Deep Dive

Job 11:20

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But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 20

Poor Job's wound's were yet bleeding, his sore still runs and ceases not, but none of his friends bring him any oil, any balm; Zophar, the third, pours into them as much vinegar as the two former had done. I. He exhibits a very high charge against Job, as proud and false in justifying himself (Job 11:1-4). II. He appeals to God for his conviction, and begs that God would take him to task (Job 11:5) and that Job might be made sensible, 1. Of God's unerring wisdom and his inviolable justice (Job 11:6). 2. Of his unsearchable perfections (Job 11:7-9). 3. Of his incontestable sovereignty and uncontrollable power (Job 11:10). 4. Of the cognizance he takes of the children of men (Job 11:11, Job 11:12). III. He assures him that, upon his repentance and reformation (Job 11:13, Job 11:14), God would restore him to his former prosperity and safety (Job 11:15-19); but that, if he were wicked it was in vain to expect it (Job 11:20).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 20

עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) מָנוֹס (mânôwç, H4498) — a retreat (literally or figuratively); abstractly, a fleeing תִּקְוָה (tiqvâh, H8615) — literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy מַפָּח (mappâch, H4646) — a breathing out (of life), i.e. expiring נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in…

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Deuteronomy 28:65rank 5

Among those nations you will find no repose, not even a resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and a despairing soul.

Job 31:16rank 3

If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail,

Job 17:5rank 3

If a man denounces his friends for a price, the eyes of his children will fail.

Proverbs 10:24rank 2

What the wicked man dreads will overtake him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

Job 27:8rank 2

For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?

Lamentations 4:17rank 2

All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help. We watched from our towers for a nation that could not save us.

Amos 2:14rank 2

Escape will fail the swift, the strong will not prevail by his strength, and the mighty will not save his life.

Job 27:22rank 2

It hurls itself against him without mercy as he flees headlong from its power.

Hebrews 2:3rank 2

how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

Job 18:14rank 2

He is torn from the shelter of his tent and is marched off to the king of terrors.

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