Job 20:5-7
that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment? Though his height mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds, he will perish forever like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Zophar asserts that the wicked's shouting and the ungodly's joy are brief, but this isn't just a general statement about life. It highlights a deeper spiritual truth: the happiness found in sin or in pretending to be righteous is ultimately fleeting, a stark contrast to the lasting joy found in genuine connection with God.
Zophar, the third friend, is speaking here, launching into a harsh denunciation of Job. Zophar echoes the traditional view that the wicked always suffer swift ruin and that their temporary successes are insignificant. He asserts this belief as a fundamental truth, directly challenging Job's perceived prosperity despite his suffering.
Zophar jumps into the conversation with a sharp, almost absolute statement about the wicked. What's behind this certainty?
Zophar isn't just offering an opinion; he's declaring a perceived truth about how God operates in the world. He asserts that any outward success or happiness the wicked experience is inherently temporary. It's like a flash of lightning – brilliant for a moment, but gone just as quickly. This is his counter-argument to Job's experiences, suggesting that the apparent prosperity of the ungodly is deceptive and destined to vanish.
What kind of 'joy' do the wicked truly possess, and why is it so fragile?
Zophar uses two powerful words: 'triumphing' and 'joy.' The 'triumphing' speaks of boastful victory and celebration, while 'joy' refers to a deeper sense of satisfaction or pleasure. However, Zophar makes it clear this isn't the true, lasting joy found in righteousness. It's a counterfeit, often built on ill-gotten gains, deceit, or a denial of God. This 'joy' is fundamentally unstable because it lacks a solid foundation. It's like building a house on sand – it might look fine for a while, but the first storm will bring it down. The text implies this joy is shallow and easily shattered, destined to be short-lived.
Understand the original words
rasha' · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
A person who acts in opposition to God’s law, lacking divine reverence. It describes someone whose life is characterized by moral corruption and a rejection of God's authority.
simchah · Hebrew Noun
An internal attitude of gladness or delight. Biblically, true joy is anchored in God, whereas the joy of the ungodly is seen as fleeting and ultimately hollow.
chaneph · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
One who is profane, impious, or hypocritical. It refers to someone who lacks true religion or moral integrity, often used for those who feign righteousness while remaining alienated from God.
shamayim · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the expansive or celestial firmament, often symbolizing God's dwelling place, majesty, or the highest possible limit of human reach. In poetic contexts, it represents ultimate pride or greatness.
This psalm echoes Zophar's thought, contrasting the fleeting prosperity of the wicked with the enduring inheritance of the righteous.
Psalm 73:18-19The psalmist reflects on the wicked's temporary success and sudden downfall, agreeing that their ultimate ruin is swift and terrifying, even if their perceived prosperity lingers.
Proverbs 10:27This proverb directly states that the fear of the Lord prolongs life, while the years of the wicked are shortened, reinforcing the idea of their brief tenure.
Ecclesiastes 7:6This verse compares the laughter of a fool to the crackling of thorns under a pot – a loud, brief, and ultimately consuming burst of noise and heat, much like the wicked's transient joy.
pulpitJob 20:5: "That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?"
Verse 5. - That the triumphing of the wicked is short (comp. Psalm 37:35, 36; Psalm 51:1-5; Psalm 73:17-19, etc.). This is one of the main points of dispute between Job and his opponents. It has been previously maintained by Eliphaz (Job 4:8-11; Job 5:3-5; Job 15:21, 29) and by Bildad (Job 8:11-19), as it is now by Zophar, and may be regarded as the traditional belief of the time, which scarce…
ellicottJob 20:5: "That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?"
(5) The triumphing of the wicked is short. —He affirms that the destruction of the wicked is not only certain, but speedy. (Comp. Psalm 103:16 and Job 7:8 ; Job 7:10 .)
Zophar asserts that the wicked's shouting and the ungodly's joy are brief, but this isn't just a general statement about life. It highlights a deeper spiritual truth: the happiness found in sin or in pretending to be righteous is ultimately fleeting, a stark contrast to the lasting joy found in genuine connection with God.
Zophar, the third friend, is speaking here, launching into a harsh denunciation of Job. Zophar echoes the traditional view that the wicked always suffer swift ruin and that their temporary successes are insignificant. He asserts this belief as a fundamental truth, directly challenging Job's perceived prosperity despite his suffering.
Zophar, the third friend, is speaking here, launching into a harsh denunciation of Job. Zophar echoes the traditional view that the wicked always suffer swift ruin and that their temporary successes are insignificant. He asserts this belief as a fundamental truth, directly challenging Job's perceived prosperity despite his suffering.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Job 20:5-7 is available in the Sola app.
abad · Hebrew Verb
In a legal or poetic sense, it denotes the act of ceasing to be, coming to an end, or undergoing divine judgment resulting in ruin. It signifies total loss or destruction.
"that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment? Though his height mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds, he will perish forever like his own dung; those who…" — Zophar asserts that the wicked's shouting and the ungodly's joy are brief, but this isn't just a general statement about life. It highlights a deeper spiritual truth: the happiness found in sin or in…
