All earthly gains secured through injustice will be forfeited, as God Himself guarantees their loss.
Zophar, one of Job’s friends who was from the region of Naamah, continues his discourse upon the fate of the wicked by declaring, “He swallows riches, But will vomit them up; God will expel them from his belly” (v.15). In doing so, he uses graphic imagery to illustrate how ill-gotten wealth or possessions cannot remain hidden from the justice of the Almighty. Although the exact location of Naamah is uncertain, it is generally associated with the land east or southeast of Canaan, near Edom. Zophar’s words, spoken sometime around 2000-1500 BC when Job lived in Uz, convey the idea that no matter how thoroughly the wicked may “swallow” their riches, they cannot keep them indefinitely because God remains sovereign over all human endeavors.
When Zophar proclaims that the wicked will “vomit” their riches, he implies that any temporary gain achieved through deceit or oppression will ultimately turn sour and be forcibly relinquished. The strong expression, “God will expel them from his belly” (v.15), suggests divine intervention in stripping away the spoils of wrongdoing, echoing biblical themes that warn against trusting in uncertain riches (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Jesus likewise taught that wealth obtained apart from God’s will has no lasting value, urging believers instead to store up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Zophar’s statement in Job underscores this sobering principle: worldly prosperity, if gained through injustice, is fleeting and ultimately subject to God’s judgment.
Within the broader context of the Book of Job, Zophar’s harsh words reflect the ongoing debate about suffering, sin, and divine justice. Though Zophar’s assumption that material calamity proves wickedness is flawed (as God later corrects Job’s friends), his warning stands firm in its assessment of dishonest gain: God remains Lord over every hidden deed, and He ensures that ill-gotten goods will not provide lasting security or peace.
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Job 20:15 meaning
Zophar, one of Job’s friends who was from the region of Naamah, continues his discourse upon the fate of the wicked by declaring, “He swallows riches, But will vomit them up; God will expel them from his belly” (v.15). In doing so, he uses graphic imagery to illustrate how ill-gotten wealth or possessions cannot remain hidden from the justice of the Almighty. Although the exact location of Naamah is uncertain, it is generally associated with the land east or southeast of Canaan, near Edom. Zophar’s words, spoken sometime around 2000-1500 BC when Job lived in Uz, convey the idea that no matter how thoroughly the wicked may “swallow” their riches, they cannot keep them indefinitely because God remains sovereign over all human endeavors.
When Zophar proclaims that the wicked will “vomit” their riches, he implies that any temporary gain achieved through deceit or oppression will ultimately turn sour and be forcibly relinquished. The strong expression, “God will expel them from his belly” (v.15), suggests divine intervention in stripping away the spoils of wrongdoing, echoing biblical themes that warn against trusting in uncertain riches (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Jesus likewise taught that wealth obtained apart from God’s will has no lasting value, urging believers instead to store up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Zophar’s statement in Job underscores this sobering principle: worldly prosperity, if gained through injustice, is fleeting and ultimately subject to God’s judgment.
Within the broader context of the Book of Job, Zophar’s harsh words reflect the ongoing debate about suffering, sin, and divine justice. Though Zophar’s assumption that material calamity proves wickedness is flawed (as God later corrects Job’s friends), his warning stands firm in its assessment of dishonest gain: God remains Lord over every hidden deed, and He ensures that ill-gotten goods will not provide lasting security or peace.