Job 20:20

20 "Because he 1knew no 2contentment in his belly, 3he will not let anything in which he delights escape him.

Job 20:20 Meaning and Commentary

Job 20:20

Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly
Or happiness in his children, so some in Bar Tzemach; rather shall have no satisfaction in his substance; though his belly is filled with hid treasure, it shall give him no contentment; he shall be a stranger to that divine art, but ever have a restless craving after more, which is his sin; but rather punishment is here meant, and the sense is, that he shall have no quiet in his conscience, no peace of mind, because of his sin in getting riches in an unlawful way:

he shall not save of that which he desired;
of his desirable things, his goods, his wealth, his riches, and even his children, all being gone, and none saved; respect may be had particularly to Job's case, who was stripped of everything, of all his substance and his children.

Job 20:20 In-Context

18 He will give back the fruit of his toil and will not swallow it down; from the profit of his trading he will get no enjoyment.
19 For he has crushed and abandoned the poor; he has seized a house that he did not build.
20 "Because he knew no contentment in his belly, he will not let anything in which he delights escape him.
21 There was nothing left after he had eaten; therefore his prosperity will not endure.
22 In the fullness of his sufficiency he will be in distress; the hand of everyone in misery will come against him.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Isaiah 59:8
  • 2. Proverbs 17:1
  • 3. [Ecclesiastes 5:13, 14]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.