Job 22:20 - Exposition

Whereas our substance is not cut down . It is best to take these as the words of the righteous in their triumph over the wicked; but they can scarcely bear the interpretation given them in the Authorized Version. The clause is not really negative but affirmative, and the word קִים . does not mean "substance," but "adversary." Translate, Surely they that rose up against us (or, our adversaries ) are cut off ; and compare the Revised Version. The "adversaries" of the righteous are the "wicked men" who have been "snatched away before their time," and have had their "foundation overflown with a flood" ( Job 22:16 ). But the remnant of them the fire consumeth ; rather, and the remnant of them hath the fire consumed (see the Revised Version). The "fire" here, like the "flood" in Job 22:16 , is a metaphor, and therefore not to be pressed. All that is essential is that the wicked are destroyed. Over this the "righteous" and the "innocent" rejoice.