Job 20:13
Job 20:13 in Multiple Translations
though he cannot bear to let it go and keeps it in his mouth,
Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:
Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth;
Though he takes care of it, and does not let it go, but keeps it still in his mouth;
not letting it go but keeping it in their mouths,
And fauoured it, and would not forsake it, but kept it close in his mouth,
Hath pity on it, and doth not forsake it, And keep it back in the midst of his palate,
though he spare it, and will not let it go, but keep it still within his mouth,
Though he may spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:
He will spare it, and not leave it, and will hide it in his throat.
And they did not want to stop doing those things,
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 20:13
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 20:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יַחְמֹ֣ל
עָ֭לֶי/הָ
וְ/לֹ֣א
יַֽעַזְבֶ֑/נָּה
וְ֝/יִמְנָעֶ֗/נָּה
בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ
חִכּֽ/וֹ
יַחְמֹ֣ל
châmal
H2550
to spare
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
עָ֭לֶי/הָ
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יַֽעַזְבֶ֑/נָּה
ʻâzab
H5800
Forsaken
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
וְ֝/יִמְנָעֶ֗/נָּה
mânaʻ
H4513
to withhold
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
midst
Prep | N-ms
חִכּֽ/וֹ
chêk
H2441
palate
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 20:13
יַחְמֹ֣ל
châmal
H2550
"to spare"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To spare or have pity is the meaning of this Hebrew verb, as seen in Genesis 43:14, where Joseph spares his brothers. It shows compassion and mercy towards others.
Definition: (Qal) to spare, pity, have compassion on
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: have compassion, (have) pity, spare. See also: Exodus 2:6; Jeremiah 21:7; Proverbs 6:34.
עָ֭לֶי/הָ
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
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.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יַֽעַזְבֶ֑/נָּה
ʻâzab
H5800
"Forsaken"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
Forsaken means to loosen or relinquish something, often implying abandonment. In the Bible, the word appears in Psalm 22:1, where David cries out to God, saying my God, why have you forsaken me. The term signifies a sense of desperation and isolation.
Definition: This name means to restore, repair Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 206 OT verses. KJV: commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:24; Nehemiah 5:10; Psalms 9:11.
וְ֝/יִמְנָעֶ֗/נָּה
mânaʻ
H4513
"to withhold"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
To withhold means to hold something back or keep it from someone. In the Bible, this word is used to describe God withholding something from people, or people withholding things from each other.
Definition: 1) to withhold, hold back, keep back, refrain, deny, keep restrain, hinder 1a) (Qal) to withhold 1b) (Niphal) to be withheld
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: deny, keep (back), refrain, restrain, withhold. See also: Genesis 30:2; Proverbs 1:15; Psalms 21:3.
בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
"midst"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.
חִכּֽ/וֹ
chêk
H2441
"palate"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to the roof of the mouth or palate, like when Isaiah describes the mouth as a source of praise or shame. It's also related to taste and speech, as seen in the book of Job.
Definition: mouth, palate, taste, gums
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: (roof of the) mouth, taste. See also: Job 6:30; Proverbs 5:3; Psalms 119:103.
Study Notes — Job 20:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 20:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 20:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 20:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 20:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 20:13
- Cambridge Bible on Job 20:13
- Barnes' Notes on Job 20:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 20:13
- Sermons on Job 20:13
Context — Zophar: Destruction Awaits the Wicked
11The youthful vigor that fills his bones will lie down with him in the dust.
12Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he conceals it under his tongue,
13though he cannot bear to let it go and keeps it in his mouth,
14yet in his stomach his food sours into the venom of cobras within him. 15He swallows wealth but vomits it out; God will force it from his stomach.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark 9:43–49 | If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire. |
| 2 | Romans 8:13 | For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. |
| 3 | Matthew 5:29–30 | If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to depart into hell. |
| 4 | Numbers 11:18–20 | And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat, because you have cried out in the hearing of the LORD, saying: ‘Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!’ Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat. You will eat it not for one or two days, nor for five or ten or twenty days, but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and makes you nauseous—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have cried out before Him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’” |
Job 20:13 Summary
[This verse is saying that the wicked person loves sin so much that they can't bear to let it go, even though it's hurting them. It's like when we get addicted to something and can't stop, even though we know it's bad for us, as seen in 2 Peter 2:19 where it says 'a slave to whatever overpowers him'. The Bible warns us that sin can have serious consequences, like in Romans 6:23 where it says 'the wages of sin is death', but God offers us a way out through His love and forgiveness.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the phrase 'he cannot bear to let it go' in Job 20:13?
This phrase suggests that the wicked person has become so accustomed to sin that they cannot bring themselves to give it up, much like the addict who cannot resist their craving, as seen in Proverbs 27:22 where it says 'though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his foolishness will not depart from him'.
How does this verse relate to the concept of sin and its effects on a person?
This verse highlights the destructive nature of sin, as it not only brings harm to the individual but also becomes a source of obsession, as warned in Romans 6:23 where it says 'the wages of sin is death'.
What is the symbolism of 'keeping it in his mouth' in this context?
The act of keeping sin 'in his mouth' signifies the person's reluctance to let go of their sinful desires, much like the warning in James 1:15 where it says 'then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin'.
How does this verse contrast with the character of a righteous person?
Unlike the wicked, a righteous person delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night, as described in Psalm 1:2, and finds joy in doing what is right, as seen in Job 27:10 where it says 'he will always delight in the fear of God'.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be 'keeping sin in my mouth' without realizing it, and how can I let go of those things?
- How does my own obsession with worldly things compare to the wicked person's obsession with sin in this verse?
- In what ways can I cultivate a desire for righteousness and a hatred for sin, as described in Psalm 119:104 where it says 'I hate every false way'?
- What are the consequences of giving in to sin, and how can I avoid those consequences in my own life, as warned in Galatians 6:7-8?
Gill's Exposition on Job 20:13
[Though] he spare it,.... Not that he feeds sparingly on it, for he eats of it freely and plentifully, with great eagerness and greediness; it designs the gratefulness of it to him; he does not spit
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 20:13
Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth: Forsake it not - does not let it go from his mouth down his throat, so as the longer to enjoy its sweet relish.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 20:13
Though he spare it, i.e. will not part with it; or gratify and obey it, instead of subduing and mortifying it. Keep it still within his mouth, to suck out all the sweetness or benefit of it, though it be very delightful to him.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 20:13
Job 20:13 [Though] he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:Ver. 13. Though he spare it, and forsake it not] This is the same in sense with the former verse, and the second time repeated, that Job might know that he was the man here meant; Ut qui in malis artibus sibi placuisset, saith Merlin, as one who took pleasure in raising himself upon another’ s ruins. And another good note the same author giveth here, viz. That as anything is more sweet and delectable to the sensual appetite, so much the more should we suspect it, as fearing a snare laid for us therein, by that old manslayer. Vipera later in veprecula. Diabolus capite blanditur, ventre oblectat, cauda ligat. Divorce the flesh from the devil, and then there is no great danger. But keep it still within his mouth] And will not be drawn to spit it out by confession, and to carry it through the dung port of his mouth into the brook Kidron, which was the town ditch. Satan knows there is no way to purge the sick soul but upwards. He therefore laboureth to hold his lips close, that the soul may not unburden itself, and God come in with his cordials of comfort.
Cambridge Bible on Job 20:13
13. forsake it not] i. e. do not let it go—do not swallow it.
Barnes' Notes on Job 20:13
Though he spare it - That is, though he retains it long in his mouth, that he may enjoy it the more. And forsake it not - Retains it as long as he can.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 20:13
Second strophe — The epicure in wickedness awakes in agony to find the secret tidbits of sin changed into most deadly poison, and his sweetest delights proved to be germs of a signal destruction, Job 20:12-16.13.
Sermons on Job 20:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Grieving the Holy Spirit by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a man who was on the verge of losing everything due to his addiction. Despite asking for prayer, he couldn't resist getting high b |
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Old Time Religion by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the state of society and the abundance of leisure time that people have. He emphasizes the importance of knowing certain truths rather than |
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Marks of a True Conversion (Become as Little Children to Enter the Kingdom of Heaven) by George Whitefield | In this sermon by George Whitfield, he begins by urging the congregation to examine their own souls and determine if they have truly been converted. He emphasizes the urgency of th |
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Eternal Hell (2 of 2) by Art Katz | In this sermon, the preacher recounts a story of a man who escaped from a concentration camp and came to their community with a warning. The man described seeing fire and tried to |
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The Neglected Place Called Hell by David Legge | This sermon delves into the neglected truth of the reality of hell, emphasizing the importance of understanding its existence as a real place of torment. Through the story in Luke |
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(Through the Bible) Isaiah 63-66 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of worshiping the beast and receiving his mark. He emphasizes that those who engage in such worship will face the wrath of God, b |
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Christ Our Life - Part 2 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker recounts a powerful experience he had while preaching at the University of Illinois. He describes how he witnessed a man wither and shrink away after he |