Job 20:12
Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 7
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תַּמְתִּ֣יק
be sweet
H4985
תַּמְתִּ֣יק
be sweet
Strong's:
H4985
Word #:
2 of 7
to suck, by implication, to relish, or (intransitively) be sweet
בְּפִ֣יו
in his mouth
H6310
בְּפִ֣יו
in his mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
3 of 7
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יַ֝כְחִידֶ֗נָּה
though he hide
H3582
יַ֝כְחִידֶ֗נָּה
though he hide
Strong's:
H3582
Word #:
5 of 7
to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy
Cross References
Psalms 10:7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.Job 15:16How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?Ecclesiastes 11:9Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.Proverbs 20:17Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.Genesis 3:6And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Historical Context
Ancient peoples used taste metaphors for moral experiences. Zophar employs this to suggest Job secretly enjoys hidden sins, using orthodox theology to make unproven accusations.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we acknowledge sin's temporary pleasure without excusing it or falsely accusing others?
- What is the difference between teaching general truth about sin and making specific accusations?
Analysis & Commentary
'Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue.' Zophar describes how the wicked savor sin: 'wickedness' (רָעָה, ra'ah) is 'sweet' (יַמְתִּיק, yamtiq) in his mouth, hidden under his tongue (תַּחַת לְשׁוֹנוֹ, tachat leshono). The imagery: rolling sin like a delicacy on the palate. This echoes Proverbs 9:17—'stolen waters are sweet.' Sin does offer temporary pleasure (Hebrews 11:25), which makes it tempting. Zophar's theology is accurate: people do enjoy sin momentarily. His application to Job is unfounded: assuming Job secretly savors wickedness. Without evidence, this is slander. The Reformed understanding of indwelling sin acknowledges ongoing struggle without assuming specific secret wickedness in others.