Job 20:6

6 Though his excellence shall mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds;

Job 20:6 Meaning and Commentary

Job 20:6

Though his excellency mount up to the heavens
Though, in worldly grandeur and glory, he should arrive to such a pitch as the Assyrian monarch was ambitious of, as to ascend into heaven, exalt his throne above the stars of God, and be like the Most High; or be comparable to such a tree, by which the greatness of Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom is expressed, the height whereof reached unto heaven, ( Isaiah 14:12 Isaiah 14:14 ) ( Daniel 4:11 ) ;

and his head reach unto the clouds;
being lifted up with pride, because of his greatness, and looking with contempt and scorn on others; the Septuagint version is, "if his gifts ascend up to heaven" which well agrees with an hypocrite possessed of great gifts, and proud of them; as Capernaum was highly favoured with external things, as the presence of Christ, his ministry and miracles, and so said to be exalted unto heaven, yet, because of its impenitence and unbelief, should be brought down to hell, ( Matthew 11:23 ) .

Job 20:6 In-Context

4 Knowest thou [not] this of old, since man was placed upon earth,

5 That the triumphing of the wicked [is] short, and the joy of the hypocrite [but] for a moment?

6 Though his excellence shall mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds;

7 [Yet] he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they who have seen him shall say, Where [is] he?

8 He shall fly away as a dream, and will not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.