Job 20:17

KJV

He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter.

KJV (with Strong's)

He shall not see {H7200} the rivers {H6390}, the floods {H5104}, the brooks {H5158} of honey {H1706} and butter {H2529}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He will not enjoy the rivers, the streams flowing with honey and cream.

Berean Standard Bible

He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream.

American Standard Version

He shall not look upon the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 20:17 encapsulates Zophar's rigid theology concerning the swift and absolute judgment awaiting the wicked. In this verse, he vividly asserts that those who live in defiance of God will ultimately be denied access to the choicest and most abundant blessings, symbolized by the imagery of "rivers, floods, and brooks of honey and butter." This declaration serves as a stark contrast to any temporary prosperity the wicked might experience, emphasizing their inevitable and complete deprivation of true, lasting delight and divine favor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 20:17 is a pivotal statement within Zophar the Naamathite's second and final speech, found in [Job 20](/job/20 "Job 20 - Zophar's Second Speech"). Throughout the book of Job, Zophar, like Eliphaz and Bildad, operates from a deeply entrenched retribution theology, believing that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin, and prosperity is a sign of righteousness. In this particular discourse, Zophar aggressively defends divine justice by painting a detailed and often hyperbolic picture of the wicked person's fleeting success and ultimate, comprehensive downfall. His argument is a direct counter to Job's lamentations and claims of innocence, implying that Job's suffering must be due to hidden sin. The verse in question serves as a climactic declaration of the wicked's ultimate deprivation, reinforcing Zophar's conviction that God's justice will not be mocked and that the apparent prosperity of the unrighteous is always temporary, leading to a complete reversal of fortune.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "rivers, floods, and brooks of honey and butter" would have resonated deeply with an ancient Near Eastern audience. In a largely arid region, water sources like "rivers" (_nahar_), "floods" (or wadis, _nahal_), and "brooks" (_ye'or_, often referring to the Nile or large streams) were synonymous with life, fertility, and prosperity. The absence of such water meant desolation and death. "Honey" (דְּבַשׁ - _dĕḇaš_) and "butter" (חֶמְאָה - _ḥem’â_, often referring to curds or rich milk products) were highly prized luxury items, representing the richest produce of the land and ultimate abundance. This combination of imagery powerfully evokes the biblical description of the promised land as a "[land flowing with milk and honey](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - The Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")" (e.g., [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - God's Promise to Moses")), which was the epitome of divine blessing, fertility, and provision. By stating the wicked "shall not see" these things, Zophar asserts their complete denial of such ultimate, lasting blessing, regardless of any temporary earthly acquisitions they might gain.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in the book of Job and wisdom literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Retribution and Justice**, albeit from Zophar's flawed perspective, asserting that God will ultimately punish the wicked by withholding His choicest blessings. Secondly, it highlights the **Transience of Wicked Prosperity**, arguing that any success enjoyed by the unrighteous is superficial and short-lived, inevitably leading to a complete downfall. This contrasts sharply with Job's experience and his insistence on his blamelessness despite suffering. Thirdly, the verse explores the **Nature of True Blessing**, suggesting that genuine, lasting satisfaction and abundance come from God's favor, not from material accumulation alone. Zophar's argument, though misapplied to Job, reflects a common biblical principle found in other wisdom texts, such as the contrast between the righteous and the wicked in [Psalm 1](/psalms/1 "Psalm 1 - The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked"). The friends' consistent emphasis on a direct, immediate correlation between sin and suffering is a central theological tension throughout the book, ultimately challenged by God's own discourse in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches to Job").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rivers (Hebrew, _nahărê_):** This term refers to large, perennial streams or major waterways, like the Nile. In an arid climate, rivers were the ultimate source of life, fertility, and sustained prosperity. Their presence signified a flourishing land, while their absence meant desolation. The plural form emphasizes a multitude of such vital resources.
* **Honey (Hebrew, _dĕḇaš_):** A highly valued and sweet food, often associated with the best produce of the land, luxury, and delight. It was a symbol of richness and abundance, frequently appearing in descriptions of the Promised Land.
* **Butter (Hebrew, _ḥem’â_):** This term typically refers to curds or rich milk products, also a highly prized and nourishing food item. Like honey, it symbolized the richness, fertility, and choicest provisions of the land, representing a life of ease and plenty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He shall not see the rivers":** This initial clause immediately establishes the theme of denial and deprivation. The wicked individual, despite any temporary gains, will be fundamentally cut off from the most significant and life-sustaining sources of blessing. "Not see" implies not merely a lack of visual access, but a complete inability to experience, possess, or benefit from these ultimate provisions.
* **"the floods, the brooks":** This expands upon the initial "rivers," using a progression from larger to smaller water sources. "Floods" (_nahal_) can refer to wadis or torrents, which are seasonal streams, while "brooks" (_ye'or_) can denote smaller streams or even canals. The cumulative effect of these terms is to emphasize a comprehensive and absolute denial of all forms of water-related abundance, from the grandest rivers to the smallest trickles, signifying a total lack of life-giving resources.
* **"of honey and butter":** This final phrase specifies the nature of the abundance being denied. "Honey and butter" are rich, luxurious, and highly desirable food items, emblematic of the choicest produce and ultimate prosperity. Their inclusion signifies that the wicked will be deprived not just of basic sustenance, but of the very best, most delightful, and most satisfying aspects of life, those blessings often associated with divine favor and a land of plenty.

#### Literary Devices
Job 20:17 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Imagery**. The "rivers, floods, and brooks" are not merely literal bodies of water but powerful symbols of life, sustenance, fertility, and comprehensive abundance in an arid land. Similarly, "honey and butter" symbolize the choicest provisions, luxury, and the epitome of delight and prosperity, echoing the biblical ideal of the Promised Land. The phrase employs **Merism** by listing various water sources (rivers, floods, brooks) to convey the totality of water-related blessings, from the largest to the smallest, indicating a complete and utter deprivation. The statement "He shall not see..." functions as a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where "seeing" stands for experiencing, possessing, and enjoying. The overall effect is one of **Hyperbole**, as Zophar exaggerates the extent of the wicked's ultimate denial to underscore his point about their inevitable and complete downfall, painting a vivid and stark picture of their future desolation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Zophar's application of this principle to Job's suffering was ultimately flawed and condemned by God (cf. [Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God Rebukes Job's Friends")), the underlying theological truth about the ultimate fate of the wicked and the nature of true blessing holds significant weight within biblical theology. The verse, through its vivid imagery of deprivation, affirms the principle that God is just and that lasting prosperity and genuine satisfaction are not found in wickedness or temporary earthly gains. It points to a divine order where ultimate, enduring blessings are withheld from those who persist in unrighteousness, even if their judgment is not immediately apparent. This perspective aligns with the broader wisdom tradition that often contrasts the fleeting success of the wicked with the enduring blessedness of the righteous, encouraging trust in God's sovereign justice and His provision of true, spiritual riches.

* [Psalm 73:3](/psalms/73-3 "Psalm 73:3 - Envy of the Wicked")
* [Proverbs 10:25](/proverbs/10-25 "Proverbs 10:25 - The Storm and the Wicked")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Laying Up Treasures")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 20:17, despite its context in Zophar's flawed argument, serves as a powerful reminder for believers today about the nature of true blessedness and the fleeting illusion of worldly prosperity. It challenges us not to be swayed or discouraged by the temporary successes of those who disregard God's ways, for their apparent abundance is ultimately hollow and unsustainable. Instead, it calls us to re-evaluate our own pursuits, encouraging us to seek lasting treasures and genuine satisfaction that are rooted in God's eternal provisions rather than in transient earthly gains. The "rivers, floods, brooks of honey and butter" that truly matter are the spiritual blessings and eternal life found in Christ, which far surpass any temporary prosperity the world can offer. This verse encourages a steadfast trust in God's ultimate justice, reminding us that while the timing of divine judgment may not always align with human expectations, God's perfect righteousness ensures that wickedness will not go unpunished and that true, lasting blessings are reserved for those who honor Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "rivers, floods, brooks of honey and butter" challenge your understanding of true prosperity and blessing?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to envy the temporary success or apparent abundance of those who do not follow God?**
* **How can focusing on God's ultimate justice and the fleeting nature of worldly gains help you cultivate a more eternal perspective in your daily life?**
* **What "honey and butter" (i.e., true, lasting blessings) are you seeking in your life, and are they aligned with God's will?**

### FAQ

**Is Zophar's statement in Job 20:17 entirely true, or is it flawed?**

Answer: Zophar's statement contains a kernel of truth but is flawed in its application to Job. The underlying principle that the wicked will ultimately be deprived of true, lasting blessing is affirmed throughout Scripture (e.g., [Psalm 1:4-6](/psalms/1-4 "Psalm 1:4-6 - The Way of the Wicked")), and their prosperity is often described as fleeting ([Psalm 73:18-20](/psalms/73-18 "Psalm 73:18-20 - The Slippery Slope of the Wicked")). However, Zophar, like Job's other friends, rigidly applies this principle to Job's immediate suffering, assuming it is a direct and immediate consequence of his sin. The book of Job ultimately demonstrates that suffering is not always a direct result of sin, and God's ways are more complex than the friends' simplistic retribution theology allows. So, the statement is true as a general principle of divine justice, but false as an explanation for Job's specific situation.

**What do "honey and butter" symbolize in this verse and other biblical texts?**

Answer: In Job 20:17 and throughout the Bible, "honey and butter" (or milk/curds) symbolize the choicest, most abundant, and most luxurious provisions of the land. They represent a state of extreme fertility, prosperity, and delight. This imagery is most famously used to describe the Promised Land as a "[land flowing with milk and honey](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - The Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")" ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - God's Promise to Moses"), [Deuteronomy 27:3](/deuteronomy/27-3 "Deuteronomy 27:3 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")), signifying ultimate divine blessing and a life of ease and plenty under God's favor. Therefore, the denial of "honey and butter" to the wicked signifies a complete deprivation of true satisfaction, lasting joy, and the richest blessings that come from God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Zophar's words in Job 20:17 speak of the wicked being denied earthly abundance, their ultimate fulfillment is found in the spiritual realities offered through Jesus Christ. The "rivers, floods, and brooks of honey and butter" that the wicked "shall not see" foreshadow the true, eternal satisfaction and life-giving sustenance that are exclusively found in Christ. Worldly prosperity, even at its most luxurious, is fleeting and ultimately leaves the soul thirsty and hungry. Jesus, however, declares Himself to be the "[bread of life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and offers "[living water](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Living Water")" ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman")) that truly satisfies. The ultimate "land flowing with milk and honey" is not a physical place but the new creation, where God dwells with His people and there will be no more sorrow or pain ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heavens and New Earth")). Those who reject Christ, the source of all true spiritual abundance, will indeed be denied access to these eternal "rivers of life" and the "honey and butter" of God's presence, experiencing instead an ultimate and eternal spiritual deprivation that far outweighs any temporary earthly loss. In Christ, believers find enduring joy, peace, and an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable")).

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

Deuteronomy 32:13

He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;

Deuteronomy 32:14

Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.

Luke 16:24

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Job 29:6

When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;

Revelation 22:1

¶ And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Jeremiah 17:6

For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, [in] a salt land and not inhabited.

Jeremiah 17:8

For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.