Job 20:14

Job 20:14 KJV is a vivid and unsettling image from Zophar the Naamathite's second speech to Job. In this verse, Zophar continues his argument that the prosperity of the wicked is ultimately an illusion, destined to turn to bitterness and destruction from within.

Context

This verse is part of Zophar's impassioned condemnation of the wicked, found in Job chapter 20. Zophar, like Job's other friends, adheres to a strict retribution theology, believing that suffering is always a direct result of sin, and prosperity is a sign of righteousness. He insists that though the wicked may flourish for a time (Job 20:5), their triumph is short-lived, and their ill-gotten gains will bring them no true satisfaction or lasting benefit. Here, he uses a powerful metaphor to describe how what the wicked consume for nourishment—symbolizing their gains or pleasures—will become a source of internal agony and death. This perspective, while containing elements of truth about divine justice, was misapplied to Job's innocent suffering.

Key Themes

• Illusory Prosperity: The verse highlights the deceptive nature of wealth or pleasure acquired through unrighteous means. What appears to be beneficial ("meat") turns out to be harmful.
• Internal Corruption: The poison is not external but originates from within ("in his bowels"). This signifies that the consequences of wickedness are inherent to the sin itself, leading to self-destruction. The "gall of asps" represents a deadly, internal bitterness.
• Divine Retribution: Zophar's words underscore the belief that God's justice ensures that the wicked will ultimately face severe and inescapable judgment, often manifesting as internal decay and misery, even if outward prosperity persists for a season. This concept is echoed in other wisdom literature, such as Psalm 73:18-19, which speaks of the wicked being set in slippery places and suddenly consumed.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "gall of asps" translates from the Hebrew words rosh (רֶוּש), meaning "poison" or "bitterness," and pethen (פֶּתֶן), which refers to a cobra or asp, a highly venomous snake. The imagery is of a deadly, fast-acting poison. The "meat" (לָחּם, lehem) refers to food or bread, emphasizing that what was intended for sustenance or enjoyment becomes an agent of destruction. The turning of this "meat" into poison implies a profound internal transformation, where the very source of life becomes the source of death, a powerful metaphor for the corrosive nature of sin and ill-gotten gain. This echoes the warning about the "poison of dragons" and "cruel venom of asps" found in Deuteronomy 32:33, linking the concept of spiritual poison to the consequences of wickedness.

Practical Application

While Zophar's application to Job was flawed, the principle embedded in this verse holds a universal truth: sin and unrighteous gain, no matter how appealing or beneficial they seem initially, ultimately lead to internal bitterness, emptiness, and spiritual decay. True lasting satisfaction and peace cannot be found in compromising one's integrity or in wealth acquired unjustly. This verse serves as a potent reminder for believers to seek righteousness and wisdom, understanding that genuine prosperity is not merely material but encompasses spiritual well-being and a clear conscience before God (Proverbs 10:22).