Job 18:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

They that come after [him] shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Those who come after will be appalled at his fate, just as those there before were struck with horror.

Berean Standard Bible:

Those in the west are appalled at his fate, while those in the east tremble in horror.

American Standard Version:

They that come after shall be astonished at his day, As they that went before were affrighted.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

They that come after^{H314} him shall be astonied^{H8074} at his day^{H3117}, as they that went before^{H6931} were affrighted^{{H270}{H8178}}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Job 18:20

Job 18:20 is a verse from the Book of Job, which is part of the Wisdom literature in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. The Book of Job deals with the theme of theodicy, exploring why a just God allows suffering and evil to exist, particularly in the life of a righteous individual like Job. This particular verse is spoken by Bildad, one of Job's three friends who come to comfort him during his time of great suffering. Bildad is responding to Job's lament and is trying to argue that the wicked inevitably face divine retribution.

In Job 18:20, Bildad is emphasizing the terror and astonishment that the day of judgment or calamity for the wicked will inspire in both those who come after and those who have already passed away. The verse suggests that the downfall of the wicked is so monumental and terrifying that it resonates across generations. It reflects the ancient belief that the fate of the wicked is a warning to all, serving as a deterrent against wickedness. Bildad uses this imagery to remind Job that the wicked cannot escape justice, implying that if Job is suffering, he must have sinned in some way that he has not acknowledged.

Historically, the Book of Job reflects the wisdom and philosophical debates of the ancient Near East, where the problem of suffering and the justice of God were central concerns. The dialogue between Job and his friends, including Bildad, represents the various contemporary views on retributive justice, where it was commonly believed that prosperity was a sign of God's favor and suffering was a sign of God's punishment for sin. Job's experiences challenge this simplistic understanding, pushing the boundaries of theodicy and the nature of true righteousness.

In summary, Job 18:20 encapsulates the traditional view of retributive justice, where the downfall of the wicked is a source of horror and a lesson to both future and past generations. It reflects the broader themes of the Book of Job, which grapples with the complexities of human suffering and the nature of divine justice, challenging the conventional wisdom of the time.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H314
   There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַחֲרוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼachărôwn
   Pronunciation: akh-ar-one'
   Description: or (shortened) אַחֲרֹן; from אָחַר; hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western; after (-ward), to come, following, hind(-er, -ermost, -most), last, latter, rereward, ut(ter) most.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8074
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמֵם
   Transliteration: shâmêm
   Pronunciation: shaw-mame'
   Description: a primitive root; to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense); make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish(-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate(-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6931
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קַדְמוֹנִי
   Transliteration: qadmôwnîy
   Pronunciation: kad-mo-nee'
   Description: or קַדְמֹנִי; from קַדְמוֹן; (of time) anterior or (of place) oriental; ancient, they that went before, east, (thing of) old.
   
5. Strong's Number: H270
   There are 305 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָחַז
   Transliteration: ʼâchaz
   Pronunciation: aw-khaz'
   Description: a primitive root; to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession); [phrase] be affrighted, bar, (catch, lay, take) hold (back), come upon, fasten, handle, portion, (get, have or take) possess(-ion).
   
6. Strong's Number: H8178
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שַׂעַר
   Transliteration: saʻar
   Pronunciation: sah'-ar
   Description: from שָׂעַר; a tempest; also a terror; affrighted, [idiom] horribly, [idiom] sore, storm. See שֵׂעָר.