Job 18:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 18:20 captures a pivotal moment in Bildad's second speech, where he articulates his rigid theology of divine retribution. He asserts that the downfall of the wicked will be so utterly catastrophic and publicly displayed that it will evoke profound shock and terror in both contemporary witnesses and future generations. This verse serves as a stark warning, intended by Bildad to convince Job that his suffering is an undeniable sign of his presumed wickedness, thereby encapsulating Bildad's unwavering belief in a direct, visible, and terrifying consequence for sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 18:20 is embedded within Bildad the Shuhite's second discourse to Job, found in [Job 18](/job/18 "Job 18 - Bildad's Second Speech"). This speech follows Job's passionate lament in [Job 16-17](/job/16 "Job 16-17 - Job's Lament and Appeal to God"), where Job continues to assert his innocence and appeal directly to God, expressing his bewilderment at his inexplicable suffering. Bildad, growing increasingly frustrated with Job's perceived defiance and refusal to confess sin, intensifies his argument by painting a vivid and terrifying picture of the wicked's inevitable demise. Throughout [Job 18](/job/18 "Job 18 - Bildad's Second Speech"), Bildad systematically details the destruction that awaits the ungodly, from their extinguished light and snared feet to their forgotten memory and terror-stricken end, culminating in this verse which emphasizes the enduring public spectacle of their judgment. He aims to leave no doubt that Job's current plight perfectly matches the description of the wicked's fate.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set within the broader context of ancient Near Eastern (ANE) wisdom literature, which often explored the relationship between human conduct and divine blessing or curse. A prevalent, albeit simplistic, form of "retribution theology" dominated much of this thought: righteousness was believed to lead to prosperity and well-being, while wickedness invariably resulted in suffering and calamity. Bildad, like Job's other friends, operates firmly within this traditional framework. In ANE societies, a person's "day" (referring to their life's culmination or a significant event like death or judgment) and their legacy were profoundly important. To be "astonied" or "affrighted" by someone's end implied a public disgrace that extended beyond the individual, impacting their family and reputation for generations. This cultural emphasis on public perception and the enduring memory of one's fate underscores the severity of the judgment Bildad describes.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Retribution Theology**, as Bildad presents a rigid, deterministic view that all suffering is a direct consequence of sin, a perspective the book ultimately challenges regarding Job's specific case. The verse also highlights the **Public and Enduring Nature of Judgment**, suggesting that the wicked's downfall is not a private affair but a public spectacle designed to instill fear and serve as a warning, impacting both contemporaries and future generations. The intense emotional reactions of "astonishment" and "affright" underscore the **Terror and Awe of Divine Justice** as perceived by Bildad. Finally, while Bildad's application is flawed, the verse implicitly touches upon the broader biblical theme of **God's Ultimate Justice**, affirming that evil will not go unpunished, even if the timing and manifestation of that justice are not always as simplistic as human wisdom might assume (cf. [Psalm 37:35-36](/psalms/37-35 "Psalm 37:35-36 - The Wicked Flourish and Vanish") or [Proverbs 10:29](/proverbs/10-29 "Proverbs 10:29 - The Way of the Lord and the Destruction of the Wicked")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **astonied (Hebrew, _shamem'_):** This word conveys a profound sense of desolation, horror, or utter astonishment, often implying a shock that leaves one speechless or numb. It suggests a reaction far beyond mere surprise, indicating a deep unsettling of the soul in the face of something truly dreadful or awe-inspiring. In the context of judgment, it points to the overwhelming impact of the wicked's demise on observers.
* **affrighted (Hebrew, _pachad'_):** Meaning to be filled with dread, terror, or overwhelming fear. It describes a trembling or quaking reaction to an imminent or perceived danger. The parallelism with "astonied" emphasizes the consistent and intense emotional response across different generations to the fate of the wicked, underscoring the horrific nature of their judgment.
* **his day (Hebrew, _yom'_):** While literally meaning "day," in this context, "his day" refers metaphorically to the time of the wicked person's downfall, calamity, or ultimate judgment. It signifies the culmination of their wicked life and the moment of their public reckoning, marking the definitive end of their prosperity and the beginning of their lasting infamy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They that come after [him] shall be astonied at his day":** This clause speaks of future generations—those who will hear about or witness the lasting consequences of the wicked person's judgment. They will be utterly shocked, desolated, and horrified by the severity and public nature of the wicked's end. The judgment is so profound that its impact transcends immediate contemporaries, becoming a terrifying historical example.
* **"as they that went before were affrighted":** This parallel clause refers to past generations or the contemporaries who witnessed similar judgments. They were filled with terror and dread. The comparison highlights the consistent and universal nature of the reaction to the wicked's demise, implying that such judgments are a recurring, terrifying pattern of divine retribution. Bildad uses this to suggest that Job's experience is merely another instance of this well-established principle.

#### Literary Devices
Bildad employs several potent **literary devices** to amplify the impact of his pronouncement. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous and antithetical forms. The phrase "They that come after [him] shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted" uses a form of synonymous parallelism between the two clauses, where "they that come after" and "they that went before" represent different temporal groups, yet both experience intense negative reactions ("astonied" and "affrighted") to the wicked's "day." This structure emphasizes the universal and enduring nature of the terror inspired by divine judgment. The use of **Hyperbole** is also evident, as Bildad's language is highly intensified to convey the extreme and memorable nature of the wicked's downfall, perhaps exaggerating the immediate and public visibility of such judgments to press his point against Job. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Imagery** of profound emotional distress and public spectacle, painting a vivid picture of a judgment so severe that it leaves an indelible mark of fear and awe on all who witness or hear of it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Bildad's application of this principle to Job was flawed and ultimately challenged by the book's narrative, the underlying theological truth that sin has consequences and that God is ultimately just resonates throughout Scripture. This verse encapsulates a common, albeit incomplete, understanding of divine justice prevalent in the ancient world, where immediate and visible retribution was often expected. The book of Job, however, serves to complicate this simplistic view, demonstrating that suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin and that God's ways are far more complex and mysterious than human wisdom can fully grasp. Nevertheless, the Bible consistently affirms that a day of reckoning awaits all, and that God will ultimately set all things right, revealing His perfect justice and holiness.

* [Proverbs 10:29](/proverbs/10-29 "Proverbs 10:29 - The Way of the Lord and the Destruction of the Wicked")
* [Psalm 37:35-36](/psalms/37-35 "Psalm 37:35-36 - The Wicked Flourish and Vanish")
* [Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - God Searches the Heart and Gives According to Deeds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 18:20, though spoken by a friend with a flawed understanding of Job's situation, still carries a powerful, albeit nuanced, message for believers today. It reminds us that actions have consequences, and a life persistently lived in defiance of God's ways can indeed lead to profound and public downfall, impacting one's legacy and the perceptions of others. While we must guard against the simplistic judgment of others' suffering, this verse serves as a sober warning about the seriousness of sin and the ultimate reality of God's justice. It encourages us to live with integrity, not merely to avoid negative consequences, but because it aligns with God's character and purposes. It also calls us to trust in God's perfect timing and wisdom, even when the immediate scales of justice seem unbalanced, knowing that His ultimate judgment is both certain and righteous.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of divine justice in the world today?**
* **In what ways might we, like Bildad, be tempted to offer simplistic explanations for suffering or misfortune, rather than embracing the complexity of God's sovereignty?**
* **What does it mean to live a life that honors God, regardless of immediate consequences or public perception, trusting in His ultimate vindication?**

### FAQ
**Was Bildad's view of justice entirely wrong?**

Answer: No, not entirely. The Bible consistently teaches that sin has consequences and that God is a righteous judge who will ultimately bring all deeds to light ([Ecclesiastes 12:14](/ecclesiastes/12-14 "Ecclesiastes 12:14 - God Will Bring Every Deed into Judgment")). Bildad's error lay not in the existence of divine justice, but in his rigid, simplistic application of it to Job's unique situation. He assumed a direct, immediate, and visible cause-and-effect relationship between sin and suffering, failing to account for other divine purposes for suffering, such as testing, refining, or demonstrating God's sovereignty, as the book of Job ultimately reveals. The book challenges the notion that human suffering is *always* a direct punishment for personal sin, highlighting the inscrutability of God's ways ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways Are Higher")).

**What does "astonied" mean in modern English?**

Answer: In modern English, "astonied" (from the King James Version) means to be greatly astonished, shocked, or filled with overwhelming surprise, often bordering on dread, horror, or desolation. It conveys a sense of profound unsettledness and awe at the magnitude of what is witnessed, suggesting a reaction stronger than mere surprise. It implies being struck dumb or paralyzed by the sheer impact of an event, particularly one that is terrifying or devastating.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 18:20, with its chilling depiction of the wicked's public and terrifying downfall, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a similar judgment for believers, but in the profound reversal and substitutionary work of Jesus Christ. The "day" of judgment that Bildad describes for the wicked is a terrifying prospect, one that humanity justly deserves due to its sin. However, for those who believe, Christ has absorbed that "astonishment" and "affright" on their behalf. The cross of Calvary was the ultimate public spectacle, a "day" when the Son of God, though innocent, was "made to be sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). He endured the full weight of divine wrath, taking upon Himself the very judgment that would otherwise leave all generations "astonied" and "affrighted." Through His sacrifice, believers are spared the terror of that "day" of reckoning, for their sins have been paid for. The ultimate "day" for the wicked will indeed be one of "affright" and "astonishment" as they face the Great White Throne Judgment ([Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")), but for those in Christ, their "day" is one of salvation and eternal life, secured by the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, what Bildad intended as a terrifying warning of divine retribution becomes, in Christ, a testament to God's ultimate mercy and justice, perfectly displayed in His Son.

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 37:13

The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

Jeremiah 50:27

Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.

Ezekiel 21:25

And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity [shall have] an end,

Job 19:13

He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me.

Job 19:19

All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.

Luke 19:42

Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things [which belong] unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

Psalms 137:7

¶ Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [it], rase [it, even] to the foundation thereof.