Job 20:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

He shall suck {H3243} the poison {H7219} of asps {H6620}: the viper's {H660} tongue {H3956} shall slay {H2026} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

He sucks the poison of asps, the viper's fangs will kill him.

Berean Standard Bible

He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will kill him.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 20:16 is a potent declaration from Zophar the Naamathite, delivered during his second speech to Job. This verse, laden with vivid and disturbing imagery of deadly serpents, encapsulates Zophar's unwavering conviction that the wicked, despite any fleeting prosperity, are destined for a catastrophic and self-inflicted downfall. It asserts that the very nature of their evil deeds will turn against them, consuming them with a fatal poison, symbolizing the inescapable and severe consequences of unrighteous living.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 20:16 is situated within Zophar's second and final speech in the book of Job, following Job's lament in [Job 19](/job/19 "Job 19 - Job's Plea for Pity"). Throughout his discourse in [Job 20](/job/20 "Job 20 - Zophar's Second Speech"), Zophar vehemently defends the traditional retribution theology, which posits a direct and immediate correlation between sin and suffering. He paints a stark picture of the wicked person's trajectory, emphasizing that their apparent success is temporary and their ultimate end is divine judgment. Zophar's arguments are characterized by harsh condemnation and a lack of empathy, contrasting sharply with Job's persistent appeals to God's justice and his own innocence. This verse, with its graphic depiction of self-destruction, serves as a climactic statement in Zophar's attempt to convince Job that his suffering must be a direct result of hidden wickedness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of asps and vipers was profoundly resonant in the ancient Near East. These highly venomous snakes, such as the Egyptian cobra (often identified with the "asp" or _pethen_) and various vipers (_'eph'eh_), were common threats in the desert and agricultural lands. Their bites were frequently fatal, leading to excruciating pain and death, often without immediate warning. Consequently, serpents were widely recognized symbols of insidious danger, treachery, and death across ancient cultures. The act of "sucking poison" would have evoked a terrifying and visceral understanding of direct, intimate, and fatal exposure to a deadly force, making Zophar's metaphor immediately comprehensible and chilling to his audience. This cultural understanding underscores the severity of the judgment Zophar proclaims.
* **Key Themes:** Zophar's speech, and particularly this verse, strongly emphasizes the **inevitability of divine judgment** for the wicked, regardless of their temporary prosperity. He asserts that God's justice will ultimately prevail, ensuring that the unrighteous face dire consequences. A crucial theme is also **self-inflicted ruin**, where the very evil that a person pursues becomes the instrument of their destruction. The imagery suggests that the "poison" of wickedness is not merely an external punishment but an internal corrosive force that leads to one's own demise. This ties into the broader biblical theme that sin carries its own destructive wages, as seen in passages like [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin"). The **symbolism of deadly snakes** serves to underscore the lethal and insidious nature of sin, highlighting how it can deceptively lead to ruin, much like a hidden venom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Suck (Hebrew, _yânaq'_):** This primitive root means "to suck," or causatively, "to give milk." In Job 20:16, the active verb "suck" implies a deliberate or intimate engagement with the poison. It suggests that the wicked person is not merely a passive victim of external judgment, but actively draws in, or partakes of, the destructive elements that lead to their downfall. This intensifies the sense of self-inflicted ruin.
* **Poison (Hebrew, _rôʼsh'_):** This term refers to a "poisonous plant," likely the poppy, but is also used generally for "poison," including that of serpents. In this context, it refers to the deadly venom of the asp. Metaphorically, it represents the inherent destructive power of wickedness itself. The wicked person is depicted as consuming the very essence of what is harmful and fatal, whether it be the literal venom of a snake or the spiritual toxicity of their own unrighteous deeds.
* **Slay (Hebrew, _hârag'_):** This primitive root signifies "to smite with deadly intent," encompassing actions like "destroy," "kill," or "murder." Its use here emphasizes the absolute and fatal outcome for the wicked. The viper's tongue, acting as the instrument, ensures a complete and irreversible end, leaving no doubt about the severity and finality of the judgment Zophar proclaims.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He shall suck the poison of asps":** This clause presents a chilling image of the wicked person not merely being bitten, but actively "sucking" or drawing in the venom of a deadly serpent. This implies a profound, intimate, and perhaps even self-willed engagement with the very destructive forces that will lead to their ruin. It suggests that the consequences of their wickedness are not entirely external, but are absorbed and become an intrinsic part of their demise, as if they willingly partake in the very thing that will destroy them. The "poison" here is both literal venom and a metaphor for the destructive consequences inherent in unrighteousness.
* **"the viper's tongue shall slay him."** This second clause reinforces the fatal outcome. The "viper's tongue" is a powerful **metonymy** for the viper's fangs and its deadly strike. While snakes do not "slay" with their tongues, the tongue is associated with the mouth and the act of striking. This phrase emphasizes the direct, swift, and lethal nature of the judgment. The "viper" (אֶפְעֶה, _'eph'eh_) further specifies the type of deadly snake, underscoring the certainty of death. The combined imagery leaves no doubt about the wicked person's ultimate and inescapable destruction.

#### Literary Devices
Job 20:16 is rich with powerful literary devices that amplify its message of inevitable judgment. **Imagery** is paramount, creating a vivid and terrifying mental picture of a person consuming deadly snake venom. This visceral image immediately conveys the lethal nature of the consequences. The "poison of asps" and "viper's tongue" also function as potent **Symbolism**, where the snakes represent not just physical danger but the insidious, destructive nature of sin and the inescapable divine retribution that follows. Furthermore, "the viper's tongue" is a striking **Metonymy**, where the tongue stands in for the fangs and the fatal bite, emphasizing the direct and deadly strike. The entire verse also employs **Hyperbole** to underscore the extreme and gruesome nature of the wicked's downfall, painting a picture of utter and self-consuming destruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Zophar's application of retributive theology to Job's specific suffering is ultimately critiqued and shown to be flawed within the broader narrative of Job, the underlying principle that wickedness carries inherent, destructive consequences remains a consistent biblical truth. This verse powerfully illustrates the self-destructive nature of sin, portraying it as a venom that, once embraced, inevitably leads to ruin. It speaks to the theological reality that unrighteousness is not merely an external transgression but an internal corruption that poisons the soul and brings about spiritual and often physical death. The imagery serves as a stark warning against the allure of evil, reminding us that its temporary sweetness always gives way to bitter and fatal consequences.

* [Psalms 58:4](/psalms/58-4 "Psalms 58:4 - The Poison of Serpents")
* [Proverbs 23:32](/proverbs/23-32 "Proverbs 23:32 - The Serpent's Bite")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 20:16, though spoken by Zophar, carries a profound warning that transcends his flawed theology. It serves as a stark reminder that sin, like a deadly poison, contains the seeds of its own destruction. While the wicked may appear to prosper for a time, their choices are ultimately self-consuming. This verse challenges us to consider what "poison" we might be "sucking" in our own lives – perhaps destructive habits, ungodly ambitions, or unrepentant sin that, while seemingly offering temporary gratification, is slowly but surely leading to spiritual and relational decay. It calls us to a radical self-examination, urging us to recognize that true flourishing comes not from ill-gotten gains or fleeting pleasures, but from walking in integrity and righteousness before God. The consequences of sin are not always immediate or externally imposed; often, they are the natural, internal outworking of choices that corrupt the soul and lead to a bitter end. Therefore, this verse compels us to choose wisdom, embrace repentance, and pursue a life aligned with God's will, trusting that His ways lead to life, not death.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "poison" or destructive habits might I be unknowingly or knowingly "sucking" in my life that are leading to spiritual decay?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of the consequences of sin, moving beyond mere external punishment to internal corruption?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to repent and turn away from paths that, while seemingly appealing, ultimately lead to ruin?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's ultimate justice, even when the wicked seem to prosper?**

### FAQ
**Does Zophar's view of the wicked's punishment in Job 20:16 accurately reflect God's justice?**

Answer: Zophar's statement in Job 20:16, while containing a kernel of truth about the destructive nature of sin, is part of a broader theological framework that the book of Job ultimately critiques as incomplete and flawed. Zophar, like Eliphaz and Bildad, adheres to a strict retributive theology, believing that all suffering is a direct and immediate consequence of personal sin. He uses this principle to accuse Job of hidden wickedness. However, the entire narrative of Job demonstrates that suffering is not always a direct result of sin, and God's ways are far more complex than human logic can grasp. While the Bible consistently teaches that sin has consequences (e.g., [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")), Zophar's error lies in his rigid application of this principle to Job's specific situation, failing to acknowledge the possibility of righteous suffering or God's sovereign purposes beyond human comprehension. The book of Job ultimately affirms God's justice but also His inscrutable wisdom, which often operates outside human expectations of immediate retribution.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 20:16, with its chilling imagery of deadly poison and the viper's fatal strike, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, by its fall into sin, had indeed "sucked the poison" of spiritual death, inheriting the venomous curse of the serpent (cf. [Genesis 3:13-15](/genesis/3-13-15 "Genesis 3:13-15 - The Curse on the Serpent and Humanity")). This poison, the "wages of sin," was spiritual separation and eternal death (cf. [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). However, Christ, the true Seed of the woman, came to crush the head of the serpent, Satan, and to disarm the power of sin and death (cf. [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium"); [Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Jesus Destroys the Devil's Power")). He became the antidote to the poison we had consumed, bearing the full curse of the law and the venom of God's wrath against sin on the cross (cf. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus swallowed the poison of death, overcoming its sting, so that all who believe in Him might be delivered from its fatal grip (cf. [1 Corinthians 15:55-57](/1_corinthians/15-55-57 "1 Corinthians 15:55-57 - Victory Over Death")). He transforms the very instrument of death into the means of life, offering eternal salvation to those who were once enslaved by sin's deadly venom.

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:

Acts 28:3

And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid [them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Acts 28:6

Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Matthew 3:7

¶ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Isaiah 30:6

The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence [come] the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people [that] shall not profit [them].

Deuteronomy 32:24

[They shall be] burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.