Because he hath oppressed [and] hath forsaken the poor; [because] he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;
Because he hath oppressed {H7533} and hath forsaken {H5800} the poor {H1800}; because he hath violently taken away {H1497} an house {H1004} which he builded {H1129} not;
"For he crushed and abandoned the poor, seizing houses he did not build,
For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has seized houses he did not build.
For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor; He hath violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up.
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Job 35:9
¶ By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make [the oppressed] to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty. -
Proverbs 14:31
¶ He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. -
Job 31:38
If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain; -
Job 31:39
If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: -
1 Samuel 12:3
Behold, here I [am]: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received [any] bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. -
1 Samuel 12:4
And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand. -
Lamentations 3:34
To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,
Job 20:19 is part of Zophar's third and final speech to Job, where he continues to articulate the traditional view of divine retribution. Zophar insists that the wicked, despite temporary prosperity, will inevitably suffer for their sins. This verse specifically lists some of the egregious actions that bring about such judgment.
Context
In the book of Job, Zophar, like Eliphaz and Bildad, operates under the assumption that suffering is a direct consequence of sin. He believes Job's calamities must be due to some hidden wickedness. In this passage, Zophar paints a vivid picture of the wicked man's character and eventual downfall, aiming to convince Job of his supposed guilt. This verse outlines the specific injustices that, in Zophar's view, guarantee divine punishment for the unrighteous, emphasizing their exploitation of the vulnerable and their unlawful acquisition of property.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
Practical Application
While Zophar's theology of suffering was ultimately flawed in its application to Job, the specific sins he condemns in this verse remain timeless moral failings. Today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder for individuals and societies: