Job 27:23

23 It claps its hands at them, and hisses at them from its place.

Job 27:23 Meaning and Commentary

Job 27:23

[Men] shall clap their hands at him
In a way of joy and triumph, scorn and derision, see ( Lamentations 2:15 ) ( Nahum 3:19 ) ; either at the time of his death, being glad they are rid of him, ( Psalms 52:5 Psalms 52:6 ) ; or rather hereafter, to all eternity, while the wrath and vengeance of God is pouring on him; and this will be done by all righteous men evermore; not pleasing themselves with the shocking scene, nor indulging any evil passion in them, from which they will be entirely free; but rejoicing in the glory of divine justice, which will be displayed in the everlasting destruction of wicked men, see ( Revelation 18:20 ) ( Revelation 19:1 Revelation 19:2 ) ; and this need not be restrained to good men only, but ascribed to angels also; for it may be rendered impersonally, "hands shall be clapped at him"; or joy be expressed on this occasion by all in heaven, angels and saints, who will all approve and applaud the divine procedure against wicked men as right and just; yea, this may express the glorying of divine justice, and its triumph in the condemnation and destruction of sinners;

and shall hiss him out of his place;
from the bar and tribunal of God, where he stood and was condemned; and, as he goes to everlasting punishment, expressing abhorrence and detestation of him and his crimes, and as pleased with the righteous judgment of God upon him. Now this is the wicked man's portion, and the heritage he shall have of God at and after death, though he has been in flourishing circumstances in life; all which Job observes, to show that he was no friend nor favourer of wicked men, nor thought well of them and their ways, though he observed the prosperity they are attended with in their present state; and as for himself, he was not, and would not, be such a wicked man, and an hypocrite, on any account whatever, since he was sure he must then be miserable hereafter, to all intents and purposes.

Job 27:23 In-Context

21 The east wind lifts them up and they are gone; it sweeps them out of their place.
22 It hurls at them without pity; they flee from its power in headlong flight.
23 It claps its hands at them, and hisses at them from its place.

Footnotes 3

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.