Job 15:20

Job 15:20 KJV is a pronouncement by Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's three friends, as he continues to argue that Job's immense suffering must be a direct consequence of his sin. This verse captures a significant aspect of the traditional wisdom prevalent among Job's friends: the belief that the wicked inevitably suffer greatly in this life.

Context

This verse is part of Eliphaz's second speech to Job in chapter 15. Throughout the book of Job, Eliphaz and his companions operate under a rigid understanding of divine justice, often referred to as 'retribution theology.' They firmly believe that God blesses the righteous and punishes the wicked, and therefore, Job's severe afflictions must indicate his hidden wickedness. Eliphaz paints a vivid, terrifying picture of the wicked man's life, asserting that it is filled with constant anguish and ends abruptly. This stands in stark contrast to Job's own experience and his insistence on his innocence, setting the stage for the book's profound exploration of suffering, justice, and the nature of God, which ultimately culminates in God's own direct address to Job and rebuke of his friends in Job 42:7.

Key Themes

• The Consequences of Wickedness: Eliphaz asserts that a life of wickedness is inherently painful and fraught with distress. The phrase "travaileth with pain all his days" suggests a continuous, agonizing struggle, implying that the wicked find no true peace or rest.
• Uncertainty and Abbreviated Life: The second part of the verse, "the number of years is hidden to the oppressor," suggests that the wicked or oppressor lives in constant dread of an unknown, potentially sudden end. Their lifespan is not guaranteed or is cut short by divine judgment, denying them the full measure of years they might have expected or desired. This highlights the precariousness of a life lived apart from God's favor.
• Divine Retribution (from Eliphaz's perspective): For Eliphaz, this verse is a theological statement about God's immediate and visible judgment on the wicked. He believes God actively ensures that oppressors experience a life of suffering and an untimely demise. While the book of Job ultimately challenges this simplistic view of suffering, the principle that wickedness brings its own bitter harvest is a foundational truth in biblical wisdom literature, as seen in passages like Proverbs 11:5-6.

Linguistic Insights

• "Travaileth" (Hebrew: חוּל, ḥūl): This word often describes the intense pain of childbirth, writhing, or twisting. Its use here conveys a profound, continuous, and agonizing struggle, not just occasional discomfort but a life consumed by distress and internal turmoil.
• "Oppressor" (Hebrew: עָרִיץ, ‘ārîṣ): This term denotes a terrible, ruthless, or violent person, a tyrant. Eliphaz specifically links the internal pain and uncertain future to those who act with cruelty and injustice, emphasizing the moral dimension of their suffering.

Practical Application

While Eliphaz's rigid theology is ultimately corrected by God, his words in Job 15:20 still contain a kernel of truth regarding the long-term consequences of a life of wickedness. A life lived in opposition to God's ways, marked by oppression and injustice, often brings its own internal torment, fear, and insecurity, regardless of outward appearances. True peace and security come not from worldly success or power, but from a right relationship with God and adherence to His principles. This verse serves as a sober reminder that while divine justice may not always be immediate or fully comprehensible from our perspective, God's ultimate plan for justice and accountability is certain, as affirmed in passages like Romans 2:8-9.