Job 24:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 24:18-25

Job here, in the conclusion of his discourse, I. Gives some further instances of the wickedness of these cruel bloody men. 1. Some are pirates and robbers at sea. To this many learned interpreters apply those difficult expressions (Job 24:18), He is swift upon the waters. Privateers choose those ships that are the best sailors. In these swift ships they cruise from one channel to another, to pick up prizes; and this brings them in so much wealth that their portion is cursed in the earth, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 24:20

The womb shall forget him ,.... His mother that bore him; or his wife, by whom he had many children; or his friend, as Gersom, who had a tender and affectionate respect for him; these all, and each of them, either because of his wicked life and infamous death, care not to speak of him, but bury him in oblivion; or because of his quiet and easy death, are not distressed with it, but soon forget him; unless this is to be understood of the womb of the earth, in which being buried, he lies... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 24:20

The womb shall forget him - The mother that bare him shall have no affection for him, nor be afflicted at his death. But the word רחם rechem signifies compassion, mercy. Mercy shall be unmindful of him. How dreadful such a state! When mercy itself forgets the sinner, his perdition slumbereth not. The worm shall feed sweetly on him - The Chaldee has, "The cruel, who have neglected to commiserate the poor, shall be sweet to the worms." He shall be brought into a state of the greatest... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 24:1-22

Apparent anomalies in the Divine judgment. Job again points to the anomalous conditions of human life—goodness, which has its approval in every breast, and on which, by universal consent of belief, a Divine blessing rests, is nevertheless often overcast with the shadow of calamity; and, on the other hand, evil-doing, which merits only judgment, affliction, and correction, is often found to prosper. To it outward events seem to be favourable. Men sin without let or hindrance. Apparently,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 24:1-25

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 24:13-25

Job to Eliphaz: 5. Ancient rebels against the light. I. THEIR BLACK CHARACTER . 1 . They are hostile to the light. The light alluded to is the light of day. The wicked persons spoken of regard that light with aversion, as being unfavourable to the special forms of ungodliness they delight to practise. Distinguished from the previously mentioned sinners who transact their nefarious deeds openly and unblushingly beneath the clear firmament of heaven, these night-birds may be taken,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 24:13-25

Pictures of secret end unpunished evil-doers. I. THE MURDERER AND THE ADULTERER . ( Job 24:13-17 .) A class of the wicked different from the foregoing is now placed before us; rebels, revolters against the light, who refuse to know anything of the ways of light, and to abide in its paths. These are the "children of darkness," so emphatically contrasted in the New Testament with the "children of light" ( Romans 13:12 ; Ephesians 5:8 , etc.; 1 Thessalonians 5:5 ). Before... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 24:20

The womb shall forget him : Some regard this as equivalent to "Earth shall forget him;" but most suppose "the womb" to mean "his own mother." The worm shall feed sweetly on him (comp. Job 17:14 ). He shall be no more remembered. Oblivion shall fall upon him and his doings. And wickedness shall be broken as a tree. As a strong wind suddenly snaps off a tree at the root, so wickedness, in the person of the wicked man—the abstract for the concrete—shall be overtaken by death, and perish... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 24:20

The womb shall forget him - His mother who bare him shall forget him. The idea here seems to be, that he shall fade out of the memory, just as other persons do. He shall not be overtaken with any disgraceful punishment, thus giving occasion to remember him by a death of ignominy. At first view it would seem to be a calamity to be soon forgotten by a mother; but if the above interpretation be correct, then it means that the condition of his death would be such that there would be no occasion for... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 24:20

Job 24:20. The womb shall forget him His mother that bare him, and much more the rest of his friends, shall seldom or never mention or remember him, but shall rather be ashamed to own their relation to one that lived such a vile and wretched life, and died such an accursed death. This portion he shall have, instead of that honour and renown which he thirsted and laboured for, and expected should perfume his name and memory. The worm shall feed sweetly on him This proud and insolent... read more

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