Job 20:8 - He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found. Yes, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Job 20:8" mean?
This verse, Job 20:8, paints a vivid picture of the fleeting nature of the wicked and their prosperity. Let's break it down:
"He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found." This is the core idea. A dream is ephemeral. It seems real while you're experiencing it, but as soon as you wake up, it vanishes. The wicked, despite their apparent power and wealth, will similarly disappear quickly and completely. They won't leave a lasting mark. Their memory will fade, and they will cease to have any significance. It emphasizes the transience and unsubstantiality of their existence.
"Yes, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night." This reinforces the first part with another analogy. "Visions of the night" (nightmares, hallucinations, or simply things seen in the darkness) are easily dispelled when the light comes. They are products of darkness and vanish in the face of truth and reality. Similarly, the wicked will be "chased away," implying a forceful and sudden end to their reign. The metaphor suggests the experience will be unpleasant and disorienting.
In essence, the verse means:
The prosperity and power of the wicked are fleeting and illusory. They will vanish quickly and completely, leaving no lasting impact. Their downfall will be sudden and dramatic, like waking up from a dream or having a nightmare disappear in the morning light.
Context in the Book of Job:
It's important to remember this is spoken by Zophar, one of Job's friends, who is arguing that the wicked are always punished and the righteous are always rewarded. He's using this imagery to emphasize his belief in divine retribution. This is part of the central debate in Job: does righteousness guarantee prosperity, and does wickedness guarantee suffering? Job's suffering challenges this simple equation, making the friends' arguments less compelling. In conclusion, Job 20:8 serves as a cautionary tale, albeit one argued from a specific theological viewpoint within the book's wider discussion.
Job 20:8 - He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found. Yes, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night.
What does "Job 20:8" mean?
This verse, Job 20:8, paints a vivid picture of the fleeting nature of the wicked and their prosperity. Let's break it down:
"He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found." This is the core idea. A dream is ephemeral. It seems real while you're experiencing it, but as soon as you wake up, it vanishes. The wicked, despite their apparent power and wealth, will similarly disappear quickly and completely. They won't leave a lasting mark. Their memory will fade, and they will cease to have any significance. It emphasizes the transience and unsubstantiality of their existence.
"Yes, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night." This reinforces the first part with another analogy. "Visions of the night" (nightmares, hallucinations, or simply things seen in the darkness) are easily dispelled when the light comes. They are products of darkness and vanish in the face of truth and reality. Similarly, the wicked will be "chased away," implying a forceful and sudden end to their reign. The metaphor suggests the experience will be unpleasant and disorienting.
In essence, the verse means:
The prosperity and power of the wicked are fleeting and illusory. They will vanish quickly and completely, leaving no lasting impact. Their downfall will be sudden and dramatic, like waking up from a dream or having a nightmare disappear in the morning light.
Context in the Book of Job:
It's important to remember this is spoken by Zophar, one of Job's friends, who is arguing that the wicked are always punished and the righteous are always rewarded. He's using this imagery to emphasize his belief in divine retribution. This is part of the central debate in Job: does righteousness guarantee prosperity, and does wickedness guarantee suffering? Job's suffering challenges this simple equation, making the friends' arguments less compelling. In conclusion, Job 20:8 serves as a cautionary tale, albeit one argued from a specific theological viewpoint within the book's wider discussion.