Job 8:20
Job 8:20 in Multiple Translations
Behold, God does not reject the blameless, nor will He strengthen the hand of evildoers.
Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:
Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, Neither will he uphold the evil-doers.
Truly, God will not give up him who is without sin, and will not take evil-doers by the hand.
Look, God doesn't reject someone who is innocent, and he doesn't support those who are guilty.
Behold, God will not cast away an vpright man, neither will he take the wicked by the hand,
Lo, God doth not reject the perfect, Nor taketh hold on the hand of evil doers.
“Behold, God will not cast away a blameless man, neither will he uphold the evildoers.
Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man , neither will he help the evil doers:
God will not cast away the simple, nor reach out his hand to the evildoer:
:So, I tell you, Job, God will not reject you if you are truly godly/righteous, but he does not help [IDM] evil people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 8:20
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 8:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֶן
אֵ֭ל
לֹ֣א
יִמְאַס
תָּ֑ם
וְ/לֹֽא
יַ֝חֲזִ֗יק
בְּ/יַד
מְרֵעִֽים
הֶן
hên
H2005
look!
Part
אֵ֭ל
ʼêl
H410
god
N-ms
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִמְאַס
mâʼaç
H3988
to reject
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
תָּ֑ם
tâm
H8535
complete
Adj
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יַ֝חֲזִ֗יק
châzaq
H2388
to strengthen
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
בְּ/יַד
yâd
H3027
hand
Prep | N-cs
מְרֵעִֽים
râʻaʻ
H7489
be evil
V-Hiphil
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 8:20
הֶן
hên
H2005
"look!"
Part
An expression meaning look or behold, used to get someone's attention, like in the prophet Isaiah's writings. It can also express surprise or introduce a hypothetical situation.
Definition: interj 1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part 2) if Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)
Usage: Occurs in 311 OT verses. KJV: behold, if, lo, though. See also: Genesis 3:22; Job 2:6; Psalms 51:7.
אֵ֭ל
ʼêl
H410
"god"
N-ms
In the Bible, 'el means strength or power, and is often used to refer to God or false gods. It describes something or someone as mighty or powerful, like the Almighty. This concept is central to understanding the Bible's view of God.
Definition: : god 1) god, god-like one, mighty one 1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes 1b) angels 1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations) 1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah 2) mighty things in nature 3) strength, power Also means: ": power" (el אֵל H0410L)
Usage: Occurs in 235 OT verses. KJV: God (god), [idiom] goodly, [idiom] great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in '-el.' See also: Genesis 14:18; Job 33:14; Psalms 5:5.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
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.
יִמְאַס
mâʼaç
H3988
"to reject"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To spurn or reject something is what this Hebrew word means. In Genesis 37:35, it is used to describe how Jacob felt when his sons told him Joseph had died.
Definition: 1) to reject, despise, refuse 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to reject, refuse 1a2) to despise 1b) (Niphal) to be rejected
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: abhor, cast away (off), contemn, despise, disdain, (become) loathe(some), melt away, refuse, reject, reprobate, [idiom] utterly, vile person. See also: Leviticus 26:15; Psalms 106:24; Psalms 15:4.
תָּ֑ם
tâm
H8535
"complete"
Adj
This word means being complete or perfect, and is used to describe someone who is morally pure and gentle. In the Bible, it describes people like Job, who was called 'blameless and upright'. It is often translated as 'perfect' or 'upright'.
Definition: 1) perfect, complete 1a) complete, perfect 1a1) one who lacks nothing in physical strength, beauty, etc 1b) sound, wholesome 1b1) an ordinary, quiet sort of person 1c) complete, morally innocent, having integrity 1c1) one who is morally and ethically pure
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: coupled together, perfect, plain, undefiled, upright. See also: Genesis 25:27; Job 9:21; Psalms 37:37.
וְ/לֹֽא
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.
יַ֝חֲזִ֗יק
châzaq
H2388
"to strengthen"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
To strengthen means to be strong or courageous, and can also mean to seize or conquer, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: : strengthen/support/encourage 1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be strong, grow strong 1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon 1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure 1a1c) to press, be urgent 1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense) 1a1e) to be severe, be grievous 1a2) to strengthen 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make strong 1b2) to restore to strength, give strength 1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage 1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage 1b5) to make firm 1b6) to make rigid, make hard 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make strong, strengthen 1c2) to make firm 1c3) to display strength 1c4) to make severe 1c5) to support 1c6) to repair 1c7) to prevail, prevail upon 1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support 1c9) to hold, contain 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to strengthen oneself 1d2) to put forth strength, use one's strength 1d3) to withstand 1d4) to hold strongly with
Usage: Occurs in 266 OT verses. KJV: aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand. See also: Genesis 19:16; 1 Chronicles 22:13; Psalms 27:14.
בְּ/יַד
yâd
H3027
"hand"
Prep | N-cs
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
מְרֵעִֽים
râʻaʻ
H7489
"be evil"
V-Hiphil
This word means to shatter or break something into pieces, making it useless or bad. It can also mean to afflict or displease someone.
Definition: 1) to be bad, be evil 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to be displeasing 1a2) to be sad 1a3) to be injurious, be evil 1a4) to be wicked, be evil (ethically) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to do an injury or hurt 1b2) to do evil or wickedly 1b3) mischief (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 99 OT verses. KJV: afflict, associate selves (by mistake for H7462 (רָעָה)), break (down, in pieces), [phrase] displease, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat, man), show self friendly (by mistake for H7462 (רָעָה)), do harm, (do) hurt, (behave self, deal) ill, [idiom] indeed, do mischief, punish, still, vex, (do) wicked (doer, -ly), be (deal, do) worse. See also: Genesis 19:7; Psalms 27:2; Psalms 2:9.
Study Notes — Job 8:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 8:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 8:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 8:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 8:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 8:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 8:20
- Cambridge Bible on Job 8:20
- Barnes' Notes on Job 8:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 8:20
- Sermons on Job 8:20
Context — Bildad: Job Should Repent
18If he is uprooted from his place, it will disown him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’
19Surely this is the joy of his way; yet others will spring from the dust.
20Behold, God does not reject the blameless, nor will He strengthen the hand of evildoers.
21He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with a shout of joy. 22Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 4:7 | Consider now, I plead: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Or where have the upright been destroyed? |
| 2 | Psalms 37:37 | Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for posterity awaits the man of peace. |
| 3 | Psalms 37:24 | Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand. |
| 4 | Isaiah 45:1 | This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: |
| 5 | Psalms 94:14 | For the LORD will not forsake His people; He will never abandon His heritage. |
| 6 | Job 21:30 | Indeed, the evil man is spared from the day of calamity, delivered from the day of wrath. |
| 7 | Job 9:22 | It is all the same, and so I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’ |
Job 8:20 Summary
This verse tells us that God loves and takes care of people who are good and try to do what is right, but He will not help or support those who do bad things. This means that we can trust God to be fair and just, and that He will always do what is right. As it says in Psalm 37:28, God will not forsake those who are faithful to Him. By living a life that is pleasing to God, we can have confidence that He will be with us and guide us, even in difficult times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to 'not reject the blameless' in Job 8:20?
This means that God will not turn away from those who are innocent and righteous, as seen in Psalm 37:28, where it says 'For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.'
Will God ever help or support those who do evil?
According to Job 8:20, God will not strengthen the hand of evildoers, which is also supported by Psalm 92:7, where it says 'that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.'
How can I be considered 'blameless' in God's eyes?
To be considered blameless, one must have a heart that is fully surrendered to God, as seen in Job 1:1, where Job is described as 'blameless and upright'; this is also supported by Romans 3:20, which says that 'no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law.'
What is the significance of God not strengthening the hand of evildoers?
This signifies that God is a righteous and just God who will not support or enable wickedness, as seen in Proverbs 10:29, where it says 'the way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.'
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to be 'blameless' in my daily life, and how can I strive to live a life that is pleasing to God?
- How can I trust that God will not reject me, even when I face difficult circumstances or feel abandoned?
- In what ways can I see God's justice and righteousness at work in the world, and how can I align myself with His will?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be unknowingly supporting or enabling evil, and how can I repent and turn away from those things?
Gill's Exposition on Job 8:20
Behold, God will not cast away a perfect [man],.... A sincere, upright, good man; one that is truly gracious; who, though he is not "perfect" in himself, yet in Christ; and though not with respect to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 8:20
Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers: Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man. Bildad regards Job, not as a hardened sinner, but as a righteous man who has fallen into sin.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 8:20
Heb. God will not despise or reject, i.e. he will not deny them his help, as appears by the opposite and following branch of the verse; he will not suffer them to be utterly lost. Help, i.e. deliver them out of their troubles. Hence it may seem that thou, O Job, art not a perfect or upright man, but an evil-doer. But this is certain, if for the future thy heart and way be not perfect, and thou dost not cease to do evil, thou wilt be utterly and irrecoverably lost; as, on the contrary, if thou dost repent and reform, he will help and deliver thee, and restore thee to thy former glory and happiness; which promise, though it be not here expressed, is sufficiently implied in the contrary threatening, as is evident from the following words, which plainly suppose it, and have a reference to it; such ellipses of contraries being not unusual in Scripture, as we shall see hereafter, especially in the Book of the Proverbs.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 8:20
Job 8:20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect [man], neither will he help the evil doers:Ver. 20. Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man] Epilogus sermonis Bildad. This is the epilogue or close of Bildad’ s speech to Job; and it hath been the tartness of a threatening mixed with the sweetness of the promise: sour and sweet, we say, make the best sauce (Mercer). The strong God will not use, or rather abuse, his power, to the rejecting or reprobating (as the Septuagint render it) of an upright person; but will help him by taking him by the hand, as it followeth in the next clause, and taking it ill if others do not so too, Isaiah 51:18. He will never leave them (or if sometimes he seem to leave them, yet), he will not forsake them, Hebrews 13:5 : forsake them he may in regard of vision, but not of union; desert them for a time (as he did Christ himself), but not disinherit them. "When they be in the land of their enemies" (and so may seem quite cast away) "I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them, for I am the Lord their God," Leviticus 26:44. Lo, this is the portion of a perfect man. As for hypocrites (who are semiperfectae virtutis homines, as Philo calleth them; cakes half-baked, Hosea 7:8; Christians almost, but not altogether, Acts 26:29), my God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him, Hosea 9:15. Neither will he help the evildoers] Heb. He will not lay hold upon the hand, viz. to help them; or he will not take by the hand the evil doers that make a trade of sin: Non porriget manum malignis (Vulg.).; he will have no communion or commerce with such, he will not strike hands or join hands with them, but wash his hands of them for ever, shake them off with a Discedite, Depart ye, be packing: so should we.
See David’ s practice, Psalms 26:4-5, and prayer, Job 8:9, "Gather not my soul with sinners," &c. It was once the prayer of a good gentlewoman, when she was to die, being in much trouble of conscience, O Lord, let me not go to hell, where the wicked are; for, Lord, thou knowest I never loved their company here.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 8:20
Verse 20. Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man] This is another of the maxims of the ancients, which Bildad produces: "As sure as he will punish and root out the wicked, so surely will he defend and save the righteous."
Cambridge Bible on Job 8:20
20–22. Finally Bildad repeats his general principle and augurs from the one side of it a happy and brilliant future for Job. cast away a perfect man] This word “perfect” is the title given to Job by the Author, and acknowledged due to him by God, see on ch. Job 1:1. The phrase, God will not cast off a “perfect” man, becomes almost the text of Job’s reply, cf. ch. Job 9:20-21; Job 10:3. help the evil doers] lit. hold by the hand of evil-doers, cf. Isaiah 41:13; Isaiah 42:6.
Barnes' Notes on Job 8:20
Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man - On the meaning of the word perfect, see the note at Job 1:1.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 8:20
20. Help — Literally, Grasp the hand; that is, to protect evil doers against the consequences of their actions. The sentiment negatively expressed is that of Job 8:4.
Sermons on Job 8:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Beginning, Increase, and End of the Divine Life, The by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the journey of divine life, illustrating that while beginnings may be small, the latter end will greatly increase, as exemplified by Job's restoration. He |
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Distress of Job - Part 2 by W.F. Anderson | The video is a sermon on the book of Job in the Bible. It begins by describing the structure of the book, with a prologue and three cycles of speeches between Job and his friends. |
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The Perfect Heart by Catherine Booth | Catherine Booth preaches on the story of King Asa from 2 Chronicles 16:9, highlighting the importance of having a perfect heart towards God. She emphasizes how God seeks those who |
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Inheritance of the Saints by Mary Wilder Tileston | Mary Wilder Tileston, through the words of John Campbell Shairp and Richard Chenevix Trench, reflects on the lives of the saints who have passed on, emphasizing their deep connecti |
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The Death of the Rev. Mr. John Fletcher by John Fletcher | John Wesley reflects on the life and death of the Rev. Mr. John Fletcher, emphasizing his exemplary character as a 'perfect and upright man' whose life was marked by faith, love, a |
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The Upright Man's Character by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the importance of sincerity and uprightness in a Christian's character, highlighting the significance of having a heart for God, working by an upright |
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Numbers 23:10 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith explores the profound desire for a righteous death, as expressed by Balaam in Numbers 23:10. He emphasizes that everyone naturally wishes for a good end, desiring to be |