Job 20:6

6 Though the pride of the godless reaches to the heavens and their heads touch the clouds,

Job 20:6 Meaning and Commentary

Job 20:6

Though his excellency mount up to the heavens
Though, in worldly grandeur and glory, he should arrive to such a pitch as the Assyrian monarch was ambitious of, as to ascend into heaven, exalt his throne above the stars of God, and be like the Most High; or be comparable to such a tree, by which the greatness of Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom is expressed, the height whereof reached unto heaven, ( Isaiah 14:12 Isaiah 14:14 ) ( Daniel 4:11 ) ;

and his head reach unto the clouds;
being lifted up with pride, because of his greatness, and looking with contempt and scorn on others; the Septuagint version is, "if his gifts ascend up to heaven" which well agrees with an hypocrite possessed of great gifts, and proud of them; as Capernaum was highly favoured with external things, as the presence of Christ, his ministry and miracles, and so said to be exalted unto heaven, yet, because of its impenitence and unbelief, should be brought down to hell, ( Matthew 11:23 ) .

Job 20:6 In-Context

4 “Don’t you realize that from the beginning of time, ever since people were first placed on the earth,

5 the triumph of the wicked has been short lived and the joy of the godless has been only temporary?

6 Though the pride of the godless reaches to the heavens and their heads touch the clouds,

7 yet they will vanish forever, thrown away like their own dung. Those who knew them will ask, ‘Where are they?’

8 They will fade like a dream and not be found. They will vanish like a vision in the night.