Job 20:5

That the triumphing of the wicked [is] short, and the joy of the hypocrite [but] for a moment?

That the triumphing {H7445} of the wicked {H7563} is short {H7138}, and the joy {H8057} of the hypocrite {H2611} but for a moment {H7281}?

that the triumph of the wicked is always short-lived, and the joy of the ungodly is gone in a moment?

the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?

That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment?

Commentary on Job 20:5 (KJV)

Job 20:5 is part of Zophar the Naamathite's second speech to Job, where he dogmatically asserts that the prosperity of the wicked is always short-lived. This verse encapsulates his central argument, directly challenging Job's lament about the apparent prosperity of the ungodly while he, a righteous man, suffers.

Context

In the book of Job, Zophar is one of Job's three friends who come to comfort him but instead accuse him of sin, believing his immense suffering is a direct consequence of his unrighteousness. Zophar, in particular, presents a rigid view of divine justice: God always punishes the wicked swiftly and visibly, and therefore, Job's suffering must be proof of his hidden sin. This verse is a rhetorical question, implying an obvious truth from Zophar's perspective: the triumphing of the wicked and the joy of the hypocrite are indeed fleeting. He is trying to convince Job that any apparent success of the wicked is merely an illusion, a temporary flicker before their inevitable downfall. His argument, while containing an element of truth about ultimate divine justice, fails to account for the complexities of suffering or the patience of God, and it wrongly applies this principle as a direct accusation against Job.

Key Themes

  • The Fleeting Nature of Wicked Prosperity: The primary message is that any success, joy, or triumph experienced by those who live unrighteously is inherently temporary. It lacks a stable foundation and will inevitably collapse. This contrasts sharply with the enduring hope and peace available to the righteous.
  • Divine Justice: From Zophar's perspective, this verse underscores God's immediate and strict administration of justice. While the Bible affirms God's ultimate justice, Zophar's error lies in his insistence that this justice is always dispensed immediately and visibly in this life, especially concerning individual suffering.
  • The Emptiness of Hypocrisy: The "joy of the hypocrite" is highlighted as particularly short-lived. Hypocrisy, by its nature, is a pretense, and any satisfaction derived from it is superficial and unsustainable. True joy stems from genuine faith and integrity.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "triumphing" is renanah (רְנָנָה), which signifies a loud shout of joy, exultation, or singing. It suggests a public and exuberant display of success. The term "wicked" (*rasha'*) refers to those who are guilty or unrighteous, while "hypocrite" (*hanef*) denotes someone who is godless, impious, or defiled, often implying a person who outwardly appears religious but is inwardly corrupt or insincere. The phrases "short" and "for a moment" emphasize the extreme brevity of their apparent success, underscoring its ephemeral nature.

Related Scriptures

The idea that the prosperity of the wicked is temporary is a recurring theme in wisdom literature. Psalm 73:3-19 powerfully describes the psalmist's struggle with seeing the wicked prosper, only to realize their ultimate, sudden destruction. Similarly, Psalm 37:35-36 states, "I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found." This contrasts with the enduring nature of the righteous, whose path is like the shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18).

Practical Application

For a general audience, Job 20:5 serves as a crucial reminder not to be swayed or disheartened by the temporary successes of those who operate without integrity or godliness. It encourages patience and faith in God's ultimate justice. While the wicked may appear to flourish for a time, their foundation is unstable, and their "joy" is hollow. True, lasting joy and peace come from living righteously and trusting in God's eternal plan, not from momentary gains achieved through ungodly means. This verse calls believers to look beyond immediate circumstances and embrace an eternal perspective, understanding that God's timing and judgment are perfect, even if not always immediately apparent.

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 37:35

    I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

  • Psalms 37:36

    Yet he passed away, and, lo, he [was] not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

  • Job 18:5

    ¶ Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.

  • Job 18:6

    The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.

  • Job 8:12

    Whilst it [is] yet in his greenness, [and] not cut down, it withereth before any [other] herb.

  • Job 8:13

    So [are] the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:

  • Acts 12:22

    And the people gave a shout, [saying, It is] the voice of a god, and not of a man.

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