Job 33:20

20 so that their body finds food repulsive and their soul loathes the choicest meal.

Job 33:20 in Other Translations

KJV
20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
ESV
20 so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite the choicest food.
NLT
20 They lose their appetite for even the most delicious food.
MSG
20 So they can't stand the sight of food, have no appetite for their favorite treats.
CSB
20 so that he detests bread, and his soul [despises his] favorite food.

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 to preserve them from the pit, their lives from perishing by the sword.
19 “Or someone may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in their bones,
20 so that their body finds food repulsive and their soul loathes the choicest meal.
21 Their flesh wastes away to nothing, and their bones, once hidden, now stick out.
22 They draw near to the pit, and their life to the messengers of death.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 102:4; Psalms 107:18
  • 2. S Job 3:24; S Job 6:6
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