Job 20:28
The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.
Original Language Analysis
יִ֭גֶל
shall depart
H1540
יִ֭גֶל
shall depart
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
1 of 6
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
בֵּית֑וֹ
of his house
H1004
בֵּית֑וֹ
of his house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 6
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
נִ֝גָּר֗וֹת
and his goods shall flow away
H5064
נִ֝גָּר֗וֹת
and his goods shall flow away
Strong's:
H5064
Word #:
4 of 6
to flow; figuratively, to stretch out; causatively, to pour out or down; figuratively, to deliver over
Historical Context
Zophar's second speech (Job 20) represents his final contribution to the dialogue. After this, he falls silent—perhaps recognizing his arguments haven't moved Job, or simply having exhausted his theological arsenal. Ancient Near Eastern wisdom assumed divine-human moral symmetry: good deeds bring blessing, evil brings curse. Job's situation defied this framework, forcing later wisdom literature (Ecclesiastes) and ultimately NT revelation to provide fuller answers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's actual experience of loss while righteous demolish Zophar's neat retribution theology?
- What is the relationship between temporal loss in this life and eternal loss in the day of God's wrath?
- How does the NT teaching on Christ bearing God's wrath transform how we understand the 'day of His anger'?
Analysis & Commentary
The increase of his house shall depart (יִגֶל יְבוּל בֵּיתוֹ, yigel yevul betho)—yigel (shall depart, go into exile) suggests forced removal. Yevul means produce, income, or increase—everything accumulated through labor. His goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath (נִגָּרוֹת בְּיוֹם אַפּוֹ, niggaroth beyom appo)—nagar means to flow, pour out, be poured away like water. Yom appo (day of His wrath) clearly identifies divine judgment day.
Zophar concludes his speech with total material loss on judgment day. The irony cuts deep: Job has already experienced exactly this scenario (Job 1:13-22), yet maintained integrity. Zophar's theology cannot explain why the righteous Job suffered what should befall only the wicked. God's answer will come in chapters 38-41, revealing that divine wisdom transcends human retribution formulas. The NT develops this further—material prosperity never indicated spiritual state (Luke 12:15-21, 16:19-31).