Job 20:25

KJV

It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors [are] upon him.

KJV (with Strong's)

It is drawn {H8025}, and cometh out {H3318} of the body {H1465}; yea, the glittering sword {H1300} cometh out {H1980} of his gall {H4846}: terrors {H367} are upon him.

Complete Jewish Bible

he pulls the arrow out of his back, the shining tip comes out from his innards; terrors come upon him.

Berean Standard Bible

It is drawn out of his back, the gleaming point from his liver. Terrors come over him.

American Standard Version

He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall: Terrors are upon him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 20:25, a stark declaration from Zophar's second discourse, vividly portrays the inevitable and agonizing judgment awaiting the wicked. Through potent imagery of a penetrating sword and internal dissolution, the verse underscores Zophar's conviction that unrighteousness culminates in a swift, terrifying, and deeply personal demise, emphasizing a divine retribution that reaches into the very core of one's being.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Zophar the Naamathite's second and final speech, spanning [Job 20](/job/20 "Job 20 - Zophar's Second Speech"). Zophar, like Eliphaz and Bildad, operates under the rigid framework of retribution theology, asserting that suffering is a direct and proportional consequence of sin. His speech is a passionate, almost vitriolic, condemnation of the wicked, designed to convince Job that his immense suffering must be due to hidden iniquity. Zophar paints a picture of the wicked's fleeting prosperity followed by their sudden, inescapable, and utterly devastating downfall, culminating in this verse's graphic description of internal torment and terror. His argument, while containing elements of truth about God's ultimate justice, is profoundly misapplied to Job, whose suffering is not a result of personal wickedness but part of a larger divine purpose.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, a region where wisdom literature flourished, often exploring themes of divine justice, human suffering, and the nature of righteousness. The concept of divine retribution was a pervasive theological tenet, though Job challenges its simplistic application. The imagery employed in [Job 20:25](/job/20-25 "Job 20:25 - The Wicked's Demise") draws from common cultural understandings of warfare and anatomy. The "sword" (חֶרֶב, _ḥerev_) was a primary weapon, symbolizing swift and decisive judgment. The "gall" (מְרֵרָה, _m'rerah_), referring to the gallbladder or bile, was often associated with bitterness, poison, or vital internal organs, signifying a deep, internal affliction or a source of profound distress. The "terrors" (בַּלָּהוֹת, _ballahoth_) were a recognized psychological state of extreme dread, reflecting the mental anguish accompanying such a severe fate.

* **Key Themes:** [Job 20:25](/job/20-25 "Job 20:25 - The Wicked's Demise") powerfully contributes to several key themes within Zophar's discourse and the broader book of Job. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Retribution**, portraying God as a just judge who metes out inescapable and often sudden punishment to the unrighteous. Zophar believes this judgment penetrates the very essence of a person, as illustrated by the [wicked's slippery path](/psalms/73-18 "Psalm 73:18 - The Wicked's Slippery Path") to destruction. Secondly, the imagery of the "sword cometh out of his gall" highlights the **Internal Consequences of Wickedness**. This suggests a torment that is not merely external but originates from within, symbolizing the self-destructive nature of sin, the corrosive effects of guilt, or the internal agony of fear and spiritual decay. Finally, the "glittering sword" and accompanying "terrors" emphasize the **Sudden and Terrifying Demise** awaiting the wicked. This swift, sharp, and decisive strike, coupled with overwhelming dread, contrasts sharply with the [peace of the righteous](/proverbs/28-1 "Proverbs 28:1 - The Righteous are Bold as a Lion") and underscores the precarious and fleeting nature of the wicked's apparent prosperity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gall (Hebrew, _m'rerah'_):** This word (מְרֵרָה) refers to the gallbladder or bile, and by extension, to bitterness, poison, or a vital internal organ. In this context, it signifies a deep, internal source of affliction or the very core of one's being. The sword coming out of the gall suggests an internal, self-inflicted wound, or a judgment that strikes at the most vulnerable and essential part of a person, leading to profound internal anguish and decay. It implies that the consequences of wickedness are not merely external but originate from within, poisoning the very life force.
* **Glittering (Hebrew, _baraq'_):** The Hebrew word (בָּרָק) translates to "glittering," "flashing," or "lightning." When applied to a sword, it emphasizes the sudden, swift, and dazzling nature of the strike. This is not a slow, drawn-out process but an instantaneous, shocking, and decisive blow. The imagery evokes a divine, perhaps supernatural, swiftness and power behind the judgment, akin to a bolt of lightning, leaving no time for escape or preparation.
* **Terrors (Hebrew, _ballahoth'_):** This term (בַּלָּהוֹת) denotes great dread, sudden fright, or nightmares. It describes the profound psychological and spiritual distress that accompanies the judgment. The "terrors are upon him" suggests an overwhelming, inescapable wave of fear and despair that engulfs the wicked, signifying not just physical demise but a complete breakdown of inner peace and security, replacing it with utter horror.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"It is drawn, and cometh out of the body;":** This initial clause sets the stage for a violent, internal expulsion. The "it" refers to the instrument of judgment, which is about to be revealed as a "glittering sword." The phrase "cometh out of the body" suggests an agonizing internal rupture or a self-destructive force emerging from within the wicked person, indicating that their demise is not merely external but originates from their very being, perhaps as a consequence of their own accumulated sin.
* **"yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall:":** This clause clarifies and intensifies the preceding one. The "it" is identified as a "glittering sword," emphasizing its swift, sharp, and decisive nature. The specific location, "out of his gall," is highly significant. As discussed, the gall represents a vital, internal organ, often associated with bitterness or poison. The sword emerging from it powerfully symbolizes a judgment that is both internal and self-inflicted, or a divine judgment that strikes at the deepest, most vulnerable part of the wicked, causing immense internal pain and spiritual dissolution. It is a graphic depiction of the internal rot and self-destruction inherent in wickedness.
* **"terrors [are] upon him.":** This final clause describes the psychological and spiritual aftermath of this internal assault. The "terrors" (בַּלָּהוֹת) are overwhelming dread, fear, and nightmares. This signifies that the wicked not only suffer physical or internal destruction but are also consumed by profound mental and spiritual anguish. The judgment is complete, encompassing both body and soul, leaving the condemned in a state of utter despair and horror, stripped of any peace or security.

#### Literary Devices
[Job 20:25](/job/20-25 "Job 20:25 - The Wicked's Demise") is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid and disturbing picture of the wicked's downfall. The "glittering sword" evokes a sense of swift, decisive, and even divine judgment, while its emergence "out of his gall" creates a visceral image of internal corruption and agonizing self-destruction. The "terrors" complete this tableau, highlighting the psychological torment. The phrase "the glittering sword cometh out of his gall" functions as a powerful **Metaphor**, where the sword represents the instrument of divine judgment or the destructive consequences of sin itself, and its origin from the gall symbolizes the internal, bitter fruit of wickedness. This is not a literal sword, but a symbolic representation of a deep, internal wound. There is also an element of **Hyperbole** in Zophar's description, as he uses exaggerated language to emphasize the severity and inescapability of the wicked's fate, aiming to shock Job into acknowledging his supposed sin. This dramatic language serves to underscore Zophar's rigid theological conviction about immediate and severe retribution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Zophar's application of this principle to Job was flawed, [Job 20:25](/job/20-25 "Job 20:25 - The Wicked's Demise") nonetheless conveys a profound truth about the ultimate consequences of unrighteousness. It affirms that God is a righteous judge who will not allow wickedness to go unpunished indefinitely. The imagery of an internal, agonizing judgment suggests that sin carries within itself the seeds of its own destruction, leading to a profound spiritual and psychological decay that ultimately manifests as terror and dissolution. This verse serves as a stark reminder that true peace and security cannot be found in a life alienated from God, as the path of the wicked, though seemingly prosperous for a time, inevitably leads to a terrifying and inescapable encounter with divine justice and the bitter fruit of their own choices.

* [Romans 2:6](/romans/2-6 "Romans 2:6 - God's Righteous Judgment")
* [Psalm 73:18](/psalms/73-18 "Psalm 73:18 - The Wicked's Slippery Places")
* [Proverbs 28:1](/proverbs/28-1 "Proverbs 28:1 - The Wicked Flee, the Righteous are Bold")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Job 20:25](/job/20-25 "Job 20:25 - The Wicked's Demise"), though spoken by Zophar with a flawed understanding of Job's suffering, offers timeless insights into the nature of sin and its consequences. It serves as a sobering reminder that a life lived in persistent rebellion against God's ways carries inherent internal repercussions, even before any external judgment. The "sword" emerging from the "gall" vividly illustrates how unrighteousness can poison the very core of one's being, leading to internal turmoil, guilt, anxiety, and a profound lack of peace. The "terrors" that accompany this internal decay highlight the spiritual anguish that ultimately consumes those who reject God's path. This verse calls us to examine our own hearts, recognizing that true flourishing and lasting peace are found not in fleeting worldly prosperity, but in a right relationship with God, where the internal landscape is cultivated by righteousness and faith, rather than consumed by the bitter fruits of sin. It encourages us to embrace repentance and seek God's mercy, for only then can we escape the terrifying internal and external consequences of a life lived apart from Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of a "sword coming out of his gall" challenge my understanding of the internal consequences of sin?**
* **In what ways might my own unaddressed sin be creating "terrors" or internal unrest in my life?**
* **How does this verse, despite Zophar's misapplication, reinforce the biblical truth of God's ultimate justice?**
* **What steps can I take today to pursue a life of righteousness that leads to true peace, rather than internal torment?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean all suffering is a direct result of sin?**

Answer: No, not necessarily. While Zophar and Job's other friends believed that all suffering was a direct consequence of personal sin, the book of Job as a whole challenges this simplistic retribution theology. Job's own suffering is explicitly shown to be *not* a result of his wickedness, but part of a divine test and a demonstration of God's sovereign purposes. [Job 20:25](/job/20-25 "Job 20:25 - The Wicked's Demise") reflects Zophar's flawed perspective, which, while containing a partial truth about God's ultimate justice against *persistent* wickedness, fails to account for the complexities of human suffering and God's multifaceted ways. The verse primarily speaks to the *eventual* and *internal* consequences of a life characterized by unrighteousness, rather than providing a universal explanation for all suffering.

**What is the significance of the 'gall' in this context?**

Answer: The "gall" (Hebrew: מְרֵרָה, _m'rerah_) refers to the gallbladder or bile. In ancient understanding, it was often associated with bitterness, poison, or vital internal organs. Its significance in [Job 20:25](/job/20-25 "Job 20:25 - The Wicked's Demise") is profound. For the "glittering sword" to come out of the gall suggests that the judgment or destruction of the wicked is not merely an external blow, but an internal, self-inflicted wound or a consequence that arises from the very core of their being. It symbolizes the bitter, poisonous fruit of their own wickedness turning inward, causing profound internal agony and dissolution. It highlights that sin corrupts from within, leading to a self-destructive process that culminates in terror and demise.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Job 20:25](/job/20-25 "Job 20:25 - The Wicked's Demise") vividly portrays the terrifying judgment awaiting the wicked, its ultimate fulfillment and transformation are found in Jesus Christ. The "glittering sword" of divine justice, meant to pierce the unrighteous, was instead turned upon the sinless Son of God. On the cross, Jesus became sin for us, bearing the full weight of God's wrath and the internal "terrors" that our wickedness deserved ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). He allowed the "sword" to come out of His own "gall"—His very being—experiencing the ultimate internal anguish and separation from God, so that those who believe in Him might be spared. Through His sacrifice, Christ absorbed the bitter consequences of sin, offering an escape from the terrifying judgment and internal decay that Zophar describes. For those in Christ, there is no condemnation ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ")), for the judgment has already fallen upon Him. He offers not the terrors of a guilty conscience and impending doom, but the peace that surpasses all understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")), transforming the internal landscape from one of fear and bitterness to one of hope, righteousness, and eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Salvation")).

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

Job 16:13

His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.

Job 18:11

¶ Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.

Deuteronomy 32:41

If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.

Job 15:21

A dreadful sound [is] in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.

Job 6:4

For the arrows of the Almighty [are] within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

Job 27:20

Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.

2 Corinthians 5:11

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.