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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

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Job 20:1-29

An Ancient Conception of Wickedness. II. Job 20:0 Zophar has drawn a dreary picture of the wicked man and the issue of all wicked action. His language has been incisive, picturesque, unmistakable as to emphasis and meaning. He thus speaks of the wicked man: "His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust. Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his... read more

Robert Hawker

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

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Job 20:28

Exposed. Hebrew, "the bud, (Calmet) or increase of his house, shall depart," (Haydock) and be led away into captivity, (Calmet) and ruined. Septuagint, "Let final destruction draw away his house, and the day of wrath overtake him." read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Job 20:23-29

23-29 Zophar, having described the vexations which attend wicked practices, shows their ruin from God's wrath. There is no fence against this, but in Christ, who is the only Covert from the storm and tempest, Isaiah 32:2. Zophar concludes, "This is the portion of a wicked man from God;" it is allotted him. Never was any doctrine better explained, or worse applied, than this by Zophar, who intended to prove Job a hypocrite. Let us receive the good explanation, and make a better application, for... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Job 20:6-29

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

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Job 20:1-29

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

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Job 20:1-29

“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

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Job 20:1-29

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

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