Job 27:13

This [is] the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, [which] they shall receive of the Almighty.

This is the portion {H2506} of a wicked {H7563} man {H120} with God {H410}, and the heritage {H5159} of oppressors {H6184}, which they shall receive {H3947} of the Almighty {H7706}.

"This is God's reward for the wicked man, the heritage oppressors receive from Shaddai:

This is the wicked man’s portion from God— the heritage the ruthless receive from the Almighty.

This is the portion of a wicked man with God, And the heritage of oppressors, which they receive from the Almighty:

Context

Job 27 marks a pivotal point in Job's discourse. After enduring lengthy accusations from his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who insisted that his suffering was a direct result of his sin, Job here reasserts his unwavering integrity and faith in God (see Job 27:1-6). In this chapter, Job is not conceding to his friends' simplistic theology that all suffering is due to personal sin. Instead, he acknowledges the general principle of divine justice, explaining that while the wicked may prosper for a time, their ultimate "portion" or destiny is judgment from God. This statement serves to distinguish his own righteous suffering from the true fate of the ungodly, reinforcing his belief in a just God even amidst his own inexplicable pain. It is a powerful affirmation of God's ultimate sovereignty over justice in the world, a common theme in Old Testament wisdom literature.

Key Themes

  • Divine Retribution: The verse clearly states that God, referred to as "the Almighty" (Hebrew: Shaddai), is the one who metes out justice to the wicked and oppressors. It emphasizes that ultimate accountability rests with Him, not human systems.
  • Inevitable Consequences of Wickedness: The terms "portion" (Hebrew: cheleq) and "heritage" (Hebrew: nachalah) signify an allotted share or inheritance. For the wicked, this is not prosperity or peace, but an inevitable judgment from God, highlighting the futility of a life built on injustice. This contrasts sharply with the Lord being the portion of the righteous.
  • Justice for the Oppressed: This verse offers a profound reassurance that those who oppress others will not escape divine judgment. It speaks to God's concern for the vulnerable and His commitment to righteousness. The ultimate destiny of the wicked is a recurring theme in scripture, promising that they will face consequences.
  • God's Sovereignty: By attributing the judgment to "the Almighty," Job underscores God's supreme power and authority to enforce justice and ensure that no one, especially oppressors, remains unpunished indefinitely. This highlights God's perfect justice, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "portion" and "heritage," both translating Hebrew words (cheleq and nachalah respectively) that refer to an allotted share, inheritance, or destiny. While cheleq can refer to a division or share of land or spoils, nachalah often denotes a permanent, inherited possession, like the tribal land allotments in Israel. Here, these terms are used ironically or antithetically: what the wicked "inherit" is not blessing but divine judgment and ruin. The name "Almighty" (Shaddai) emphasizes God's omnipotence and self-sufficiency, underscoring His unchallenged power to execute this judgment.

Practical Application

Job 27:13 offers both a stern warning and a comforting assurance. For those who engage in wickedness and oppression, it serves as a solemn reminder that their actions have eternal consequences and that they will ultimately face the just hand of God. There is no escaping the righteous judgment of God. Conversely, for those who suffer under the hand of oppressors or struggle to understand why the wicked seem to prosper, this verse provides immense comfort and hope. It reaffirms faith in God's perfect justice, even when it appears delayed or unseen. It encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate plan, knowing that He sees all and will bring about true justice in His perfect timing, providing a firm foundation for patience and hope in the Lord.

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.

  • Isaiah 3:11

    Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

  • Job 20:19

    Because he hath oppressed [and] hath forsaken the poor; [because] he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;

  • Job 20:29

    This [is] the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.

  • Ecclesiastes 8:13

    But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

  • 2 Peter 2:9

    The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

  • Job 31:3

    [Is] not destruction to the wicked? and a strange [punishment] to the workers of iniquity?

  • Job 15:20

    The wicked man travaileth with pain all [his] days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.

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