Job 20:7

Job 20:7 is part of Zophar the Naamathite's second speech, where he vehemently argues against Job's perceived innocence and insists on the inevitable, swift downfall of the wicked. This verse vividly portrays the utter destruction and disappearance of those who live in wickedness, despite any temporary prosperity they might enjoy.

Context

In Job 20, Zophar, one of Job's three friends, responds to Job's lament with a harsh and rigid theological framework. Unlike Job, who grapples with the complexities of suffering, Zophar holds a simplistic view: the wicked always suffer, and the righteous always prosper. He believes Job's suffering is evidence of hidden sin. This particular verse, Job 20:7, serves as a stark culmination of his argument, emphasizing the ultimate contemptible end of the unrighteous, no matter how high they may have risen.

Key Themes

• The Transience of Wicked Prosperity: Zophar highlights that any success or power achieved by the wicked is fleeting. Their seeming strength is ultimately baseless and will quickly collapse.
• Utter Annihilation and Disgrace: The phrase "perish for ever like his own dung" paints a picture of complete and ignominious destruction. It suggests not just death, but a total loss of legacy, honor, and even memory. Their existence becomes as worthless and discarded as refuse.
• Divine Judgment and Justice: Underlying Zophar's words, though perhaps misapplied to Job, is the theological principle that God's justice will ultimately prevail. The wicked will not escape divine retribution, and their end will be a testament to God's righteous judgment. This idea is echoed in other wisdom literature, such as when the psalmist observes the wicked being set in slippery places (Psalm 73:18).

Linguistic Insights

• "Perish for ever" (Hebrew: abad netsach): The Hebrew word abad means "to vanish," "to be lost," or "to be destroyed." Coupled with netsach, which can mean "eternity" or "perpetuity," it signifies a permanent and complete disappearance from memory and influence, rather than necessarily eternal torment in the modern sense. It emphasizes that their impact and presence are utterly gone.
• "Like his own dung" (Hebrew: gelelim): This is an extremely strong and offensive metaphor. Gelelim specifically refers to excrement or idols (which were considered defiling and worthless). The comparison implies the wicked person's end is not just final, but also utterly contemptible, disgusting, and worthy only of being cast away and forgotten. It underscores the profound disgrace and worthlessness of their ultimate fate.
• "They which have seen him shall say, Where is he?": This rhetorical question highlights the complete absence and lack of a lasting trace. It speaks to the vanishing of their presence and any influence they once had, leaving no enduring mark. Psalm 37:36 offers a similar sentiment about the wicked's swift disappearance.

Practical Application

While Zophar's words are a harsh rebuke to Job, the principle of the wicked's ultimate downfall holds biblical truth. This verse encourages believers to:

• Not Envy the Wicked: Do not be disheartened or tempted by the temporary success or apparent ease of those who disregard God. Their prosperity is fleeting, and their end is ignominious. As Psalm 37:1 advises, "Fret not thyself because of evildoers."
• Trust in God's Ultimate Justice: Even when justice seems delayed or unfulfilled in this life, God's perfect justice will ultimately prevail. The wicked will face consequences for their actions, and their memory will fade.
• Focus on Enduring Value: Instead of seeking fleeting power or material gain, strive for a life of righteousness and faithfulness to God. This builds a legacy that truly endures and is valued in God's sight, unlike the "dung" of worldly achievements that vanish.