Job 20:9

KJV

The eye also [which] saw him shall [see him] no more; neither shall his place any more behold him.

KJV (with Strong's)

The eye {H5869} also which saw {H7805} him shall see him no more {H3254}; neither shall his place {H4725} any more behold {H7789} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

The eye which once saw him will see him no more, his place will not behold him again.

Berean Standard Bible

The eye that saw him will see him no more, and his place will no longer behold him.

American Standard Version

The eye which saw him shall see him no more; Neither shall his place any more behold him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 20:9, a pronouncement from Zophar the Naamathite, starkly portrays the ultimate fate of the wicked: complete erasure from memory and presence. Within his second discourse, Zophar vehemently asserts that any fleeting prosperity or influence enjoyed by the unrighteous is inherently transient, destined to vanish without a trace, leaving no enduring legacy or remembrance. This verse serves as a severe declaration of divine judgment, emphasizing that the wicked will be utterly removed from the sight and recollection of both people and the very environments they once occupied, signaling a swift and absolute downfall into oblivion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 20:9 is embedded within Zophar's second and final speech (Job 20:1-29), a critical segment of the prolonged dialogue between Job and his three companions. Throughout their exchanges, Job's friends consistently champion a rigid retribution theology, positing a direct and immediate correlation between sin and suffering, and righteousness and prosperity. Zophar, characterized by his unyielding dogmatism, leverages this speech to forcefully reiterate that the prosperity of the wicked is inherently ephemeral and their destruction inevitable. His words are implicitly directed at Job, accusing him of hidden wickedness and suggesting his suffering is a just consequence, a perspective the book of Job ultimately refutes through [God's own testimony of Job's blamelessness](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Blameless Character"). Consequently, this verse functions as a powerful, albeit misapplied, illustration of the friends' flawed understanding of divine justice when confronted with Job's unique, inexplicable suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the concept of a "good name" and the establishment of a lasting legacy were profoundly significant. To be remembered, to have one's "place" acknowledge one's existence, was considered a form of immortality and honor. Conversely, to be utterly forgotten, for one's name to "rot," or for one's physical "place" to "behold him no more," represented the ultimate disgrace and annihilation. This deep cultural value underscores the severity of Zophar's pronouncement. The prevailing wisdom tradition, which Zophar embodies, often stressed a direct and observable divine justice in this life, where the righteous flourished and the wicked were swiftly eradicated. While this general principle holds true in many biblical contexts, such as [Psalm 73](/psalm/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked"), the book of Job fundamentally challenges the simplistic application of this theology, particularly in cases of inexplicable suffering.
* **Key Themes:** Zophar's speech, and specifically Job 20:9, contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. A prominent theme is **the transient nature of wicked prosperity**. Zophar insists that any success or prominence achieved through unrighteousness is fleeting, a mere illusion that quickly dissipates, leaving no lasting impact. This stands in sharp contrast to the enduring nature of God's covenant faithfulness and the ultimate vindication of the righteous. Closely related is the theme of **utter disappearance and oblivion**, where the wicked are depicted as being completely erased from memory and presence, as if they never existed. This conveys a profound sense of absolute loss of status, influence, and even physical presence, serving as a stark warning against a life lived apart from God's ways. Finally, underlying Zophar's pronouncements is the conviction of **divine judgment and accountability**, asserting that God's justice will ultimately prevail, ensuring that the wicked face their deserved end. While the friends misapply this truth to Job, the general principle of divine accountability is a recurring motif in Scripture, affirming that God sees all and will bring every deed to light, as seen in passages like [Psalm 37:10](/psalm/37-10 "Psalm 37:10 - The Wicked Will Be No More").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Eye (Hebrew, _ʿayin'_ - H5869):** This word literally refers to the physical organ of sight, but here it functions metonymically to represent observation, perception, and memory. The phrase "the eye... shall see him no more" signifies a complete cessation of observation, implying that the wicked person will be utterly forgotten, removed from the collective consciousness and memory of those who once knew them. It speaks to a profound and irreversible absence, a loss of recognition.
* **No more (Hebrew, _yâçaph'_ - H3254):** While the root means "to add or augment," it is frequently used adverbially to signify "again," "any more," or "cease." In this verse, its repeated usage ("shall see him no more," "any more behold him") functions as a powerful intensifier, stressing the absolute and irreversible finality of the wicked person's disappearance. It underscores that this is not a temporary absence but a permanent and complete erasure from presence and memory.
* **Behold (Hebrew, _shûwr'_ - H7789):** Meaning "to spy out," "to survey," "to look," "to gaze," or "to perceive." In this context, when applied to "his place," it carries the sense of recognition or acknowledgment. The place that once knew him, that witnessed his presence and activities, will no longer "recognize" or "acknowledge" him. This personification emphasizes the totality of his disappearance, as if even the physical environment has forgotten him, bearing no trace of his existence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The eye also [which] saw him shall [see him] no more":** This clause emphasizes the complete disappearance of the wicked person from human observation and memory. Those who once knew him, witnessed his life, perhaps even his fleeting prosperity, will no longer perceive him. It speaks to an utter effacement from the realm of human experience and recollection, suggesting a loss of legacy, status, and any meaningful presence in the minds of others. His existence becomes as if it never was.
* **"neither shall his place any more behold him":** This is a striking poetic personification. "His place" refers to the specific location, dwelling, or environment where the wicked person lived, worked, or exerted influence. The idea that this "place" will no longer "behold" or "recognize" him powerfully conveys the totality of his removal. It's as if the very ground he walked on, the house he inhabited, or the community he was part of, will no longer bear any trace or memory of his existence, highlighting his complete and permanent absence, a profound oblivion.

#### Literary Devices
Job 20:9 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid and stark picture of absolute disappearance. The "eye" that once saw, now sees "no more," creating a powerful visual of absence and forgottenness. The most prominent device is **Personification**, particularly evident in the phrase "his place any more behold him." By attributing the human capacity to "behold" or "recognize" to an inanimate "place," Zophar dramatically emphasizes the complete erasure of the wicked individual. It suggests that even the physical environment that once contained them will no longer acknowledge their existence, underscoring their utter oblivion. There is also a strong element of **Hyperbole**, as the statement implies a complete and absolute vanishing, perhaps beyond literal interpretation, to convey the severity and finality of divine judgment on the wicked. The **Repetition** of "no more" further amplifies the sense of finality and permanence of this disappearance, creating a rhetorical emphasis on the irreversibility of their fate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While Zophar's application of this principle to Job was flawed—as Job's suffering was not a direct consequence of his wickedness—Job 20:9 nevertheless articulates a profound biblical truth about the ultimate fate of those who persist in unrighteousness. It underscores the transient nature of earthly power and prosperity gained through unjust means, contrasting it with the enduring justice of God. The verse speaks to the certainty of divine judgment, asserting that while the wicked may seem to flourish for a time, their end is one of oblivion and forgottenness. This serves as a solemn warning against pursuing a life of sin, emphasizing that true security and lasting legacy are found not in worldly gain but in alignment with God's righteous character. The memory of the wicked perishes, while the memory of the righteous endures, often blessed and honored by God and humanity.

* [Psalm 37:10](/psalm/37-10 "Psalm 37:10 - The Wicked Will Be No More")
* [Psalm 73:18-19](/psalm/73-18-19 "Psalm 73:18-19 - The Slippery Place of the Wicked")
* [Proverbs 10:7](/proverbs/10-7 "Proverbs 10:7 - The Memory of the Just and the Wicked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 20:9, despite its misapplication to Job, offers a sobering reflection on the ultimate futility of a life lived apart from God's ways. It reminds us that earthly success, power, or influence gained through unrighteousness is inherently temporary and ultimately leads to a profound and irreversible disappearance from any meaningful legacy. This verse challenges us to consider what truly endures: not fleeting worldly achievements, but the lasting impact of a life lived in righteousness and faith. It calls us to align our priorities with God's eternal kingdom, trusting in His perfect justice, which ensures that while the wicked may prosper for a season, their memory and presence ultimately fade, whereas those who walk with God leave an enduring mark. This truth should inspire both a holy fear of God's judgment and a deep comfort in His unfailing vindication of the righteous, encouraging us to invest in what truly matters for eternity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "being seen no more" or "his place beholding him no more" challenge my understanding of success and legacy?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to pursue fleeting earthly gains over enduring spiritual values?**
* **How does the certainty of divine justice, even if delayed, shape my perspective on current injustices in the world?**
* **What kind of "place" do I want to leave behind, and how does my current life contribute to that legacy?**

### FAQ
**Is Zophar's statement in Job 20:9 always true for the wicked in a literal sense?**

Answer: While Zophar's statement in Job 20:9 captures a profound spiritual truth about the ultimate fate of the wicked, its literal application can vary. In the biblical worldview, the wicked's prosperity is indeed fleeting, and their ultimate end is judgment and oblivion. Passages like [Psalm 73](/psalm/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked") acknowledge that the wicked can prosper for a time, but their standing is on "slippery ground." The "seeing him no more" and "his place... behold him no more" primarily refer to a complete loss of influence, status, and a lasting, honorable memory. While some wicked individuals might be remembered in history, it's often for their infamy, not for a blessed legacy. The core truth is that their power and influence are temporary, and their ultimate destiny is one of separation from God's presence and blessing, which is far more significant than earthly remembrance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 20:9, with its pronouncement of the wicked's ultimate disappearance and oblivion, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the triumph of God's eternal justice through Jesus Christ. While Zophar's words speak to the transient nature of worldly power and the certainty of divine judgment, Christ's work on the cross and His resurrection utterly dismantle the power of sin and death, which are the ultimate expressions of wickedness. The fleeting glory of the unrighteous, destined to "be seen no more," stands in stark contrast to the eternal, unshakeable kingdom established by Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the ultimate judge, and at His return, every eye will "see" Him ([Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every Eye Will See Him")), and His "place"—His eternal throne—will eternally "behold" Him and His redeemed people. The wicked, who refuse to bow the knee to the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), will indeed face a judgment where their earthly influence vanishes, and they are cast into outer darkness, forever unseen by the eyes of God's favor and forgotten by the "place" of His glorious presence ([Matthew 25:41](/matthew/25-41 "Matthew 25:41 - Depart from Me")). Conversely, those who are in Christ will not be forgotten; their names are written in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - The Lamb's Book of Life"), and they will eternally "see" God's face ([Revelation 22:4](/revelation/22-4 "Revelation 22:4 - They Will See His Face")), dwelling in a "place" prepared for them by Christ Himself ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2-3 "John 14:2-3 - My Father's House")). Thus, Job 20:9 foreshadows the ultimate distinction between those who are eternally remembered and those who are eternally forgotten in light of Christ's redemptive work.

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 7:8

The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no [more]: thine eyes [are] upon me, and I [am] not.

Job 7:10

He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.

Job 8:18

If he destroy him from his place, then [it] shall deny him, [saying], I have not seen thee.

Psalms 37:10

For yet a little while, and the wicked [shall] not [be]: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it [shall] not [be].

Psalms 37:36

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

Psalms 103:15

[As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

Psalms 103:16

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.