Job 20:21 - There was nothing left that he didn’t devour, therefore his prosperity shall not endure.
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What does "Job 20:21" mean?
This verse from Job 20:21, taken from the speech of Zophar, one of Job's friends, is part of a larger argument about the fate of the wicked. Let's break down the meaning:
"There was nothing left that he didn’t devour...": This suggests the wicked person is insatiably greedy. They are never satisfied, and they consume or take everything they can, leaving nothing for others. "Devour" can be literal (consuming food) or metaphorical (consuming resources, power, or opportunities). This verse highlights their excessive and selfish accumulation. It implies that they prioritize their own gain without any regard for the needs or well-being of others.
"...therefore his prosperity shall not endure.": This is the key consequence. Because of this greed and insatiable appetite, their wealth and success will be temporary. There's an implication that God will ultimately punish or remove their ill-gotten gains. There is a cause-and-effect relationship here. The wickedness, illustrated by the insatiable greed, directly leads to the undoing of their success. This is a common theme in the Book of Job: that wickedness will be punished, and righteousness will be rewarded.
In essence, the verse means:
A person who is completely consumed by greed and takes everything for themselves, never being satisfied and harming others in the process, will not find lasting prosperity. Their wealth and power are built on injustice and selfishness, so they will not last.
Context within Job:
It's crucial to remember that Zophar is arguing a specific theological point: that Job's suffering must be a result of his wickedness. While the verse itself makes a valid point about the fleeting nature of ill-gotten gains, Job's situation challenges this simple cause-and-effect relationship. Job, who claims to be innocent, is suffering immensely. The verse, therefore, represents a traditional understanding of justice that the Book of Job ultimately questions.
Job 20:21 - There was nothing left that he didn’t devour, therefore his prosperity shall not endure.
What does "Job 20:21" mean?
This verse from Job 20:21, taken from the speech of Zophar, one of Job's friends, is part of a larger argument about the fate of the wicked. Let's break down the meaning:
"There was nothing left that he didn’t devour...": This suggests the wicked person is insatiably greedy. They are never satisfied, and they consume or take everything they can, leaving nothing for others. "Devour" can be literal (consuming food) or metaphorical (consuming resources, power, or opportunities). This verse highlights their excessive and selfish accumulation. It implies that they prioritize their own gain without any regard for the needs or well-being of others.
"...therefore his prosperity shall not endure.": This is the key consequence. Because of this greed and insatiable appetite, their wealth and success will be temporary. There's an implication that God will ultimately punish or remove their ill-gotten gains. There is a cause-and-effect relationship here. The wickedness, illustrated by the insatiable greed, directly leads to the undoing of their success. This is a common theme in the Book of Job: that wickedness will be punished, and righteousness will be rewarded.
In essence, the verse means:
A person who is completely consumed by greed and takes everything for themselves, never being satisfied and harming others in the process, will not find lasting prosperity. Their wealth and power are built on injustice and selfishness, so they will not last.
Context within Job:
It's crucial to remember that Zophar is arguing a specific theological point: that Job's suffering must be a result of his wickedness. While the verse itself makes a valid point about the fleeting nature of ill-gotten gains, Job's situation challenges this simple cause-and-effect relationship. Job, who claims to be innocent, is suffering immensely. The verse, therefore, represents a traditional understanding of justice that the Book of Job ultimately questions.