Job 11:20

KJV

But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope [shall be as] the giving up of the ghost.

KJV (with Strong's)

But the eyes {H5869} of the wicked {H7563} shall fail {H3615}, and they shall not escape {H6}{H4498}, and their hope {H8615} shall be as the giving up {H4646} of the ghost {H5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but the eyes of the wicked will fail [to find comfort]. They will find no way to escape, and their hope will turn to complete disappointment."

Berean Standard Bible

But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”

American Standard Version

But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, And they shall have no way to flee; And their hope shall be the giving up of the ghost.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 11:20 encapsulates Zophar the Naamathite's unyielding declaration concerning the ultimate destiny of the wicked. In his initial discourse to Job, Zophar adamantly asserts that those who persist in unrighteousness will inevitably encounter a complete and irreversible downfall. Their capacity to perceive a way out will vanish, any hope they cling to will prove utterly futile, and there will be no escape from the divine retribution he believes is their just desert. This verse serves as a stark, climactic pronouncement in Zophar's argument for God's immediate and punitive justice, standing in sharp contrast to the prosperity he promises the righteous.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 11:20 brings Zophar's first and most aggressive speech to Job to a forceful conclusion. As one of Job's three companions, Zophar's initial purpose was to offer solace, but he swiftly transforms into a severe accuser. Unlike Eliphaz and Bildad, who temper their accusations with a semblance of pastoral concern, Zophar is direct and dogmatic, operating from a rigid retribution theology that posits God always punishes sin directly and rewards righteousness. This verse functions as the grim counterpoint to his earlier promises of restoration for Job, contingent upon his repentance, as outlined in [Job 11:13-19](/job/11-13 "Job 11:13-19 - Zophar's Call to Repentance and Promise of Restoration"). By depicting such a bleak outcome for the wicked, Zophar implicitly (and explicitly in preceding verses) condemns Job, suggesting that his profound suffering is undeniable evidence of unconfessed sin, and that without immediate repentance, Job's fate will mirror the utter hopelessness described here.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is situated within the broader tapestry of ancient Near Eastern (ANE) wisdom literature, a genre that frequently grappled with profound questions of justice, suffering, and the disparate fates of the righteous and the wicked. Across many ANE cultures, there was a pervasive belief in a direct correlation between one's actions and one's prosperity or suffering—a theological framework commonly known as retribution theology. Job's friends, including Zophar, are staunch proponents of this conventional wisdom, assuming that divine justice is always immediately discernible and perfectly administered within this earthly life. The cultural understanding of "eyes failing" could refer to a literal loss of physical sight, but more profoundly, it symbolized a loss of insight, understanding, or the ability to perceive a path to safety or deliverance. The phrase "giving up the ghost" was a universally understood idiom for death, underscoring the finality and absolute cessation of life and, by extension, of any lingering hope.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several pivotal themes within the Book of Job and the broader corpus of biblical wisdom literature. Firstly, it underscores the **inevitable judgment for the wicked**, asserting that those who persist in unrighteousness cannot ultimately evade the consequences of their actions. Zophar's words, though misapplied to Job's specific situation, echo a foundational biblical truth that God is just and will not permit evil to triumph indefinitely, a theme recurrent throughout [the Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms - Songs and Prayers") and [Proverbs](/proverbs "The Book of Proverbs - Wisdom and Instruction"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **futility of false hope**. The "hope" of the wicked is portrayed as utterly baseless, destined to vanish completely, much like life itself at the moment of death, a stark contrast to the steadfast expectation promised to the righteous in passages such as [Proverbs 10:28](/proverbs/10-28 "Proverbs 10:28 - The Hope of the Righteous"). Finally, Zophar's discourse, culminating in this verse, forcefully articulates the theme of **divine justice**, albeit through a flawed and overly simplistic lens. While the Book of Job ultimately challenges Zophar's narrow perspective on how God's justice operates in a complex world, the principle that God is ultimately sovereign and righteous in His dealings with humanity remains an unshakeable truth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fail (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** This primitive root signifies to be consumed, finished, wasted away, or to come to a complete end. When applied to the "eyes of the wicked," it denotes a comprehensive fading or weakening of their ability to see, perceive, or find a way out. It implies not merely a physical failing, but a profound and debilitating inability to discern a path to salvation or escape, leading inevitably to utter despair and destruction. Their "vision" of success or refuge will simply vanish into nothingness.
* **escape (Hebrew, _mânôwç'_):** This noun, derived from the verb "to flee," refers to a retreat, a place of refuge, or a means of asylum. Zophar's emphatic declaration, "they shall not escape," underscores the absolute absence of any viable option for the wicked to flee from their deserved fate. There is no hiding place, no safe haven, and no means by which they can avoid the inevitable consequences of their unrighteous actions. It powerfully conveys a sense of inescapable doom and finality.
* **giving up the ghost (Hebrew, _mappach nephesh'_):** This powerful and vivid idiomatic phrase literally translates to "the expiration of breath" or "the gasping of life." It is a strong and universally understood idiom for death. By comparing the hope of the wicked to "the giving up of the ghost," Zophar paints a chilling picture of hope that vanishes completely and irrevocably, just as life itself ceases at the moment of death. It underscores the utter non-existence, finality, and emptiness of such a baseless hope.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the eyes of the wicked shall fail":** This opening clause introduces the inevitable and dire consequence for those who live in opposition to God's ways. The "eyes" here are not merely literal organs of sight but metaphorically represent understanding, perception, and the ability to find a way forward or to discern truth. The "failing" of their eyes signifies a complete loss of insight, an inability to see any path to deliverance, or perhaps even a spiritual blindness that prevents them from recognizing their true predicament and the impending judgment. It speaks to a profound and debilitating despair where all avenues of escape or success appear to close off.
* **"and they shall not escape":** This phrase directly states the inescapable consequence of their failing perception and spiritual blindness. Because their "eyes" (their understanding, their means of finding refuge) have failed, they are left with no viable way out. The concept of "escape" implies flight from danger, judgment, or retribution. Zophar asserts that for the wicked, no such flight is possible; they are cornered, trapped, and destined to face the full weight of the consequences of their unrighteousness. This powerfully reinforces the idea of an inescapable divine judgment.
* **"and their hope [shall be as] the giving up of the ghost":** This is the climactic and most striking image of the verse, employing a vivid simile. The hope of the wicked is directly likened to the final breath of a dying person. Just as life utterly ceases with the last gasp, so too does the hope of the wicked vanish completely and irrevocably. It is not merely disappointed hope, but hope that ceases to exist, proving to be utterly baseless, empty, and without any foundation or substance. This powerfully emphasizes the profound futility and ultimate non-existence of any expectation or confidence that the wicked might possess.

#### Literary Devices
Job 11:20 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid and desolate picture of the wicked's ultimate despair and destruction. The phrase "the eyes of the wicked shall fail" employs **Metonymy**, where "eyes" stand not for physical sight but for their understanding, perception, and ability to find a way out of their predicament. This signifies a metaphorical blindness to truth and an inability to discern a path to escape. The most prominent literary device is the **Simile** found in "their hope [shall be as] the giving up of the ghost," which directly compares the vanishing hope of the wicked to the final, irreversible cessation of life at death. This comparison powerfully conveys the absolute futility, emptiness, and non-existence of their self-generated hope. Furthermore, there is a strong sense of **Parallelism** in the structure of the verse, where the failing eyes, the inability to escape, and the vanishing hope all reinforce the singular, bleak outcome for the wicked, creating a cumulative effect of inevitable doom and despair.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Zophar's application of this principle to Job was profoundly flawed and revealed a simplistic, mechanistic understanding of divine justice, the core theological truth embedded within Job 11:20 resonates powerfully throughout the entirety of Scripture: the way of the wicked ultimately leads to destruction, and any hope they construct, built on self-reliance or unrighteousness, is ultimately vain and destined to dissolve. This verse serves as a profound and sobering warning that a life lived in rebellion against God, characterized by persistent unrighteousness and a disregard for His divine ways, will inevitably culminate in despair and the dissolution of all false expectations. It affirms God's ultimate sovereignty and unwavering justice, assuring humanity that while the wicked may appear to prosper for a time, their end is one of futility, emptiness, and judgment, contrasting sharply with the enduring, steadfast, and living hope granted to those who place their trust in the Lord.

* [Psalm 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Righteous and the Ungodly")
* [Proverbs 11:7](/proverbs/11-7 "Proverbs 11:7 - The Perishing Expectation of the Wicked")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and the Gift of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 11:20, despite its origin in Zophar's misguided and harsh counsel, offers profound insights for personal reflection and practical application in our lives today. It compels us to critically examine the very foundation of our own hope. Is our confidence placed in fleeting worldly achievements, transient material possessions, or the limited scope of human ingenuity—all of which are ultimately as ephemeral and insubstantial as a dying breath? Or is our hope securely anchored in the unchanging character, unfailing promises, and eternal faithfulness of God, a hope that transcends the uncertainties of life, the inevitability of suffering, and even the finality of death? This verse serves as a stark and necessary reminder that a life lived in rebellion against God, characterized by unrighteousness and a deliberate disregard for His divine will, ultimately leads to a spiritual dead end—a desolate place where all avenues of escape close, and all self-constructed hopes dissolve into nothingness. It powerfully underscores the biblical truth that true peace, genuine security, and lasting, unshakeable hope are found only in alignment with God's will and in His divine provision. This profound truth should motivate us not merely out of fear of retribution, but out of a deep and abiding desire for the authentic, enduring hope and abundant life that are found exclusively in God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **On what foundation is your ultimate hope built? Is it something that can "fail" or "give up the ghost"?**
* **In what specific areas of your life might you be relying on a "false hope" that is ultimately destined to vanish?**
* **How does the concept of inescapable divine justice, even as articulated by Zophar, shape your understanding of personal accountability and the profound importance of living righteously?**
* **How does the stark contrast between the wicked's failing hope and the steadfast, enduring hope of the righteous challenge or encourage you in your personal walk of faith?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 11:20 imply that all suffering is a direct consequence of personal wickedness, as Zophar suggests?**

Answer: No, Zophar's interpretation of suffering as a direct and immediate consequence of personal sin is precisely the flawed theology that the Book of Job, in its entirety, challenges and ultimately refutes. While the Bible certainly teaches that sin has consequences and that God is just, the Book of Job profoundly demonstrates that suffering is far more complex than a simplistic cause-and-effect retribution. Job, a man explicitly described as righteous, suffers immensely, thereby proving that not all suffering is punitive for personal wickedness. Zophar's statement in [Job 11:20](/job/11-20 "Job 11:20 - The Fate of the Wicked") accurately describes the ultimate and inevitable end of the *wicked* (those who persist in rebellion against God), but his fundamental error lies in applying this universal principle to Job's specific and unique situation. The book ultimately reveals that God's ways are mysterious and His justice operates on a grander, more nuanced, and often incomprehensible scale than Job's friends could ever comprehend, frequently allowing the righteous to suffer for purposes beyond human understanding, such as testing faith, refining character, or ultimately revealing God's glory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 11:20, though uttered by Zophar with a limited and flawed understanding of suffering and divine justice, points prophetically to the ultimate reality of judgment and the profound nature of true hope, which finds its complete and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "failing eyes" and "inescapable" fate of the wicked, so grimly described, are starkly contrasted with the spiritual sight and eternal security offered exclusively through Jesus. While the wicked's hope "gives up the ghost," proving to be utterly ephemeral, the hope of the believer is a living, enduring, and steadfast hope, anchored immutably in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ([1 Peter 1:3](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - Living Hope Through Resurrection")). Jesus Himself declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), thereby offering the only true "escape" from the wages of sin and eternal death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and the Gift of God")). The inherent futility of any self-generated or worldly hope is gloriously overcome by the "hope that does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit" ([Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - Hope Does Not Put Us to Shame")). In Christ, the believer finds not a hope that vanishes like a dying breath, but an "anchor of the soul, firm and secure" ([Hebrews 6:19](/hebrews/6-19 "Hebrews 6:19 - Hope as an Anchor")), for He is truly "Christ in you, the hope of glory" ([Colossians 1:27](/colossians/1-27 "Colossians 1:27 - Christ in You, the Hope of Glory")). Thus, Zophar's grim pronouncement, when illuminated and viewed through the transformative lens of the Gospel, powerfully underscores humanity's desperate need for the salvation and living, eternal hope found solely in Jesus.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 28:65

And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:

Job 31:16

¶ If I have withheld the poor from [their] desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;

Job 17:5

He that speaketh flattery to [his] friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

Hebrews 2:3

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him];

Job 27:8

For what [is] the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?

Luke 16:23

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luke 16:26

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence.