Job 27:11-23

Job’s view of his enemies’ fate

11 I will teach you God's power, not hide what pertains to the Almighty.

12 Look, those of you who recognize this— why then this empty talk?

13 This is the wicked's portion with God, the inheritance that the ruthless receive from the Almighty.

14 If their children increase, they belong to the sword; their offspring won't have enough bread.

15 Their survivors will be buried with the dead; their widows won't weep.

16 If they store up silver like dust, amass clothing like clay,

17 they may amass, but the righteous will wear it; the innocent will divide the silver.

18 They built their houses like nests, like a hut made by a watchman.

19 They lie down rich, but no longer; open their eyes, but it's missing.

20 Terrors overtake them like waters; a tempest snatches them by night;

21 an east wind lifts them, and they are gone, removes them from their places,

22 throws itself on them without mercy; they flee desperately from its force.

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

Job 27:11-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 27

Though Job's friends were become silent, and dropped the controversy with him, he still continued his discourse in this and the four following chapters; in which he asserts his integrity; illustrates and confirms his former sentiments; gives further proof of his knowledge of things, natural and divine; takes notice of his former state of prosperity, and of his present distresses and afflictions, which came upon him, notwithstanding his piety, humanity, and beneficence, and his freedom from the grosser acts of sin, both with respect to God and men, all which he enlarges upon. In this chapter he gives his word and oath for it, that he would never belie himself, and own that he was an hypocrite, when he was not, but would continue to assert his integrity, and the righteousness of his cause, as long as he lived, Job 27:1-6; for to be an hypocrite, and to attempt to conceal his hypocrisy, would be of no advantage to him, either in life, or in death, Job 27:7-10; and was this his character and case, upon their principles, he could expect no other than to be a miserable man, as wicked men are, who have their blessings turned into curses, or taken away from them, and they removed out of the world in the most awful and terrible manner, and under manifest tokens of the wrath and displeasure of God, Job 27:11-23.