Job 20

Zophar's Second Speech: The Triumph of the Wicked Is Short

1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, Parallel theme: Job 2:11

2 Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste. Parallel theme: Psalms 31:22, Proverbs 14:29

3 I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spiritSpirit: רוּחַ (Ruach). The Hebrew ruach (רוּחַ) means spirit, wind, or breath—invisible but powerful. It describes both the Holy Spirit and the human spirit. God's Spirit gives life and empowers His people. of my understanding causeth me to answer.

4 Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth,

5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

6 Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; Parallel theme: Genesis 11:4

7 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? Parallel theme: Job 4:20, 7:10, 8:18, 14:10, 1 Kings 14:10, 2 Kings 9:37, Psalms 83:10, Jeremiah 8:2 +3

8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. Parallel theme: Psalms 73:20, 90:5

9 The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him. Parallel theme: Job 7:8, 7:10, 8:18, Psalms 37:10, 37:36

10 His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods. Good: Luke 19:8. Parallel theme: Job 20:18

11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust. Sin: Psalms 25:7, John 8:24. Parallel theme: Job 13:26, 21:26, Ezekiel 24:13, 32:27

12 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; Parallel theme: Job 15:16, Genesis 3:6, Psalms 10:7, Proverbs 20:17, Ecclesiastes 11:9

13 Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:

14 Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him. Parallel theme: Romans 3:13

15 He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity. shall cast them out of his belly. Parallel theme: Proverbs 23:8

16 He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him. Parallel theme: Romans 3:13

17 He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter. Parallel theme: Job 29:6

18 That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein. Parallel theme: Job 20:5, 20:10, 20:15, 31:25, 31:29, Proverbs 1:12, Jeremiah 22:13, 22:17, 51:34, 51:44 +5

19 Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not; Parallel theme: Job 35:9, Proverbs 14:31

20 Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired.

21 There shall none of his meat be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods.

22 In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him.

23 When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrathWrath: אַף (Aph). The Hebrew aph (אַף) literally means 'nose' or 'nostrils,' idiomatically expressing wrath or anger—God's righteous indignation against sin. Yet God is 'slow to anger' (Exodus 34:6) and 'abundant in mercy.' upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating. Judgment: Numbers 11:33

24 He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through. Parallel theme: 2 Samuel 22:35, Isaiah 24:18, Amos 5:19

25 It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him. Word: Deuteronomy 32:41. Parallel theme: Job 15:21, 16:13, 18:11

26 All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle. Darkness: Isaiah 8:22, Matthew 8:12, Jude 1:13. Parallel theme: Psalms 21:9, 120:4, Isaiah 30:33, Matthew 3:12 +2

27 The heaven shall reveal his iniquityIniquity: עָוֹן (Avon). The Hebrew avon (עָוֹן) encompasses iniquity, guilt, and its punishment—the twisted nature of sin. 'The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all' (Isaiah 53:6), Christ bearing our guilt and penalty.; and the earth shall rise up against him. Sin: Isaiah 26:21. Parallel theme: Job 16:18

28 The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrathWrath: אַף (Aph). The Hebrew aph (אַף) literally means 'nose' or 'nostrils,' idiomatically expressing wrath or anger—God's righteous indignation against sin. Yet God is 'slow to anger' (Exodus 34:6) and 'abundant in mercy.'.

29 This is the portion of a wicked man from GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity., and the heritage appointed unto him by God. Evil: Job 18:21, 27:13, Lamentations 3:38. Parallel theme: Matthew 24:51