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Job 20:13

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[Though] he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:

Though he spare {H2550} it, and forsake {H5800} it not; but keep it still {H4513} within {H8432} his mouth {H2441}:

he may linger over it and not let it go but keep it there in his mouth -

though he cannot bear to let it go and keeps it in his mouth,

Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth;

Commentary

Context

Job 20:13 is part of Zophar the Naamathite's second speech to Job, where he vehemently asserts the swift and certain punishment of the wicked. In this particular verse, Zophar continues his vivid description from Job 20:12, portraying the wicked person as one who savors evil. Zophar, like Job's other friends, operates under the traditional belief that suffering is always a direct result of sin, and prosperity is a sign of righteousness. He uses this theological framework to condemn Job, implying that Job's suffering is due to some hidden wickedness he cherishes.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Allure and Clinging Nature of Sin: The verse paints a striking picture of a person holding onto wickedness, not letting it go, as if it were a sweet and desirable thing. This highlights how sin can be enticing and difficult to release, becoming a cherished habit.
  • The Deceptive Pleasure of Evil: Zophar's imagery suggests that the wicked person finds immediate gratification or pleasure in their evil deeds, holding them "within his mouth" like a delightful morsel. This temporary sweetness, however, is a deceptive façade for the bitter end.
  • Zophar's View of Retributive Justice: While the Book of Job ultimately challenges the friends' simplistic theology, Zophar's speech here strongly emphasizes the belief in divine justice, where those who cherish evil will inevitably face severe consequences, a theme often explored in wisdom literature like Proverbs 14:12.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "keep it still within his mouth" is highly metaphorical and impactful. It signifies a person's deliberate act of holding onto, savoring, and not letting go of something. The KJV's "spare it, and forsake it not" further emphasizes this clinging attachment. The Hebrew word for "spare" (חָשַׂךְ - chasakh) can mean to withhold, restrain, or hold back, implying that the wicked person *chooses* not to release their evil. The imagery suggests a deep, internal enjoyment and refusal to part with cherished wrongdoing, even as it leads to eventual ruin, as described in the very next verse.

Practical Application

Though Zophar's application to Job was flawed, the imagery of this verse offers a timeless warning about the nature of sin. It prompts us to consider:

  • Self-Examination: Are there "sweet" sins or cherished habits we hold onto, refusing to "forsake" them, even when we know they are harmful? This verse challenges us to honestly assess what we allow to linger in our lives.
  • The Danger of Lingering Sin: The passage reminds us that what may seem sweet and desirable initially can turn bitter and destructive. Just as lust, when conceived, brings forth sin, and sin, when finished, brings forth death, so too does cherished wickedness lead to ruin.
  • The Call to Repentance: The antidote to holding onto sin is active repentance and confession. Releasing what is evil, rather than savoring it, is crucial for spiritual health and aligns with God's desire for righteousness.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 8:13 (2 votes)

    For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

  • Mark 9:43 (2 votes)

    And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

  • Mark 9:49 (2 votes)

    For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

  • Numbers 11:18 (2 votes)

    And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for [it was] well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.

  • Numbers 11:20 (2 votes)

    [But] even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which [is] among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?

  • Matthew 5:29 (2 votes)

    And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.

  • Matthew 5:30 (2 votes)

    And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.