Job 33:20

20 And he shall not be able to take any food, though his soul shall desire meat;

Job 33:20 Meaning and Commentary

Job 33:20

So that his life abhorreth bread
Through the force of pain he loses his appetite for food, and even a nausea of it takes place; he loathes it as the most abominable and filthy thing that can be thought of; even bread, so necessary to the support of human life, so strengthening to the heart of man, and what he every day stands in need of, and should pray for, and in health is never weary of; it may be put for all common and useful food:

and his soul dainty meat;
the most rich and delicious; such as the tables of the great and rich are furnished with: "food of desire" F16; or desirable food, as it may be rendered; see ( Daniel 10:3 ) ; such as in the time of health the appetite craves and desires, and is fed on with delight and pleasure, but now had in the utmost aversion. Pains and diseases of body often produce such a nausea in men, ( Psalms 107:17 Psalms 107:18 ) , and was Job's case, ( Job 3:24 ) ( 6:7 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F16 (hwat lkam) "cibum desiderii", Vatablus, Drusius, Michaelis; "cibum appetentiae", Mercerus.

Job 33:20 In-Context

18 He spares also his soul from death, and him not to fall in war.
19 And again, he chastens him with sickness on his bed, and the multitude of his bones is benumbed.
20 And he shall not be able to take any food, though his soul shall desire meat;
21 until his flesh shall be consumed, and he shall shew his bones bare.
22 His soul also draws nigh to death, and his life is in Hades.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.