Job 20:15

KJV

He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.

KJV (with Strong's)

He hath swallowed down {H1104} riches {H2428}, and he shall vomit them up again {H6958}: God {H410} shall cast them out {H3423} of his belly {H990}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the wealth he swallows he vomits back up; God makes him disgorge it.

Berean Standard Bible

He swallows wealth but vomits it out; God will force it from his stomach.

American Standard Version

He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 20:15 presents Zophar the Naamathite's vivid and forceful declaration concerning the inevitable downfall of the wicked. Through striking imagery, he asserts that any wealth or power accumulated through unrighteous means, no matter how greedily consumed, will ultimately be forcibly expelled by divine judgment. This verse encapsulates Zophar's conviction that God actively intervenes to ensure that the prosperity of the wicked is fleeting and ultimately brings them no lasting benefit or security, serving as a stark warning against ill-gotten gains.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 20:15 is situated within Zophar's second and final speech (Job 20), which is characterized by its harshness and uncompromising stance on divine retribution. Following Job's lament in [Job 19](/job/19 "Job 19 - Job's Plea for Pity and Hope of a Redeemer"), where Job expresses his profound suffering and maintains his innocence, Zophar responds with a detailed description of the wicked's certain and swift demise. This particular verse serves as a climactic image in his argument that the apparent success of the wicked is merely temporary, a prelude to their inevitable and humiliating reversal of fortune. Zophar's speech, like those of Eliphaz and Bildad, attempts to justify Job's suffering by attributing it to hidden sin, based on their rigid theological framework of immediate cause-and-effect justice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job operates within the broader context of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, which often grappled with the problem of suffering and the justice of God. A dominant theological perspective, sometimes referred to as Deuteronomic theology, posited a direct correlation between righteousness and prosperity, and wickedness and suffering. Job's friends, including Zophar, are firm adherents to this view. In their cultural understanding, wealth and social standing were often seen as indicators of divine favor, while poverty or affliction signified divine displeasure. Zophar's imagery of "swallowing down riches" and "vomiting them up" would have resonated with a society that understood the visceral consequences of greed and the public shame associated with the loss of status and possessions, especially when divinely orchestrated.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Book of Job and biblical wisdom literature. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Divine Retribution for Ill-Gotten Gains**, asserting that wealth acquired unjustly or greedily will not endure, and that God will actively intervene to reclaim it. It also highlights **God's Inevitable Justice**, emphasizing that divine judgment is not merely a passive outcome but a forceful, direct act of God. The imagery vividly portrays the **Transience of Wicked Prosperity**, arguing that the apparent success of the wicked is temporary and ultimately futile. This contrasts sharply with the steadfastness of the righteous, even in suffering, as exemplified by Job's own integrity. While Zophar applies this principle incorrectly to Job, the underlying theological truth about the ephemeral nature of unrighteous gain is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 13:11](/proverbs/13-11 "Proverbs 13:11 - Ill-Gotten Wealth Dwindles").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Swallowed down (Hebrew: בלע, _bala'_):** This verb signifies to "swallow," "devour," or "engulf." In this context, it vividly portrays a greedy, ravenous, and insatiable consumption of wealth, implying a grasping accumulation without regard for justice or others. It suggests a complete absorption, as if the riches become part of the wicked person's very being.
* **Vomit (Hebrew: קוא, _qayah_):** This word denotes a violent, involuntary expulsion, a reversal of the act of consumption. It conveys a sense of revulsion, humiliation, and public disgorgement. The imagery is intentionally repulsive, emphasizing the shame and degradation associated with the forced relinquishment of ill-gotten gains.
* **Cast (Hebrew: ירה, _yarah_):** While _yarah_ can mean to "teach" or "instruct," in this context, it means to "throw," "cast," or "shoot." When referring to God's action, it implies a forceful, decisive, and deliberate act of expulsion or rejection. It underscores God's active involvement in dispossessing the wicked, ensuring that their ill-gotten wealth provides no lasting benefit or security.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He hath swallowed down riches,"**: This clause introduces the wicked individual (the "he") and their characteristic behavior: the greedy and unrighteous acquisition of wealth. The verb "swallowed down" (בלע, _bala'_) implies a voracious, all-consuming desire for material possessions, often obtained through exploitation, injustice, or deceit. These "riches" are not merely accumulated but are depicted as being consumed, becoming an internal part of the wicked person, suggesting their deep attachment to and reliance upon their ill-gotten gains.
* **"and he shall vomit them up again:"**: This second clause presents the immediate and inevitable consequence of the first. The very riches that were so greedily consumed will be violently and involuntarily expelled. The act of "vomiting" (קוא, _qayah_) is a powerful and repulsive image, signifying a complete reversal of the act of consumption, a forced disgorgement that brings humiliation and public shame. It illustrates that what was grasped with covetousness will be lost with disgrace, demonstrating the futility and impermanence of wealth gained through unrighteousness.
* **"God shall cast them out of his belly."**: The final clause explicitly reveals the agent of this reversal: God Himself. The phrase "cast them out of his belly" (ירה, _yarah_) reinforces the idea that this is not a natural or accidental consequence, but a direct, deliberate, and forceful act of divine intervention. God is actively involved in dispossessing the wicked, ensuring that their ill-gotten gains provide no lasting security or benefit. This emphasizes God's sovereignty over wealth and His unyielding commitment to justice, even when it appears delayed.

#### Literary Devices
Job 20:15 is rich in **Imagery**, employing visceral and repulsive metaphors to convey its message. The central **Metaphor** of "swallowing down riches" and then "vomiting them up" vividly portrays the greedy acquisition and subsequent forced expulsion of ill-gotten gains. This creates a powerful, almost grotesque, picture of the wicked's ultimate fate. The act of "swallowing" suggests an insatiable appetite and consumption, while "vomiting" signifies a violent, humiliating, and involuntary disgorgement. The final phrase, "God shall cast them out of his belly," employs **Personification** of God as an active agent directly intervening to enforce justice. This direct divine action underscores the certainty and inevitability of the judgment. The verse also uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the totality of the reversal, suggesting that no matter how much is consumed, it will all be lost.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Zophar's application of this principle to Job was flawed and insensitive—as Job was indeed righteous—the underlying theological truth about the ultimate futility and judgment of ill-gotten gains is a consistent theme throughout Scripture. This verse speaks to God's unwavering commitment to justice and His sovereignty over all possessions. It challenges the notion that material prosperity, regardless of its source, is a sign of divine blessing, asserting instead that wealth acquired through unrighteousness is inherently unstable and subject to divine reversal. It aligns with the broader biblical teaching that true security and blessing come from integrity and obedience to God, not from accumulated riches. The passage serves as a potent reminder that God sees all deeds and will ultimately bring every act of injustice into account, ensuring that the wicked's temporary triumph is always overshadowed by their certain downfall.

* [Proverbs 13:11](/proverbs/13-11 "Proverbs 13:11 - Ill-Gotten Wealth Dwindles")
* [Jeremiah 17:11](/jeremiah/17-11 "Jeremiah 17:11 - The Folly of Unjust Gain")
* [James 5:1-6](/james/5-1 "James 5:1-6 - Warning to the Rich Oppressors")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 20:15, despite its original misapplication, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It serves as a stark warning against the allure of wealth gained through unethical or exploitative means. In a world often driven by materialism and the pursuit of quick riches, this verse reminds us that true and lasting prosperity is not merely about accumulation, but about integrity, righteousness, and divine blessing. It challenges us to examine the sources of our wealth and the motives behind our financial pursuits. Do we "swallow down riches" with a covetous heart, or do we steward resources with generosity and justice? The ultimate intervention of God, "casting them out of his belly," assures us that divine justice, though sometimes delayed, is never denied. This should encourage believers to pursue righteousness, trust in God's perfect timing, and find contentment in Him, rather than in fleeting material gains.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "swallowing down" and "vomiting up" riches challenge my own attitudes toward wealth and acquisition?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to pursue or hold onto "ill-gotten gains," even subtly, in my own life or sphere of influence?**
* **How does the certainty of God's justice, as depicted in this verse, impact my trust in His sovereignty when I observe apparent injustices in the world?**
* **What does "true prosperity" look like in light of this verse, and how can I align my life more fully with that understanding?**

### FAQ

**Does Zophar's statement in Job 20:15 mean that all wealthy people are wicked or that their wealth will be taken away?**

Answer: No, Zophar's statement is not a universal condemnation of all wealth. Rather, it specifically targets "ill-gotten gains"—riches acquired through unrighteousness, greed, or exploitation. The Book of Job itself demonstrates that righteous people can be wealthy (Job was initially very prosperous, as described in [Job 1:3](/job/1-3 "Job 1:3 - Job's Great Wealth")). Zophar's error was in applying this principle indiscriminately to Job, assuming his suffering was due to hidden sin. The verse warns against the *source* and *method* of wealth acquisition, emphasizing that wealth gained unjustly is unstable and subject to divine judgment, not that wealth itself is inherently evil.

**How does this verse relate to the overall message of the Book of Job?**

Answer: Job 20:15, like the speeches of Job's other friends, represents a traditional, rigid view of divine justice that the Book of Job ultimately challenges. Zophar believes in a direct, immediate, and predictable cause-and-effect relationship between sin and suffering/loss, and righteousness and prosperity. While the principle that ill-gotten gains do not last is biblically sound (e.g., [Proverbs 13:11](/proverbs/13-11 "Proverbs 13:11 - Ill-Gotten Wealth Dwindles")), Zophar's misapplication of it to Job, who was righteous, highlights the friends' theological limitations. The book ultimately reveals that God's ways are more complex and mysterious than human understanding, and suffering is not always a direct punishment for sin.

**What is the significance of "God shall cast them out of his belly"?**

Answer: This phrase is crucial because it identifies God as the active agent of judgment and reversal. It signifies that the expulsion of these ill-gotten gains is not a natural consequence or a random event, but a deliberate, forceful act of divine intervention. It underscores God's sovereignty over all things, including wealth, and His unwavering commitment to justice. It shows that even when the wicked seem to prosper and internalize their gains, God has the ultimate power to dispossess them and expose the futility of their unrighteous accumulation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 20:15, with its vivid imagery of the wicked's forced expulsion of ill-gotten gains by divine decree, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. While Zophar's immediate application was flawed, the underlying principle of God's justice against unrighteousness is perfectly upheld in Christ. Jesus consistently warned against the deceptive nature of earthly riches and the folly of trusting in them, famously stating that "you cannot serve God and money" ([Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Cannot Serve God and Money")). He taught His disciples to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" ([Matthew 6:20](/matthew/6-20 "Matthew 6:20 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")), contrasting the transient nature of earthly wealth with the eternal security found in God. The ultimate "vomiting up" of the world's ill-gotten power and unrighteous systems is seen in Christ's victory over sin and death on the cross, where He disarmed the spiritual forces of evil ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Furthermore, the final judgment, presided over by Christ, will be the ultimate act of God "casting out" all unrighteousness and every gain acquired apart from Him, establishing His eternal kingdom where true righteousness and justice reign ([Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")). In Christ, the futile pursuit of earthly gain is replaced by the pursuit of eternal riches and the righteousness that comes by faith ([Philippians 3:7-9](/philippians/3-7 "Philippians 3:7-9 - The Supremacy of Knowing Christ")).

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

Proverbs 23:8

The morsel [which] thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.

Matthew 27:3

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

Matthew 27:4

Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What [is that] to us? see thou [to that].