Job 18:20
Job 18:20 in Multiple Translations
Those in the west are appalled at his fate, while those in the east tremble in horror.
They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted.
They that come after shall be astonished at his day, As they that went before were affrighted.
At his fate those of the west are shocked, and those of the east are overcome with fear.
People of the west are appalled at what happens to them. People of the east are shocked.
The posteritie shalbe astonied at his day, and feare shall come vpon the ancient.
At this day westerns have been astonished And easterns have taken fright.
Those who come after will be astonished at his day, as those who went before were frightened.
They that come after him shall be astonished at his day, as they that went before were affrighted.
They that come after him shall be astonished at his day, and horror shall fall upon them that went before.
People from the east to the west who hear about what happened to them, will be shocked and horrified.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 18:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 18:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עַל
י֭וֹמ/וֹ
נָשַׁ֣מּוּ
אַחֲרֹנִ֑ים
וְ֝/קַדְמֹנִ֗ים
אָ֣חֲזוּ
שָֽׂעַר
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
י֭וֹמ/וֹ
yôwm
H3117
day
N-ms | Suff
נָשַׁ֣מּוּ
shâmêm
H8074
be desolate
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
אַחֲרֹנִ֑ים
ʼachărôwn
H314
last
Adj
וְ֝/קַדְמֹנִ֗ים
qadmôwnîy
H6931
eastern
Conj | Adj
אָ֣חֲזוּ
ʼâchaz
H270
to grasp
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
שָֽׂעַר
saʻar
H8178
shuddering
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 18:20
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
י֭וֹמ/וֹ
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
נָשַׁ֣מּוּ
shâmêm
H8074
"be desolate"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
The word 'shamem' means to be desolate or devastated, like a place left empty and destroyed, often used to describe the aftermath of war or disaster.
Definition: : destroyed/deserted 1) to be desolate, be appalled, stun, stupefy 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be desolated, be deflowered, be deserted, be appalled 1a2) to be appalled, be awestruck 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be desolated, be made desolate 1b2) to be appalled 1c) (Polel) 1c1) to be stunned 1c2) appalling, causing horror (participle) 1c2a) horror-causer, appaller (subst) 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to devastate, ravage, make desolated 1d2) to appal, show horror 1e) (Hophal) to lay desolate, be desolated 1f) (Hithpolel) 1f1) to cause to be desolate 1f2) to be appalled, be astounded 1f3) to cause oneself desolation, cause oneself ruin
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish(-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate(-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder. See also: Leviticus 26:22; Jeremiah 50:13; Psalms 40:16.
אַחֲרֹנִ֑ים
ʼachărôwn
H314
"last"
Adj
This Hebrew word means last or western, and can refer to something that is behind or following something else. It is used in the Bible to describe things that are late or last in time or location.
Definition: 1) behind, following, subsequent, western 1a) behind, hindermost, western (of location) 1b) later, subsequent, latter, last (of time)
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: after (-ward), to come, following, hind(-er, -ermost, -most), last, latter, rereward, ut(ter) most. See also: Genesis 33:2; 2 Chronicles 28:26; Psalms 48:14.
וְ֝/קַדְמֹנִ֗ים
qadmôwnîy
H6931
"eastern"
Conj | Adj
This word can mean something that is old or from an earlier time, or it can describe something that is located in the east. It is used in the Bible to talk about ancient things or people who lived before. The word can also mean 'eastern' or 'older'.
Definition: : eastern 1) former, ancient, eastern 1a) former, ancient 1b) eastern Also means: qad.mo.ni (קַדְמֹנִי ": older" H6931H)
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: ancient, they that went before, east, (thing of) old. See also: 1 Samuel 24:14; Ezekiel 38:17; Isaiah 43:18.
אָ֣חֲזוּ
ʼâchaz
H270
"to grasp"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word means to grasp or take hold of something, often holding it in possession. It can also mean to be caught or settled. This verb is used in various forms throughout the Bible, including in the books of Exodus and Psalms.
Definition: 1) grasp, take hold, seize, take possession 1a) (Qal) to grasp, take hold of 1b) (Niphal) to be caught, grasped, be settled 1c) (Piel) to enclose, overlay 1d) (Hophal) fastened
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be affrighted, bar, (catch, lay, take) hold (back), come upon, fasten, handle, portion, (get, have or take) possess(-ion). See also: Genesis 22:13; Nehemiah 7:3; Psalms 48:7.
שָֽׂעַר
saʻar
H8178
"shuddering"
N-ms
A storm or tempest is what this Hebrew word describes, also implying a sense of terror or fear. It is used in the Bible to describe a frightening or intimidating event, such as a severe storm.
Definition: terror, horror
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: affrighted, [idiom] horribly, [idiom] sore, storm. See H8181 (שֵׂעָר). See also: Job 18:20; Ezekiel 27:35; Isaiah 28:2.
Study Notes — Job 18:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 18:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 18:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 18:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 18:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 18:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 18:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 18:20
- Cambridge Bible on Job 18:20
- Barnes' Notes on Job 18:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 18:20
- Sermons on Job 18:20
Context — Bildad: God Punishes the Wicked
18He is driven from light into darkness and is chased from the inhabited world.
19He has no offspring or posterity among his people, no survivor where he once lived.
20Those in the west are appalled at his fate, while those in the east tremble in horror.
21Surely such is the dwelling of the wicked and the place of one who does not know God.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 37:13 | but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 50:27 | Kill all her young bulls; let them go down to the slaughter. Woe to them, for their day has come— the time of their punishment. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 21:25 | And you, O profane and wicked prince of Israel, the day has come for your final punishment.’ |
| 4 | Luke 19:44 | They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God. ” |
| 5 | Luke 19:42 | and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. |
| 6 | Job 19:13–19 | He has removed my brothers from me; my acquaintances have abandoned me. My kinsmen have failed me, and my friends have forgotten me. My guests and maidservants count me as a stranger; I am a foreigner in their sight. I call for my servant, but he does not answer, though I implore him with my own mouth. My breath is repulsive to my wife, and I am loathsome to my own family. Even little boys scorn me; when I appear, they deride me. All my best friends despise me, and those I love have turned against me. |
| 7 | Job 2:12–13 | When they lifted up their eyes from afar, they could barely recognize Job. They began to weep aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust in the air over his head. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw how intense his suffering was. |
| 8 | Psalms 137:7 | Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom on the day Jerusalem fell: “Destroy it,” they said, “tear it down to its foundations!” |
| 9 | Deuteronomy 29:23–24 | All its soil will be a burning waste of sulfur and salt, unsown and unproductive, with no plant growing on it, just like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His fierce anger. So all the nations will ask, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?’ |
| 10 | 1 Kings 9:8 | And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and will hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ |
Job 18:20 Summary
This verse, Job 18:20, talks about how people from all directions are shocked and frightened by what happens to someone who has rejected God. It's like when we see someone making bad choices and heading down a wrong path, and we feel a sense of fear or warning for them, similar to the feelings expressed in Psalm 96:9. The Bible teaches that living without God leads to darkness and destruction, as seen in Job 18:18 and Psalm 9:17, but knowing and following Him brings life and light, as promised in John 8:12 and Psalm 119:105.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for those in the west and east to be appalled and tremble in horror?
This refers to the widespread shock and fear that results from the judgment of the wicked, as described in Job 18:20, and is reminiscent of the fear that God's judgment inspires in Psalm 96:9 and Isaiah 2:10-11.
Is this verse talking about a specific person or a general principle?
While the context of Job 18 is addressing the wicked, the principle applies broadly to all who reject God, as seen in Proverbs 10:27-30 and Psalm 37:37-38.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's justice?
This verse illustrates God's justice in action, where the wicked are punished and the righteous are spared, a theme also seen in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Romans 2:5-11.
What is the ultimate result of living a life without knowing God?
According to Job 18:20-21 and supported by Psalm 9:17, the ultimate result is a life of darkness, fear, and destruction, emphasizing the importance of knowing and following God as seen in John 17:3.
Reflection Questions
- How does the fear of God's judgment impact my daily life and decisions?
- In what ways can I demonstrate compassion and warning to those who are living without God, as seen in the reactions of those in the west and east?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be living in darkness or ignorance of God's will, and how can I seek His light and guidance?
- How can I balance the message of God's judgment with the message of His love and mercy, as seen in verses like Job 18:20 and John 3:16?
Gill's Exposition on Job 18:20
They that come after [him] shall be astonished at his day,.... At the day of his calamity and distress, ruin and destruction, see Psalms 37:13; it would be extremely amazing to them how it should be,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 18:20
They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 18:20
At his day, i.e. at the day of his destruction, as the word day is used, 137:7 . They shall be amazed at the suddenness, and dreadfulness, and prodigiousness of it, as Job’ s friends were at his calamities, ,13. They that went before, i.e. before the persons last mentioned; those who lived in the time and place where this judgment was inflicted. Affrighted; or, filled with horror; partly through humanity and compassion, and partly for fear, lest the judgment should overtake them also.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 18:20
Job 18:20 They that come after [him] shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted.Ver. 20. They that come after him shall be astonied at his day] Future ages, hearing the relation of his dismal destruction, shall stand aghast, as if they beheld the dirty ruins of some once beautiful city. Happy they, if in good earnest they could make that good use of it which Herodotus, the historian, saith men should make of the overthrow of Troy; viz. to take notice thereby that great sinners must look for great punishments from God, Tωνμεγαλωναδικηματωνμεγαλιεεισικαιαιτιμωριαιπαρατου Yεου (Herod.). But Ham and his posterity were little the better for the deluge in their days, nor the adjacent countries for Sodom’ s downhill. As they that went before were affrighted] sc. His contemporaries and eyewitnesses of his calamity apprehended horror, so the Hebrew hath it, they took a fright; which yet was little to the purpose without faith and repentance; and unless their hearts fell down when their hairs stood upright.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 18:20
(20) Shall be astonied at his day.—That is, his doom, or destiny. He shall stand forth as a warning and monument to all.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 18:20
Verse 20. They that come after him] The young shall be struck with astonishment when they hear the relation of the judgments of God upon this wicked man. As they that went before. The aged who were his contemporaries, and who saw the judgments that fell on him, were affrighted, אחזו שער achazu saar, seized with horror - were horrified; or, as Mr. Good has well expressed it, were panic-struck.
Cambridge Bible on Job 18:20
20. They that come after him] The word “him” must be omitted; the expression refers to the later generations of men, as they that went before does to the earlier, those nearer the sinner’s day, but, of course, both expressions describe generations living after the wicked man. Others take the two phrases to mean, they of the West, and they of the East. In the one case the idea is that men’s horror of his memory and fate is eternal, lasting through all generations; in the other that it is universal,—both in the West and in the East. His day is the day of his downfall, Psalms 37:13; Jeremiah 50:27. Job had complained that he was made a “byword of the peoples” ch. Job 17:6; Bildad, with a singular hardness, rejoins, It is true, the deep moral instinct of mankind rises up against such a man.
Barnes' Notes on Job 18:20
They that come after him - Future ages; they who may hear of his history and of the manner in which he was cut off from life. So the passage has been generally rendered; so, substantially, it is by Dr. Good, Dr.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 18:20
20. They that come after him… they that went before — Ewald, Dillman, Zockler, read, “Men of the west;”… “Men of the east;” that is, Men of all lands; while others prefer the reading of the Authorized Version.
Sermons on Job 18:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
K-472 Walking in the Rest of God by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker shares his recent experiences in Europe and how they were influenced by a vision he had years ago. He emphasizes that just because God gives a vision, i |
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Jacob and Esau by Paul Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of separating the precious from the vile in order to experience true life. He discusses the power of atmosphere and how it ca |
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Holy Spirit Awakening by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Acts 2 and the awakening interest in the Holy Spirit among different denominational groups. He emphasizes the importance of not missing out |
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Jesus' Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem Luke 19:28-44 by David Servant | David Servant preaches about Jesus' dramatic entrance into Jerusalem, fulfilling ancient prophecies and displaying His divine knowledge and authority. Despite the people's expectat |
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Time of God's Coming by Bakht Singh | Bakht Singh emphasizes the importance of recognizing the times of God's visitation, warning of disastrous consequences for individuals, nations, and churches that fail to do so. He |
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Saints Saved With Difficulty; and the Certain Perdition of the Wicked by Samuel Davies | Samuel Davies preaches about the challenges and difficulties faced by the righteous in their journey to salvation, emphasizing the need for sincere repentance, faith in Christ, and |
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Luke 19:42 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of 'this day' as Jesus enters Jerusalem, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah. He explains how Jesus had previously avoided public acknowled |