Job 11:20
But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.
Original Language Analysis
וְעֵינֵ֥י
But the eyes
H5869
וְעֵינֵ֥י
But the eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
1 of 9
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
רְשָׁעִ֗ים
of the wicked
H7563
רְשָׁעִ֗ים
of the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
2 of 9
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
תִּ֫כְלֶ֥ינָה
shall fail
H3615
תִּ֫כְלֶ֥ינָה
shall fail
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
3 of 9
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
וּ֭מָנוֹס
H4498
וּ֭מָנוֹס
Strong's:
H4498
Word #:
4 of 9
a retreat (literally or figuratively); abstractly, a fleeing
אָבַ֣ד
and they shall not escape
H6
אָבַ֣ד
and they shall not escape
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
מִנְהֶ֑ם
H4480
מִנְהֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וְ֝תִקְוָתָ֗ם
and their hope
H8615
וְ֝תִקְוָתָ֗ם
and their hope
Strong's:
H8615
Word #:
7 of 9
literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy
Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:65And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:Job 31:16If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;Job 17:5He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
Historical Context
Ancient Israelite theology clearly distinguished the fate of the righteous and wicked. Zophar stands in this tradition but misapplies it, placing Job in the category of 'the wicked' based solely on his suffering.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we proclaim the reality of divine judgment without presuming to know who falls under it?
- What is the difference between biblical warning and spiritual manipulation through fear?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Zophar concludes with warning: 'the eyes of the wicked shall fail' (תִּכְלֶינָה, tikhlenah—be consumed, perish), 'they shall not escape' (אָבַד מָנוֹס, avad manos—refuge perishes), and 'their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost' (מַפַּח־נָפֶשׁ, mapach-nefesh—breathing out of soul, death). This orthodox warning echoes Psalm 112:10 and Proverbs 10:28. The 'giving up of the ghost' is a stark image—their hope expires like a dying breath. The theology is sound: the wicked ultimately perish. The implication against Job is false: Zophar suggests Job faces this fate unless he repents of unspecified sins. He uses the doctrine of judgment as a weapon. Biblical warnings about judgment should drive us to Christ, not be deployed against fellow sufferers.