Job 20:29
This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.
Original Language Analysis
אָדָ֣ם
man
H120
אָדָ֣ם
man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
3 of 8
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
רָ֭שָׁע
of a wicked
H7563
רָ֭שָׁע
of a wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
4 of 8
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים
from God
H430
מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים
from God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 8
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Job 27:13This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.Job 18:21Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.Matthew 24:51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.Lamentations 3:38Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
Historical Context
Inheritance and portion language was central to Israel's covenant theology. Zophar's use of this sacred language to condemn Job would have been particularly harsh, suggesting Job's covenant standing itself was false.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we avoid presuming to assign eternal portions based on temporal circumstances?
- What does it mean that suffering doesn't determine our heritage in Christ?
Analysis & Commentary
'This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.' Zophar concludes: this is the wicked's 'portion' (חֵלֶק, cheleq) from God and appointed 'heritage' (נַחֲלַת אִמְרוֹ, nachalat imro). 'Portion' and 'heritage' are covenant language, usually positive (Psalm 16:5, 73:26). Zophar inverts them: the wicked's inheritance is judgment. The theology is sound (Psalm 11:6). The application to Job is false: Job isn't receiving the wicked's portion but the righteous's testing. By calling Job's suffering the wicked's heritage, Zophar damns Job. Yet God ultimately vindicates Job and condemns Zophar's theology (42:7). This warns against presuming to know someone's eternal destiny from temporal circumstances. Only God assigns portions and heritages.