Read & explore together
Zophar: Destruction Awaits the Wicked
Zophar replies with urgency and confidence. He says the success of the wicked is brief, and he piles up vivid pictures to argue that evil gains end in loss, exposure and judgement.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage is wisdom dialogue in Job. Zophar the Naamathite answers after hearing words that shame him. He appeals to what he says has been known since humans were placed on earth: the joy of the wicked does not last. His speech then traces downfall in a series of sharp images.
Job 20:1–29Main takeaway
Zophar’s speech insists that wicked prosperity is temporary and ends under God’s judgement.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A hurried answer and a big claimZophar says his thoughts answer because of his haste, and he speaks as one who feels put to shame.
Explanation
Zophar says his thoughts answer because of his haste, and he speaks as one who feels put to shame. He appeals to old knowledge, from the time humanity was placed on earth, and states his theme plainly: the triumph of the wicked is short and the joy of the godless lasts only a moment.
02Height and strength quickly disappearZophar says a wicked person may seem to rise very high, even to the clouds, yet he will perish and vanish like a dream.
Explanation
Zophar says a wicked person may seem to rise very high, even to the clouds, yet he will perish and vanish like a dream. People will ask where he is. Zophar extends the loss to his household, mentioning his children, and says even the strength of youth ends in the dust.
03What tastes sweet turns deadlyUsing mouth and food imagery, Zophar says wickedness may seem sweet and be hidden under the tongue, yet inside it becomes cobra venom.
Explanation
Using mouth and food imagery, Zophar says wickedness may seem sweet and be hidden under the tongue, yet inside it becomes cobra venom. Riches swallowed down are forced back out, because God casts them out. He also says such a person will not enjoy streams of abundance or rejoice in what was gained.
04Oppression ends in wrath and exposureZophar links this downfall to oppressing the poor and violently taking a house. Because the wicked devoured and knew no quietness, prosperity will not endure.
Explanation
Zophar links this downfall to oppressing the poor and violently taking a house. Because the wicked devoured and knew no quietness, prosperity will not endure. Distress, wrath, weapons, darkness and loss follow. He concludes that heaven and earth expose such iniquity, and this is the portion appointed by God.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Zophar say about his own state as he begins speaking?
02Which images show that evil pleasure does not stay pleasant?
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Job 20:1–29
1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,
2“Therefore my thoughts answer me, even by reason of my haste that is in me.
3I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame. The spirit of my understanding answers me.
4Don’t you know this from old time, since man was placed on earth,
5that the triumphing of the wicked is short, the joy of the godless but for a moment?
6Though his height mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds,
7yet he will perish forever like his own dung. Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
8He will fly away as a dream, and will not be found. Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night.
9The eye which saw him will see him no more, neither will his place see him any more.
10His children will seek the favor of the poor. His hands will give back his wealth.
11His bones are full of his youth, but youth will lie down with him in the dust.
12“Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue,
13though he spare it, and will not let it go, but keep it still within his mouth,
14yet his food in his bowels is turned. It is cobra venom within him.
15He has swallowed down riches, and he will vomit them up again. God will cast them out of his belly.
16He will suck cobra venom. The viper’s tongue will kill him.
17He will not look at the rivers, the flowing streams of honey and butter.
18He will restore that for which he labored, and will not swallow it down. He will not rejoice according to the substance that he has gotten.
19For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor. He has violently taken away a house, and he will not build it up.
20“Because he knew no quietness within him, he will not save anything of that in which he delights.
21There was nothing left that he didn’t devour, therefore his prosperity will not endure.
22In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress will overtake him. The hand of everyone who is in misery will come on him.
23When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him. It will rain on him while he is eating.
24He will flee from the iron weapon. The bronze arrow will strike him through.
25He draws it out, and it comes out of his body. Yes, the glittering point comes out of his liver. Terrors are on him.
26All darkness is laid up for his treasures. An unfanned fire will devour him. It will consume that which is left in his tent.
27The heavens will reveal his iniquity. The earth will rise up against him.
28The increase of his house will depart. They will rush away in the day of his wrath.
29This is the portion of a wicked man from God, the heritage appointed to him by God.”