he will perish forever like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Zophar's accusation is shockingly brutal: the rich and powerful, like Job, will end up utterly worthless, discarded and forgotten like refuse, so completely gone that even those who once marveled at them will have to ask, "Where did he go?" This isn't just about death; it's about a total, ignominious erasure from existence, a stark contrast to their former pride and status.
he will perish forever like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Zophar, one of Job's friends, is speaking here, accusing Job of hidden sin and certain doom. He argues that the wicked, no matter how they appear, will ultimately be utterly destroyed and forgotten. This verse follows Zophar's assertion that the wicked's prosperity is fleeting and their ruin is guaranteed, and it serves as a vivid, if harsh, illustration of that promised downfall.
Zophar uses shockingly harsh imagery to describe the fate of the wicked. What does this extreme language reveal about the consequences of rejecting God?
A Shameful End
Zophar's comparison of the wicked man to "his own dung" isn't just about being dirty; it's about utter worthlessness and disgust.
This imagery reflects a profound theological truth: when people reject God's order and pursue their own selfish ways, they don't just face punishment; they face a dismantling of their very being and significance.
We often see the wicked seemingly prospering, but Zophar insists their success is temporary. What's the real story behind their temporary gains?
The Illusion of Wicked Prosperity
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Zophar's words, though harsh, point to a crucial spiritual reality: the prosperity of the wicked is a fragile, temporary facade.
The takeaway is that true, lasting security and significance are found only in righteousness and God's favor, not in the temporary gains of wickedness.
Understand the original words
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.
This passage uses similar language to describe the complete destruction and utter ruin of a wicked king, emphasizing a shameful and complete demise, mirroring Job 20:7's depiction of utter worthlessness.
Psalm 83:10This psalm describes the defeat of God's enemies using the imagery of them becoming like dung, highlighting the utter degradation and contemptible end awaiting those who oppose God, resonating with Zophar's harsh assessment in Job 20:7.
Job 14:10While Job is speaking here, this verse echoes the sentiment of Job 20:7 by questioning where someone goes after death, reflecting the idea of complete disappearance and loss of presence, though Job's tone is one of lament rather than condemnation.
2 Kings 9:37This verse vividly describes Jezebel's gruesome end, stating her body would be like dung on the field, underscoring the extreme disgust and utter obliteration that the imagery in Job 20:7 conveys for the wicked.
clarkeJob 20:7: "Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?"
He shall perish for ever - He is dust, and shall return to the dust from which he was taken. Zophar here hints his disbelief in that doctrine, the resurrection of the body, which Job had so solemnly asserted in the preceding chapter. Or he might have been like some in the present day, who believe that the wicked shall be annihilated, and the bodies of the righteous only be raised from th…
pooleJob 20:7: "Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?"
Like his own dung; which men cast away with contempt and abhorrency. Compare 1 Kings 14:10 2 Kings 9:37 . They which have seen him, with admiration at his felicity. Where is he? i.e. he is no where to be found; he is utterly lost and gone.
Zophar's accusation is shockingly brutal: the rich and powerful, like Job, will end up utterly worthless, discarded and forgotten like refuse, so completely gone that even those who once marveled at them will have to ask, "Where did he go?" This isn't just about death; it's about a total, ignominious erasure from existence, a stark contrast to their former pride and status.
Zophar, one of Job's friends, is speaking here, accusing Job of hidden sin and certain doom. He argues that the wicked, no matter how they appear, will ultimately be utterly destroyed and forgotten. This verse follows Zophar's assertion that the wicked's prosperity is fleeting and their ruin is guaranteed, and it serves as a vivid, if harsh, illustration of that promised downfall.
Zophar, one of Job's friends, is speaking here, accusing Job of hidden sin and certain doom. He argues that the wicked, no matter how they appear, will ultimately be utterly destroyed and forgotten. This verse follows Zophar's assertion that the wicked's prosperity is fleeting and their ruin is guaranteed, and it serves as a vivid, if harsh, illustration of that promised downfall.
"he will perish forever like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’" — Zophar's accusation is shockingly brutal: the rich and powerful, like Job, will end up utterly worthless, discarded and forgotten like refuse, so completely gone that even those who once marveled at…
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Last reviewed October 2026