Job 20:20

20 Because his appetite is never satisfied,[a] he does not escape his[b] desires.

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 must return the fruit of his labor without consuming [it]; he doesn't enjoy the profits from his trading.
19 For he oppressed and abandoned the poor; he seized a house he did not build.
20 Because his appetite is never satisfied, he does not escape his desires.
21 Nothing is left for him to consume; therefore, his prosperity will not last.
22 At the height of his success distress will come to him; the full weight of misery will crush him.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Lit Because he does not know ease in his stomach
  • [b]. Or satisfied he will not save what he
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