Job 27:13
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Job 27:13
13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.
Chapter Context
Job 27 is a wisdom dialogue chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of grace, fellowship, worship. 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 21-23: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. 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 27:13
13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.
Analysis
This is the portion of a wicked man with God (זֶה חֵלֶק־אָדָם רָשָׁע עִם־אֵל)—cheleq (חֵלֶק, portion) refers to one's allotted inheritance or destiny. The wicked man's 'portion with God' is divine judgment. The heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty (וְנַחֲלַת עָרִיצִים מִשַּׁדַּי יִקָּחוּ)—nachalah (נַחֲלָה, heritage/inheritance) parallels 'portion,' emphasizing what the aritsim (עָרִיצִים, oppressors/tyrants) will receive from Shaddai (שַׁדַּי).
Job begins describing the wicked's ultimate fate (verses 13-23), affirming orthodox retribution theology—but with crucial qualification. The wicked do receive judgment, but not necessarily immediately or visibly in this life. This nuances his friends' simplistic formula while maintaining divine justice. The 'portion' and 'heritage' language draws on covenant theology: just as Israel received a land inheritance, the wicked receive judgment as their allotted portion. This prefigures Jesus's warnings about the unrighteous's 'portion' with hypocrites (Matthew 24:51) and the final judgment where each receives according to their deeds.
Historical Context
The concept of 'portion' (cheleq) and 'heritage' (nachalah) derives from Israel's land distribution theology but applies universally to divine justice. Job affirms that oppressors ultimately answer to Shaddai (the Almighty), a name emphasizing God's sovereign power to execute judgment regardless of earthly power structures.
Reflection
- How does Job's teaching on the wicked's ultimate 'portion' balance divine justice with the reality that judgment is often delayed?
- What comfort does the certainty of God's final judgment provide when facing unpunished oppression in this life?
- How should the doctrine of final judgment affect how Christians respond to injustice now?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H410 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- Evil: Isaiah 3:11