Job 15:27

KJV

Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on [his] flanks.

KJV (with Strong's)

Because he covereth {H3680} his face {H6440} with his fatness {H2459}, and maketh {H6213} collops of fat {H6371} on his flanks {H3689}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"He lets his face grow gross and fat, and the rest of him bulges with blubber;

Berean Standard Bible

Though his face is covered with fat and his waistline bulges with flesh,

American Standard Version

Because he hath covered his face with his fatness, And gathered fat upon his loins;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Eliphaz the Temanite, in his second speech to Job, employs vivid and critical imagery in Job 15:27 to describe the archetypal wicked person. He portrays an individual so consumed by excessive material prosperity and self-indulgence that they become spiritually insensitive, arrogant, and oblivious to God or the suffering of others. This physical description of "fatness" and "collops of fat" serves as a metaphor for a heart hardened by complacency and pride, embodying Eliphaz's retributive theology that equates outward prosperity with internal wickedness deserving of divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 15 marks Eliphaz's second speech, following Job's lament in [Job 14](/job/14 "Job 14 - Job's Lament"). Eliphaz, the first and most prominent of Job's friends, continues to argue for a direct correlation between sin and suffering. His discourse in [Job 15](/job/15 "Job 15 - Eliphaz's Second Speech") is more aggressive and less sympathetic than his first, directly accusing Job of folly and wickedness (e.g., [Job 15:2-6](/job/15-2 "Job 15:2-6 - Eliphaz Accuses Job")). Verse 27 falls within a lengthy description of the fate of the wicked (starting around [Job 15:20](/job/15-20 "Job 15:20 - The Fate of the Wicked")), which Eliphaz implicitly applies to Job. This imagery of physical excess is designed to paint a picture of the wicked person's internal spiritual state – one of arrogance, self-sufficiency, and a perceived invulnerability that blinds them to their impending doom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, prosperity and physical well-being could often be seen as signs of divine favor. However, excessive fatness, particularly when linked to arrogance and self-indulgence, could also carry negative connotations, symbolizing gluttony, laziness, or a heart hardened by material comfort. The "fat of the land" often signified blessing and abundance, but "fatness" on an individual, especially when described as "covering the face" or forming "collops," could suggest an unhealthy, self-serving accumulation. This imagery would have resonated with an audience familiar with agricultural and pastoral life, where the choicest parts (fat) were reserved for God in sacrifices, implying that hoarding such "fatness" for oneself was a transgression. Eliphaz's use of this imagery taps into a cultural understanding of excess as potentially leading to spiritual decay.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in the [Book of Job](/job "The Book of Job - Suffering and Divine Justice"). First, it exemplifies the friends' rigid adherence to **retribution theology**, where suffering is always a direct consequence of sin, and prosperity indicates righteousness. Eliphaz uses the imagery of the wicked's fatness to justify their inevitable downfall, contrasting it with Job's suffering, which he attributes to hidden sin. Second, it highlights the theme of **spiritual arrogance and self-indulgence**. The "fatness" symbolizes a heart grown complacent and insensitive due to material comfort, leading to a spiritual blindness that prevents one from acknowledging God or their own vulnerability. This contrasts sharply with the humility and integrity of [Job](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Introduction to Job") himself, who, despite his prosperity, remained righteous. Finally, the verse touches on the **deceptiveness of outward appearances**, as the wicked may appear successful, but their internal state, symbolized by their excessive fatness, is one of spiritual decay and impending judgment, echoing the sentiment found in [Psalm 73:3-9](/psalm/73-3 "Psalm 73:3-9 - The Prosperity of the Wicked").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fatness (Hebrew, _ḥēleḇ'_):** While _ḥēleḇ_ often refers to the choicest, richest part, particularly of an animal sacrifice reserved for God (e.g., [Leviticus 3:16](/leviticus/3-16 "Leviticus 3:16 - Fat as the Lord's Portion")), here, in Eliphaz's condemnation, it takes on a negative connotation of excessive, self-serving accumulation and physical indulgence. It symbolizes a person's spiritual insensitivity and arrogance, a heart that has become hardened and unresponsive due to overabundance and complacency.
* **Collops (Hebrew, _miqdaš'_):** This word is more complex. While the KJV "collops" suggests thick, fleshy folds of fat, the Hebrew term _miqdaš_ is usually associated with "sanctuary" or "holy place." However, some scholars suggest a different root or a rare usage here, possibly related to "thickening" or "solidifying." Given the context, it most likely refers to thick, solid masses of fat, further emphasizing the imagery of physical opulence and spiritual insensitivity, perhaps even implying a "hardening" or "solidifying" of the heart against God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because he covereth his face with his fatness":** This vivid image suggests a person so consumed by their own material well-being and self-importance that they are spiritually blind and insensitive. Their excessive "fatness" acts as a veil, preventing them from seeing their true spiritual condition, the needs of others, or the face of God. It implies a profound self-absorption and an arrogant disdain for anything beyond their own comfort and security, leading to a lack of humility and spiritual perception.
* **"and maketh collops of fat on [his] flanks":** This phrase further intensifies the imagery of excessive physical indulgence and accumulation. "Collops of fat" on the flanks (sides) paint a picture of corpulence and luxury, reinforcing the idea of a person who has indulged excessively in worldly pleasures. This physical state is presented as a manifestation of an internal spiritual condition – a heart that has grown complacent, hardened, and unresponsive to divine truth due to its perceived security and abundance.

#### Literary Devices
Eliphaz employs powerful **Imagery** in Job 15:27, using the grotesque physical description of "fatness" and "collops of fat" to create a vivid mental picture of the wicked individual. This imagery functions as a potent **Metaphor** for spiritual arrogance, self-indulgence, and a heart hardened by excessive prosperity. The physical state is not merely descriptive but serves as a symbolic representation of a profound internal spiritual decay and insensitivity. The verse also utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme nature of this self-satisfied wickedness, exaggerating the physical manifestation to underscore the spiritual depravity Eliphaz attributes to the wicked, implicitly including Job.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 15:27 serves as a stark warning against the spiritual dangers of unchecked prosperity and self-indulgence. Eliphaz's description of the wicked person, whose "fatness" covers their face and forms "collops," is a powerful metaphor for a heart that has grown insensitive and arrogant due to material comfort. This imagery underscores the biblical principle that true spiritual health is not measured by outward circumstances or physical indulgence, but by humility, dependence on God, and a heart sensitive to His will and the needs of others. The verse highlights the deceptive nature of worldly success when it leads to a spiritual blindness that prevents one from recognizing their own vulnerability or the sovereignty of God. It challenges believers to guard against the subtle spiritual erosion that can accompany affluence, reminding us that an abundance of earthly goods can, paradoxically, lead to a poverty of spirit if not managed with humility and gratitude.

* [Deuteronomy 32:15](/deuteronomy/32-15 "Deuteronomy 32:15 - Jeshurun Grew Fat and Kicked")
* [Psalm 73:7](/psalm/73-7 "Psalm 73:7 - Their Eyes Bulge with Fatness")
* [Proverbs 28:25](/proverbs/28-25 "Proverbs 28:25 - The Arrogant Stir Up Strife")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 15:27, though spoken by Eliphaz and misapplied to Job, offers a timeless warning about the perils of spiritual complacency and pride fueled by material prosperity or self-satisfaction. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: do our blessings lead us closer to God in gratitude and humility, or do they foster an arrogant self-sufficiency that blinds us to our need for Him and the needs of those around us? The imagery of "fatness" covering the face serves as a powerful reminder that outward abundance can create an inward spiritual dullness, making us insensitive to divine truth, the suffering of others, or even our own spiritual poverty. True wisdom lies not in accumulating wealth or comfort for its own sake, but in cultivating a heart that remains humble, dependent on God, and responsive to His call, regardless of our circumstances. We are called to be vigilant against the subtle ways prosperity can harden our hearts, leading us to trust in ourselves rather than in the living God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might material prosperity or personal success subtly lead to spiritual arrogance or insensitivity in my own life?**
* **In what ways do I "cover my face with fatness," becoming blind to the needs of others or the voice of God?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate humility and maintain a spirit of dependence on God, even amidst comfort or blessing?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "fatness" in this verse?**

Answer: In Job 15:27, "fatness" (Hebrew _ḥēleḇ_) is used metaphorically to signify excessive material prosperity, self-indulgence, and spiritual insensitivity. While fatness could sometimes denote blessing or abundance in biblical literature (e.g., [Genesis 27:28](/genesis/27-28 "Genesis 27:28 - Jacob's Blessing of Fatness")), here, in Eliphaz's accusatory speech, it carries a strong negative connotation. It describes a person who has become so consumed by their own comfort and wealth that they are spiritually hardened, arrogant, and oblivious to God or the suffering of others. This imagery portrays a heart that has grown complacent and unresponsive due to its perceived security and abundance, leading to a spiritual dullness.

**Why does Eliphaz use such a vivid and somewhat grotesque image?**

Answer: Eliphaz uses this vivid and grotesque imagery to underscore his theological point: that the wicked, despite their temporary prosperity, are inwardly corrupt and destined for destruction. The physical description of "covering his face with his fatness" and "making collops of fat on his flanks" is designed to paint a picture of extreme self-indulgence and spiritual blindness. It's a rhetorical device to emphasize the moral and spiritual decay that Eliphaz believes accompanies the prosperity of the unrighteous. By portraying the wicked in such an unappealing light, he aims to validate his retribution theology and implicitly condemn Job, whom he suspects of hidden sin despite his outward suffering. This aligns with the broader theme in the [Book of Job](/job "The Book of Job - Suffering and Divine Justice") concerning the friends' flawed understanding of divine justice.

**Is Eliphaz's assessment of the wicked accurate in a broader biblical sense?**

Answer: While Eliphaz's description of the dangers of arrogance and self-indulgence stemming from prosperity has biblical resonance (e.g., [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before a Fall"), [Deuteronomy 32:15](/deuteronomy/32-15 "Deuteronomy 32:15 - Jeshurun Grew Fat and Kicked")), his application of this principle to Job is fundamentally flawed. The [Book of Job](/job "The Book of Job") itself challenges the simplistic retribution theology held by Eliphaz and the other friends, demonstrating that suffering is not always a direct consequence of sin, and prosperity does not always equate to righteousness. While the wicked can indeed become arrogant and self-satisfied, Eliphaz's error lies in his rigid and judgmental assumption that Job's suffering must be due to such hidden sin, rather than acknowledging the complexities of divine sovereignty and human experience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 15:27, with its imagery of a person spiritually blinded and hardened by self-indulgence and prosperity, finds its ultimate contrast and fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. Unlike the self-satisfied individual described by Eliphaz, who "covereth his face with his fatness," Jesus "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). He did not cling to divine "fatness" or privilege but emptied Himself, choosing poverty and humility over worldly abundance. While the wicked accumulate "collops of fat on his flanks," symbolizing self-serving wealth, Christ, though rich, "for your sakes became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). He was the ultimate Lamb of God, whose "flesh" was given not for self-indulgence but as a sacrifice for the sins of the world ([John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). His life perfectly embodied humility, self-sacrifice, and compassion, directly opposing the arrogant, self-absorbed spirit depicted by Eliphaz. In Christ, we see the true path to spiritual richness, found not in worldly accumulation but in surrendering all for the sake of the Gospel and serving others, a stark contrast to the spiritual deadness of those consumed by their own "fatness."

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

Psalms 17:10

They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

Isaiah 6:10

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Psalms 73:7

Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

Jeremiah 5:28

They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.

Deuteronomy 32:15

¶ But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered [with fatness]; then he forsook God [which] made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

Psalms 78:31

The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen [men] of Israel.

Job 17:10

¶ But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find [one] wise [man] among you.