All darkness [shall be] hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle.
All darkness {H2822} shall be hid {H2934} in his secret places {H6845}: a fire {H784} not blown {H5301} shall consume {H398} him; it shall go ill {H3415} with him that is left {H8300} in his tabernacle {H168}.
"Total darkness is laid up for his treasures, a fire fanned by no one will consume him, and calamity awaits what is left in his tent.
Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. A fire unfanned will consume him and devour what is left in his tent.
All darkness is laid up for his treasures: A fire not blown by man shall devour him; It shall consume that which is left in his tent.
-
Psalms 21:9
Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them. -
Psalms 120:4
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. -
Job 18:18
He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. -
Job 18:19
He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings. -
Isaiah 14:20
Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, [and] slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. -
Isaiah 14:22
For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD. -
Isaiah 30:33
For Tophet [is] ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made [it] deep [and] large: the pile thereof [is] fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.
Context
Job 20:26 is part of Zophar the Naamathite's second and final speech in the book of Job. In this chapter, Zophar, one of Job's three friends, vehemently argues for the swift and certain punishment of the wicked. His perspective is that God's justice is always immediate and visible, and therefore, Job's immense suffering must be a direct consequence of his hidden sins. Zophar presents a grim picture of the wicked person's temporary prosperity followed by inevitable and complete ruin, attempting to convince Job to confess his supposed transgressions. This verse, in particular, paints a stark image of the comprehensive judgment that awaits the unrighteous.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "All darkness [shall be] hid in his secret places" uses "darkness" (Hebrew: choshek), which often symbolizes calamity, distress, or moral obscurity. The "secret places" (Hebrew: mistarim) refer to hidden spots or concealed treasures, implying that even in their most guarded areas, trouble will find them, or their hidden evils will be brought to light. The powerful imagery of "a fire not blown" (Hebrew: 'esh lo' niphachat) denotes a fire not ignited by human breath or effort, but one originating directly from God, signifying a divine, supernatural, and irresistible judgment.
Related Scriptures
This verse resonates with other biblical passages that describe the ultimate fate of the wicked and the nature of divine judgment. The idea of a sudden, consuming judgment from God can be seen in accounts like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24) or the fire that consumed Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:2). The concept that the wicked's prosperity is fleeting and their end is destruction is a recurring theme in the Psalms, such as in Psalm 37:35-36, which speaks of seeing the wicked flourish and then vanish. The notion that God's judgment will find the wicked even in their hidden places aligns with the truth that nothing is hidden from God's sight.
Practical Application
While Zophar's application of this truth to Job was flawed (as Job was righteous and his suffering was not due to sin), the underlying principle of God's ultimate justice remains. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that: