Job 20:5-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 20:1-9

Here, I. Zophar begins very passionately, and seems to be in a great heat at what Job had said. Being resolved to condemn Job for a bad man, he was much displeased that he talked so like a good man, and, as it should seem, broke in upon him, and began abruptly (Job 20:2): Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer. He takes no notice of what Job had said to move their pity, or to evidence his own integrity, but fastens upon the reproof he gave them in the close of his discourse, counts that a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 20:5

That the triumphing of the wicked is short ,.... Their outward prosperity and felicity, of which they make their boast, and in which they glory and triumph for a while; at first Job's friends set out with this notion, that the wicked never flourished and prospered, but it always went ill with them in Providence; but being beat out of that, they own they may be for a small time in flourishing and prosperous circumstances, but it is but for a small time; which may be true in many instances,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 20:6

Though his excellency mount up to the heavens ,.... Though, in worldly grandeur and glory, he should arrive to such a pitch as the Assyrian monarch was ambitious of, as to ascend into heaven, exalt his throne above the stars of God, and be like the Most High; or be comparable to such a tree, by which the greatness of Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom is expressed, the height whereof reached unto heaven, Isaiah 14:12 ; and his head reach unto the clouds ; being lifted up with pride, because of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 20:7

Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung ,.... Not only in this world, but in the world to come, both in his outward substance here, and in his body in the grave, and in his soul to all eternity, and that in the most shameful and disgraceful manner; he shall perish in his own corruption, and like his own dung inevitably, which is never returned to its place again: dead bodies were reckoned by the ancients as dung, and the carcasses of men are rather to be cast out than dung F9 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 20:8

He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found ,.... Either as a dream which is forgotten, as Nebuchadnezzar's was, and cannot be recovered; or as the matter and substance of a dream, which, though remembered, is a mere illusion; as when a hungry or thirsty man dreams he eats or drinks, but, awaking, finds himself empty, and not at all refreshed; what he fancied is fled and gone F13 σκιας οναρ ανθρωποι , Pindar. Pythia, Ode 8. , and indeed never had any existence but in his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 20:9

The eye also which saw him shall see him no more ,.... In this world, concerned in the affairs of life, and busy in worldly employments, and especially in the grandeur he sometimes was, if not removed by death; but the former sense seems most agreeable by what follows, neither shall his place any more behold him ; the men of his place, as Ben Gersom, those that lived in the same place he did; or he shall not be seen, and known, and acknowledged any more as the master, owner, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 20:6

Though his excellency mount up to the heavens - Probably referring to the original state of Adam, of whose fall he appears to have spoken, Job 20:4 . He was created in the image of God; but by his sin against his Maker he fell into wretchedness, misery, death, and destruction. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 20:7

He shall perish for ever - He is dust, and shall return to the dust from which he was taken. Zophar here hints his disbelief in that doctrine, the resurrection of the body, which Job had so solemnly asserted in the preceding chapter. Or he might have been like some in the present day, who believe that the wicked shall be annihilated, and the bodies of the righteous only be raised from the dead; but I know of no scripture by which such a doctrine is confirmed. Like his own dung - His... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 20:8

He shall fly away as a dream - Instead of rising again from corruption, as thou hast asserted, ( Job 19:26 ;), with a new body, his flesh shall rot in the earth, and his spirit be dissipated like a vapor; and, like a vision of the night, nothing shall remain but the bare impression that such a creature had once existed, but shall appear no more for ever. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 20:1-29

Zophar's second speech is even more harsh than his first ( Job 11:1-20 .). He adds coarseness and rudeness to his former vehement hostility ( Job 20:7 , Job 20:15 ). His whole discourse is a covert denunciation of Job as a wicked man and a hypocrite (verses 5, 12, 19, 29), deservedly punished by God for a life of crime. He ends by prophesying Job's violent death, the destruction of his house, and the rising up of heaven and earth in witness against him (verses 24-28). read more

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