Job 33:20

20 Bread becometh abominable to him in his life, and to his soul the meat which before he desired.

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 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 (hwat lkam) "cibum desiderii", Vatablus, Drusius, Michaelis; "cibum appetentiae", Mercerus.

Job 33:20 In-Context

18 Rescuing his soul from corruption: and his life from passing to the sword.

19 He rebuketh also by sorrow in the bed, and he maketh all his bones to wither.

20 Bread becometh abominable to him in his life, and to his soul the meat which before he desired.

21 His flesh shall be consumed away, and his bones that were covered shall be made bare.

22 His soul hath drawn near to corruption, and his life to the destroyers.