There shall none of his meat be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods.
There shall none of his meat {H400} be left {H8300}; therefore shall no man look {H2342} for his goods {H2898}.
nothing is left that he did not devour; therefore his well-being will not last.
Nothing is left for him to consume; thus his prosperity will not endure.
There was nothing left that he devoured not; Therefore his prosperity shall not endure.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
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Job 15:29
He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth. -
Jeremiah 17:11
[As] the partridge sitteth [on eggs], and hatcheth [them] not; [so] he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool. -
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. -
Luke 16:25
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. -
Job 18:19
He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.
Job 20:21 is part of Zophar the Naamathite's second discourse, where he passionately argues for the inevitable and swift punishment of the wicked. In this verse, Zophar vividly describes the complete desolation that awaits those who prosper through unrighteousness, asserting that their accumulated wealth will be utterly consumed.
Context
This verse is situated within a heated theological debate between Job and his three friends concerning the nature of divine justice. Zophar, like Bildad and Eliphaz, operates under the traditional belief that suffering is a direct consequence of sin, and prosperity is a sign of God's favor. He insists that the wicked, no matter how seemingly successful, will ultimately face ruin. Job 20, in its entirety, details Zophar's conviction that the triumph of the wicked is short-lived and their end is catastrophic, serving as a direct counterpoint to Job's experience of suffering despite his righteousness. Zophar’s arguments often mirror the traditional wisdom found in other parts of the Old Testament, such as Psalm 37:35-36.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "meat" here is ma'akhal (מַאֲכָל), which broadly refers to food, sustenance, or provisions. It encompasses all that a person has accumulated for their sustenance and enjoyment. The term "goods" (טוּב - tuv) signifies wealth, possessions, or general well-being. The combination of these terms emphasizes the complete vanishing of all resources and assets, leaving the wicked utterly destitute. The strong, definitive language ("none... be left," "no man look") underscores the finality of this judgment.
Practical Application
While Zophar's application of this principle to Job was flawed, the underlying truth about the temporary nature of material wealth, especially that acquired unrighteously, remains relevant. This verse serves as a potent reminder that true security and lasting prosperity are not found in accumulated possessions, particularly if obtained through injustice or at the expense of others. It encourages believers to prioritize spiritual and eternal values over transient earthly gains and to trust in God's ultimate justice, even when it seems delayed. As the New Testament teaches, focusing on treasures in heaven rather than on earth provides a more secure foundation.