Job 20:16 - He shall suck cobra venom. The viper’s tongue shall kill him.
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What does "Job 20:16" mean?
Job 20:16 is a stark and poetic depiction of the fate awaiting the wicked. It's part of Zophar's second speech, where he argues that the prosperity of the wicked is only temporary and that they will ultimately face divine retribution.
Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning and potential interpretations:
"He shall suck cobra venom": This is the first part of the verse.
"Cobra Venom": Cobra venom is a potent and deadly poison, a metaphor for the destructive and harmful effects of the wicked's deeds or the consequences of their sins.
"He shall suck": This imagery suggests the wicked person either actively pursues and embraces evil, or is passively and involuntarily poisoned by it. It could represent the wicked person's engagement with evil, their obsession with it, or their inability to resist its lure. Alternatively, it could suggest that they are forced to consume the very evil they produced.
"The viper’s tongue shall kill him": This is the second part of the verse.
"Viper's Tongue": Vipers are venomous snakes known for their poisonous bites. The "viper's tongue" symbolizes deceit, treachery, and the harmful words or actions of the wicked. It's a metaphor for the way the wicked harm others and ultimately themselves.
"Shall kill him": This indicates that the wicked person will be destroyed by the very things they use to harm others – their own poisonous words, actions, or deceitful ways.
Overall Meaning and Interpretations:
The verse, taken as a whole, conveys the idea that the wicked will ultimately be undone by their own evil. Here are some possible interpretations:
1. Self-Destruction: The verse implies that evil is self-destructive. The wicked person's actions, characterized by deceit and harm, will eventually turn back on them, leading to their downfall.
2. Consequences of Sin: It underscores the principle that sin has consequences. The wicked may seem to prosper for a time, but they will eventually face the consequences of their actions, which will be as deadly as snake venom.
3. Retribution: The verse suggests a form of divine retribution. The wicked will be punished in kind, experiencing the same pain and destruction they inflicted on others.
4. Symbolic Language: It's important to remember that this verse uses symbolic language. It's not necessarily a literal depiction of someone drinking snake venom and being bitten by a viper. Rather, it's a powerful metaphor for the devastating effects of wickedness.
In Conclusion:
Job 20:16 is a vivid and forceful statement about the destructive nature of evil and the ultimate fate of the wicked. It emphasizes that wickedness, like poison, will eventually consume those who embrace it. The verse underscores the principle that our actions have consequences and that the wicked will ultimately be undone by their own malevolence.
Job 20:16 - He shall suck cobra venom. The viper’s tongue shall kill him.
What does "Job 20:16" mean?
Job 20:16 is a stark and poetic depiction of the fate awaiting the wicked. It's part of Zophar's second speech, where he argues that the prosperity of the wicked is only temporary and that they will ultimately face divine retribution.
Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning and potential interpretations:
"He shall suck cobra venom": This is the first part of the verse.
"Cobra Venom": Cobra venom is a potent and deadly poison, a metaphor for the destructive and harmful effects of the wicked's deeds or the consequences of their sins.
"He shall suck": This imagery suggests the wicked person either actively pursues and embraces evil, or is passively and involuntarily poisoned by it. It could represent the wicked person's engagement with evil, their obsession with it, or their inability to resist its lure. Alternatively, it could suggest that they are forced to consume the very evil they produced.
"The viper’s tongue shall kill him": This is the second part of the verse.
"Viper's Tongue": Vipers are venomous snakes known for their poisonous bites. The "viper's tongue" symbolizes deceit, treachery, and the harmful words or actions of the wicked. It's a metaphor for the way the wicked harm others and ultimately themselves.
"Shall kill him": This indicates that the wicked person will be destroyed by the very things they use to harm others – their own poisonous words, actions, or deceitful ways.
Overall Meaning and Interpretations:
The verse, taken as a whole, conveys the idea that the wicked will ultimately be undone by their own evil. Here are some possible interpretations:
1. Self-Destruction: The verse implies that evil is self-destructive. The wicked person's actions, characterized by deceit and harm, will eventually turn back on them, leading to their downfall.
2. Consequences of Sin: It underscores the principle that sin has consequences. The wicked may seem to prosper for a time, but they will eventually face the consequences of their actions, which will be as deadly as snake venom.
3. Retribution: The verse suggests a form of divine retribution. The wicked will be punished in kind, experiencing the same pain and destruction they inflicted on others.
4. Symbolic Language: It's important to remember that this verse uses symbolic language. It's not necessarily a literal depiction of someone drinking snake venom and being bitten by a viper. Rather, it's a powerful metaphor for the devastating effects of wickedness.
In Conclusion:
Job 20:16 is a vivid and forceful statement about the destructive nature of evil and the ultimate fate of the wicked. It emphasizes that wickedness, like poison, will eventually consume those who embrace it. The verse underscores the principle that our actions have consequences and that the wicked will ultimately be undone by their own malevolence.