Job 20:22

In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him.

In the fulness {H4390}{H4390} of his sufficiency {H5607} he shall be in straits {H3334}: every hand {H3027} of the wicked {H6001} shall come {H935} upon him.

With all needs satisfied, he will be in distress; the full force of misery will come over him.

In the midst of his plenty, he will be distressed; the full force of misery will come upon him.

In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: The hand of every one that is in misery shall come upon him.

Commentary on Job 20:22

Job 20:22 is a verse from Zophar the Naamathite's second discourse, where he continues to assert his rigid belief that the wicked will inevitably face severe judgment and that their prosperity is fleeting. This particular verse vividly describes a dramatic and ironic reversal of fortune for the ungodly, stating that their perceived abundance will suddenly transform into dire need and overwhelming trouble.

Context

The Book of Job chronicles the intense suffering of a righteous man and the theological debate between him and his three friends: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. These friends arrive to comfort Job but quickly become accusers, operating under the traditional retribution theology common in their culture: good people prosper, and wicked people suffer. Since Job is suffering intensely, they conclude he must have sinned greatly. Zophar, particularly in his speech in Job chapter 20, passionately argues for the swift and inescapable downfall of the wicked. He describes their brief triumph as a prelude to utter destruction, implying that Job's current plight is a direct consequence of his unconfessed sins, a view Job vehemently rejects.

Key Themes

  • The Transience of Wicked Prosperity: The verse powerfully contrasts "fulness of his sufficiency" with being "in straits." This highlights the impermanence of wealth, power, or comfort gained through unrighteous means. What appears to be abundance can quickly turn into a source of profound distress.
  • Divine Retribution (from Zophar's Perspective): Zophar firmly believes that God's justice ensures no wicked person escapes punishment. Their period of prosperity is merely a temporary illusion before an inevitable and severe reckoning. This theme of divine judgment on the wicked is found in other parts of Scripture, though often with greater nuance regarding God's timing and methods, as seen in Psalm 73.
  • Overwhelming Affliction: The phrase "every hand of the wicked shall come upon him" suggests a complete and inescapable judgment. It implies that even those who might have benefited from or been complicit in the wicked person's actions will eventually turn against them, or that the very systems and associates that once supported their wickedness will become instruments of their downfall.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "sufficiency" is sava' (שָׂבַע), which conveys a sense of being full, satisfied, or having an abundance of possessions and resources. This emphasizes the complete, seemingly secure prosperity the wicked person enjoys. In stark contrast, "straits" comes from the Hebrew word tsar (צַר), meaning narrowness, distress, trouble, or affliction. The powerful juxtaposition of these two words underscores the sudden, severe, and total reversal of fortune Zophar describes – from overflowing abundance to suffocating distress.

Practical Application

While Zophar's application of this theology to Job was flawed and incomplete, Job 20:22 still offers valuable insights for a general audience. It serves as a timeless caution against placing ultimate trust in fleeting material wealth or ill-gotten gains. True security and lasting peace are not found in earthly possessions or worldly power, but in a right relationship with God and adherence to His principles. The verse also implicitly reminds us of the dangers of judging others based solely on their outward circumstances, as God's ways and purposes are often deeper and more complex than human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). Ultimately, this commentary on Job 20:22 encourages introspection on where one's true sufficiency and security truly lie.

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.

  • Psalms 39:5

    Behold, thou hast made my days [as] an handbreadth; and mine age [is] as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state [is] altogether vanity. Selah.

  • Job 1:17

    While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

  • Isaiah 10:6

    I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:18

    Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:20

    Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

  • Job 1:15

    And the Sabeans fell [upon them], and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

  • Job 15:29

    He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth.

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