Job 20:15
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Job 20:15
15 He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.
Chapter Context
Job 20 is a wisdom dialogue chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of holiness, truth, fellowship. Written during the patriarchal period (literary composition later), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ancient wisdom traditions often wrestled with the problem of suffering and divine justice.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-29: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Job and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Job 20:15
15 He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.
Analysis
'He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.' Zophar's grotesque imagery: ill-gotten riches 'swallowed down' (בָּלַע, bala) must be 'vomited up' (יְקִיאֶנּוּ, yeqiennu), and God will 'cast them out' (יוֹרִישֶׁנּוּ, yorishenu) of his 'belly' (מִבִּטְנוֹ, mibbitno). The digestive metaphor portrays wealth as poison requiring expulsion. Proverbs 23:8 uses similar imagery. The point: unjustly gained wealth cannot be retained. This is theologically sound (Jeremiah 17:11, Luke 12:20). Applied to Job, it's cruel—implying Job's wealth was ill-gotten and his loss is divine purging. Job's wealth was legitimate, his loss part of testing, not judgment. Zophar weaponizes truth against innocence.
Historical Context
Ancient peoples used bodily metaphors extensively. Zophar's vomiting imagery would be viscerally powerful, suggesting Job's wealth was toxic and his loss was God's necessary purging.
Reflection
- How do we distinguish between God's judgment of injustice and testing of the righteous?
- What dangers exist in assuming all loss indicates divine purging of ill-gotten gain?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H410 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Proverbs 23:8