Job 20:7
Job 20:7 in Multiple Translations
he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’
Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?
Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: They that have seen him shall say, Where is he?
Like the waste from his body he comes to an end for ever: those who have seen him say, Where is he?
they will vanish forever like their own excrement. People who knew them will ask, ‘Where have they gone?’
Yet shall hee perish for euer, like his dung, and they which haue seene him, shall say, Where is hee?
As his own dung for ever he doth perish, His beholders say: 'Where [is] he?'
yet he will perish forever like his own dung. Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they who have seen him shall say, Where is he?
In the end he shall be destroyed like a dunghill, and they that has seen him shall say: Where is he?
they will disappear forever, like their own dung, and those who knew them will ask, ‘◄Where did they go/What happened to them►?’
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 20:7
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 20:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כְּֽ֭/גֶלֲל/וֹ
לָ/נֶ֣צַח
יֹאבֵ֑ד
רֹ֝אָ֗י/ו
יֹאמְר֥וּ
אַיּֽ/וֹ
כְּֽ֭/גֶלֲל/וֹ
gêlel
H1561
dung
Prep | N-ms | Suff
לָ/נֶ֣צַח
netsach
H5331
perpetuity
Prep | N-ms
יֹאבֵ֑ד
ʼâbad
H6
to perish
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
רֹ֝אָ֗י/ו
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal | Suff
יֹאמְר֥וּ
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
אַיּֽ/וֹ
ʼay
H335
where?
Part | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 20:7
כְּֽ֭/גֶלֲל/וֹ
gêlel
H1561
"dung"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word refers to dung or a ball of dung, often used as fertilizer. It is mentioned in the Bible as something unclean and worthless, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: dung, ball of dung
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: dung. See also: Job 20:7; Ezekiel 4:15; Zephaniah 1:17.
לָ/נֶ֣צַח
netsach
H5331
"perpetuity"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for perpetuity or everlastingness, often used to describe God's nature. It appears in Psalm 9:7, where the psalmist praises God's enduring presence. This word conveys the idea of something lasting forever.
Definition: 1) eminence, perpetuity, strength, victory, enduring, everlastingness 1a) eminence 1b) enduring of life 1c) endurance in time, perpetual, continual, unto the end 1d) everlastingness, ever
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), constantly, end, ([phrase] n-) ever(more), perpetual, strength, victory. See also: 1 Samuel 15:29; Psalms 74:10; Psalms 9:7.
יֹאבֵ֑ד
ʼâbad
H6
"to perish"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
Definition: 1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) perish, die, be exterminated 1a2) perish, vanish (fig.) 1a3) be lost, strayed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate 1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.) 1b3) cause to stray, lose 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to destroy, put to death 1c1a) of divine judgment 1c2) object name of kings (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee. See also: Exodus 10:7; Psalms 112:10; Psalms 1:6.
רֹ֝אָ֗י/ו
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal | Suff
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
יֹאמְר֥וּ
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אַיּֽ/וֹ
ʼay
H335
"where?"
Part | Suff
The Hebrew word for where or how, used to ask questions about location or method, as seen in various Bible translations, including how, what, or which way.
Definition: 1) whereto ?, whence? 2) which?, how? (in prefix with other adverb)
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: how, what, whence, where, whether, which (way). See also: Genesis 3:9; Job 2:2; Proverbs 31:4.
Study Notes — Job 20:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 20:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 20:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 20:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 20:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 20:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 20:7
- Cambridge Bible on Job 20:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 20:7
Context — Zophar: Destruction Awaits the Wicked
5the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?
6Though his arrogance reaches the heavens, and his head touches the clouds,
7he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’
8He will fly away like a dream, never to be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night. 9The eye that saw him will see him no more, and his place will no longer behold him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 7:10 | He never returns to his house; his place remembers him no more. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 14:10 | Because of all this, behold, I am bringing disaster on the house of Jeroboam: I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both slave and free, in Israel; I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns up dung until it is gone! |
| 3 | Job 4:20 | They are smashed to pieces from dawn to dusk; unnoticed, they perish forever. |
| 4 | Psalms 83:10 | who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground. |
| 5 | 2 Kings 9:37 | And Jezebel’s body will lie like dung in the field on the plot of ground at Jezreel, so that no one can say: This is Jezebel.’ ” |
| 6 | Job 14:10 | But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he? |
| 7 | Job 8:18 | If he is uprooted from his place, it will disown him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’ |
| 8 | Jeremiah 8:2 | They will be exposed to the sun and moon, and to all the host of heaven which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered up or buried, but will become like dung lying on the ground. |
Job 20:7 Summary
[This verse is saying that even though bad people might seem powerful and important now, they will eventually be completely forgotten and destroyed, like something as worthless as dung. This is a reminder that God is in control and will ultimately bring justice to the world, as seen in Psalms 37:20. We can trust that God will take care of the wicked and that our focus should be on building a lasting legacy that honors Him, as stated in Matthew 6:19-20, where Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in heaven.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for someone to perish forever like their own dung?
This phrase is a vivid illustration of the complete and utter destruction of the wicked, as seen in Job 20:7, emphasizing that their legacy will be forgotten and their impact will be as fleeting as something as insignificant as dung, much like the fate of those who oppose God in Psalms 37:20.
Why will those who had seen the wicked person ask, 'Where is he?'
This question highlights the sudden and complete disappearance of the wicked person from the scene, leaving those who knew them wondering what happened, much like the disappearance of the ungodly in Psalms 37:10, where it is said that they will be no more.
Is this verse saying that the wicked will have no lasting impact?
Yes, according to Job 20:7, the wicked will have no lasting legacy, and their memory will be forgotten, as also seen in Proverbs 10:7, where it says that the memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of the book of Job?
This verse fits into the book of Job's exploration of the nature of suffering and the fate of the wicked, emphasizing that despite temporary successes, the wicked will ultimately face destruction and obscurity, as seen in Job 20:7, reinforcing the theme that God is just and will ultimately judge all people, as stated in Job 34:12.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I see the wicked prospering in the world today, and how can I trust that God will ultimately bring them to justice?
- How can I ensure that my own legacy is one that honors God and will be remembered for generations to come?
- In what ways do I struggle with the idea of the wicked being completely forgotten, and how can I reconcile this with my understanding of God's justice?
- What are some practical ways that I can focus on building a lasting legacy that is rooted in my relationship with God, rather than seeking temporary success and recognition?
Gill's Exposition on Job 20:7
[Yet] he shall perish for ever like his own dung,.... Not only in this world, but in the world to come, both in his outward substance here, and in his body in the grave, and in his soul to all
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 20:7
Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 20:7
Like his own dung; which men cast away with contempt and abhorrency. Compare . They which have seen him, with admiration at his felicity. Where is he? i.e. he is no where to be found; he is utterly lost and gone.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 20:7
Job 20:7 [Yet] he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where [is] he?Ver. 7. Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung] Than the which nothing is more filthy and detestable. See this exemplified in Herod, Haman, Boniface VIII, bloody Bonner buried in a muck hill, &c. The word rendered dung hath its denomination from rolling, because it is rolled out of doors, and swept out of sight. Many instances hereof might be given in the pristine and modern persecutors, punished with ignominious and disgraceful ends. Sisera and Jabin perished at Endor, and became as dung for the earth, Psalms 83:10. Jehoram died undesired, Julian the apostate abhorred. God hath for such a besom of destruction, Isaiah 14:23. They which have seen him shall say, Where is he?] They which have seen him with wonder shall now see him with horror, when they see him at such an under, such an ebb, such a dead low water. See this exemplified in that proud Chaldean, Isaiah 14:4; Isaiah 14:12; Isaiah 14:16.
Tam subito casu, quae valuere, ruunt.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 20:7
Verse 7. He shall perish for ever] He is dust, and shall return to the dust from which he was taken. Zophar here hints his disbelief in that doctrine, the resurrection of the body, which Job had so solemnly asserted in the preceding chapter. Or he might have been like some in the present day, who believe that the wicked shall be annihilated, and the bodies of the righteous only be raised from the dead; but I know of no scripture by which such a doctrine is confirmed. Like his own dung] His reputation shall be abominable, and his putrid carcass shall resemble his own excrement. A speech that partakes as much of the malevolence as of the asperity of Zophar's spirit.
Cambridge Bible on Job 20:7
7. like his own dung] Zophar is not the most refined of the three, cf. 2 Kings 9:37. On the last words of the verse cf. ch. Job 14:10.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 20:7
7. Like his own dung — Hirtzel renders the first clause: “According to his greatness so shall he perish forever.” So that “his destruction is the greater even as he himself is greater,” (Ewald,)