Job 20

Zophar replies with great heat; taking no notice of Job’s professed confidence in God, but describing the accumulated calamities which will certainly overwhelm the wicked (2-29); especially the wealthy and rapacious oppressor. The picture drawn is vivid, in parts course; and the speaker leaves its application to be made by Job himself.

2. And for this I make haste. Rather, “Even on account of my hasting within me,” i.e., because of my inward emotion.

3 the check of my reproach. Moffatt translates: “to listen to your insults and excuses—an empty answer to my arguments.”

6 excellency. Or, “exaltation.”

10. His children shall seek to please the poor. R.V. marg., “The poor shall oppress his children.”

their goods. Rather, “his goods,” or wealth (R.V.) acquired by violence or fraud.

11. His bones are full of the sin of his youth. Rather, “His bones are full of his youth, yet with him it shall lie in the dust”; i.e., he shall be cut off prematurely. The rendering, “sin of his youth,” seems due to the Vulgate.

13 and forsake it not. Rather, “let it not go”; i.e., swallow it not at once; carrying out the figure of the enjoyment of a sweet morsel.

17 see. Literally, “look upon” (R.V.). That is, possess and enjoy. So in Psa. xxxiv. 12; Lam. iii. 1.

The floods, the brooks. Rather, “the flowing streams,” as R.V.

18. According to his substance, etc. Literally, “As the wealth of his restitution [i.e., wealth belonging to others, and soon to be restored] shall this be”: “and he shall not rejoice.”

20. Surely he shall not feel, etc. Literally, may be rendered thus: “Because he knew no rest in his belly (i.e., his greed); in his rapacity nothing escaped.”

21. There shall none, etc. Better rendered in R.V., “There was nothing left that he devoured not; therefore his prosperity shall not endure.”

23. When he is about, etc. Rather, “It shall come to pass that to fill his belly [God] shall send upon him the fury of His wrath, and shall rain it upon him for his food.”

24 steel. Rather, “copper,” probably wood strengthened with this metal. The bow was a deadly weapon to the fugitive.

25. It is drawn. Rather, “He draweth it (i.e., the arrow, a natural act on the part of a wounded man), and it cometh out of the body.”

the glittering sword. Literally, “the glittering thing,” i.e., the arrow.

26. All darkness shall be hid in his secret places. R.V., “All darkness is laid up for his treasures.” They are destined to be engulfed and lost.

A fire not blown. i.e., by man. Some explain this as implying self-ignition, others refer it to lightning. It seems sufficient to understand the phrase as denoting the self-avenging nature of sin.

It shall go ill, etc. Or, “It (the fire) shall devour him that is left in his tent.”

28. The increase of his house. i.e., the wealth laid up in his house.

29. This is the portion, etc. These words are repeated, xxvii. 13; where see note.

fact befall them. The words “How often” may be supplied before each clause of these verses: ep. R.V.