Job 20:1-21:34 NIV

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Job 20:1

CHAP. XX. Zophar sets forth at large the state and portion of the wicked. Before Christ 1645. read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 20:1-3

Zophar’s anger 20:1-3"Therefore" (Job 20:2) must refer to what Job had said. Job had previously asked why his friends answered him (Job 16:3). Zophar replied that the spirit of his understanding made him answer (Job 20:3 b)."This phrase means both that Zophar’s spirit is compelling him to respond to Job (c. Job 32:18) and that his words come from reasoned insight (cf. Fohrer)." [Note: Ibid., p. 300.] Again he seems to be claiming innate, instinctive knowledge (cf. ch. 11). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 20:1-29

5. Zophar’s second speech ch. 20This speech must have hurt Job more than any that his friends had presented so far. Zophar was brutal in his attack. He continued the theme of the fate of the wicked that Eliphaz and Bildad had emphasized. However, whereas Eliphaz stressed the distress of the wicked and Bildad their trapped position, Zophar elaborated on the fact that wicked people lose their wealth. He had nothing new to say, but he said it passionately."Zophar is deeply disturbed by Job’s... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 20:1-29

Zophar’s Second SpeechZophar ignores Job’s conviction that God will one day establish his innocence, and proceeds to describe the short triumph of the wicked and his certain downfall and punishment at God’s hand. Perhaps he wishes Job to apply the description to himself and take warning therefrom; though quite apart from that the speech is relevant to his argument that the moral order of the world is not, as Job maintains, unrighteous.3. The check of my reproach] RV ’the reproof which putteth... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Job 20:1

XX.(1) Then answered Zophar.—Zophar retorts with yet greater vehemence than before, and assumes a more ornate and elaborate style, still reiterating the former burden of the speedy doom of the wicked man. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Job 20:1-29

Job 20:12-13 Zophar, the Naamathite, mentioneth a sort of men in whose mouths wickedness is sweet. 'They hide it under their tongues, they spare it, and forsake it not, but keep it still in their mouths.' This furnisheth me with a tripartite division of men in the world. The first and best are those who spit sin out, loathing it in their judgments, and leaving it in their practice. The second sort, notoriously wicked, who swallow sin down, actually and openly committing it. The third,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Job 20:1-29

XVII.IGNORANT CRITICISM OF LIFEJob 20:1-29ZOPHAR SPEAKSTHE great saying that quickens our faith and carries thought into a higher world conveyed no Divine meaning to the man from Naamah. The author must have intended to pour scorn on the hide bound intelligence and rude bigotry of Zophar, to show him dwarfed by self-content and zeal not according to knowledge. When Job affirmed his sublime confidence in a Divine Vindicator, Zophar caught only at the idea of an avenger. What is this notion of a... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Job 20:1-29

CHAPTER 20 The Second Address of Zophar 1. Zophar’s swift reply (Job 20:1-3 ) 2. Another description of the life and fate of the wicked (Job 20:4-29 ) Job 20:1-3 . Zophar, the twitterer, begins his reply to Job with impatient haste. Job’s words, probably those found in chapter 19:2-3, and the last two verses, have made him angry. He boils over with indignation. He is ready now to confirm the testimony already given and wound the suffering servant of God still more. Job 20:4-29 . He follows... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Job 20:1-29

THE WICKED MAN'S BRIEF TRIUMPH (vv.1-5) Zophar does not even consider the possibility that Job is not wicked, but again strongly condemns the wicked, making it evident that he is really speaking of Job. He was evidently greatly stirred, not by the Spirit of God, but by his own misguided thoughts (v.2). Job had asked for some pity, but Zophar thinks he only deserves the opposite. He had heard Job's rebuke that was a reproach to Zophar, but makes it clear that he will accept no rebuke. He... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Job 20:1-29

SECOND SERIES OF THE DEBATE 1. With Eliphaz (chaps. 15-17) a. Speech of Eliphaz (chap. 15) b. Reply of Job (chaps. 16-17) 2. With Bildad (chaps. 18-19) a. Speech of Bildad (chap. 18) b. Reply of Job (chap. 19) 3. With Zophar (chaps. 20-21) a. Speech of Zophar (chap. 20) b. Reply of Job (chap. 21) The second series of the debate is in the same order as the first, and with the same question in view. ELIPHAZ AND JOB Eliphaz opens in chapter 15. Job is accused of vehemence and vanity; of... read more