Job 20:14
Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.
Original Language Analysis
לַ֭חְמוֹ
Yet his meat
H3899
לַ֭חְמוֹ
Yet his meat
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
1 of 6
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
בְּמֵעָ֣יו
in his bowels
H4578
בְּמֵעָ֣יו
in his bowels
Strong's:
H4578
Word #:
2 of 6
used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uteru
נֶהְפָּ֑ךְ
is turned
H2015
נֶהְפָּ֑ךְ
is turned
Strong's:
H2015
Word #:
3 of 6
to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
מְרוֹרַ֖ת
it is the gall
H4846
מְרוֹרַ֖ת
it is the gall
Strong's:
H4846
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, bitterness; concretely, a bitter thing; specifically bile; also venom (of a serpent)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern texts recognized snake venom's deadliness. The asp (cobra) represented particular danger. Wisdom literature used poisoning metaphors for sin's effects (Proverbs 23:32 describes wine as biting like serpent).
Questions for Reflection
- How does sin that initially appealed later poison us?
- What is the difference between suffering from sin's consequences versus suffering for other reasons?
- How does recognizing sin's poisonous effects motivate holiness without producing legalism?
Analysis & Commentary
Sin becomes poison: 'Yet his meat is turned in his bowels, it is the gall of asps within him.' What tasted sweet becomes poison internally. The imagery of transformation—meat turning to gall (bitter poison) in bowels—depicts sin's ultimate effects. Asp venom represents deadly toxicity. This principle (sin's pleasure gives way to destruction) is true but Zophar misapplies it, assuming all suffering indicates such self-poisoning.