ScriptureDepth's study of Job 27
“Far be it from me that I should justify you. Until I die I will not put away my integrity from me.”
Job 27:5
Job speaks to his friends, asserting his commitment to integrity, which shapes his refusal to align with their accusations against him.
What Job 27 is about
In Job chapter 27, Job continues his discourse, maintaining his integrity and affirming his commitment to righteousness in the face of suffering. He insists that as long as he lives, he will not speak falsely or act deceitfully, remaining steadfast in his refusal to undermine his integrity. Job declares that God has denied him justice and filled his soul with bitterness, yet he will hold firm to his righteousness.
Job also reflects on the fate of the wicked, elaborating on how their apparent successes are transient and ultimately futile. He argues that while the wicked may lay up great wealth, it is ultimately the righteous who inherit security and peace, as God's justice will prevail. The chapter explores the tension between personal integrity and unexplained suffering, emphasizing trust in divine justice despite current adversities.
Job 27 at a glance
- Job 27:1–2Job Declares His Integrity
- Job 27:3–6Refusal to Compromise
- Job 27:7–10The Fate of the Wicked
- Job 27:11–12Teaching on God's Justice
- Job 27:13–18The Portion of the Wicked
- Job 27:19–22The Transience of Wealth
- Job 27:23The People's Response
Key verse: Job 27:5
One thing to notice
Job uses direct address to his audience in verses 11-12, saying, 'I will teach you about the hand of God.' His rhetorical questions invite the audience to reflect on their understanding of God's justice and their own responses to suffering.
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 27 (WEB)
Job Declares His Integrity Job 27:1–2
1Verse 1. Job again took up his parable, and said, 2Verse 2. “As God lives, who has taken away my right, the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter
Refusal to Compromise Job 27:3–6
3Verse 3. (for the length of my life is still in me,and the spirit of God is in my nostrils);4Verse 4. surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness,neither shall my tongue utter deceit.5Verse 5. Far be it from me that I should justify you.Until I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6Verse 6. I hold fast to my righteousness, and will not let it go.My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
The Fate of the Wicked Job 27:7–10
7Verse 7. “Let my enemy be as the wicked. Let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous. 8Verse 8. For what is the hope of the godless, when he is cut off, when God takes away his life? 9Verse 9. Will God hear his cry when trouble comes on him? 10Verse 10. Will he delight himself in the Almighty, and call on God at all times?
Teaching on God's Justice Job 27:11–12
11Verse 11. I will teach you about the hand of God.That which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.12Verse 12. Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves;why then have you become altogether vain?
The Portion of the Wicked Job 27:13–18
13Verse 13. “This is the portion of a wicked man with God,the heritage of oppressors, which they receive from the Almighty.14Verse 14. If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword.His offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.15Verse 15. Those who remain of him shall be buried in death.His widows shall make no lamentation.16Verse 16. Though he heap up silver as the dust,and prepare clothing as the clay;17Verse 17. he may prepare it, but the just shall put it on,and the innocent shall divide the silver.18Verse 18. He builds his house as the moth,as a booth which the watchman makes.
The Transience of Wealth Job 27:19–22
19Verse 19. He lies down rich, but he shall not do so again.He opens his eyes, and he is not.20Verse 20. Terrors overtake him like waters.A storm steals him away in the night.21Verse 21. The east wind carries him away, and he departs.It sweeps him out of his place.22Verse 22. For it hurls at him, and does not spare,as he flees away from his hand.
The People's Response Job 27:23
23Verse 23. Men shall clap their hands at him,and shall hiss him out of his place.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Job 27
Integrity
Job declares his integrity in v. 5, stating, 'Until I die I will not put away my integrity from me.' This declaration comes after he expresses his bitterness over his suffering, yet he resolutely maintains his stance against speaking unrighteousness or deceit. Throughout the chapter, Job's integrity serves as a foundation for his arguments against the views of his friends, who question his righteousness.
Righteousness
In vv. 6-10, Job speaks of holding fast to his righteousness, asserting that he will not let it go. He contrasts himself with the wicked, stating that they have no hope when God takes away their life. By doing so, Job positions himself as righteous in the eyes of God, even while enduring great suffering and questioning the justice of his circumstances.
Divine Justice
Job discusses divine justice in vv. 11-13, where he intends to teach about 'the hand of God.' He claims that the portion of the wicked is bleak, detailing their fate in v. 13 as 'the heritage of oppressors, which they receive from the Almighty.' This lays a foundation for Job's understanding of justice, where he asserts that the wicked ultimately face dire consequences from God.
Suffering
Job's suffering is woven throughout the chapter, particularly in v. 2, where he notes that God has taken away his right and made his soul bitter. He articulates the pain of his condition while still asserting his integrity and righteousness. The chapter culminates in v. 23 with the people's reaction to the fate of the wicked, illustrating how suffering can alter perceptions and responses in the community.
Explore suffering in the Bible →Chapter outline
How Job 27 unfolds
Job 27:1–2 Job Declares His Integrity
Job asserts his integrity with an oath, stating, 'As God lives, who has taken away my right' and expressing his bitterness from suffering (vv. 1-2).
Job 27:3–6 Refusal to Compromise
Job insists on maintaining his righteousness firmly, rejecting any possibility of justifying his friends as he declares his resolve to keep his integrity until death (vv. 5-6).
Job 27:7–10 The Fate of the Wicked
Job questions the fate of the wicked, stating, 'Let my enemy be as the wicked' and asking what hope remains for the godless when they face God's judgment (vv. 7-10).
Job 27:11–12 Teaching on God's Justice
Job declares his intent to instruct his friends about God's justice, noting that they have seen the reality of God's dealings but have become vain in their understanding (vv. 11-12).
Job 27:13–18 The Portion of the Wicked
Job describes the fate of the wicked as dire, stating that their children will face destruction and their wealth will ultimately benefit the righteous, as their 'offspring shall not be satisfied with bread' (vv. 13-18).
Job 27:19–22 The Transience of Wealth
Job describes the fleeting nature of wealth, saying, 'He lies down rich, but he shall not do so again' and illustrating how terrors and a storm can swiftly take away riches (vv. 19-22).
Job 27:23 The People's Response
Job notes that 'Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place,' depicting the public scorn directed at the wicked (v. 23).
Key verses
Job 27:5Job speaks to his friends, asserting his commitment to integrity, which shapes his refusal to align with their accusations against him.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Job 27
- observeIn v6, why does Job insist that he will not let go of his integrity?
- observeWhat image does Job use in v18 to describe how the wicked build their houses?
- interpretJob states in vv. 9-10 that the godless cry out in trouble, but does God respond? Why is this tension significant?
- interpretIn v13, what is the 'portion of a wicked man with God' according to Job's assertion?
- applyWhen have you felt like the 'east wind' in v21 swept you away unexpectedly?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Job 27
- Psalm 37Job 27:10 and Psalm 37:4Both delight themselves in God: Job 27:10 asks if one calls on God, while Psalm 37:4 promises desires fulfilled.
- Proverbs 13Job 27:16 and Proverbs 13:22Both speak of wealth reserved for the righteous: Job 27:16 describes heaping silver, while Proverbs 13:22 notes that the sinner's wealth is for the righteous.
- Ecclesiastes 2Job 27:16 and Ecclesiastes 2:26Both discuss the futility of wealth: Job 27:16 mentions heaping silver, while Ecclesiastes 2:26 contrasts toil with joy given to the righteous.
- Job 20Job 27:13 and Job 20:29Both describe the heritage of the wicked: Job 27:13 calls it a portion with God, while Job 20:29 states it is appointed by God.
- Matthew 16Job 27:8 and Matthew 16:26Both question the value of life: Job 27:8 asks about the godless hope, while Matthew 16:26 inquires about profit without life.
- Job 13Job 27:5 and Job 13:15Both affirm a commitment to integrity: Job 27:5 states no justification for others, while Job 13:15 declares maintaining one's ways.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Job 27
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 12Day 12 of 365: Job 26–28.
- 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 27: frequently asked questions
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