Job 20:23
When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.
Original Language Analysis
יְהִ֤י׀
H1961
יְהִ֤י׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְמַלֵּ֬א
When he is about to fill
H4390
לְמַלֵּ֬א
When he is about to fill
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
2 of 10
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
בִטְנ֗וֹ
his belly
H990
בִטְנ֗וֹ
his belly
Strong's:
H990
Word #:
3 of 10
the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
יְֽשַׁלַּח
God shall cast
H7971
יְֽשַׁלַּח
God shall cast
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
4 of 10
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אַפּ֑וֹ
of his wrath
H639
אַפּ֑וֹ
of his wrath
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
7 of 10
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
Historical Context
Judgment striking during feasting appeared in ancient literature (Daniel 5—Belshazzar's feast). Zophar uses this motif to suggest Job's catastrophe interrupted his greedy consumption.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we distinguish between testing and judgment when both involve suffering?
- What prevents us from mistaking God's testing for His wrath?
Analysis & Commentary
'When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.' Zophar describes judgment striking during eating: filling 'belly' (בִּטְנוֹ, bitno), God casts 'fury of wrath' (חֲרוֹן אַפּוֹ, charon apo) and 'rains it' (יַמְטֵר, yamter) while eating (בִּלְחוּמוֹ, bilchumo). The image: divine wrath interrupting consumption. This reflects sudden judgment in the midst of prosperity (Luke 12:20). Theologically sound: God can judge anytime. Applied to Job: suggests Job was struck down while greedily consuming. But Job's loss came through Satan's attacks permitted by God for testing, not judgment on gluttony. Zophar consistently mistakes testing for judgment. The Reformed distinction between trial and judgment is crucial.