Job 20:8

KJV

He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.

KJV (with Strong's)

He shall fly away {H5774} as a dream {H2472}, and shall not be found {H4672}: yea, he shall be chased away {H5074} as a vision {H2384} of the night {H3915}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Like a dream he flies off and is not found again; like a vision in the night he is chased away.

Berean Standard Bible

He will fly away like a dream, never to be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night.

American Standard Version

He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 20:8, spoken by Zophar the Naamathite, powerfully articulates the traditional wisdom that the prosperity and even the very existence of the wicked are fleeting and insubstantial. Zophar employs vivid imagery to convey that the unrighteous person's apparent success or influence is as ephemeral and easily forgotten as a dream or a night vision, ultimately vanishing without a trace under the inevitable weight of divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 20:8 is situated within Zophar's second and final speech, a passionate and often abrasive discourse delivered in response to Job's lamentations and assertions of innocence. Zophar, like his companions Eliphaz and Bildad, operates from a rigid framework of retributive justice, believing that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin. In this chapter, Zophar paints a stark and relentless picture of the miserable end awaiting the wicked, meticulously detailing their swift downfall, the brevity of their triumph, and the ultimate loss of all their gains. Verse 8 serves as a poignant summary of this fate, emphasizing the complete and sudden disappearance of the wicked, designed to underscore Zophar's conviction that Job's profound suffering must be evidence of hidden sin, as only the wicked experience such a comprehensive reversal of fortune.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set within a patriarchal, pre-Mosaic context, reflecting the wisdom traditions prevalent in the ancient Near East. A common belief across many cultures of this era, and especially within Israelite wisdom literature, was the concept of divine retribution: the righteous would prosper, and the wicked would suffer. This "Deuteronomic theology" (though predating Deuteronomy as a written law, its principles were widely held) provided a framework for understanding God's justice in the world. Zophar's arguments are deeply rooted in this conventional wisdom, which struggled to account for the suffering of the righteous or the apparent prosperity of the wicked. The imagery of dreams and visions was culturally understood as transient and often deceptive, making them powerful metaphors for anything lacking true substance or permanence.
* **Key Themes:** Zophar's speech, and specifically this verse, contributes to several key themes within the book of Job. Foremost is the **Fleeting Nature of Wicked Prosperity**, asserting that any success or power gained through unrighteousness is fundamentally temporary and destined to vanish without a trace, contrasting sharply with the enduring hope for the righteous found elsewhere (e.g., [Psalm 37:29](/psalms/37-29 "Psalm 37:29 - The Righteous Inherit the Land")). This ties into the theme of **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, where the rapid disappearance of the wicked is presented as an inevitable outcome, implying God's active orchestration of their downfall, even if not explicitly stated as His direct action in this verse. Furthermore, the imagery highlights the theme of **Illusion vs. Reality**, exposing the deceptive nature of worldly success for those who oppose God. What seems solid and lasting is, in reality, unsubstantial and quickly forgotten, a stark contrast to the enduring reality of God's eternal kingdom (e.g., [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Everlasting Kingdom")). The verse also implicitly touches on the broader tension in Job between **Traditional Wisdom and Experiential Reality**, as Zophar's rigid adherence to conventional theology fails to account for Job's unique suffering.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dream (Hebrew, _ḥalōm'_):** This word, found frequently in the Old Testament, consistently denotes something insubstantial, transient, and quickly forgotten upon waking. Unlike a vision that might carry divine revelation, a "dream" in this context emphasizes lack of true reality or lasting impact. It signifies something that exists only momentarily in the mind, dissolving completely when confronted with the light of day.
* **Vision of the night (Hebrew, _ḥizāyôn laylāh'_):** This phrase parallels "dream" and reinforces its meaning. A "vision of the night" is typically fleeting, often indistinct, and easily dispelled. It highlights that the wicked person's apparent substance, influence, or prosperity is like a phantom, a mere apparition that vanishes with the dawn, leaving no enduring trace or memory.
* **Fly away (Hebrew, _yāʿûp̄'_):** The verb "fly away" conveys the swiftness and effortlessness of the wicked's disappearance. It suggests a sudden, unhindered departure, like a bird taking flight, emphasizing the lack of control the wicked have over their own destiny and the speed with which their apparent stability collapses.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He shall fly away as a dream":** This opening clause immediately introduces the central simile, likening the wicked person's existence or prosperity to a dream. The verb "fly away" (יעוף, _yāʿûp̄_) implies a sudden, swift, and unhindered departure, emphasizing that the wicked's presence or influence is not merely temporary but will vanish quickly and completely, without leaving any lasting mark.
* **"and shall not be found":** This phrase intensifies the preceding image, underscoring the absolute and permanent disappearance. It's not just that the wicked will depart, but that no trace of them or their supposed achievements will remain. Their memory, their legacy, and their very presence will be utterly erased, as if they never existed, or as if their existence was merely an illusion.
* **"yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night":** This second clause employs synonymous parallelism, repeating and reinforcing the message of the first clause with slightly different imagery. "Chased away" (ינדף, _yinnāḏēp̄_) suggests an active expulsion, perhaps by divine decree or the natural consequence of their actions, rather than a passive fading. The comparison to a "vision of the night" (חזיון לילה, _ḥizāyôn laylāh_) further emphasizes the insubstantial, illusory, and fleeting nature of the wicked's apparent reality, which is dispelled by the light of truth or judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Job 20:8 is rich in **Simile**, employing two distinct comparisons to convey its message: the wicked are likened to a "dream" and a "vision of the night." These similes powerfully communicate the ephemeral, insubstantial, and ultimately forgotten nature of the wicked's prosperity and existence. The verse also utilizes strong **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first clause ("He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found"). This repetition serves to emphasize the certainty and completeness of the wicked's downfall. Furthermore, the verse employs vivid **Imagery**, evoking a sense of swift, effortless disappearance, like something intangible that dissipates into thin air, leaving no trace. This imagery creates a powerful mental picture of utter annihilation and forgottenness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Zophar's application of this principle to Job was flawed and insensitive, the core theological truth embedded in Job 20:8 resonates throughout Scripture: the apparent prosperity of the wicked is ultimately an illusion, temporary and without lasting substance in the face of God's ultimate justice. This verse serves as a sober reminder that worldly success, power, or influence gained through unrighteous means is fleeting and will not endure. It points to a divine order where true and lasting blessing is found in righteousness, and where all that opposes God's will is destined for ultimate dissolution and forgottenness. The temporary nature of the wicked's triumph is a recurring theme that encourages patience and trust in God's sovereign plan, assuring believers that divine judgment will inevitably expose and dismantle all that is built on an ungodly foundation.

* [Psalm 37:2](/psalms/37-2 "Psalm 37:2 - The Wicked Wither Like Grass")
* [Proverbs 11:21](/proverbs/11-21 "Proverbs 11:21 - The Wicked Shall Not Go Unpunished")
* [James 4:14](/james/4-14 "James 4:14 - Life Is a Vapor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 20:8, despite being part of Zophar's misguided counsel to Job, carries a timeless spiritual truth that offers both a warning and a source of comfort. It cautions us against the temptation to envy the apparent success or prosperity of those who live without regard for God, for their triumph is ultimately fleeting and lacks true substance. What might seem like an enduring edifice of power or wealth for the unrighteous is, in God's eternal perspective, as insubstantial as a dream that vanishes upon waking. For those who may be suffering or struggling while the wicked seem to flourish, this verse offers profound reassurance: divine justice will prevail. The temporary gains of the wicked will indeed dissipate like a forgotten dream, and their influence will be erased. This encourages believers to fix their gaze not on the transient allure of worldly power or wealth, but on eternal values, a righteous foundation, and the enduring promises of God, knowing that only what is built on Him will last.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to envy the temporary prosperity or influence of those who do not honor God?**
* **How does the imagery of a "dream" or "vision of the night" help me understand the true nature of worldly, ungodly success?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the ultimate justice of God, even when it seems delayed or unseen?**
* **How can focusing on the fleeting nature of unrighteousness encourage me to invest more deeply in eternal values and a walk of integrity?**

### FAQ
**Does Zophar's statement in Job 20:8 accurately reflect God's justice?**

Answer: While Zophar's statement about the wicked's swift and complete destruction is a general principle found throughout wisdom literature (e.g., [Psalm 73:18-20](/psalms/73-18 "Psalm 73:18-20 - The Slippery Place of the Wicked")), his rigid application of it to Job was flawed. The book of Job ultimately challenges the simplistic notion that all suffering is a direct consequence of sin. However, the verse does accurately convey a universal truth: unrighteousness and its temporary gains will not endure in the face of God's ultimate and perfect justice. The wicked's apparent success is indeed fleeting, an illusion that will eventually be dispelled.

**What comfort can believers draw from this verse?**

Answer: Believers can draw significant comfort from Job 20:8. In a world where the wicked often seem to prosper and justice appears delayed, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and ultimate control. It assures us that the triumph of the unrighteous is temporary and unsubstantial, like a dream that fades. This truth encourages patience, perseverance in righteousness, and trust in God's perfect timing for judgment and vindication. It reinforces the biblical promise that God sees all and will ultimately set all things right, as seen in passages like [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine").

**How does this verse relate to the prosperity of the wicked seen in the world today?**

Answer: Job 20:8 provides a timeless perspective on the contemporary reality of the wicked's apparent prosperity. It reminds us that such success, no matter how grand or influential it appears, is fundamentally unstable and lacks eternal substance. Just as a dream dissolves upon waking, so too will the power and influence built on unrighteousness ultimately collapse and be forgotten in the light of God's eternal truth and judgment. This perspective encourages believers not to be dismayed or envious, but to maintain their focus on God's enduring kingdom and the eternal rewards of righteousness, as Christ taught in [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Zophar's words in Job 20:8 were spoken from a limited understanding of God's ways and misapplied to Job, they foreshadow a profound Christ-centered truth: the ultimate and complete vanquishing of all that opposes God. The "dream" of worldly power, sin, and death, which seemed to hold humanity captive, was decisively shattered by the reality of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. The wicked's fleeting existence and their ultimate "not found" status find their fullest expression in the triumph of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") over all evil. Jesus, through His cross and resurrection, disarmed the principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them (as described in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The "vision of the night" – the deceptive allure and temporary reign of unrighteousness – is utterly dispelled by the dawn of Christ's eternal kingdom. He is the ultimate Judge who will separate the righteous from the wicked, ensuring that those who reject Him will indeed "fly away" and "not be found" in the eternal presence of God ([Matthew 25:41](/matthew/25-41 "Matthew 25:41 - The Separation of the Sheep and Goats")). Conversely, for those who are in Christ, their hope is not a fleeting dream but an eternal reality, secured by His enduring righteousness and everlasting reign ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")).

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

Psalms 73:20

As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

Psalms 90:5

Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are [as] a sleep: in the morning [they are] like grass [which] groweth up.

Isaiah 29:7

And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.

Isaiah 29:8

It shall even be as when an hungry [man] dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, [he is] faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

Job 27:21

The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.

Job 27:23

[Men] shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.

Job 18:18

He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.