Job 4:20

KJV

They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding [it].

KJV (with Strong's)

They are destroyed {H3807} from morning {H1242} to evening {H6153}: they perish {H6} for ever {H5331} without any regarding {H7760} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

shattered between morning and evening; they perish forever, and no one takes notice.

Berean Standard Bible

They are smashed to pieces from dawn to dusk; unnoticed, they perish forever.

American Standard Version

Betwixt morning and evening they are destroyed: They perish for ever without any regarding it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 4:20, spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite, presents a grim depiction of human mortality, asserting that individuals, particularly those he deems unrighteous, are swiftly and utterly destroyed, their demise going completely unnoticed. This verse encapsulates Eliphaz's flawed theological framework, which posits a direct correlation between suffering and sin, suggesting that the wicked meet a sudden, unlamented end, a fate he implicitly attributes to Job's profound suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 4:20 is situated within Eliphaz's initial discourse to Job, marking the beginning of the friends' attempts to interpret Job's suffering. Eliphaz, the first to speak, sets the tone for the ensuing theological debate. He begins by cautiously approaching Job, then transitions into a defense of divine justice, arguing from his own experience and a supposed vision that God punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous. Preceding this verse, Eliphaz describes humans as fragile, dwelling in "houses of clay" and "whose foundation is in the dust" [Job 4:19](/job/4-19 "Job 4:19 - Human Frailty"). Verse 20 serves as a stark, dramatic illustration of this inherent human weakness and the swift, unceremonious end that Eliphaz believes befalls the ungodly, reinforcing his argument that Job's suffering must stem from hidden sin.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a region likely east of Israel, suggesting a patriarchal, pre-Mosaic era. The discourse reflects ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions, which often grappled with the problem of suffering and divine justice. Friends like Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar represent conventional wisdom, holding to a strict retribution theology: righteousness brings prosperity, and wickedness brings calamity. This worldview was deeply ingrained in many ancient cultures, where communal well-being and individual fate were often seen as direct reflections of adherence to divine or cosmic order. The idea of perishing "without any regarding [it]" would have been particularly poignant in a culture where legacy, remembrance, and a proper burial were paramount to one's honor and the continuation of their name.

* **Key Themes:** Job 4:20 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Book of Job and biblical literature. Primarily, it highlights the theme of **human frailty and mortality**, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of life, a concept echoed throughout Scripture, such as in [Psalm 90](/psalms/90 "Psalm 90 - The Brevity of Life"). Eliphaz's assertion of an unregarded end also underscores the theme of **insignificance and the fleeting nature of earthly recognition**, contrasting with the eternal significance found in God's remembrance. Most critically, this verse serves as a foundational statement for the **retribution theology** championed by Job's friends, where suffering is directly proportional to sin. This flawed premise is central to the friends' arguments throughout [the book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job - Suffering and Sovereignty"), which the narrative ultimately refutes, revealing the complexity of divine justice and human suffering beyond simplistic cause-and-effect relationships.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Destroyed (Hebrew, _yukkattu'_):** From the root כָּתַת (_katat_), meaning "to beat down," "to crush," "to break in pieces." The Niphal imperfect form here, _yukkattu_, conveys a passive sense of being utterly broken or smashed. It suggests a violent, complete, and irreversible undoing, emphasizing the sudden and devastating nature of the demise Eliphaz describes. It's not a gentle fading but a shattering.
* **Perish (Hebrew, _'ovdim'_):** This is the Qal participle of אָבַד (_'avad_), meaning "to perish," "to be lost," "to be destroyed." The participle form suggests an ongoing or continuous state of perishing. Coupled with "for ever" (_lanetsach_), it intensifies the sense of utter and complete ruin, implying a state of being utterly lost not just in life, but from memory and existence in the earthly realm.
* **Without any regarding [it] (Hebrew, _mibbeli mesim lev'_):** Literally, this phrase translates to "without setting a heart." The Hebrew idiom "to set a heart" (שִׂים לֵב - _sim lev_) means "to pay attention," "to consider," "to care," or "to take to heart." Thus, the phrase powerfully conveys the idea of an unlamented, unremembered, or completely unnoticed end. It speaks to a life that leaves no lasting impact or memory, dying in obscurity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They are destroyed from morning to evening":** This clause vividly portrays the swiftness and totality of destruction. "From morning to evening" is a merism, a figure of speech where two contrasting parts represent the whole, implying that the destruction can occur within the span of a single day, or that it is a continuous process leading to complete ruin within a very short time. It underscores the fragility and transience of human life, where one's existence can be utterly undone in an instant.
* **"they perish for ever":** This phrase emphasizes the finality of the described demise. The term "perish" (אָבַד - _'avad_) signifies complete ruin or loss. Coupled with "for ever" (לָנֶצַח - _lanetsach_), it suggests an irreversible state of non-existence or oblivion, particularly in an earthly sense. It speaks to the complete cessation of their earthly life, legacy, and memory, implying that their impact on the world is utterly erased.
* **"without any regarding [it]":** This poignant addition highlights the lack of concern, remembrance, or even notice surrounding their end. It implies that their life was of such little consequence, or their end so ignominious, that no one mourns their passing or even acknowledges their disappearance. This aspect further emphasizes the perceived insignificance and isolation of those who meet such a fate in Eliphaz's worldview.

#### Literary Devices
Eliphaz employs several literary devices to convey his somber message in Job 4:20. The phrase "from morning to evening" functions as a **Merism**, representing the entirety of a day, thereby emphasizing the extreme swiftness and suddenness of destruction. This also verges on **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the speed of demise to underscore human fragility. The verbs "destroyed" and "perish" create powerful **Imagery** of complete and utter ruin, evoking a sense of violent undoing and irreversible loss. The final clause, "without any regarding [it]," uses **Understatement** to convey a profound sense of abandonment and insignificance, where the lack of attention speaks volumes about the perceived worth of the departed. Furthermore, in the broader context of the Book of Job, Eliphaz's statement carries a deep **Irony**: while he intends to describe the fate of the wicked, he inadvertently highlights the very injustice Job faces—a man who is righteous yet suffers immensely and is, in fact, "regarded" by his friends, though wrongly accused.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Eliphaz's stark pronouncement in Job 4:20, though rooted in a flawed theology of retribution, nevertheless touches upon universal truths about human mortality and the transient nature of earthly life. It reminds us of the inherent fragility of our existence and the brevity of our time on earth, prompting reflection on where we place our ultimate hope and significance. While Eliphaz suggests an unregarded end for the wicked, the Bible consistently affirms that God's people are never truly forgotten or without value in His sight. Our true legacy is not in human remembrance, which is fleeting, but in our relationship with the eternal God, who knows our every thought and cares deeply for His creation, especially those who are His own. This verse challenges us to consider the ultimate source of our worth and the lasting impact of a life lived in alignment with divine purpose, rather than seeking fleeting earthly recognition.

* [Psalm 90:5-6](/psalms/90-5 "Psalm 90:5-6 - Life as a Flood")
* [James 4:14](/james/4-14 "James 4:14 - Life is a Vapor")
* [Psalm 139:2](/psalms/139-2 "Psalm 139:2 - God Knows Our Thoughts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 4:20, despite being spoken by a friend with a misguided view of suffering, serves as a powerful, albeit somber, mirror reflecting the universal human condition of mortality. It compels us to confront the reality of life's brevity and the often-unpredictable nature of death. While Eliphaz's intent was to condemn, the verse can prompt a healthy introspection: if life can be extinguished so swiftly and, from a human perspective, so unremarkably, where then do we find true meaning, lasting purpose, and eternal hope? It challenges us to live with intentionality, investing in what truly endures—our relationship with God and our impact on others for His glory—rather than chasing fleeting earthly accolades or accumulating perishable possessions. It reminds us that while human memory fades, God's remembrance is eternal, and a life lived for Him is never truly "unregarded."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the brevity of life, as described in Job 4:20, shape your priorities and daily decisions?**
* **In what ways do you seek significance, and how does the idea of perishing "without any regarding [it]" challenge or affirm your understanding of true worth?**
* **How does a biblical understanding of God's character and His remembrance of His people provide comfort in the face of human mortality and the fear of being forgotten?**

### FAQ

**Does Job 4:20 accurately describe the fate of all people, or only the wicked?**

Answer: From Eliphaz's perspective, Job 4:20 describes the fate of the wicked, aligning with his retribution theology that suffering and a swift, unregarded end are direct consequences of sin. He implies that those who "perish for ever without any regarding [it]" are those who have strayed from God's path. However, the Book of Job as a whole challenges this simplistic view. While human life is indeed fragile and fleeting for everyone [Psalm 90:5-6](/psalms/90-5 "Psalm 90:5-6 - The Brevity of Life"), the idea that one's death is "unregarded" is Eliphaz's judgment, not necessarily a universal truth or God's ultimate decree for all, especially for the righteous. The narrative of Job ultimately reveals that God's ways are far more complex than the friends' limited understanding, and that even the righteous can suffer without being wicked.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Eliphaz's words in Job 4:20 paint a bleak picture of human mortality and an unregarded end, the advent of Christ fundamentally transforms this perspective. The "destruction from morning to evening" and perishing "for ever without any regarding [it]" is the common human fate under the dominion of sin and death [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin"). However, Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, conquered the very powers of sin and death that bring about such an end [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys Death"). He is the one who was "regarded" by God even in His suffering and death, and His sacrifice ensures that those who trust in Him will never truly "perish for ever" in an unregarded oblivion. Instead, He promises eternal life [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World") and an inheritance that is imperishable and unfading [1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope"). For the believer, death is not an unregarded end but a transition into the glorious presence of the One who knows every hair on our heads and counts us infinitely precious [Matthew 10:29-31](/matthew/10-29 "Matthew 10:29-31 - God's Care for Sparrows"). Our lives, lived in Christ, gain eternal significance and are eternally regarded by the Father, ensuring that our memory and our very being are secured in Him, far beyond the fleeting recognition of this world [Philippians 1:21](/philippians/1-21 "Philippians 1:21 - To Live is Christ").

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 20:7

[Yet] he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where [is] he?

Proverbs 10:7

¶ The memory of the just [is] blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

2 Chronicles 15:6

And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.

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.

Psalms 90:6

In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.

Psalms 39:13

O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

Psalms 92:7

¶ When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; [it is] that they shall be destroyed for ever: