting that their downfall is a well-known truth since 'man was placed on earth'.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Job 20
- observeIn v5, what does Zophar say about the joy of the godless?
- observeIn v20, what does Zophar claim about the wicked's inner state?
- interpretThe image of 'cobra venom' in v14: what does it suggest about the consequences of wickedness?
- interpretIn v23, what does Zophar imply about God's timing in punishing the wicked?
- applyWhen have you seen someone’s apparent success lead to their downfall, as Zophar describes in this chapter?
For Bible groups
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Job 20
- Job 18Job 20:25 and Job 18:11Both describe terror: Job 20:25 mentions terrors on him, while Job 18:11 says terrors shall make him afraid.
- Job 27Job 20:29 and Job 27:13Both refer to the portion of the wicked: Job 20:29 states it is from God, while Job 27:13 also calls it a heritage from God.
- Job 15Job 20:12 and Job 15:16Both mention wickedness: Job 20:12 describes it as sweet in his mouth, while Job 15:16 speaks of drinking iniquity like water.
- Psalm 37Job 20:5 and Psalm 37:35Both witness the wicked's power: Job 20:5 states their joy is short, while Psalm 37:35 says they spread like a green tree.
- Job 31Job 20:29 and Job 31:2Both discuss the heritage of the wicked: Job 20:29 states it is from God, while Job 31:2 asks about God's portion.
- Job 21Job 20:11 and Job 21:26Both convey mortality: Job 20:11 states youth shall lie down in the dust, while Job 21:26 says they lie down alike in dust.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Job 20
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Job: the whole bookJob confronts the hardest question in the life of faith: why do the righteous suffer?
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 10Day 10 of 365: Job 19–22.
- SufferingWhat the Bible says about suffering, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
Job 20: frequently asked questions
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