Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish. His confidence is severed, and his trust is a spider’s web.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just describe the outcome for those who forget God, but also the process – their "paths" (or ways of living and dealing with life) are inherently unstable and prone to sudden collapse. Even more subtly, the original Hebrew word translated as "hypocrite" often carries a deeper sense of being "profane" or "polluted," suggesting a person whose inner corruption leads to a false hope, not just mere pretense.
Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish. His confidence is severed, and his trust is a spider’s web.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Bildad continues to press Job, likening the fate of those who forget God to fragile, short-lived plants. He argues that the prosperity of the wicked, like these plants, lacks a solid foundation and will quickly vanish. This verse directly links the "paths" of those who forget God to the ultimate perishing of the "hypocrite's" hope, suggesting a profound spiritual emptiness behind outward appearances.
When we forget God, it's not just a lapse in memory. It's a fundamental shift in our direction, leading us down paths that are ultimately unstable and destined to fail.
The verse states that the 'paths of all who forget God' are like the fragile water-reed mentioned earlier in Job's speech. These paths aren't about righteous living; they are about the outcomes that befall those who neglect God.
A Fading Foundation
When we forget God, we remove the ultimate source of stability and meaning from our lives. Our 'paths' – the direction we take, the choices we make, and the ultimate results we experience – become precarious.
Ask a follow-up
The verse speaks of the 'hypocrite's hope' perishing. But what kind of hope is this, and why is it so doomed to fail?
The word 'hypocrite' here might be better understood not just as someone faking faith, but as someone whose inner reality is corrupt, polluted, or profane—even while they may present a religious exterior. Their hope is built on a false foundation.
The Mirage of False Hope
This hope isn't about a genuine relationship with God; it's about a miscalculation based on external factors or a self-deceptive belief.
Understand the original words
'ōraḥ · Hebrew Noun
The established way of life, conduct, or moral direction a person chooses; biblically, it refers to the pattern of behavior that dictates one’s ultimate end.
šākaḥ 'ēl · Hebrew Verb
To lose from the mind or to intentionally disregard; in the biblical context, it refers to a failure to acknowledge God's sovereignty, covenant, or moral requirements.
tiqwâ · Hebrew Noun
The confident expectation of future good based on God's promises; the godless lack this because their foundation is not in the Creator.
ḥānēp̄ · Hebrew Adjective
Those who are impious, profane, or morally corrupt; individuals who act without regard for the laws or presence of God.
kesîlâ · Hebrew Noun
A state of self-assurance or security; in a negative sense, it refers to misplaced reliance on worldly things rather than on the Lord.
mibṭaḥ · Hebrew Noun
A feeling of reliance or firm belief in someone or something; biblically, true trust is placed in God alone, while trust in anything else is ultimately futile.
This Psalm directly echoes Job's sentiment, stating that the wicked will return to Sheol, and all the nations that forget God. It reinforces the idea that forgetting God leads to destruction and loss.
Psalm 50:22This passage warns those who forget God that He will tear them apart, with no one to rescue them. It directly links forgetting God with a complete and devastating end, similar to the perishing hope mentioned in Job.
Proverbs 10:28This proverb presents a contrast: the hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked perishes. It highlights the stark difference between the ultimate outcome for the righteous and the godless, underscoring the theme of perishing hope.
Matthew 7:26-27Jesus uses a powerful analogy of a house built on sand. Those who hear His words but do not act upon them are like foolish builders whose houses collapse. This illustrates how a foundation not rooted in obedience to God leads to ruin, mirroring the perishing hope of those who forget Him.
Luke 12:16-21The parable of the rich fool demonstrates how someone can be materially prosperous and self-assured, yet utterly forget God. When death arrives suddenly, their accumulated wealth offers no solace, and their 'hope' for continued prosperity and security perishes. This vividly shows the vanity of hope built on worldly things rather than God.
clarkeJob 8:13: "So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:"
So are the paths - The papyrus and the rush flourish while they have a plentiful supply of ooze and water; but take these away, and their prosperity is speedily at an end; so it is with the wicked and profane; their prosperity is of short duration, however great it may appear to be in the beginning. Thou also, O thou enemy of God, hast flourished for a time; but the blast of God is come upon thee, and no…
bensonJob 8:13: "So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:"
Job 8:13 . So are the paths of all that forget God — Of wicked men, who are often described by this character; see Psalm 9:17 ; Psalm 50:22 ; or, of hypocrites, as the next words explain it, whose first and fundamental error is, that they forget, that is, neglect, forsake, and despise God, his presence, commands, worship, and providence; and, therefore, break out into manifold sins. But, by their paths,…
The verse doesn't just describe the outcome for those who forget God, but also the process – their "paths" (or ways of living and dealing with life) are inherently unstable and prone to sudden collapse. Even more subtly, the original Hebrew word translated as "hypocrite" often carries a deeper sense of being "profane" or "polluted," suggesting a person whose inner corruption leads to a false hope, not just mere pretense.
Bildad continues to press Job, likening the fate of those who forget God to fragile, short-lived plants. He argues that the prosperity of the wicked, like these plants, lacks a solid foundation and will quickly vanish. This verse directly links the "paths" of those who forget God to the ultimate perishing of the "hypocrite's" hope, suggesting a profound spiritual emptiness behind outward appearances.
Bildad continues to press Job, likening the fate of those who forget God to fragile, short-lived plants. He argues that the prosperity of the wicked, like these plants, lacks a solid foundation and will quickly vanish. This verse directly links the "paths" of those who forget God to the ultimate perishing of the "hypocrite's" hope, suggesting a profound spiritual emptiness behind outward appearances.
"Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish. His confidence is severed, and his trust is a spider’s web." — The verse doesn't just describe the outcome for those who forget God, but also the process – their "paths" (or ways of living and dealing with life) are inherently unstable and prone to sudden co…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026