Job 20:28

KJV

The increase of his house shall depart, [and his goods] shall flow away in the day of his wrath.

KJV (with Strong's)

The increase {H2981} of his house {H1004} shall depart {H1540}, and his goods shall flow away {H5064} in the day {H3117} of his wrath {H639}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The income of his household will be carried off; his goods will flow away on the day of his wrath.

Berean Standard Bible

The possessions of his house will be removed, flowing away on the day of God’s wrath.

American Standard Version

The increase of his house shall depart; His goodsshall flow away in the day of his wrath.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 20:28 is a poignant declaration from Zophar the Naamathite, delivered within his second speech, asserting the inevitable and complete downfall of the wicked. This verse specifically highlights that any material gains or prosperity accumulated by the unrighteous are inherently transient and will utterly vanish, likened to something that "flows away," particularly when confronted by the decisive and unyielding force of divine judgment, referred to as "the day of his wrath."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Zophar's second and final speech (Job 20), which immediately follows Job's lament in [Job 19](/job/19 "Job 19 - Job's Plea for Vindication"). Zophar, often considered the most dogmatic of Job's three friends, relentlessly presses the traditional wisdom theology that suffering is a direct consequence of sin. His speech is a vivid, almost poetic, denunciation of the wicked, detailing their fleeting success and ultimate, catastrophic ruin. Job 20:28 serves as a climactic statement in Zophar's argument, emphasizing that even the most seemingly secure wealth of the unrighteous is destined for complete dissipation and loss, thereby implicitly accusing Job of hidden sin as the cause of his calamities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Job 20:28 operates within the broader framework of ancient Near Eastern (ANE) wisdom literature, which often emphasized a direct correlation between righteousness and prosperity, and wickedness and calamity. This "retributive justice" theology was a dominant worldview, where divine favor was manifested in material blessings and divine displeasure in suffering or loss. The concept of "wrath" (אַף, *aph*) was a common motif in ANE religions, signifying the intense anger of a deity provoked by moral transgressions or covenant breaches. Wealth, particularly the "increase of his house" (referring to family, lineage, and property), was a primary indicator of status and divine blessing. Zophar's words reflect this cultural understanding, applying it rigidly to Job's situation without considering the complexities of righteous suffering.
* **Key Themes:**
* **Divine Retribution:** Zophar's central theological tenet is that God's justice ensures the wicked will not retain their ill-gotten gains. The "increase of his house" and "his goods" are portrayed as inherently unstable and destined for destruction, reflecting a firm belief in God's active role in punishing unrighteousness. This theme is a cornerstone of the friends' arguments throughout the book of Job, though the book itself ultimately challenges its simplistic application to all suffering.
* **Transience of Earthly Riches:** The vivid imagery of wealth that "shall depart" and "flow away" underscores the impermanence of material possessions, especially those acquired through unjust means. This contrasts sharply with the enduring value of spiritual integrity and righteousness, a concept frequently highlighted in wisdom literature, such as in [Proverbs 11:4](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches Do Not Profit in the Day of Wrath").
* **The Day of God's Wrath:** This phrase points to a specific, decisive moment or period of divine judgment. It emphasizes that the downfall of the wicked is not accidental but a deliberate and just act of God's righteous anger against injustice. This concept of a definitive "day" of divine reckoning is a significant theological motif found throughout the Old Testament, particularly in prophetic books like [Zephaniah 1:18](/zephaniah/1-18 "Zephaniah 1:18 - The Day of the Lord's Fierce Anger").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Increase (יְבוּל, _yevul'_):** This Hebrew term refers to the produce, yield, or gain, particularly of the land or from one's efforts. In this context, it signifies the accumulated wealth, prosperity, and material possessions of a person, representing the tangible results of their endeavors or acquisitions.
* **Depart (יֵלֵךְ, _yelekh'_):** Derived from the root הָלַךְ (halakh), meaning "to go" or "to walk." Here, it conveys a strong sense of vanishing, being swept away, or disappearing completely. It emphasizes the utter and irreversible loss of the "increase of his house," suggesting that it will be gone without a trace.
* **Flow away (יֶהְלֹךְ, _yeh'lokh'_):** Also from the root הָלַךְ (halakh), this verb intensifies the imagery of "depart." It implies a dissipation or a being carried away, much like water flowing out or draining away. The repetition of the root with "depart" creates a powerful rhetorical effect, underscoring the swift, complete, and uncontainable loss of wealth.
* **Wrath (אַפּוֹ, _appo'_):** Literally meaning "his nose" or "his nostril," this is a common Hebrew idiom for anger or fury, as physical manifestations of anger often involve the nose (e.g., flaring nostrils, heavy breathing). In this theological context, it refers to God's intense, righteous indignation and the punitive expression of His judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The increase of his house shall depart":** This initial clause declares the complete and inevitable loss of all that the wicked person has accumulated. "The increase of his house" encompasses not only their material wealth but also the prosperity and legacy of their family line. The verb "shall depart" (יֵלֵךְ, *yelekh*) vividly portrays this wealth as something that simply vanishes, emphasizing its impermanence and the inability of the wicked to retain it. It suggests a complete and irreversible disappearance of their accumulated prosperity.
* **"[and his goods] shall flow away":** This phrase serves as a powerful parallel and amplification of the preceding clause. "His goods" (חֵילוֹ, *cheilo*) refers to his substance, strength, or wealth. The verb "shall flow away" (יֶהְלֹךְ, *yeh'lokh*) uses the same root as "depart" but evokes a more fluid, uncontrollable image, like water draining or being swept away by a torrent. This intensifies the sense of total and rapid dissipation, highlighting that the wicked person's wealth offers no lasting security.
* **"in the day of his wrath":** This concluding phrase identifies the ultimate cause and timing of this catastrophic loss. "His wrath" refers to God's righteous anger and judgment. "The day of his wrath" signifies a specific, decisive moment or period when divine justice is enacted. It underscores that the downfall of the wicked is not accidental but a deliberate, sovereign act of God, ensuring that unrighteousness does not ultimately escape its consequences.

#### Literary Devices
Zophar masterfully employs several literary devices to underscore his point about the wicked's inevitable downfall. Central to the verse is **Metaphor**, as the "increase of his house" and "his goods" are treated as entities capable of "departing" and "flowing away," likening material wealth to something ephemeral and uncontrollable, like water or sand slipping through one's grasp. The verbs "depart" and "flow away" create potent **Imagery**, painting a picture of rapid, irreversible loss and dissipation. There is an element of **Hyperbole** in the absolute nature of the loss described, emphasizing a total annihilation of the wicked person's possessions. Furthermore, the phrase "the day of his wrath" functions as a powerful **Euphemism** for divine judgment, conveying the severity of God's action without explicitly detailing the specific mechanisms of His punishment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Zophar's rigid application of retributive justice to Job's suffering was ultimately flawed, Job 20:28 articulates a profound theological truth affirmed throughout Scripture: the inherent transience of earthly possessions and the certainty of divine judgment against unrighteousness. God's ultimate justice ensures that wealth acquired or held unjustly offers no lasting security and cannot withstand His righteous scrutiny. This verse serves as a stark warning against placing one's trust in fleeting material gains and encourages a deeper reliance on God's sovereignty and His perfect timing for justice. It underscores that true security and enduring prosperity are found not in accumulated riches, but in a right relationship with the divine.

* [Proverbs 13:11](/proverbs/13-11 "Proverbs 13:11 - Wealth Gained Dishonestly Dwindles")
* [Psalm 73:18-19](/psalm/73-18 "Psalm 73:18-19 - God Sets the Wicked on Slippery Places")
* [James 5:1-3](/james/5-1 "James 5:1-3 - Warning to Rich Oppressors")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 20:28, despite being part of Zophar's misapplied counsel to Job, offers a timeless and challenging reflection for believers today. It compels us to examine the foundations upon which we build our lives and our sense of security. Are we investing our primary energy and hope in "increase" and "goods" that are susceptible to "departing" or "flowing away" in the face of economic downturns, natural disasters, or the inevitable "day of his wrath" (whether a personal crisis or ultimate judgment)? This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true and lasting security is never found in material accumulation, especially if acquired through unrighteous means or held with a covetous heart. It calls us to cultivate a posture of detachment from worldly possessions and to instead pursue righteousness, cultivate generosity, and place our ultimate trust in God, whose kingdom and blessings are eternal and unshakeable. It encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that earthly successes, particularly those built on injustice, are ultimately fleeting.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my pursuit of wealth or material security align with or diverge from the warning presented in Job 20:28?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to envy the apparent prosperity of those who operate outside of God's principles, and how does this verse reframe that perspective?**
* **What are the "increase of my house" and "my goods" that I might be clinging to, which could ultimately "depart" or "flow away"?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty, even when I don't see immediate consequences for unrighteousness in the world around me?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean all wealth is bad or will be lost?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that all wealth is inherently evil or that every person's possessions will be lost. Zophar's argument, in its immediate context, specifically targets wealth acquired through wickedness or held by the unrighteous. The emphasis is on the *fleeting nature* of ill-gotten gains and the *inevitability of divine judgment* against injustice. The Bible elsewhere affirms that wealth can be a blessing from God when acquired and used righteously (e.g., [Proverbs 10:22](/proverbs/10-22 "Proverbs 10:22 - The Blessing of the Lord")). The warning here is against trusting in wealth, especially that gained through ungodly means, as a source of lasting security, because it cannot withstand God's "day of his wrath."

**How does Zophar's view of suffering compare to the book of Job's overall message?**

Answer: Zophar, like Job's other friends, operates from a rigid, traditional understanding of retributive justice: that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin. He believes Job's immense suffering must be due to some hidden wickedness, and therefore, his wealth and "increase of his house" are destined to "depart." The book of Job, however, profoundly challenges this simplistic theology. While it affirms God's justice, it demonstrates that righteous people can suffer, and that suffering is not always a direct punishment for sin. The book ultimately points to God's sovereignty and wisdom as beyond human comprehension, moving beyond the strict cause-and-effect framework Zophar espouses. Job's experience shows that God's ways are deeper and more complex than the friends' limited theological framework.

**What does "the day of his wrath" refer to?**

Answer: "The day of his wrath" (בְּיוֹם אַפּוֹ, *b'yom appo*) refers to a time of divine judgment or intense displeasure from God. It signifies a decisive moment or period when God's righteous anger against sin and injustice is fully expressed, leading to consequences for the wicked. This concept is found throughout the Old Testament, often associated with the "Day of the Lord" in prophetic literature (e.g., [Isaiah 13:9](/isaiah/13-9 "Isaiah 13:9 - The Day of the Lord's Cruelty")). It emphasizes that the downfall of the wicked is not accidental or random, but a deliberate act of God's justice, ensuring that evil does not ultimately triumph.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 20:28, though spoken by Zophar with a flawed application to Job, points to a profound truth ultimately fulfilled and reframed in Christ: the inherent transience of earthly treasures and the certainty of divine judgment. Jesus himself taught extensively about the folly of accumulating wealth on earth, where "moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal," contrasting it with laying up "treasures in heaven" ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Treasures in Heaven")). The "day of his wrath" finds its ultimate expression not merely in the loss of material goods, but in the final judgment where all unrighteousness will be exposed and condemned ([Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")). Yet, in a glorious paradox, Christ became the one upon whom God's wrath was poured out, bearing the full weight of sin's consequences on the cross, thereby delivering believers from that very wrath ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Delivered from Wrath Through Christ")). For those who believe in Him, the "increase of their house" is not fleeting earthly wealth, but an eternal, incorruptible inheritance secured by His sacrifice and resurrection ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope, An Incorruptible Inheritance")). He is the true source of enduring security, offering a kingdom that cannot be shaken and riches that will never "flow away" ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken")).

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 27:14

If his children be multiplied, [it is] for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.

Job 27:19

The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he [is] not.

Job 20:10

¶ His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods.

Job 21:30

That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.

Deuteronomy 28:31

Thine ox [shall be] slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass [shall be] violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep [shall be] given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue [them].

Revelation 18:17

For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

Matthew 16:26

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?