King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired.
Complete Jewish Bible:
because his appetite would not let him rest, in his greed he let nothing escape;
Berean Standard Bible:
Because his appetite is never satisfied, he cannot escape with his treasure.
American Standard Version:
Because he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save aught of that wherein he delighteth.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Surely he shall not feel{H3045} quietness{H7961} in his belly{H990}, he shall not save{H4422} of that which he desired{H2530}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ecclesiastes 5:13
- There is a sore evil [which] I have seen under the sun, [namely], riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
Ecclesiastes 5:14
- But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and [there is] nothing in his hand.
Isaiah 57:20
- But the wicked [are] like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
Isaiah 57:21
- [There is] no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Job 20:20
Job 20:20 is a part of the speech given by Zophar the Naamathite, one of Job's three friends who come to comfort him in his suffering. The book of Job is an exploration of theodicy, the problem of evil and suffering in the world, and the justice of God. It is set in a time period known as the "patriarchal age," which is roughly around the second millennium BCE, and is considered one of the poetic books of the Bible.
The verse itself is embedded within the context of Zophar's argument that the wicked will ultimately face divine retribution for their sins. Zophar, like his friends, initially assumes that Job's sufferings are a punishment for wrongdoing. In Job 20:20, Zophar is articulating the idea that the wicked man will not find satisfaction or peace in his wealth or desires. The phrase "he shall not feel quietness in his belly" suggests that the wicked will be internally tormented by their guilt or by the anticipation of divine judgment, and thus they will not enjoy the fruits of their greed or the fulfillment of their desires.
Historically, the verse reflects the wisdom tradition of the ancient Near East, which often contrasted the fates of the righteous and the wicked. It also echoes the themes found in Proverbs and Psalms, where the temporary prosperity of the wicked is acknowledged, but their ultimate downfall is assured. The verse underscores the belief that true contentment cannot be found in material possessions or unrighteous actions, and that divine justice will prevail, even if it is not immediately evident.
In summary, Job 20:20 encapsulates the theme of divine retribution within the broader narrative of the book of Job, reflecting the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition's perspective on the ephemeral nature of worldly success and the moral principle that wickedness will not lead to lasting peace or satisfaction.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3045
There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָדַע
Transliteration: yâdaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. - Strong's Number: H7961
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלֵו
Transliteration: shâlêv
Pronunciation: shaw-lave'
Description: or שָׁלֵיו; feminine שְׁלֵוָה; from שָׁלָה; tranquil; (in a bad sense) careless; abstractly, security; (being) at ease, peaceable, (in) prosper(-ity), quiet(-ness), wealthy. - Strong's Number: H990
There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֶּטֶן
Transliteration: beṭen
Pronunciation: beh'-ten
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be hollow; the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything; belly, body, [phrase] as they be born, [phrase] within, womb. - Strong's Number: H4422
There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָלַט
Transliteration: mâlaṭ
Pronunciation: maw-lat'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit sparks; deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone, let go, preserve, save, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H2530
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָמַד
Transliteration: châmad
Pronunciation: khaw-mad'
Description: a primitive root; to delight in; beauty, greatly beloved, covet, delectable thing, ([idiom] great) delight, desire, goodly, lust, (be) pleasant (thing), precious (thing).