Job 20:14

KJV

[Yet] his meat in his bowels is turned, [it is] the gall of asps within him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet his meat {H3899} in his bowels {H4578} is turned {H2015}, it is the gall {H4846} of asps {H6620} within {H7130} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

yet in his stomach his food goes bad, it works inside him like snake venom;

Berean Standard Bible

yet in his stomach his food sours into the venom of cobras within him.

American Standard Version

Yet his food in his bowels is turned, It is the gall of asps within him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 20:14 presents a stark and visceral image from Zophar the Naamathite's second discourse, asserting the ultimate futility and self-destructive nature of the wicked's prosperity. Through a powerful metaphor, Zophar contends that what the unrighteous consume for their gain or pleasure—their "meat"—will inevitably turn into a deadly, corrosive poison within them. This symbolizes the internal bitterness, agony, and spiritual decay that accompanies ill-gotten wealth and unrepentant sin, demonstrating that even if outward success is temporarily maintained, true prosperity is corrupted from within.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Zophar's second and final speech to Job, found in [Job chapter 20](/job/20 "Job 20 - Zophar's Second Discourse"). Following Eliphaz and Bildad, Zophar enters the debate with an impassioned, almost vitriolic, defense of the traditional retribution theology. He argues vehemently that the triumph of the wicked is exceedingly brief, like a dream that vanishes upon waking, as detailed in [Job 20:5-8](/job/20-5-8 "Job 20:5-8 - The Fleeting Triumph of the Wicked"). Zophar insists that the wicked's ill-gotten gains will not bring them lasting satisfaction or benefit; rather, divine judgment will consume them from within. Verse 14 serves as a particularly vivid expression of this internal corruption, building on earlier assertions that the wicked's abundance will not endure and their children will suffer ([Job 20:10-13](/job/20-10-13 "Job 20:10-13 - The Wicked's Gains Do Not Endure")). This graphic imagery underscores Zophar's conviction that the consequences of wickedness are inherent to the sin itself, leading inevitably to self-destruction and internal torment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, a region where divine justice and the relationship between human conduct and divine favor were central concerns. In this cultural milieu, health, prosperity, and a long life were often seen as direct indicators of God's blessing and righteousness, while suffering, illness, and misfortune were commonly attributed to sin. Zophar's perspective reflects this prevailing wisdom tradition, where a strict cause-and-effect relationship between sin and suffering was assumed. The imagery of "gall of asps" would have been immediately understood by an ancient audience as a reference to a highly potent and deadly snake venom, likely from a cobra or viper, known for its swift and agonizing effects. This highlights the cultural understanding of poisons as agents of internal destruction, a fitting metaphor for the perceived internal consequences of divine judgment on the wicked. The concept of internal corruption as a form of divine retribution was deeply ingrained in the worldview of the time.
* **Key Themes:** Zophar's speech, and specifically [Job 20:14](/job/20-14 "Job 20:14 - The Gall of Asps Within"), contributes to several major themes within the Book of Job, even as his application to Job is ultimately flawed. Firstly, it emphasizes the **Illusory Prosperity** of the wicked. What appears to be beneficial or nourishing ("meat") is ultimately deceptive, turning into a source of harm and destruction. This theme challenges superficial understandings of success and material gain. Secondly, the verse powerfully illustrates **Internal Corruption**. The poison originates not from an external attack, but "in his bowels" and "within him," signifying that the consequences of wickedness are inherent to the sin itself, leading to self-inflicted decay and spiritual emptiness. This internal decay is a profound aspect of divine justice. Thirdly, Zophar's words underscore a rigid view of **Divine Retribution**, asserting that God's justice ensures the wicked will face severe and inescapable judgment, often manifesting as internal misery and decay, regardless of outward appearances. This concept resonates with other wisdom literature, such as [Psalm 73:18-19](/psalms/73-18-19 "Psalm 73:18-19 - The Wicked on Slippery Places and Their Sudden Ruin"), which speaks of the wicked being set in slippery places and suddenly consumed by terrors.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Meat (Hebrew, _lechem'_ - H3899):** This word fundamentally means "bread" or "food," referring to sustenance, nourishment, or anything consumed for benefit. In this context, it symbolizes the gains, pleasures, or material wealth acquired by the wicked. The profound irony lies in the fact that what is intended for life and satisfaction becomes, through divine judgment or inherent consequence, an agent of death and destruction.
* **Turned (Hebrew, _hâphak'_ - H2015):** This primitive root signifies "to turn about or over," implying a radical change, reversal, or perversion. Here, it describes the complete transformation of the "meat" from something beneficial into something harmful. It's not merely digested, but fundamentally altered in its nature, indicating a divine or inherent reversal of expected outcome, where what was sought for good becomes evil.
* **Gall of Asps (Hebrew, _mᵉrôrâh_ - H4846 and _pethen'_ - H6620):** This powerful phrase combines "gall" (H4846), meaning bitterness, bile, or venom, with "asps" (H6620), referring to a highly venomous serpent, likely a cobra. Together, they vividly depict a lethal, agonizing poison. This imagery is not merely about physical sickness but represents the spiritual and moral decay, the intense bitterness, and the destructive, fatal consequences that consume the wicked from within, as their ill-gotten gains become a source of torment and death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet his meat in his bowels is turned":** This clause introduces the central metaphor of the verse. The "meat" (representing ill-gotten gains, unrighteous pleasures, or sustenance acquired through wicked means) is not merely consumed but undergoes a radical, internal transformation. The phrase "is turned" (from the verb _hâphak_) implies a complete reversal or perversion, where something intended for nourishment becomes its antithesis—a source of corruption and death. This turning happens "in his bowels" (H4578, referring to the intestines or inner being), signifying that the destructive consequences are not external but deeply internal, affecting the very core of the wicked person's being.
* **"[it is] the gall of asps within him":** This second clause explicitly identifies the nature of the transformation and its devastating effect. The "meat" has become "the gall of asps," a deadly, bitter poison. The "gall of asps" is a vivid and terrifying image of potent venom, emphasizing the agonizing and fatal nature of the internal corruption. The repetition of "within him" (H7130, referring to the innermost part or heart) reinforces the idea that the source of destruction is not merely an external judgment but the inherent, self-destructive nature of the wicked's choices and gains, which ultimately consume them from the inside out, leading to profound misery and spiritual death.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Job 20:14 is **Metaphor**. Zophar uses the vivid and repulsive image of food turning into snake venom within the body to represent the spiritual and moral consequences of wickedness. The "meat" is a metaphor for the temporary gains, fleeting pleasures, or ill-gotten wealth of the wicked, while the "gall of asps" metaphorically represents the intense bitterness, internal agony, and destructive judgment that these unrighteous acquisitions ultimately bring. This metaphor is highly effective due to its visceral nature, evoking a strong sense of internal corruption, suffering, and inevitable decay. The verse also employs powerful **Imagery**, creating a repulsive and unsettling picture of internal decay that underscores the severity of Zophar's warning and the inherent destructiveness of sin. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony**, as what is consumed for sustenance and enjoyment becomes the very agent of destruction, highlighting the deceptive and self-defeating nature of sin and unrighteous prosperity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Zophar's application of retribution theology to Job's suffering was ultimately flawed and incomplete, the principle articulated in Job 20:14 holds profound theological truth regarding the nature of sin and its inherent consequences. The verse powerfully illustrates that sin, particularly that which seeks self-enrichment or pleasure at the expense of righteousness, carries within it the seeds of its own destruction. What might appear outwardly beneficial or pleasurable—the "meat" of ill-gotten gains—is, in reality, a corrosive agent that brings internal bitterness, spiritual emptiness, and ultimate ruin. This internal decay is not merely a punishment inflicted from without, but an intrinsic result of choosing unrighteousness, demonstrating that true prosperity is not found in material accumulation but in spiritual integrity and alignment with God's ways. The deceptive nature of sin means its temporary sweetness inevitably turns into a bitter, deadly poison within the soul.

* [Deuteronomy 32:33](/deuteronomy/32-33 "The Poison of Dragons and Cruel Venom of Asps")
* [Psalm 73:18-19](/psalms/73-18-19 "The Wicked on Slippery Places and Their Sudden Ruin")
* [Proverbs 1:32](/proverbs/1-32 "The Prosperity of Fools Destroys Them")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 20:14 serves as a potent reminder that the pursuit of gain or pleasure through unrighteous means, while seemingly satisfying in the short term, inevitably leads to internal bitterness and spiritual decay. It challenges us to look beyond superficial appearances of success and to discern the true nature of what we "consume" in our lives—whether it be wealth, power, fleeting pleasures, or even unhealthy relationships. The verse warns that compromising integrity, engaging in deceit, or accumulating unjustly acquired possessions will not bring lasting peace or satisfaction, but rather an internal "gall of asps" that poisons the soul, leading to deep-seated regret, anxiety, and spiritual emptiness. For believers, this underscores the call to seek righteousness, integrity, and a clear conscience before God, understanding that genuine, enduring prosperity is found in spiritual well-being and a life lived in accordance with divine wisdom, rather than in the deceptive allure of ill-gotten gains. It calls us to examine our motivations and methods, ensuring that our pursuits nourish our souls rather than corrupt them.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "consuming" something that promises satisfaction but could ultimately turn into "gall of asps" within me?**
* **How does the concept of internal corruption, as depicted in this verse, challenge my perception of true prosperity and success, moving beyond external appearances?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure that my pursuits and gains are aligned with God's righteousness, leading to spiritual nourishment rather than decay?**
* **How does this verse encourage me to prioritize integrity and a clear conscience over fleeting worldly advantages or deceptive shortcuts?**

### FAQ
**Was Zophar entirely wrong in his assessment of the wicked?**

Answer: While Zophar's application of his theology to Job's specific situation was incorrect (Job was righteous, not wicked, and his suffering had a different divine purpose), the general principle he articulates about the ultimate fate of the wicked and the internal consequences of sin holds profound truth. The Bible consistently teaches that unrighteousness, though it may bring temporary gain and outward prosperity, ultimately leads to destruction, misery, and spiritual decay. Zophar's error was in assuming a direct, immediate, and visible cause-and-effect relationship between sin and suffering in *every* individual case, failing to account for God's sovereign purposes and the complexities of human suffering, as seen in Job's innocent affliction. His vivid description of the internal decay of the wicked, however, aligns with broader biblical wisdom that warns against the deceptive nature of sin and ill-gotten gain, as seen in [Proverbs 1:32](/proverbs/1-32 "Proverbs 1:32 - The Prosperity of Fools Destroys Them") or the entire narrative of [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked and Their End").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 20:14, with its vivid portrayal of internal corruption and the self-destructive nature of sin, finds its ultimate answer and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Humanity, in its fallen state, has indeed consumed the "meat" of sin—the deceptive allure of autonomy, self-gratification, and worldly gain—resulting in an internal "gall of asps" that poisons the heart, separates from God, and leads to spiritual death ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned and Fall Short of the Glory of God")). This internal bitterness and spiritual death are the just wages of sin ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin Is Death")). However, Christ came not to condemn, but to offer true sustenance and life. He is the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), whose flesh is true food and whose blood is true drink, offering eternal life to those who partake of Him ([John 6:53-58](/john/6-53-58 "John 6:53-58 - Eating the Flesh and Drinking the Blood of Jesus")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the full bitterness and poison of humanity's sin, becoming a curse for us, enduring the ultimate "gall of asps" so that we might be redeemed ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). He transforms the heart of stone, removing the internal poison of sin and replacing it with His Spirit, leading to true righteousness, spiritual nourishment, and abundant life ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, what sin turns into death, Christ transforms into eternal life, offering a divine antidote to the "gall of asps" within us and providing the only true, uncorrupted sustenance for the soul.

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

Romans 3:13

Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips:

Psalms 38:1

¶ A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

Psalms 38:8

I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

Proverbs 23:20

Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

Proverbs 23:21

For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe [a man] with rags.

Job 20:16

He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.

2 Samuel 11:2

And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman [was] very beautiful to look upon.