George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Job 20:9
Behold him, as if it were susceptible of resentment, and entered into the views of God, chap vii. 10., and Psalm xxvi. 35. (Calmet) read more
Behold him, as if it were susceptible of resentment, and entered into the views of God, chap vii. 10., and Psalm xxvi. 35. (Calmet) read more
1-9 Zophar's discourse is upon the certain misery of the wicked. The triumph of the wicked and the joy of the hypocrite are fleeting. The pleasures and gains of sin bring disease and pain; they end in remorse, anguish, and ruin. Dissembled piety is double iniquity, and the ruin that attends it will be accordingly. read more
Zophar Pictures the End of the Ungodly v. 6. Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, that is, his ambitious plans, his exaltation in rank and power, and his head reach unto the clouds, the ungodly apparently gaining all that his heart desires; v. 7. yet he shall perish forever like his own dung, spurned, falling into decay, and forgotten; they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? He will have disappeared so utterly and quickly that his vanishing will occasion surprise. v. 8.... read more
III. Zophar and Job: Ch. 20–21A.—Zophar: For a time indeed the evil-doer can be prosperous; but so much the more terrible and irremediable will be his destructionJob 20:01. Introduction—censuring Job with violence, and Theme of the discourse: Job 20:1-51 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:2 Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer,and for this I make haste.3 I have heard the check of my reproach,and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to... read more
“The Triumphing of the Wicked” Job 20:1-29 Zophar is the man who least of all understood Job. The rebuke which Job had just administered, Job 19:28-29 , has vexed him, so that he speaks with impatience. The theme of Zophar’s speech is the brevity of the prosperity of the wicked. He claims that this is an acknowledged principle, Job 20:4 ; then proceeds to show it by many striking metaphors. Hypocrite, Job 20:5 , is “godless” in the r.v.; and in describing the prosperity and speedy... read more
With evident haste, Zophar replied. His speech is introduced with an apology for his haste and a confession of his anger. He had heard the reproof, but he was not convinced; and the spirit of his understanding prompted him to reply. His reply is like that of Bildad, but is characterized by even greater force and more terrible description. He opened with a general declaration on the brevity of wickedness. This he argued by tracing the course of an imaginary person who is godless. In a passage... read more
Job 20. Second Speech of Zophar.— Zophar helps the return to the wider problem by appearing once more with a strong doctrine as to the shortness of the prosperity of the wicked. His theme is, Sin brings its own reward. Job 20:1-Leviticus : . Zophar replies to Job’ s exasperating words ( Job 19:1-Joshua :). In Job 20:2 b mg. is probably to be followed. In Job 20:3 b Duhm, on the basis of LXX, reads, “ and with wind void of understanding thou answerest me.” Job 20:4-Joel : . The portion of the... read more
i.e. It shall not acknowledge nor contain him. A figure called prosopopaeia, as Job 7:10. Or, neither shall it (i.e. the eye last mentioned) behold him any more in his place. read more
ZOPHAR’S SECOND SPEECHProduces nothing new; much more outspoken than before. Enlarges on the miseries overtaking the wicked, insinuating that Job was such. His argument,—like in condition, like in character.I. The introduction to the speechHis reason for speaking again, viz., Job’s charges of cruelty and unkindness, and his denunciation of Divine wrath against them on account of it (Job 20:2). “Therefore (because of thy charges and denunciations), do my thoughts (cogitations as to what I ought... read more
Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Job 20:4-29
(4) Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, (5) That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? (6) Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; (7) Yet he shall perish forever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? (8) He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. (9) The eye also which saw him shall... read more