Breakdown of Job 20:14-19

"yet his food is turned in his stomach; it is the venom of cobras within him. He swallows down riches and vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly. He will suck the poison of cobras; the tongue of a vipe…" — Even when wicked deeds seem pleasurable, they ultimately become a source of internal torment, transforming into a bitter, deadly poison that corrupts from within. This imagery highlights that sin's s…

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Job 20:14-19

What does Job 20:14-19 mean?

Even when wicked deeds seem pleasurable, they ultimately become a source of internal torment, transforming into a bitter, deadly poison that corrupts from within. This imagery highlights that sin's sweetness is fleeting, replaced by a destructive bitterness that gnaws at the soul.

yet his food is turned in his stomach; it is the venom of cobras within him. He swallows down riches and vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly. He will suck the poison of cobras; the tongue of a viper will kill him. He will not look upon the rivers, the streams flowing with honey and curds. He will give back the fruit of his toil and will not swallow it down; from the profit of his trading he will get no enjoyment. For he has crushed and abandoned the poor; he has seized a house that he did not build.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What Job 20:14-19 means

Zophar is doubling down on his accusations against Job, painting a grim picture of the wicked man's fate. He argues that even the ill-gotten gains and pleasures the wicked person enjoys will ultimately turn sour, becoming a source of internal torment and deadly poison within them. This vivid imagery highlights Zophar's belief that sin brings its own bitter destruction, even when it appears prosperous on the outside.

Sin's Sweetness Turns Rotten

Sin often feels good in the moment, like a delicious meal. But what happens when that sweetness sours into something truly awful?

Job uses a powerful image here to describe the ultimate outcome of wicked living. The 'food' that the wicked person consumes – their ill-gotten gains, their sinful pleasures – doesn't nourish them. Instead, it turns 'in his bowels.'

Think of it like eating something that seemed appealing but quickly makes you sick. It brings discomfort, sickness, and eventually, destruction. The scholars note that this 'turning' signifies a complete change from pleasant to repulsive.

This is the nature of sin. What might feel good initially, offering pleasure or profit, will eventually corrupt from within, bringing distress and ruin. It's a spiritual indigestion that leads to decay.

The 'Venom of Cobras' Within

The verse speaks of 'venom of cobras.' What does this deadly imagery reveal about the inner reality of sin?

The phrase 'venom of cobras' (or asps, as some translations render it) intensifies the image of corruption. The ancient world knew the deadly, swift nature of snake venom.

Scholars point out that the ancients often associated the gall bladder (or 'gall') with poison, believing it was the source of a serpent's deadly bite. While modern science understands poison differently, the idea here is potent: something inherently destructive and lethal is at work.

This isn't just about external consequences; it's about the internal reality. Sin, like this venom, poisons the very core of a person. It's not merely an action, but a corrupting force that spreads and destroys from the inside out, leading to spiritual death.

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What Job 20:14-19 means

The original words in Job 20:14-19

venomרֹאשׁ

ro’sh · Hebrew Noun

A toxic substance injected or secreted by serpents, frequently used in the Bible as a metaphor for the deadly, corrosive, and deceitful nature of sin and wicked speech.

richesחַיִל

chayil · Hebrew Noun

Material possessions, wealth, or substance. In wisdom literature, riches are often viewed as precarious; if gained through wickedness, they are subject to divine judgment and confiscation.

Godאֵל

‘El · Hebrew Noun

The one true Creator and Judge of all. In this context, He acts as the active agent who intervenes in human affairs to strip the wicked of their ill-gotten gains and execute justice.

poisonרֹאשׁ

ro’sh · Hebrew Noun

A highly toxic substance, often used metaphorically in Scripture to represent the destructive, deceitful, and deadly nature of sin, wickedness, or the words of the ungodly.

cobrasפֶּתֶן

pethen · Hebrew Noun

A general term for dangerous, venomous snakes; often used symbolically to denote the malicious, treacherous, and lethal behavior of the wicked.

tongueלָשׁוֹן

lashon · Hebrew Noun

The primary instrument of human speech; in Scripture, it is frequently associated with the moral state of the heart, capable of both blessing and profound destruction through lies and malice.

viperאֶפְעֶה

’eph’eh · Hebrew Noun

A metaphorical term for a deceitful or dangerous person; biblically associated with the destructive and deadly nature of those who oppose God’s ways.

honeyדְּבַשׁ

debhash · Hebrew Noun

In biblical imagery, abundance, prosperity, and the blessings of the Promised Land are often described as flowing with honey and curds, signifying divine favor, sustenance, and the goodness of God’s provision.

poorדַּל

dal · Hebrew Noun/Adjective

In the context of social justice, the poor are those who are economically disadvantaged, marginalized, or oppressed; Scripture consistently emphasizes God's concern for their protection and His judgment upon those who exploit them.

What does Job 20:14-19 mean?

What Job 20:14-19 means

Sin's Sweetness Turns Rotten

The 'Venom of Cobras' Within

Ask Sola about this verse

What Job 20:14-19 means

Sin's Sweetness Turns Rotten

The 'Venom of Cobras' Within

Ask Sola about this verse

The original words in Job 20:14-19

The situation behind Job 20:14-19

Key themes in Job 20:14-19

Verses connected to Job 20:14-19

Scholarly commentary on Job 20:14-19

Frequently asked questions about Job 20:14-19

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