Job 20:11
His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust.
Original Language Analysis
עַ֭צְמוֹתָיו
His bones
H6106
עַ֭צְמוֹתָיו
His bones
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
1 of 7
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
מָלְא֣וּ
are full
H4390
מָלְא֣וּ
are full
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
2 of 7
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
עֲלוּמָ֑יו
of the sin of his youth
H5934
עֲלוּמָ֑יו
of the sin of his youth
Strong's:
H5934
Word #:
3 of 7
(only in plural as abstract) adolescence; figuratively, vigor
וְ֝עִמּ֗וֹ
H5973
וְ֝עִמּ֗וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
4 of 7
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Job 13:26For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.Psalms 25:7Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.Job 21:26They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.John 8:24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.Ezekiel 32:27And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.Ezekiel 24:13In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee.
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom recognized that youthful sins could have lifelong consequences (Proverbs warns about sexual immorality's lasting effects). However, Scripture also affirms forgiveness that removes guilt, even when natural consequences remain.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we distinguish between natural consequences of past sin and ongoing divine punishment?
- What does it mean that forgiveness removes guilt even when consequences remain?
- How does the Gospel address both guilt and shame from youthful sins?
Analysis & Commentary
Youth's strength becomes dust: 'His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust.' The wicked's youthful sins remain in their bones until death—they carry guilt to the grave. While sin does have lasting consequences, Zophar assumes all suffering that persists indicates unrepented sin. He can't conceive that God might have purposes for suffering beyond punishment for specific past sins.